For brand-new adventurers entering the vast worlds of RuneScape, early progression can feel overwhelming. With countless skills, quests, training methods, and combat paths to choose from, knowing where to begin is essential for a smooth and efficient start. Whether you’re OSRS gold playing Old School RuneScape (OSRS) or RuneScape 3 (RS3), this guide provides clear beginner-focused tips to help you level faster, earn GP more efficiently, and build a character capable of tackling mid- and late-game challenges.

This rsgoldfast beginner’s guide focuses on universal strategies that benefit players on any RuneScape version.

1. Complete Early Game Quests Before Grinding Skills

Many beginners rush straight into skilling, only to realize later that quests offer far better XP. Early quests unlock essential items, transportation methods, and training advantages.

Recommended Beginner Quests (OSRS & RS3):

Waterfall Quest – Massive Attack & Strength XP without combat requirements

Vampyre Slayer – Huge Attack XP boost for new melee builds

Witch’s House – Fast and easy Hitpoints XP

Druidic Ritual – Unlocks Herblore

Tree Gnome Village – Strength XP + Spirit Tree travel

The Grand Tree – Attack XP and access to new areas

Priest in Peril – Unlocks Morytania, Slayer tasks, and more

Quests are the fastest way to jump multiple early levels instantly, allowing you to skip hours of low-level grinding.

2. Unlock Key Travel and Quality-of-Life Features Early

RuneScape rewards efficiency. The faster you move around the map, the quicker your progression.

Early Transportation Unlocks:

Lodestones (RS3) – Activate every lodestone for quick teleports

Spirit Trees – Unlocked by completing Tree Gnome Village

Fairy Rings – Unlocked by Fairy Tale I & II

Games Necklace & Ring of Dueling – Cheap teleports for bosses and skilling

Charter Ships & Canoes – Useful for resource gathering routes

Travel efficiency saves time in every skill, especially Woodcutting, Mining, and Runecrafting.

3. Prioritize Combat Stats Efficiently

Combat remains the core of RuneScape, and boosting your early levels quickly makes the entire game easier.

Fast Early Combat Training (OSRS):

Level 1–20: Cows, goblins, or chickens

Level 20–40: Al-Kharid warriors

Level 40–60: Hill giants or moss giants

Level 60+: Slayer (best long-term training method)

Fast Early Combat Training (RS3):

Use Revolution Mode and set your action bar

Train at Lumbridge Catacombs, Burthorpe trolls, or Slayer

Why Slayer Is Essential:

Slayer trains your combat stats and earns consistent GP. High-level Slayer monsters drop valuable items used in the economy, making this the most efficient combat skill for long-term growth.

4. Focus on the Most Valuable Early Skills

Some skills provide game-changing unlocks early on, while others can wait.

Top Early-Level Skills for Fast Progression:

1. Prayer

Burying bones is slow—use:

Ectofuntus

Gilded altars

Ensouled heads

Unlocking overhead protection prayers early greatly improves survivability.

2. Magic

Magic grants teleports, safe DPS, and utility spells. Using low-cost spells like Fire Strike or Wind Bolt keeps training cheap.

3. Agility

Agility is often ignored, but it’s one of the most impactful early skills.

Benefits include:

Faster energy recovery

Access to shortcuts

Faster questing routes

Level 30 and 40 Agility dramatically reduce travel time.

4. Crafting & Smithing

Important early quests rely on these skills; getting them to 30 quickly avoids bottlenecks later.

5. Make Early Money with Beginner-Friendly Methods

You don’t need high levels to earn solid GP early. These methods work for fresh accounts:

OSRS Money-Making for Beginners:

Picking and selling Blue Dragon Scales

Crafting runes

Selling oak logs, iron ore, or fish

Killing Chaos Druids for herbs

Flipping items on the Grand Exchange

RS3 Money-Making for Beginners:

Mining Runite with the new ore mechanics

Crafting runes via Runespan

Farming Crescent Isle commodities

Slayer tasks (even at low levels)

Selling skilling resources during peak hours

Earning some early GP lets you invest in better gear, food, and supplies—speeding up progression massively.

6. Train With AFK and Semi-AFK Methods When Possible

RuneScape rewards long-term play, and beginners can take advantage of low-attention training.

Best AFK Training Skills (OSRS):

Fishing (barbarian fishing later)

Woodcutting

Fletching (darts, bows)

Cooking

Mining at 30+

Best AFK Training Skills (RS3):

Mining & Smithing overhaul

Divination

Fishing

Combat training via Dummies

Invention (once unlocked)

These are excellent for passive progress while watching videos, doing homework, or relaxing.

7. Don’t Ignore Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Content

Both OSRS and RS3 offer repeatable activities that give huge rewards for minimal time.

OSRS Dailies:

Tears of Guthix

Battlestaves (if Varrock Diary is completed)

Kingdom of Miscellania management

Farming herb patches

RS3 Dailies:

Daily Challenges

Treasure Hunter keys

Vis Wax creation

Seasonal events

Reaper tasks

Dailies are some of the highest XP-per-minute content in the game.

8. Join a Clan Early for Major Benefits

Clans offer:

Stat-boosting auras

Free skilling buffs

Extra XP from clan avatars

Access to experienced mentors

Social support for quests and bosses

New players make faster progress when surrounded by active teammates.

9. Upgrade Gear Slowly—Don’t Waste Your GP

You don’t need expensive weapons and buy RuneScape gold armor early. Many beginners overspend and delay actual progression.

Smart Upgrade Path (OSRS):

Bronze/Iron → Steel

Steel → Rune

Rune → Dragon

Dragon → Barrows

Barrows → Slayer/DWH/Bis gear later

Smart Upgrade Path (RS3):

Bronze–Mithril → Rune

Rune → Power armor sets

Power armor → Tier 70+ weapons

T80–T90 gear for late-game bosses

Invest slowly and only upgrade when it impacts your progression.

10. Set Long-Term Goals and Enjoy the Journey

RuneScape is not a sprint—it’s a long-form RPG with immense depth. Beginners who set realistic goals tend to progress faster.

Popular Beginner Goals:

Full Graceful outfit

Dragon Defender

Barrows gloves

100+ combat

100 Quest Points

First 10M–50M GP

Unlocking Prifddinas (RS3)

Fire Cape / Inferno (eventually)

Celebrate milestones and build toward long-term mastery.

Final Thoughts

RuneScape offers one of the richest MMO experiences, and with the right early decisions, new players can progress quickly and avoid common pitfalls. By prioritizing quests, unlocking travel networks, training key skills, and earning early GP efficiently, beginners build a strong foundation for future adventures.