The Ultimate Guide to the Rune Pickaxe in OSRS: Everything You Need to Know
Are you an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to optimize your Mining experience? The rune pickaxe might just be the tool you need. As one of the most iconic and accessible tools in the game, the rune pickaxe strikes a balance between efficiency and availability, making it a staple for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) adventurers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about the rune pickaxe in OSRS—its stats, how to obtain it, its uses, and how it stacks up against other pickaxes. Whether you’re a beginner miner or a seasoned veteran, this blog post will help you master the rune pickaxe and elevate your gameplay.
The rune pickaxe is a mid-to-high-tier mining tool in OSRS, renowned for its versatility and effectiveness. It’s the best pickaxe available in F2P and holds its own as a solid option for P2P players until they unlock higher-tier alternatives like the dragon or crystal pickaxe. With a Mining level requirement of 41 and an Attack level of 40 to wield, it’s a tool that bridges the gap between early-game and late-game mining.
Key Stats of the Rune Pickaxe
The rune pickaxe operates on a 3-tick cycle, meaning it attempts to mine ore every 1.8 seconds. This speed makes it significantly faster than lower-tier pickaxes like the steel or mithril variants. While it doesn’t offer the raw power of members-only pickaxes, its accessibility and performance make it a go-to choice for many players.
- Mining Level Required: 41
- Attack Level to Wield: 40
- Mining Speed: 3-tick cycle (1.8 seconds per attempt)
- Best For: F2P mining, mid-tier P2P mining
Why the Rune Pickaxe Matters
For F2P players, the rune pickaxe is the pinnacle of mining tools, offering the fastest mining speed available without a membership. For P2P players, it serves as a reliable stepping stone before investing in pricier options. Its widespread availability and reasonable cost also make it a practical choice for Ironman accounts or those looking to save gold for other in-game priorities.
How to Obtain the Rune Pickaxe in OSRS
Getting your hands on a rune pickaxe is straightforward, with multiple methods available depending on your account type and playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to acquire one.
Purchasing from Shops
The easiest way to obtain a rune pickaxe is by buying it from an in-game shop. Two primary vendors cater to both F2P and P2P players:
- Nurmof’s Pickaxe Shop: Located in the Dwarven Mines, Nurmof sells rune pickaxes for 32,000 coins. This is a great option for F2P players as it’s accessible without membership.
- Yarsul’s Prodigious Pickaxes: Found in the Mining Guild (F2P section requires 60 Mining), this shop also sells rune pickaxes for 32,000 coins.
P2P players have additional options like Toothy’s Pickaxes in Lovakengj or Gwyn’s Mining Emporium in Prifddinas, though these require specific quests or progression.
Quest Rewards
For those who enjoy questing, the rune pickaxe is a reward from the quest Between a Rock…. This quest requires 30 Defence, 40 Mining, and 50 Smithing, making it a viable option for mid-level players looking to snag a free rune pickaxe while earning some extra XP.
Monster Drops and Clue Scrolls
P2P players can also obtain the rune pickaxe as a drop from certain monsters or as a reward from hard clue scrolls. Notable monsters include:
- Scorpia: Wilderness boss with a chance to drop the rune pickaxe.
- General Graardor: A Bandos boss in the God Wars Dungeon.
- The Gauntlet: A minigame in Prifddinas with potential pickaxe rewards.
Hard clue scrolls offer a semi-common chance to yield a rune pickaxe, making them a passive way to acquire one while treasure hunting.
Uses of the Rune Pickaxe in OSRS
The rune pickaxe isn’t just a shiny tool to flaunt—it’s a workhorse with practical applications across various activities in OSRS. Here’s how you can put it to use.
Mining Ores for Profit and XP
The primary use of the rune pickaxe is mining ores like coal, mithril, adamantite, and runite. Its 3-tick cycle ensures faster resource gathering compared to lower-tier pickaxes, making it ideal for both XP grinding and money-making. For F2P players, mining runite ore with a rune pickaxe can net over 300,000 GP per inventory, given its high market value of 11,000+ GP per ore.
Combat Utility
While not a traditional weapon, the rune pickaxe can be wielded in combat, requiring 40 Attack. It’s occasionally used in niche scenarios, such as fighting Guardians in the Chambers of Xeric or Rune Golems in the Wilderness Resource Area, where pickaxes are required to deal damage.
Ironman Considerations
For Ironman players, the rune pickaxe is a critical tool due to its accessibility. Since you can’t trade on the Grand Exchange, farming it from shops, quests, or monster drops is essential. It remains a reliable option until you can tackle bosses like Callisto or Venenatis for a dragon pickaxe.
Rune Pickaxe vs. Other Pickaxes: A Comparison
How does the rune pickaxe stack up against other mining tools in OSRS? Let’s compare it to some popular alternatives to see where it shines and where it falls short.
Rune Pickaxe vs. Adamant Pickaxe
The adamant pickaxe requires 31 Mining and 30 Attack, making it easier to use than the rune pickaxe. However, the rune pickaxe’s faster mining speed (3-tick vs. 4-tick for adamant) makes it a clear upgrade for those who can meet its requirements.
Rune Pickaxe vs. Dragon Pickaxe
The dragon pickaxe, a P2P-only tool, requires 61 Mining and 60 Attack. It offers a 5.88% increase in mining speed over the rune pickaxe and includes a special attack (Rock Knocker) that boosts Mining by 3 levels temporarily. While superior, the dragon pickaxe’s rarity and cost (often millions of GP) make the rune pickaxe a more practical choice for many players.
Rune Pickaxe vs. Crystal Pickaxe
The crystal pickaxe is the best-in-slot mining tool for P2P players, requiring 71 Mining and a dragon pickaxe base to craft. It boasts a 10% speed increase over the dragon pickaxe (and thus even more over the rune pickaxe). However, its high cost and requirements (Song of the Elves quest, 76 Smithing/Crafting) put it out of reach for most players, leaving the rune pickaxe as a solid mid-tier option.
| Pickaxe | Mining Level | Attack Level | Tick Cycle | F2P/P2P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rune Pickaxe | 41 | 40 | 3 | Both |
| Adamant Pickaxe | 31 | 30 | 4 | Both |
| Dragon Pickaxe | 61 | 60 | 3 (faster) | P2P |
| Crystal Pickaxe | 71 | 60 | 3 (fastest) | P2P |
Tips and Tricks for Using the Rune Pickaxe Effectively
To get the most out of your rune pickaxe, consider these strategies to maximize efficiency and enjoyment in OSRS.
Optimize Your Mining Locations
For F2P, the Mining Guild (with 60 Mining) or the Wilderness Resource Area are prime spots for runite ore. P2P players can target the Motherlode Mine or Prifddinas mining spots for variety and higher yields. Pair your rune pickaxe with a high Mining level to increase your success rate per tick.
Toolbelt Integration
Add the rune pickaxe to your toolbelt to free up an inventory slot while mining. This is especially useful for profit-focused trips, allowing you to carry one extra ore per run. If you upgrade to a better pickaxe later, the rune pickaxe will return to your inventory automatically.
Combine with Boosts
Use Mining boosts like the Dwarven Stout (+1 Mining) or the Mining Cape (+5% ore chance at 99 Mining) to enhance your rune pickaxe’s effectiveness. While these boosts don’t affect the tick cycle, they improve your odds of successfully mining ore, making your sessions more productive.
Plan for Upgrades
If you’re a P2P player, treat the rune pickaxe as a stepping stone. Save up for a dragon pickaxe by mining runite or completing clue scrolls, then aim for the crystal pickaxe once you’ve progressed further. The rune pickaxe will carry you far, but planning ahead ensures a smooth transition to endgame tools.
In conclusion, the rune pickaxe in OSRS is a versatile and powerful tool that caters to a wide range of players. Its accessibility, decent mining speed, and dual F2P/P2P compatibility make it a must-have for anyone serious about Mining. Whether you’re grinding XP, chasing profits, or tackling unique combat challenges, the rune pickaxe has you covered. So grab one today, head to your favorite mining spot, and start digging into the riches of Gielinor!