In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), achieving level 99 in skills such as Crafting, Fletching, Prayer, Smithing, Firemaking, and Construction can often require investing tens or even hundreds of millions of OSRS Gold (gold pieces). This substantial cost typically deters players from pursuing these skills to their maximum potential. However, did you know that every skill in the game has potential money-making methods? With some smart strategies, players can train skills profitably and, in some cases, even earn billions of GP. This guide explores how you can achieve level 99 in these skills while making a profit, and highlights methods that offer significant financial returns.
Crafting: Profit from the Art of Creation
Crafting is notorious for being an expensive skill to train, but it also offers several profitable training methods. For players starting with lower Crafting levels, creating Drift Nets is a viable option. Requiring only level 26 Crafting, this method provides a decent XP rate of around 70,000 XP per hour while earning approximately 550,000 GP.
A more advanced method involves casting Super Glass-Make to create Molten Glass, which requires level 77 Magic. Although this method offers slightly higher experience and profit compared to Drift Nets, it still may not be the most efficient for those seeking substantial earnings.
For players aiming for higher Crafting levels, making Redwood Birdhouses is highly profitable. This method requires level 90 Crafting and yields around 126,000 XP per hour. By adding a Clockwork to a Redwood Log, players can earn around 61 million GP while training. While the XP rate is lower than other methods, the financial gain is considerable.
Another excellent method for high-level Crafting involves creating Dragonstone Jewelry. With the current prices fluctuating between 100 and 400 GP profit per piece, this method provides an impressive 154,000 XP per hour and makes about 510,000 GP per hour. Training Crafting to 99 using Dragonstone Jewelry takes approximately 84 hours, resulting in a profit of 44 million GP. Compared to other methods, Dragonstone Jewelry stands out as one of the most cost-effective ways to reach 99 Crafting.
Prayer: Saving and Earning with Shades
Unlike Crafting, Prayer is less profitable to train traditionally due to its high costs. Offering bones at a Gilded Altar is expensive, often costing around 130 million GP for Dragon Bones. However, there are alternative methods that not only reduce costs but also generate profits.
Burning Shade Remains is a popular alternative. This method involves using shades found in Mort’ton and requires levels 65 and 95 Firemaking for different types of remains (Aston and Urm Remains, respectively). This method is slower than using a Gilded Altar but saves a significant amount of GP and provides a substantial profit.
Aston Remains can be obtained using Power Logs, which are inexpensive. Urm Remains require Redwood Pile Logs, which are more costly. Once obtained, these remains are burned to provide Prayer XP and additional rewards. Using a Gold Lock from the GE, players can store up to 28 remains in a Gold Coffin and open them for rewards in the Catacombs.
Burning Urm Remains, in particular, offers around 635,000 GP per hour, along with 200,000 Firemaking XP and 50,000 Prayer XP. While this method is slower than traditional Prayer training, the overall cost saving and profit potential are considerable. The longer training time results in a net profit of approximately 1.41 million GP per hour compared to using Dragon Bones.
Herblore: Crafting Potions for Profit
Herblore is another skill with several profitable training methods. One efficient method involves using the spell “D-Grime” on the Arceuus Spellbook to clean Grimmy Herbs, which provides Herb Lore and Magic XP while making a profit. The best herbs for this method vary with market prices, but currently, the best option can earn around 700,000 GP per hour.
Alternatively, players can create Weapon Poison (++) by using Nightshades and Poison Ivy Berries. This method requires a Scavard Map and can be performed at the cave southwest of the Nil. By collecting Nightshades and combining them with Coconut Milk and Poison Ivy Berries, players create highly valuable potions. With a current market value of over 5,000 GP each, players can earn roughly 1.7 million GP per hour and gain around 66,500 XP. While this method can potentially yield a staggering 339 million GP to reach level 99, it is important to note that market fluctuations may affect profitability.
Smithing: The Art of Metalwork
Smithing offers some lucrative training methods, especially with the right strategy. Dragonfire Shields, while highly volatile and expensive, can provide significant profits. Each Dragonfire Shield crafted gives 2,000 XP and can yield around 1.22 billion GP if prices are favorable. However, acquiring enough materials for this method is challenging.
A more accessible option is smelting Cannonballs or bars at the Blast Furnace. Using the Double Ammo Mold from John’s Foundry, players can make 270,000 GP per hour while gaining 27,000 XP. The Blast Furnace is even more efficient, yielding 721,000 GP per hour and 75,000 to 80,000 XP. Training Smithing to 99 using this method takes around 167 hours, resulting in a profit of approximately 120 million GP. While the cost of training Smithing through traditional methods can be high, using the Blast Furnace effectively reduces the cost and maximizes profit.
Construction: Building for Profit
Construction is the most challenging skill to train profitably, but there are methods to reduce costs significantly. One effective method is Mahogany Homes, which involves building Mahogany Furniture. This method is cheaper compared to traditional methods but still incurs some costs. Training Construction to 99 using Mahogany Homes requires around 30 million GP and provides an average XP rate of 215,000 XP per hour.
For higher XP rates, players can use Old Dungeon Doors or Mahogany Benches. Old Dungeon Doors offer 420,000 XP per hour for 96 million GP, while Mahogany Benches provide a massive 900,000 XP per hour but cost 180.5 million GP. The latter method is highly efficient but also requires significant time and resources.
Conclusion
Training skills to level 99 in OSRS traditionally involves substantial costs, but many methods allow players to earn a profit or at least reduce expenses. From profitable Crafting methods like Dragonstone Jewelry to cost-saving Prayer training with Shades, and money-making opportunities in Herblore and Smithing, players can turn their skill training into lucrative endeavors. Construction remains the most challenging skill to train profitably, but even here, there are cost-effective methods like Mahogany Homes.
By exploring these methods and understanding their financial implications, players can make informed decisions on how to train their skills efficiently while accumulating wealth in Old School RuneScape. Whether you’re aiming to max out a skill or simply looking for ways to make RuneScape Gold while training, these strategies offer valuable insights and opportunities for profit.
