OSRS Thieving Guide: Fastest Path from 1-99 in 2025

OSRS Thieving Guide: Fastest Path from 1-99 in 2025


Welcome to the ultimate guide for training Thieving from level 1 to 99 in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)! Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer looking to max out this skill, this guide covers the fastest methods, useful tips, and profitable alternatives to get you to that coveted Thieving Cape. Updated for 2025, we’ll walk you through every step to optimize your XP rates and make the journey as smooth as possible. Let’s dive into the world of pickpocketing, stalls, and blackjacking!

Thieving is a members-only skill in OSRS that lets you steal coins, items, and loot from NPCs, stalls, and chests. It’s not just about the thrill—Thieving unlocks key content like quests (e.g., Desert Treasure and Monkey Madness 2) and offers some of the best money-making methods at higher levels. Plus, it’s relatively fast to train, taking around 60-70 hours to hit 99 with the right approach. Ready to become a master thief? Let’s get started.

Key Benefits of Thieving

  • Quest Requirements: You’ll need 64 Thieving for the Quest Cape and 91 for the Achievement Diary Cape.
  • Money-Making: High-level methods like pickpocketing elves can net you up to 3M GP per hour.
  • Fast XP: With optimal methods, you can achieve over 250K XP per hour.

Essential Thieving Equipment and Unlocks

Before jumping into training, grab these items and unlocks to boost your success rates and XP efficiency. They’re not mandatory, but they’ll make your life much easier.

Must-Have Gear

  • Dodgy Necklace: Gives a 25% chance to avoid stuns when failing a pickpocket. Stock up—these crumble after 10 uses.
  • Gloves of Silence: Boosts pickpocketing success by 5% (requires 54 Hunter; doesn’t stack with Ardougne Diary).
  • Rogue’s Outfit: Doubles loot from pickpocketing (obtained from Rogues’ Den minigame).

Useful Unlocks

  • Ardougne Diary (Medium): 10% increased pickpocketing success in Ardougne.
  • Ardougne Diary (Hard): Extends the 10% bonus across Gielinor.
  • Shadow Veil Spell: 15% chance to avoid stuns (requires 47 Magic and Arceuus Spellbook).

Fastest Thieving Training Methods: Level 1-99

This section outlines the quickest path to 99 Thieving, focusing on maximum XP per hour. These methods are click-intensive but worth it for speed.

Levels 1-5: Pickpocketing Men/Women

Start by pickpocketing men or women in Lumbridge or Varrock. Each success gives 8 XP, and you’ll need 49 pickpockets to reach level 5. Use RuneLite’s Menu Entry Swapper plugin to set “Pickpocket” as your left-click option for faster clicks. This takes about 5-10 minutes.

  • XP/Hour: ~6K
  • Location: Lumbridge or Varrock

Levels 5-25: Bakery Stalls in Ardougne

Head to East Ardougne’s market and steal from the bakery stall. Stand under the baker to avoid guards spotting you. Each steal nets 16 XP, and cakes are handy for later healing. You’ll hit level 25 in about 30 minutes.

  • XP/Hour: ~19K
  • Location: East Ardougne Market

Levels 25-45: Fruit Stalls in Hosidius

Move to the fruit stalls in Hosidius (requires 15% Hosidius favor). Steal from the stall in the house east of the market for 28.5 XP per action. Trap the nearby dog for uninterrupted thieving. This takes around 2-3 hours to reach 45.

Levels 45-91: Blackjacking in Pollnivneach

Blackjacking is the king of Thieving XP from 45 to 91. You’ll need partial completion of “The Feud” quest and a blackjack (any type works). Target Bandits (level 55) until 65, then Menaphite Thugs (level 65) up to 91. Lure them into a house, knock them out, and pickpocket twice before they recover. Bring food (e.g., jugs of wine from the nearby bar) to heal from failed attempts.

  • XP/Hour: 140K-250K (scales with level)
  • Location: Pollnivneach
  • Tips: Use Dodgy Necklaces and Shadow Veil to minimize stuns.

Levels 91-99: Pyramid Plunder

From 91, Pyramid Plunder in Sophanem offers the fastest XP in the game. Start “Icthlarin’s Little Helper” for access, or use a Pharaoh’s Sceptre teleport. Loot urns and chests in the highest rooms you can access (requires 21+ Thieving, with better XP at higher levels). Bring antipoison, stamina potions, and a lockpick to maximize efficiency. Expect 8-10 hours to hit 99.

  • XP/Hour: 200K-270K
  • Location: Sophanem
  • Tips: Focus on the last two rooms for best XP.

Alternative Thieving Methods

Not a fan of blackjacking or Pyramid Plunder? Here are some less click-intensive or profitable alternatives to mix into your training.

Pickpocketing Ardougne Knights (Level 55+)

Knights in Ardougne’s marketplace offer decent XP and GP. Trap one in a house for easy pickpocketing. With Rogue’s Outfit and Dodgy Necklaces, this becomes semi-AFK and profitable.

  • XP/Hour: 80K-150K
  • Profit: ~100K GP/hour

Stealing Artefacts in Port Piscarilius (Level 49+)

Requires 75% Piscarilius favor and a lockpick. Speak to Captain Khaled to steal artefacts from houses. It’s less intense than blackjacking and pairs well with other tasks like alching.

  • XP/Hour: 100K-150K
  • Profit: ~50K GP/hour

Pickpocketing Elves in Prifddinas (Level 85+)

After completing “Song of the Elves,” pickpocket elves for a slower but highly profitable method. Enhanced crystal teleport seeds are the big prize here.

  • XP/Hour: ~150K
  • Profit: 2M-3M GP/hour

Thieving XP and Time Table

Here’s a breakdown of the fastest path to 99, including XP rates and estimated time per method.

Level Range Method XP/Hour Time to Next Milestone
1-5 Pickpocketing Men/Women 6K 10 minutes
5-25 Bakery Stalls 19K 30 minutes
25-45 Fruit Stalls 40K 2-3 hours
45-91 Blackjacking 140K-250K 40-50 hours
91-99 Pyramid Plunder 200K-270K 8-10 hours

Total Time to 99: ~60-70 hours with optimal methods.

Tips for Efficient Thieving Training

Maximize your grind with these pro tips:

Optimize Your Setup

  • Use RuneLite plugins like Menu Entry Swapper and Inventory Tags for faster clicks and inventory management.
  • Bind actions to a foot pedal or mouse button if allowed by your setup for less strain.

Manage Resources

  • Bring lightweight food (e.g., cakes or pies) to heal without banking often.
  • Stamina potions are a must for Pyramid Plunder and artefact stealing.

Quest Boosts

Complete early quests like “Biohazard” (2,000 XP) or “The Feud” (15,000 XP) to skip low-level grinding. Check the OSRS Wiki for a full list of Thieving XP quests.

And there you have it—your roadmap to 99 Thieving in OSRS! Whether you stick to the fastest path or mix in some profitable alternatives, you’ll be showing off that Thieving Cape in no time. Happy stealing, and may your pockets always be full!