Weapon Store Key OSRS Guide Everything You Need to Know

Weapon Store Key OSRS Guide Everything You Need to Know

The Weapon Store Key in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a pivotal item for players tackling the Shield of Arrav quest. This quest, one of the earliest in OSRS, requires teamwork and strategy, and the Weapon Store Key is at the heart of it. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer, understanding how to obtain and use this key is essential for quest completion and progressing in the game. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything about the Weapon Store Key, from its role in the quest to tips for avoiding common pitfalls, ensuring you’re well-equipped to navigate this part of Gielinor.

The Weapon Store Key is a quest item used during the Shield of Arrav quest to access the Phoenix Gang’s weapon storage room in Varrock. It’s a critical component for players aligned with the Phoenix Gang or those partnering with someone in the gang. The key unlocks a door leading to a ladder, which grants access to the upper floor of a building in southeastern Varrock, where the Phoenix Gang stores its weapons. This key is tradeable, making it a linchpin for collaboration between players in the Phoenix and Black Arm Gangs.

Key Details About the Weapon Store Key

  • Purpose: Unlocks the Phoenix Gang’s weapon storage room.
  • Quest: Required for Shield of Arrav.
  • Tradeable: Yes, to facilitate quest cooperation.
  • Obtainable: From Straven in the Phoenix Gang hideout.
  • Storage: Can be stored on a steel key ring after completing One Small Favour.

Historical Context of the Key

Originally named simply “Key” when OSRS launched, it was renamed to “Weapon Store Key” after the Varrock update to avoid confusion with other keys in the game. This change, while helpful, led to some scams where players sold the key for inflated prices, exploiting its importance in the quest. Always be cautious when trading for this key, and verify your partner’s trustworthiness.

How to Obtain the Weapon Store Key

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Getting the Weapon Store Key requires joining the Phoenix Gang or partnering with someone who has. The Shield of Arrav quest involves two gangs—Phoenix Gang and Black Arm Gang—and the key is exclusive to the Phoenix Gang’s storyline. Here’s a step-by-step guide to acquiring it.

Steps to Join the Phoenix Gang

  1. Speak to Reldo: Start the quest by talking to Reldo in the Varrock Palace library. He’ll direct you to find a book titled The Shield of Arrav.
  2. Locate the Book: Search the bookcase with a distinct blue book to find and read it, learning about the Phoenix and Black Arm Gangs.
  3. Consult Baraek: Head to the fur stall in Varrock’s marketplace and pay Baraek 20gp for information about the Phoenix Gang’s headquarters.
  4. Find the Hideout: Go south of Varrock’s East Bank to a dungeon marked with an exclamation point. Enter and climb down the ladder.
  5. Talk to Straven: Speak to Straven in the hideout. He’ll task you with killing Johnny the Beard at the Blue Moon Inn.
  6. Kill Johnny: Head to the Blue Moon Inn, kill Johnny (level 2), and pick up the intel report he drops.
  7. Return to Straven: Deliver the intel report to Straven. He’ll grant you membership in the Phoenix Gang and give you the Weapon Store Key.

Partnering with a Black Arm Gang Member

If you’re in the Black Arm Gang, you’ll need a Phoenix Gang member to trade you the Weapon Store Key. You can find partners through the OSRS SOA (Shield of Arrav) clan chat or forums like Reddit’s r/2007scape. Ensure you trust your partner, as some players have reported scams where partners log out after receiving the key. Once you have the key, proceed to the weapon storage building to continue the quest.

Using the Weapon Store Key in Shield of Arrav

The Weapon Store Key is used to access the Phoenix Gang’s weapon storage room, but its role differs depending on your gang affiliation. Here’s how it works for each gang.

Phoenix Gang Members

After receiving the key from Straven, head to the weapon storage building in southeastern Varrock. Use the key to unlock the door, climb the ladder, and access a chest containing half of the broken Shield of Arrav. Trade the key to your Black Arm Gang partner so they can complete their part of the quest.

Black Arm Gang Members

With the key obtained from your Phoenix Gang partner, go to the same weapon storage building. Unlock the door, climb the ladder, and kill the level 23 Weaponsmaster to obtain two Phoenix crossbows. Trade these crossbows to Katrine to join the Black Arm Gang, then search a cupboard in the headquarters to find the other half of the shield.

Completing the Quest

Once both players have their respective shield halves, meet up and visit the Curator at the Varrock Museum to verify authenticity. Then, speak to King Roald at Varrock Palace to complete the quest, earning 600 coins and 1 Quest Point each.

Common Issues and Solutions with the Weapon Store Key

The Weapon Store Key can be a sticking point for players due to its reliance on teamwork and potential for scams. Here are common problems and how to address them.

Losing the Key

If you lose the Weapon Store Key, don’t panic. Phoenix Gang members can return to Straven to obtain another key. However, if you’ve lost the thieves’ armband from Heroes’ Quest and are in a free-to-play world, you’ll need to retrieve the armband first, as it takes priority. Tip: Store the key on a steel key ring to avoid losing it.

Scams and Untrustworthy Partners

Scams involving the Weapon Store Key were historically common, with players selling it for high prices or logging out after receiving it. To avoid this:

  • Use trusted platforms like the OSRS SOA clan chat or reputable forums.
  • Verify your partner’s quest progress to ensure they need the key.
  • Consider trading in small, verifiable steps to build trust.

Table: Weapon Store Key Attributes

Attribute Details
Quest Shield of Arrav
Tradeable Yes
Members Only No
Weight 0.01 kg
Examine Text Phoenix Gang weapon store key
Storage Steel key ring (after One Small Favour)

Tips for Success with the Weapon Store Key

To make your experience with the Weapon Store Key and Shield of Arrav as smooth as possible, consider these practical tips.

Finding a Reliable Partner

Join the OSRS SOA clan chat or post on r/2007scape to find a quest partner. Be clear about your gang affiliation and quest progress to avoid mismatches. If you’re wary of scams, ask for a partner who’s already completed parts of the quest to minimize risk.

Maximizing Efficiency

Coordinate with your partner to meet at key locations (e.g., Varrock East Bank) to save time. If you’re both new players, complete the early quest steps together to build rapport. Pro tip: Use the steel key ring to store the Weapon Store Key if you plan to keep it post-quest.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Double-check your inventory before trading the key, and ensure you’re at the correct building (marked as Weapons Storage on the map). If you’re in the Black Arm Gang, don’t forget to kill the Weaponsmaster, as the crossbows won’t drop otherwise.

By following this guide, you’ll master the Weapon Store Key’s role in Shield of Arrav and complete the quest with ease. Whether you’re unlocking the Phoenix Gang’s secrets or trading with a partner, this key is your ticket to success in one of OSRS’s classic quests. Happy adventuring!