OSRS Beginner's Guide 2026: How to Start Old School RuneScape

Old School RuneScape is one of the most iconic MMORPGs of all time — and also one of the most open-ended. Unlike modern games that guide you with quest markers and tutorials, OSRS drops you into a vast world and lets you figure it out. This guide gives you a clear roadmap to get started, progress efficiently, and enjoy everything the game has to offer in 2026.

Step 1: Tutorial Island

Every new player begins on Tutorial Island, a guided introduction to the core game mechanics. You'll learn combat, cooking, fishing, mining, smithing, and more. Complete it fully before moving on — it takes about 20–30 minutes and rewards you with starter levels in several skills.

After Tutorial Island, you'll arrive in Lumbridge, the traditional starting city. This is your home base for the early game.

Should You Play Free-to-Play or Members?

OSRS has a free-to-play (F2P) and a members (P2P) version. F2P gives you access to a portion of the game and is great for testing the waters. However, members unlocks 90%+ of the game's content: hundreds of quests, all skills, most bosses, and the best money-making methods. If you're serious about OSRS, getting membership early is strongly recommended.

Step 2: Early Priority — Do Quests First

Quests are the most efficient way to level up quickly in OSRS. Many quests grant large XP rewards in skills you'd otherwise have to grind for hours. Key early quests to complete:

Cook's Assistant — Easy, grants Cooking XP
Sheep Shearer — Quick Crafting XP
Rune Mysteries — Unlocks Runecrafting
The Knight's Sword — Gives 12,725 Smithing XP, skipping you to level 29 instantly
Witch's Potion — Quick Magic XP
Vampire Slayer — Good Attack XP
Tree Gnome Village — Unlocks Spirit Tree teleports (huge mobility boost)
Waterfall Quest — Gives 13,750 Attack and Strength XP each, skipping you to level 30 combat instantly

Pro Tip: Waterfall Quest should be one of your very first quests. You can complete it with almost no stats and it skips hours of early combat grinding.

Step 3: Unlock Basic Transportation

OSRS has no automatic fast travel — you walk everywhere by default. Unlocking transportation early saves enormous time:

Lumbridge Home Teleport: Free teleport to Lumbridge every 30 minutes
Varrock Teleport: Buy from Magic shop or Grand Exchange (requires 25 Magic)
Ardougne Cloak 1: Free Monastery teleport — great early item
Fairy Rings: Unlock via A Fairy Tale Part II quest — instant teleport to hundreds of locations
Spirit Trees: Unlocked via Tree Gnome Village quest

Step 4: Core Skills to Focus On

You don't need to train every skill at once. Focus on these priorities for the early game:

Combat stats (Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints): Essential for quests, money making, and survival. Aim for 60/60/60 early.
Prayer: 43 Prayer gives you Protect from Melee — a massive defensive boost. 70+ Prayer is the late-game goal.
Magic: Teleport spells save huge amounts of walking time. Train it passively with High Alch on drops.
Farming: Herb runs (once unlocked) become one of the best passive money makers in the game. Start early.

Step 5: First Money Making Methods

You'll need gold for gear, potions, and supplies. Early money-making options include:

Stronghold of Security: A free dungeon in Barbarian Village that gives 10,000 GP just for completing its floors — do this immediately.
Killing Cows: Cowhides sell for 100–150 GP each. Kill cows south of Lumbridge and bank their hides.
Flax Spinning: Pick flax near Seer's Village and spin it into Bowstrings for 60–80 GP each.
Hill Giants: Once you have 50+ combat, Hill Giants in Edgeville Dungeon drop Big Bones (300+ GP) and Limpwurt Roots worth significant income.

Step 6: Essential Tips for New Players

Use the OSRS Wiki: oldschool.runescape.wiki is the definitive resource for everything in the game. Bookmark it immediately.
Use RuneLite: The free, officially-approved client for OSRS. It includes an item database, XP tracker, world map, and hundreds of quality-of-life plugins. Always play on RuneLite.
Don't drop your items: OSRS has a death mechanic where you lose your items. Always bank valuables before risky activities.
Check the Grand Exchange: The Grand Exchange in Varrock is OSRS's auction house. Always check prices there before selling anything — street prices vary from wiki prices.
OSRS is a marathon: Progress is intentionally slow. Don't rush. Enjoy exploring the world and completing quests — it's the intended experience.
Join a clan: OSRS has a vibrant community. Find a friendly clan early for tips, help with bosses, and trading.

Step 7: Mid-Game Goals (After Quests)

Once you've completed major early quests and hit 60+ combat stats, your mid-game roadmap should include:

Complete Dragon Slayer I for Rune Plate Body access
Unlock Barrows for strong mid-game armor
Start Slayer for combat training + income
Begin Herb Runs for passive gold
Work toward Recipe for Disaster for Barrows Gloves

New in 2026: The Sailing Skill

In 2026, OSRS added its first new skill in 12 years: Sailing. If you're a new player starting now, you have the unique opportunity to train Sailing alongside the veteran community. Start the Pandemonium quest at Port Sarim after completing some of the early content above to begin your Sailing journey.

Conclusion

OSRS rewards players who explore, complete quests, and take their time. Start with Waterfall Quest and Stronghold of Security, prioritise transportation unlocks, and grow your account naturally. The depth of the game will unfold as you progress — and it's one of the most rewarding gaming experiences out there.

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