Shield of Arrav OSRS Solo Guide for Completing the Quest

Shield of Arrav OSRS Solo Guide for Completing the Quest

The Shield of Arrav quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a classic novice-level quest that tells the tale of a legendary shield stolen from Varrock’s museum by organized crime syndicates. Traditionally, this quest requires a partner to complete, as it involves joining one of two rival gangs—Phoenix Gang or Black Arm Gang—and trading items with a player from the opposing gang. However, with updates and creative workarounds, it’s now possible to tackle the Shield of Arrav OSRS solo, especially for Ironman accounts or players who prefer to go it alone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to complete the Shield of Arrav quest solo, including step-by-step instructions, requirements, and tips to make the process seamless.

The Shield of Arrav quest is unique because it was originally designed to encourage player cooperation. The shield is split into two halves, each held by one of the gangs, and players must trade items (a key or crossbows) and certificates to complete the quest. For solo players, this cooperative element poses a challenge, but with the right approach, you can bypass the need for a partner. This guide focuses on methods that allow you to complete the quest entirely on your own, leveraging game mechanics or alternative accounts.

Why Go Solo?

Completing the Shield of Arrav solo is particularly appealing for:

  • Ironman Accounts: Ironmen cannot trade with other players, making solo completion a necessity.
  • Players Without Partners: If you don’t have friends playing OSRS or can’t find a partner via the “OSRS SOA” chat-channel, solo methods save time.
  • Quest Cape Aspirants: The Shield of Arrav is a prerequisite for quests like Heroes’ Quest, making it essential for those chasing the Quest Point Cape.

Quest Requirements and Preparation

OSRS Shield of Arrav Black Arm Gang Quest Guide Ironman Friendly

Before diving into the solo methods, let’s cover the basic requirements and recommended preparations for the Shield of Arrav quest. While the quest is novice-level, having the right items and knowledge will streamline your experience.

Quest Requirements

  • Partner or Solo Workaround: Traditionally, you need a partner from the opposite gang. For solo play, you’ll either need an alternate account or rely on a game mechanic (more on this later).
  • Items for Phoenix Gang: 20 coins to bribe Baraek.
  • Items for Black Arm Gang: 2 Phoenix crossbows (obtained during the quest).
  • Combat Level: A combat level of at least 10 is recommended, though not mandatory, for dealing with low-level enemies.

Recommended Items

Item Purpose
Weapon Optional for killing Jonny the Beard (level 2) or Weaponsmaster (level 23).
Food Optional for low-level players to survive combat.
Teleport to Varrock Speeds up travel between locations.

Solo Method 1: Using an Alternate Account

The most reliable way to complete the Shield of Arrav solo is by using an alternate (alt) account to act as your “partner.” This method is straightforward, especially for Ironman players, as it mimics the traditional quest process but with you controlling both accounts. Here’s how to do it.

Step-by-Step Guide for Alt Account Method

  1. Start the Quest on Both Accounts
    • Log into your main account and go to Varrock Palace library. Speak to Reldo and ask for a quest.
    • Search the bookcase with the navy blue book on the east side of the central bookcases to find the “Shield of Arrav” book. Read it.
    • Talk to Reldo again and ask about the Phoenix Gang. He’ll direct you to Baraek in Varrock Square.
    • Repeat these steps on your alt account.
  2. Join Opposite Gangs
    • Main Account (Phoenix Gang): Go to Baraek in Varrock Square, pay 20 coins, and learn the Phoenix Gang hideout location (south-east Varrock, near Aubury’s Rune Shop). Head to the hideout, talk to Straven, and agree to kill Jonny the Beard (level 2) in the Blue Moon Inn. Kill him, pick up the Intel report, and return to Straven to join the Phoenix Gang. Open the chest in the south-west corner of the hideout to get the left half of the Shield of Arrav.
    • Alt Account (Black Arm Gang): Talk to Charlie the Tramp near Varrock’s southern entrance. Ask about the alley, then head to the Black Arm Gang hideout. Speak to Katrine, tell her you know about the gang, and accept her task to steal 2 Phoenix crossbows. You’ll need the Weapon store key from your main account later.
  3. Trade the Weapon Store Key
    • On your main account, obtain the Weapon store key from Straven after joining the Phoenix Gang. Trade or drop the key to your alt account. For Ironmen, use the “use” option to transfer the key.
    • On your alt account, use the key to enter the weapon store (east of the Phoenix Gang hideout), climb the ladder, and kill the Weaponsmaster (level 23). Pick up 2 Phoenix crossbows and return them to Katrine to join the Black Arm Gang. Go upstairs in the hideout and search the cupboard on the south-eastern wall to get the right half of the Shield of Arrav.
  4. Combine the Shield Halves
    • Take both shield halves (one from each account) to Curator Haig Halen in the Varrock Museum. He’ll give each account two copies of half a certificate.
    • Trade one half-certificate from your main account to your alt account, and vice versa. For Ironmen, use the “use” option to exchange certificates.
    • On your main account, combine the two half-certificates to create a complete certificate.
  5. Complete the Quest
    • Take the completed certificate to King Roald in Varrock Palace to finish the quest on your main account. Repeat the certificate combination and King Roald step on your alt account if you want to complete the quest there too.

Tips for Alt Account Method

  • Low-Level Combat: Jonny the Beard is only level 2, and the Weaponsmaster is level 23. If your alt account is low-level, bring food or use safespot tactics for the Weaponsmaster.
  • Account Creation: Creating an alt account is free and takes minutes. Use a different email or log in via a different platform (e.g., Steam or mobile).
  • Drop-Trick for Ironmen: If you’re an Ironman, you can’t trade items normally. Use the “use” mechanic or drop items in a safe location to transfer them between accounts.

Solo Method 2: Game Update Workaround (Post-Rework)

In a recent update, Jagex reworked the Shield of Arrav quest to make it possible to complete without a partner by allowing players to switch gangs or access both shield halves under certain conditions. This method is ideal if you don’t want to manage an alt account.

Steps for Post-Rework Solo Completion

  1. Start the Quest
    • Talk to Reldo in Varrock Palace library, find and read the “Shield of Arrav” book, and ask about the Phoenix Gang.
  2. Join the Phoenix Gang
    • Speak to Baraek in Varrock Square, pay 20 coins, and locate the Phoenix Gang hideout. Talk to Straven, kill Jonny the Beard, and return the Intel report to join the gang.
    • Search the chest in the south-west corner for the left half of the Shield of Arrav.
  3. Switch to Black Arm Gang
    • After getting the Phoenix Gang shield half, talk to Charlie the Tramp and head to the Black Arm Gang hideout. Speak to Katrine and accept her task to steal 2 Phoenix crossbows.
    • Use the Weapon store key (obtained from Straven) to enter the weapon store, kill the Weaponsmaster, and pick up the crossbows. Return them to Katrine to join the Black Arm Gang.
    • Go upstairs in the Black Arm Gang hideout and search the cupboard for the right half of the Shield of Arrav.
  4. Combine and Complete
    • Use one shield half on the other to create a Restored shield.
    • Take the Restored shield to King Roald in Varrock Palace to complete the quest.

Important Notes

  • Update Dependency: This method relies on the quest rework (post-May 2023). Check the official OSRS Wiki or RuneScape forums to confirm if the rework is active in your game version.
  • Gang Switching: You can’t switch gangs during certain stages of the Heroes’ Quest, so complete Shield of Arrav first if you plan to do both.

Rewards and Benefits

Completing the Shield of Arrav quest solo yields the same rewards as the traditional method, making it a worthwhile endeavor for any OSRS player.

Quest Rewards

  • 1 Quest Point: Contributes to your Quest Point Cape progress.
  • 600 Coins: A small but useful reward for early-game players.
  • 5 Kudos: Speak to Historian Minas in the Varrock Museum (members only) for museum kudos.
  • Access to Future Quests: Unlocks prerequisites for Heroes’ Quest and Throne of Miscellania.

Additional Benefits

  • Ironman Progression: Completing this quest solo is a major milestone for Ironman accounts.
  • Story Immersion: The quest’s narrative about Arrav and Varrock’s criminal underworld adds depth to the OSRS lore.

Tips for Success

Whether you choose the alt account method or the post-rework solo method, these tips will help you complete the Shield of Arrav quest efficiently.

General Tips

  • Use the OSRS Wiki: The official Old School RuneScape Wiki has detailed maps and dialogues to guide you through each step.
  • Plan Your Gang Choice: If you plan to do Heroes’ Quest later, note that Phoenix Gang is easier for low-combat players, while Black Arm Gang suits skillers avoiding combat experience.
  • Save Time with Teleports: Varrock teleports or the Chronicle (if you have it) can speed up travel between locations.

Combat Tips

  • Safespot the Weaponsmaster: For the Black Arm Gang path, you can safespot the Weaponsmaster behind boxes in the weapon store to avoid taking damage.
  • Low-Level Strategy: If your combat level is low, bring food like trout or salmon and use a decent weapon (e.g., Mithril scimitar).