Top OSRS Quests for Newbies and Veterans Alike

You know that feeling when you log into Old School RuneScape and stare at the quest list, wondering where to even start? I’ve been there more times than I can count. As someone who’s sunk thousands of hours into OSRS since the early days of the 2007 revival, I can tell you this: quests are the heart of the game. They’re not just busywork; they unlock stories that stick with you, skills that skyrocket your progress, and areas that make the world feel alive. If you’re a fresh account or a returning player looking to fill out that quest cape, picking the right ones early can change everything.

Let me share a quick story from my first ironman run. I was level 3, fumbling around Lumbridge, and decided to knock out Cook’s Assistant on a whim. That tiny bit of cooking XP? It snowballed into me whipping up better food for tougher fights later. Quests like that are gold for beginners. They give you a leg up without the grind. So, what makes a quest “good” in my book? Easy access, solid rewards, and that satisfying plot twist. Today, I’ll walk you through some of my favorites, from free-to-play starters to member must-dos. Stick around, and by the end, you’ll have a plan to tackle Gielinor like a pro.

Picture this: you’re grinding combat at the chicken coops, feeling like it’ll take forever to hit level 40 attack. Then bam, one quest dumps 10k XP on you, and suddenly you’re swinging a better weapon. That’s the magic. Quests aren’t side content; they’re shortcuts to endgame. They boost skills like attack, herblore, or even thieving, which might otherwise drag on for weeks.

But it’s not all about the numbers. The stories? Man, they’re what keep me coming back. Remember that time in Underground Pass where you’re navigating traps and elves are scheming everywhere? Chills. As an expert who’s completed every quest twice over, I always tell newbies: do quests early. They open teleports, diaries, and minigames that make everything smoother. Ever tried Barrows without Priest in Peril? Good luck getting there without dying to wolves.

Short answer: yes, quests are worth it. They save time, add flavor, and make you feel like a hero. Now, let’s dive into the free-to-play gems that every account needs.

Killer Free-to-Play Quests to Kick Things Off

Free-to-play might sound limited, but these quests pack a punch. They’re short, sweet, and give massive XP for zero membership fee. I remember rushing through them on my first F2P account back in 2013, thinking I’d never sub. Spoiler: I did, but these built my foundation.

Cook’s Assistant: Your Very First Step

Ever spawned in Lumbridge and seen that cook yelling about eggs? That’s this quest. No requirements, just grab an egg, bucket of milk, and grain from the farm nearby. Takes five minutes tops.

Rewards? 300 cooking XP and one quest point. Sounds meh, right? But hear me out. That XP gets you cooking meat faster, which means better healing in fights. On my main, I did this at level 1, and it let me train combat without starving. Pro tip: do it first thing. Question is, why wait?

Waterfall Quest: Combat Booster Extraordinaire

Oh man, Waterfall Quest. This one’s a rite of passage. Head to Baxtorian Falls, follow the path, fight some level 20s, and chat with Almera. No skills needed, but bring food because there’s a boss at the end.

The payoff? 13,750 attack and 12,500 strength XP. From scratch, that’s level 30 in both. I did this on a pure account once, and it let me rush to 60 strength without touching a hill giant. It’s straightforward, but that waterfall fight? Tense. If you’re melee-focused, prioritize it. Ever wondered how irons get strong so quick? This.

The Knight’s Sword: Smithing Shortcut

Mining rocks? Boring. But for smithing? This quest changes the game. Talk to the Falador blacksmith, blurite ore involved, puzzle with a statue. Requires 10 mining, but boostable with a dwarven stout if you’re short.

Rewards: 12,725 smithing XP straight to your lap. Level 29 from zero. I used this XP to smith mith bars early, selling them for my first 100k gp. It’s clever, not grindy. Small paragraph here: quests like this teach you to think, not just click.

Now, for a quick table on these F2P starters. See how they stack up?

These three alone get you quest points and skills rolling. Do them in an afternoon, and you’re set for more.

Must-Do Member Quests for That Next Level

Once you sub, the world explodes with options. Members quests unlock herblore, fairy rings, and epic tales. I subbed after F2P maxed combat, and holy cow, the difference. These are my top picks for that mid-game push.

Druidic Ritual: Hello, Herblore

Potions are life in OSRS. This quest opens herblore at level 0. Chat with Kaqemeex in the Stone Circle, gather four items from druids. Super simple.

Rewards: Access to herblore skill, plus four nature runes. I brewed my first strength pots right after, and it turned slayer tasks from slogs to zips. Beginner? Do this day one of membership. Ever died to a boss because no pots? Yeah, don’t.

Tree Gnome Village: Teleport Unlocked

Gnomes, spirit trees, and a big bad general. Requires nothing but running shoes basically. Maze navigation and a spirit tree puzzle.

The big win: 11,450 attack XP to level 25, and spirit tree teleports. I used those trees to hop between Ardougne and Falador for quests non-stop. On my first main, this saved me hours of walking. It’s fun, too, with that gnome dialogue cracking me up every time.

Fight Arena: Agility and Ranging Perks

South of Ardougne, human slaves, evil general. 30 HP recommended for fights, but safespot the boss.

Rewards: 2,150 thieving, 12,175 agility, and 2,150 woodcutting XP. Plus, access to Fight Arena bank. I grinded agility here post-quest for diary rewards. Question: Hate shortcuts? This opens one to the arena. Answer: Do it.

Longer thoughts on members quests: They’re where OSRS shines. Stories get deeper, like the elf line that spans years of dev time. I spent a weekend on Underground Pass once, lost in the lore, forgetting to eat real food. That’s the pull.

Advanced Quests That Reward the Grind

Got some levels? Time for the big boys. These need prep, but the unlocks? Game-changers. As a vet, these are my comfort watches, like replaying a favorite movie.

Monkey Madness I: The Troll Slayer Essential

Requires Tree Gnome Village and 43 prayer. Ape Atoll, demon fights, Na-na the monkey.

Rewards: Access to Ape Atoll for slayer (those monkeys train ranged like crazy), plus 35k or 20k attack XP lamps. I used the 35k on slayer for my first 70. The bridge crossing? Heart-pounding. If you’re into PvM, this opens doors.

Desert Treasure I: Ancient Magicks Power

High reqs: 53 thieving, 50 firemaking, 10 slayer, 50 magic. Pyramids, ice trolls, Dessous boss.

But the prize: Ancient spellbook with ice spells that freeze bosses. I safespotted so many kills with this. On my zerker pure, it was a turning point. Prep with antipoisons; it’s worth the desert heat.

Song of the Elves: The Epic Finale

Endgame stuff: 70 in most skills, tons of quest prereqs. Elven civil war, crystal singing.

Rewards: Prifddinas city, massive XP (400k+ in multiple skills), and elf city access for skilling. I did this last year on my main, and accessing the voice of seren? Mind blown. It’s long, but the payoff is huge. Ever dreamed of a perfect city hub? Here it is.

Here’s a list of why these advanced ones rock:

• Skill Leaps: Lamps and direct XP skip grinds.
• Unlocks Galore: New spells, areas, teleports.
• Story Depth: Twists that rival any RPG.
• Replay Value: Bosses for slayer later.

Strong emphasis: don’t rush these without diaries. Ardougne easy diary boosts thieving for Desert Treasure.

A Quick Comparison Table for Quest Paths

Planning your order? Here’s a table breaking down beginner vs advanced paths. Based on my runs, this minimizes skilling.

See? Start small, build up. I followed something like this on my iron, hit 100 QP in a month.

Personal Tales from the Quest Front

Let me get real for a sec. One night, deep into Monkey Madness II (yeah, the sequel’s nuts, requires 70s everywhere), I was dodging Daemonheim spiders, sweating over that puzzle room. Three hours in, I nailed the bridge sigil, and the relief? Better than any boss drop. That quest unlocked the dragon scimitar, which carried me through raids. Personal win.

Another time, as a noob, I botched Dragon Slayer I. Forgot anti-dragon shield, melted by Elvarg. Laughed it off, geared up, and crushed it second try. Lesson: quests teach resilience. What’s your worst quest fail? Mine’s still that one.

Short para: Quests bond you with the community too. Clan chats buzzing during elf series releases? Electric.

On the flip side, some quests drag if you’re not prepped. Like, skipping prayer training before Troll Stronghold? Pain. But that’s OSRS; it rewards planning.

Wrapping It Up: Your Quest Starts Now

So, there you have it, my take on the best OSRS quests to chase. From humble Lumbridge eggs to elven crystals, each one layers on the adventure. As someone who’s quest-caped three accounts, I promise: dive in. Pick Waterfall next if you’re stuck. Or Druidic if you’re subbed. You’ll thank me when you’re teleporting like a boss.

Got a favorite quest I missed? Drop it in the comments. What’s holding you back from questing more? Low levels? Grab a lamp. Time? These are efficient. Go make some memories in Gielinor. See you in-game.