Money-making in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a crucial part of the game, allowing players to buy better gear, train skills, and enjoy more of what the game has to offer. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, understanding the best ways to earn gold can make your RuneScape journey far more enjoyable.
What is Money Making in OSRS?
In OSRS, “money making” refers to the various methods players use to earn gold coins (GP), the main currency of the game. Gold is essential for buying equipment, resources, and items from the Grand Exchange or other players. Some methods are quick but yield less profit, while others require time or skill but offer bigger rewards.
For beginners, starting with simple tasks like gathering and selling raw materials can provide a steady income. Advanced players can take on higher-risk activities, such as fighting bosses, for a chance to make millions.
Best Money-Making Methods for Beginners
Starting your money-making journey as a beginner in OSRS can feel overwhelming, but there are many simple and effective ways to build your wealth. These methods require little to no experience, making them ideal for players just starting out.
Cooking and Selling Food
Cooking is an easy skill to train and can be profitable if you choose the right items to sell. Start by fishing for shrimps, anchovies, or lobsters, then cook them to increase their value. Cooked food is always in demand because players use it to restore health. Popular options include:
- Lobsters
- Swordfish
- Monkfish
Once you’ve cooked a batch, sell the food at the Grand Exchange for a decent profit.
Mining and Selling Copper or Tin
Mining is one of the first skills new players can train. Copper and tin ores are easy to mine and are used to make bronze bars, a staple for beginner smithing training. To get started:
- Equip a pickaxe.
- Visit the Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock mines.
- Mine copper and tin, then sell them at the Grand Exchange.
Although the profit margin is low, mining is a reliable method to build your starter cash pile.
Collecting Cowhides
Killing cows in Lumbridge or other beginner areas is a simple and effective way to earn gold. Cowhides are always in demand because they’re used in crafting leather items. Here’s how to do it:
- Kill cows and collect their hides.
- Bank the cowhides for storage or immediately sell them at the Grand Exchange.
This method is beginner-friendly and can help you earn your first few thousand GP.
Advanced Money-Making Strategies
As you progress in OSRS, you’ll unlock more profitable ways to earn gold. Advanced strategies often require higher skill levels, better equipment, or more risk-taking.
Slayer Tasks for Profits
Slayer is a skill that allows you to kill specific monsters assigned by Slayer Masters. These monsters often drop valuable items, such as herbs, runes, or rare gear.
- Focus on tasks that drop high-demand items like dragon bones or rune equipment.
- Use your profits to reinvest in better weapons and armor for faster kills.
Boss Fights for Rare Loot
Fighting bosses is one of the most lucrative activities in OSRS. However, it requires preparation, skill, and strong gear. Popular bosses for money-making include:
- Barrows Brothers: High rewards for low risk.
- Zulrah: Known for its consistent drops, such as Zulrah’s scales.
- Vorkath: Drops dragon items and valuable materials.
Crafting and Selling Runes
Runecrafting is a profitable skill, especially at higher levels. You can craft high-demand runes like:
- Nature Runes
- Law Runes
- Astral Runes
Combine runecrafting with using the Abyss for faster banking to maximize profits.
High-Level Players: Making Millions
Once you reach high levels in combat and other skills, you can focus on methods that yield millions of gold per hour. High-level activities often involve risk but offer incredible rewards.
- Raids (Chambers of Xeric or Theatre of Blood): Raids are team-based activities with chances to earn extremely rare and valuable drops like the Twisted Bow or Avernic Defender.
- Farming Herbs: Planting and harvesting high-level herbs, such as ranarrs or snapdragons, can generate consistent profit.
- Flipping Items: Use the Grand Exchange to buy low and sell high. This method requires an understanding of market trends but can be incredibly profitable for experienced players.
Using the Grand Exchange to Your Advantage
The Grand Exchange (GE) is the central trading hub in OSRS, allowing players to buy and sell items. To maximize your profits:
- Research item prices to understand trends.
- Sell high-demand items like ores, herbs, or food.
- Avoid selling items during peak times when prices may drop.
By mastering the GE, you can earn significant gold without leaving the safety of Varrock.
How to Avoid Scams in OSRS
Unfortunately, scams are common in OSRS, especially for new players. Protect yourself by following these tips:
- Always double-check trade windows: Scammers may swap items for lower-value alternatives at the last second.
- Avoid “doubling money” schemes: These are almost always fake.
- Stick to the Grand Exchange: It’s the safest place to trade.
By staying vigilant, you can avoid losing your hard-earned gold to dishonest players.
The Bottom Line
Money-making in OSRS is an essential skill that every player should master. From beginner-friendly methods like cooking and mining to advanced strategies like boss fights and flipping items on the Grand Exchange, there’s a way for everyone to earn gold.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make millions, the key is to stay consistent, avoid scams, and reinvest your profits into better gear and skills. With patience and practice, you’ll become a money-making expert in no time!