While Ironman is incredibly rewarding, the early game can be daunting. You start with nothing, and progressing means learning to RuneScape gold become resourceful, efficient, and strategic with every step you take. Whether you're new to the mode or returning for a fresh challenge, these tips will help you build a strong early foundation for long-term success.

Know the Ironman Variants

Before you begin, it's essential to understand the different Ironman modes:

Ironman: The base mode—no trading, no Grand Exchange. You can use banks and all other game mechanics that don't involve player interaction.

Ultimate Ironman (UIM): No banking allowed. All your items must be kept in your inventory or stored using niche methods like looting bags or player-owned houses.

Hardcore Ironman (HCIM): Same rules as regular Ironman, but with a single life. If you die, your account downgrades to a standard Ironman.

This guide primarily focuses on the standard Ironman mode, but many early-game strategies apply across all variants.

Prioritize Early Questing

Questioning is the cornerstone of any efficient Ironman start. Quests provide massive early-game experience gains, unlock key areas and equipment, and often give access to useful items that would be much harder to obtain otherwise.
Top Quests to Complete Early:

Cook's Assistant – Introduces you to cooking and farming basics.

Doric's Quest – Free Mining XP and access to Doric's anvil.

The Restless Ghost – Boosts your Prayer level early on.

Rune Mysteries – Unlocks Runecrafting, essential for making your own runes.

Imp Catcher – A quick way to get basic elemental runes for early Magic training.

Waterfall Quest – Huge Attack and Strength XP with no combat requirements.

The Grand Tree and Tree Gnome Village – Unlock access to the Gnome Stronghold and grant great XP.

Lost City – Essential for accessing the Dragon Longsword later.

By tackling quests early, you can avoid grinding skills unnecessarily and unlock content that supports your Ironman progression.

Secure a Sustainable Resource Strategy

Since you can't rely on other players for supplies, you'll need to gather everything yourself. Building a sustainable cycle of gathering and crafting resources is key.
Critical Gathering Skills:

Woodcutting + Firemaking: Chop trees and burn logs. This combo trains two skills at once and helps unlock winter event activities and Quest requirements.

Fishing + Cooking: Your best early source of food. Start with shrimp and anchovies, progressing to trout, salmon, and eventually lobsters.

Mining + Smithing: Essential for making your own gear. Start with copper and tin, move to iron, then aim for steel and mithril for more reliable combat gear.

Crafting: Kill cows for hides, tan them into leather, and craft armor. This saves money and provides a good armor set early on.

Herblore: Use herbs and secondaries from early Slayer and farming to make basic potions. Even simple Strength or Energy potions are huge early-game boosts.

The earlier you start building this resource infrastructure, the less painful the progression becomes in the mid-to-late game.

Efficient Combat Training

Training combat is crucial for survival and unlocking better gear. Ironmen don't have the luxury of buying weapons or armor from other players, so you'll need to buy Runescape gold earn everything through grinding and loot.