Ranged Leveling Guide OSRS – Fastest 1-99 Training Methods

Training Ranged in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding journey that unlocks powerful combat capabilities, from tackling tough bosses to dominating PvP. This comprehensive guide covers the fastest and most efficient methods to level Ranged from 1 to 99, including free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll find tips, gear recommendations, and training spots to optimize your grind.
Ranged is one of the three core combat skills in OSRS, alongside Melee and Magic. It’s highly valued for its accuracy, ability to safespot monsters, and scalability with gear. Here’s why leveling Ranged is worth your time:
- High Damage Output: Ranged scales quickly, allowing you to hit harder as your level increases.
- Safespotting: Attack enemies from a distance without taking damage.
- Versatility: Essential for Slayer tasks, bossing, and PvP.
- Quest Requirements: Skills like Ranged are needed for quests like Temple of Ikov and the Achievement Diary Cape.
Getting Started – Understanding Ranged Mechanics
How Ranged Works
Your Ranged level affects two key stats: accuracy (chance to hit) and max hit (damage dealt). Higher levels improve both, while your Ranged Attack and Strength bonuses from gear further boost performance. Most Ranged weapons offer three combat styles:
- Accurate: +3 Ranged level boost, ideal for low levels.
- Rapid: Faster attack speed, best for maximizing XP/hour.
- Longrange: Splits XP between Ranged and Defence, not recommended for pure Ranged training.
For optimal XP, always use the Rapid style unless specified otherwise.
Useful Unlocks for Ranged Training
Before diving into training, unlock these to save time and money:
- Ava’s Devices: Complete Animal Magnetism (requires 30 Ranged) to get Ava’s Accumulator, which recovers 60-80% of your ammunition.
- Dwarf Multicannon: Complete Dwarf Cannon quest for a cannon that deals massive damage in multi-combat areas.
- Rigour Prayer: Unlock at 77 Prayer for a significant Ranged boost (costs ~30M GP).
Low-Level Ranged Training (Levels 1-40)
F2P Training Methods
Free-to-play players face limited gear options, but Ranged is still viable. Start with a shortbow and bronze arrows, upgrading to iron or steel as you progress. Here’s a step-by-step plan:
- Levels 1-10: Chickens – Head to Farmer Fred’s chicken coop northeast of Lumbridge. Safespot behind fences for zero damage.
- Levels 10-20: Cows – Train in Lumbridge’s cow fields. Collect hides for extra GP.
- Levels 20-30: Barbarians – In Barbarian Village, safespot barbarians behind tables in the Long Hall.
- Levels 30-40: Giant Frogs – Found in Lumbridge Swamp, these have high HP and low Defence, offering decent XP.
Tip: Enable ammo-picking in Gameplay settings to auto-equip arrows you pick up.
P2P Questing for Early Levels
P2P players can skip early grinding with quests that reward Ranged XP:
Quest | Ranged XP | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Shadow of the Storm | 10,000 | 30 Crafting |
Death to the Dorgeshuun | 2,000 | 23 Agility, 23 Thieving |
Horror from the Deep | 4,662.5 | 35 Agility |
Temple of Ikov | 10,500 | 40 Ranged (bypassable) |
Completing these grants ~16,662.5 XP, boosting you to level 36 instantly.
Mid-Level Ranged Training (Levels 40-70)
F2P – Moss Giants and Ogresses
In F2P, transition to stronger monsters:
- Levels 40-60: Moss Giants – Found in Varrock Sewers, safespot behind the cauldron. They drop mossy keys for a chance at Bryophyta’s essence (6.6M GP).
- Levels 60-70: Ogresses – In Corsair Cove (requires Corsair Curse), ogresses drop runes and rune med helms. Their high Ranged Defence slows XP, but profits are solid.
P2P – Cannoning and Crabs
P2P players can use the Dwarf Multicannon for rapid XP:
- Ogres (Castle Wars): Cannon ogres east of Castle Wars for ~40,000 XP/hour. No quest requirements, but spots can be crowded.
- Caged Ogres (Combat Training Camp): Requires Biohazard. Less crowded, offering similar XP.
- Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island): After Bone Voyage, these crabs have low Ranged Defence, making them ideal for low-level training.
Gear Tip: Use the best D’hide armor (e.g., Green D’hide at 40 Ranged) and a bone crossbow with bone bolts for cost efficiency.
High-Level Ranged Training (Levels 70-99)
Chinning Maniacal Monkeys
From level 45, chinning becomes the fastest XP method, offering up to 700,000 XP/hour at higher levels. Head to the Monkey Madness II tunnels and use chinchompas (grey, red, or black) with Medium Fuse for optimal speed. Requirements:
- Quest: Monkey Madness II
- Gear: Elite Void or Masori armor, Ava’s Assembler
- Prayer: Rigour (highly recommended)
Cost: Chinning is expensive (~10-15M GP/hour), but the speed is unmatched.
Slayer with Cannon
Training Ranged alongside Slayer is efficient and profitable. Use the Dwarf Multicannon on tasks like dagannoths or kalphites in multi-combat areas. Expect 2-4M Ranged XP by level 99 Slayer. Tips:
- Tasks: Prioritize cannonable tasks for max XP.
- Gear: Crystal or Masori armor, Toxic Blowpipe for single-target tasks.
Nightmare Zone (NMZ) AFK Training
For a relaxed approach, use NMZ with absorption potions and a Toxic Blowpipe. This method offers ~100,000-150,000 XP/hour while being semi-AFK. Requirements:
- Quest: Complete 5 NMZ quests (e.g., The Grand Tree)
- Setup: Void Knight equipment, Ava’s Accumulator
Gear and Inventory Setup
Recommended Gear Progression
Level | Weapon | Armor | Ammo |
---|---|---|---|
1-20 | Shortbow | Leather Armor | Bronze/Iron Arrows |
20-40 | Bone Crossbow | Green D’hide | Bone Bolts |
40-70 | Rune Crossbow | Blue D’hide | Adamant Bolts |
70+ | Toxic Blowpipe | Armadyl/Masori | Dragon Darts |
Inventory Tips
Your inventory should prioritize efficiency:
- Food: Jugs of wine (cheap, heals 11 HP).
- Potions: Ranging potions for a temporary boost.
- Runes: For Telekinetic Grab to collect drops in safespots.
Tips for Efficient Ranged Training
- Safespot Wisely: Use obstacles like fences or rocks to avoid damage.
- Combine with Slayer: Gain passive Ranged XP while earning GP.
- Monitor Costs: Cannoning and chinning are expensive, so balance with profitable methods like ogresses.
- Use Calculators: Tools like OldSchool.tools estimate XP and costs for planning.
By following this guide, you’ll hit 99 Ranged efficiently while enjoying the grind. Happy training!