My Go-To OSRS Prayer Calculator – Why This Tool Changed Everything

Okay, so here’s the thing. I’ve been playing RuneScape since 2007, and Prayer has always been that skill that makes your wallet cry. You know what I’m talking about – standing at the GE trying to figure out if you can afford dragon bones or if you’re stuck with big bones for another month.

That changed when I found this calculator. No joke, it’s saved me probably tens of millions over the years.

Why This Calculator Actually Works (Unlike Others)

Most prayer calculators are garbage. They give you basic XP numbers and call it a day. This one? It shows profit and loss for EVERY method. That’s huge because prayer training isn’t just about speed – it’s about not going broke.

I was training my alt last week and wanted to get from 60 to 70 prayer. Normally I’d just buy dragon bones without thinking. But this calculator showed me that Hydra bones were actually better value at that moment. Saved me like 2M GP right there.

The interface is pretty straightforward too. You punch in your current level, target level, and boom – you see exactly what you need. No complicated formulas or having to check three different wiki pages.

What Makes It Different

Real pricing data – This isn’t some outdated calculator showing prices from 2019. It pulls current GE prices so you know what you’re actually spending.

Complete method coverage – From basic bones to ensouled heads to those expensive superior dragon bones. Everything’s here.

Actual profit/loss numbers – Those negative numbers you see? That’s your real cost per XP. Makes comparing methods super easy.

I remember when I first maxed prayer on my main. Used some random calculator that told me I needed 15k dragon bones. Didn’t mention the cost though. Nearly cleaned my bank! This tool would’ve saved me that headache.

Breaking Down the Training Methods

Let’s be real about what works and what doesn’t.

Starting Out – Cheap Options

Regular bones at 4.5 XP each are fine if you’re broke or just starting. I did these on my first ever account back in the day. Super slow but hey, progress is progress.

Big bones are the sweet spot for early training. 15 XP each and they don’t cost a fortune. If you’re around level 30-40 prayer, these are usually your best bet.

The Standard Route

Dragon bones are what most people use, and for good reason. 72 XP per bone is solid, and they’re always available. Price fluctuates though – I’ve seen them anywhere from 2.5k to 4k each depending on what’s happening in the market.

Here’s a pro tip: check the calculator daily if you’re planning a big training session. Dragon bone prices can swing by 500-1000 GP overnight. I once waited a week and saved 3M on my purchase.

Going Fast (If You’re Rich)

Superior dragon bones are for when you want to get it over with. 150 XP each but they’ll cost you big time. I used these for 95-99 on my main because I was sick of prayer training by that point.

The calculator shows them at around -27k each right now. That’s expensive, but if you’re sitting on a big stack and just want 99, sometimes it’s worth it.

The Secret Weapon – Ensouled Heads

This is where most people mess up. They see ensouled heads and think “too complicated” or ignore the rune costs. Big mistake.

Ensouled dragon heads give 1,560 XP each. That’s like 21 dragon bones worth of XP in one item. The calculator factors in all the rune costs too, which is crucial because those add up fast.

I did a lot of my 70-80 prayer grind using various ensouled heads. The XP per GP is often better than regular bones, plus it breaks up the monotony of just clicking on an altar.

How I Actually Use This Thing

My process is pretty simple now:

First, I figure out my goal. Usually it’s 70 for Piety or 95 for Turmoil (back when that was a thing). Sometimes I’m just going for 99 because why not.

Then I check what methods are actually profitable right now. Not profitable as in making money – everything in prayer costs money. But I look for the best XP per GP ratio.

Last month I was training on my iron. The calculator showed wyrm bones were way better value than I expected. Ended up killing wyrm for a week instead of blue dragons. Got my prayer level AND some decent drops.

Real Talk About Costs

Those negative numbers in the profit column aren’t mistakes. That’s what each method actually costs you. So if dragon bones show -3,066, you’re spending about 3k per bone when you factor in current prices.

This makes comparing methods way easier. You can see at a glance that superior dragon bones at -27k each give you 150 XP, while dragon bones at -3k each give you 72 XP. Quick math tells you superior bones are actually more efficient if you value your time.

Special Situations

Gilded Altar vs Other Methods

The XP numbers assume you’re using a gilded altar with both burners lit. That’s the 3.5x multiplier everyone talks about. If you’re not doing this, you’re wasting money and time.

Some people use the Wilderness altar for the extra XP boost, but personally I think the risk isn’t worth it unless you’re doing it in a big group.

Ironman Considerations

If you’re an ironman, this calculator becomes even more useful. You can’t just buy bones, so you need to plan which monsters to kill.

I used it to figure out that killing blue dragons for bones was way more efficient than trying to get ensouled heads from various slayer monsters. Saved me weeks of inefficient training.

Timing Your Purchases

This is probably the most underrated aspect. Prayer item prices swing a lot based on updates, events, and just general market sentiment.

I’ve seen periods where dragon bones dropped 30% in a week because of some update that made them more common. If you’re planning a big training session, it’s worth waiting for good prices.

Common Screwups People Make

Ignoring ensouled heads – These are often way better value than regular bones, but people avoid them because they seem complicated.

Not factoring in rune costs – If you’re doing ensouled heads, those runes add up. This calculator includes them, which most don’t.

Only looking at XP per item – A bone that gives twice the XP but costs three times as much isn’t better. Look at the total cost to your goal.

Buying during peak times – Weekends and after updates, prices spike. Midweek is usually better for big purchases.

I made most of these mistakes on my first few accounts. That’s why I love having a tool that just tells me the real numbers upfront.

Advanced Strategies That Actually Work

Method Combining

Don’t feel like you have to stick to one method. I usually do cheaper methods for the bulk of my training, then switch to expensive fast methods for the last few levels when I’m motivated to finish.

Guild Bonuses

The Myths Guild gives 10% extra prayer XP. If you have access, factor that into your calculations. It’s basically a 10% discount on everything.

Bulk Buying

If you’re going for a big goal like 99, consider buying everything at once during a price dip. Prayer items tend to hold their value, and you avoid having to check prices constantly.

My Honest Opinion on Each Method

Regular/burnt bones – Only if you’re completely broke or very low level.

Big bones – Great for levels 20-40ish. Good balance of cost and speed.

Dragon bones – The reliable choice. Never the cheapest, never the most expensive, always available.

Superior dragon bones – When you want to get it over with and have the cash.

Ensouled heads – Underrated. Often the best XP per GP if you can be bothered with the magic requirements.

Dagannoth/Wyrm bones – Solid middle ground options that people often overlook.

Lava dragon bones – Good value if you can handle the wilderness risk. I personally avoid them because I’m lazy.

FAQ Section

How accurate are these prices? Pretty good, but always double-check the GE before buying. Prices change fast, especially for high-volume items like dragon bones.

Should I use this for ironman accounts? Definitely. It helps you plan which monsters to kill for the bones you need. Way better than guessing.

Why are the expensive methods sometimes more efficient? Time is money. If superior dragon bones cost 4x more but give 2x XP, they might be worth it if you value your time highly.

Can I trust the XP calculations? Yeah, they’re accurate. Based on the standard gilded altar multipliers that everyone uses.

What if I can’t afford any of the good methods? Start with what you can afford and work your way up. Even training with cheap bones gets you closer to your goal.

How often should I check the calculator? If you’re planning a big purchase, check daily for a week or so to get a feel for price trends.

Bottom Line

Look, prayer training sucks. It’s expensive, it’s boring, and it feels like throwing money into a fire. But it’s also necessary if you want to do any serious PvM or PvP.

This calculator takes the guesswork out of it. Instead of standing at the GE wondering what to buy, you know exactly what each method costs and how much XP you’ll get. That alone makes it worth bookmarking.

I’ve used it for probably 6-7 accounts now, from my main to various alts and even my ironman. Every time, it helps me train more efficiently and spend less money than I would have otherwise.

The prayer skill might still be expensive, but at least now you can be expensive efficiently. And honestly, that’s about the best you can ask for in RuneScape.