Your journey begins on Tutorial Island, where you'll learn movement, skilling, and combat. OSRS runs on a tick-based system, with RuneScape gold game actions processed every 0.6 seconds. Controls are point-and-click, but you can use hotkeys for faster navigation.
Once you graduate from Tutorial Island, you'll land in Lumbridge-the central hub for most beginners. From here, the world is open, and you can pursue any path you choose.
Combat Styles and Training
OSRS features three main combat styles:
Melee – Close-range fighting using swords, scimitars, and heavy armor.
Ranged – Bows, crossbows, darts, and throwing knives for distance fighting.
Magic – Offensive spells, teleportation, and utility abilities.
Combat is influenced by RNG (random number generation). Your accuracy and damage depend on your stats, gear, and enemy defenses. Higher-level bosses often require swapping prayers, dodging attacks, and switching combat styles on the fly.
Training Tips
Melee: Scimitars are ideal early weapons. Train with the best metal armor you can equip, and aim for quests like Waterfall Quest to quickly boost Attack and Strength.
Ranged: Free-to-play players can use bows and arrows; members unlock faster options like darts and knives. Start with leather armor, then move to dragonhide.
Magic: Fire Strike is a reliable early spell. Members gain access to a wider variety of training options, including teleportation and alchemy.
Beginner Training Spots
For free-to-play players:
Levels 1–20: Cows near Lumbridge-good XP and valuable hides.
Levels 20–30: Frogs in Lumbridge Swamp-higher health, steady combat training.
Levels 30–50: Flesh Crawlers in the Stronghold of Security-aggressive monsters, minimal effort.
Levels 50+: Ogress Warriors-excellent money-making with rune drops.
For members:
Early Game: Rock Crabs (Rellekka) and Sand Crabs (Zeah) are efficient, low-effort training spots up to around level 70.
Mid Game: Transition to Slayer tasks for profit and combat XP.
Quests: The Foundation of Progression
Quests aren't just storylines-they unlock powerful items, training methods, and shortcuts. For example:
Waterfall Quest – Boosts Attack and Strength to level 30 instantly.
Druidic Ritual – Unlocks Herblore.
Rune Mysteries – Unlocks Runecrafting.
Many players follow an optimal quest order guide, saving hours of grinding. Completing Recipe for Disaster for the powerful Barrows Gloves is one of the biggest early-to-mid game milestones.
Skills and Skilling
OSRS features 23 skills, with level 99 as the cap. Skills range from combat-focused (Attack, Strength, Magic) to gathering (Fishing, Mining, Woodcutting) and production (Smithing, Herblore, Fletching).
Free-to-play players have access to buy OSRS gold a limited set of skills, while members unlock advanced ones like Slayer, Farming, Agility, and Construction.