Ultimate Guide to 2-Tick Harpoon Fishing in OSRS for Maximum XP
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the 2-tick harpoon fishing method stands out as one of the fastest ways to train the Fishing skill, offering experience rates that can soar past 130,000 XP per hour at higher levels. This advanced technique, centered in Port Piscarilius, leverages tick manipulation to catch tuna and swordfish at an accelerated pace. Whether you’re chasing the Fishing skill cape, the elusive Heron pet, or just want to optimize your skilling, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about 2-tick harpooning in OSRS.
2-tick harpoon fishing is a tick manipulation technique that allows players to attempt catching fish every two game ticks (1.2 seconds) instead of the standard five ticks (3 seconds). By syncing your actions with NPC attacks, you can dramatically increase your Fishing XP rates. This method is primarily used in Port Piscarilius to catch tuna and swordfish, making it the fastest Fishing training method in OSRS when executed correctly.
Why Choose 2-Tick Harpooning?
- Top-Tier XP Rates: At level 99 with a crystal harpoon, you can achieve up to 140,000 XP per hour.
- Heron Pet Chance: It’s the fastest method for obtaining the Heron, the Fishing pet, due to the high number of catch attempts.
- Pure Fishing Focus: Unlike Barbarian Fishing, it doesn’t split XP with Strength or Agility, making it ideal for players prioritizing Fishing.
How Tick Manipulation Works
OSRS runs on a game clock where each “tick” lasts approximately 0.6 seconds. Most fishing methods, like standard harpooning, have a 5-tick cycle for catch attempts. Tick manipulation exploits game mechanics to reduce this to a 2-tick cycle. In 2-tick harpooning, you use NPC aggression (typically from rats) to interrupt the fishing animation, allowing you to interact with the fishing spot more frequently.
Requirements and Gear for 2-Tick Harpoon Fishing
Before diving into 2-tick harpooning, you’ll need to meet specific requirements and gather the right equipment. While the method is accessible at lower levels, its efficiency scales with your Fishing level and gear.
Skill Requirements
- Fishing Level 35: Required to harpoon tuna.
- Fishing Level 50: Unlocks swordfish, boosting XP rates.
- Fishing Level 71+: Recommended for competitive XP rates (90,000+ XP/hour).
Recommended Gear
| Item | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Harpoon | Highest catch rate | Requires 71 Fishing, 70 Attack, 50 Agility, and Song of the Elves quest. |
| Dragon Harpoon | 20% faster catch rate than regular harpoon | Requires 61 Fishing, 60 Attack; special attack boosts Fishing by +3. |
| Angler’s Outfit | 2.5% XP boost | Obtained from Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing. |
| Shortbow (No Ammo) | Enables auto-retaliate for tick manipulation | Set to Rapid attack mode. |
| Runes for Confuse | Aggro rats without killing them | Optional but simplifies setup. |
Optional but Helpful
- Rada’s Blessing: 2–8% chance to catch double fish (no extra XP).
- Spirit Flakes: 50% chance for double catches, obtained from Tempoross.
- Kharedst’s Memoirs: Fast teleport to Port Piscarilius (requires The Queen of Thieves quest).
Setting Up 2-Tick Harpooning in Port Piscarilius
The key to 2-tick harpooning lies in setting up the environment correctly. You’ll be fishing on the northwestern coast of Port Piscarilius, just west of the bank, where rats can be lured to attack you rhythmically.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Travel to Port Piscarilius: Use Kharedst’s Memoirs or the “Fisher’s Flute” teleport, then run northwest to the fishing spots.
- Locate Rats: Find two rats in the area. If using RuneLite, enable the NPC Indicators plugin and select “Tag-All Rat” to highlight them.
- Aggro the Rats: Cast Confuse (or similar non-damaging spells) on two rats to make them aggressive. Ensure they attack you two ticks apart (use a metronome or watch for hitsplats).
- Equip Gear: Wield a shortbow (set to Rapid, no ammo) and turn on Auto Retaliate. Equip your harpoon or keep it in your inventory if using barehanded fishing (requires Barbarian Training).
- Position Yourself: Stand near a tuna/swordfish fishing spot. When a rat’s hitsplat appears, left-click the fishing spot to start fishing.
Tips for Rat Positioning
- If rats attack on the same tick, lure one away briefly to desync their attacks.
- When the fishing spot moves, click one tile away from the new spot, then click the spot itself when a hitsplat appears to avoid “pushing” rats.
- Watch for fishing spot animations; they block interaction for a few ticks before moving, so move early to save time.
Executing the 2-Tick Harpooning Method
Once set up, the method is straightforward but click-intensive. Your goal is to click the fishing spot every time a rat’s hitsplat appears, syncing your actions with the 2-tick cycle.
Core Technique
Unlike other tick manipulation methods, you don’t need to click off the fishing spot. Most fishing spots reset interaction after one tick, allowing you to stay engaged. Here’s how to maintain the rhythm:
- Timing: Click the fishing spot when a hitsplat appears or when you hear the rats’ squeak (if audio is on).
- Special Attacks: If using a dragon or crystal harpoon, activate the special attack on a tick when you’d normally fish. Equip the harpoon, use the special, then re-equip the shortbow on the next tick.
- Movement: When the fishing spot moves, move after a hitsplat and click the new spot on the next hitsplat tick.
Experience Rates by Level
| Fishing Level | XP/Hour (Dragon Harpoon) | XP/Hour (Crystal Harpoon) |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | 90,000–101,800 | 100,000–110,000 |
| 85 | 110,000–116,000 | 120,000–130,000 |
| 99 | 123,000–130,000 | 133,000–140,000 |
Tips for Success and Common Pitfalls
Mastering 2-tick harpooning takes practice, but these tips can help you optimize your sessions and avoid frustration.
Maximizing Efficiency
- Use RuneLite Plugins: The Menu Entry Swapper plugin allows left-click fishing, and the Metronome plugin helps track ticks.
- Drop Fish: Banking slows you down; drop fish to maintain XP rates, especially since tuna and swordfish have low value.
- Practice Timing: Start with short sessions to get comfortable with the rhythm before committing to long grinds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misaligned Rat Attacks: If rats attack on the same tick, your cycle breaks. Reset their aggression to fix this.
- Overclicking: Clicking too frequently can disrupt the cycle. Stick to hitsplat timing.
- Ignoring Special Attacks: Forgetting to use the dragon or crystal harpoon’s special attack reduces catch rates.
Alternative Setup: PvP World
For slightly higher XP rates (5% faster), you can use an alt account to attack you with darts on a PvP world in the Fishing Guild. This eliminates the need for rats but introduces the risk of player killers, making it less reliable for long sessions.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle 2-tick harpoon fishing in OSRS. With dedication and practice, you can achieve some of the fastest Fishing XP rates in the game, paving the way to level 99 and beyond. Happy fishing!