10 OSRS Basics Every Player Should Master
Whether you’re brand new to Old School RuneScape, a returning adventurer, or a long-time veteran, there are countless tips, tricks, and mechanics that would make anyone’s journey smoother if they had only known them earlier. Some of these tips are simple—like where to find certain items without relying on the Grand Exchange—while others are more subtle, obscure, or systems that have changed over time. This guide highlights 10 important things every OSRS player should know in 2025, touching on game updates, budget considerations, skilling tips, and quality-of-life systems that can genuinely improve your experience.
So grab your favourite drink, settle in, and let’s get started.
1. The Game-Changing Run Energy Update
One of the most significant updates in OSRS history arrived in early 2025: a complete overhaul of the run energy system. For years, players relied heavily on the Graceful outfit, stamina potions, and the ring of endurance to maintain run energy. Weight reduction mattered enormously, and restoring run energy naturally was painfully slow.
The new system shifts emphasis to your Agility level, which now drastically improves both run energy drain and regeneration—even without weight-reducing gear. Early-game players no longer march around Gielinor exhausted, and high-level agility feels genuinely impactful.
Graceful and stamina potions are still helpful, but they’re no longer mandatory. You’ll notice smoother gameplay in activities like the Corrupted Gauntlet, skilling runs, and bossing, even with fewer stamina boosts.
2. Many Items Now Have Multiple Sources
Over the years, Jagex has added alternative ways to obtain key items, allowing players to choose methods that better suit their playstyle. Some examples include:
Amylase Crystals: Once exclusive to Rogues’ Den, you can now trade termites with the anteater in the War’s Retreat Agility Course for passive supplies while training.
Imbues: Originally exclusive to the Nightmare Zone, they can now be earned through Soul Wars or via PvP Arena imbue scrolls.
Skilling Outfits:
The Lumberjack outfit can be earned from Temple Trekking or purchased using Anima-Infused Bark.
The Angler outfit is available through Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing in Lake Moloch.
Rune Pouch & Herb Sack: These can be earned through Slayer points, LMS, or—in the Herb Sack’s case—more efficiently via the Tithe Farm.
These alternatives open up more flexible and enjoyable grinds, especially for Ironmen.
3. Expensive Items Have Become Surprisingly Affordable
If you’ve been gone a while, you’ll be shocked by how cheap many iconic items have become. For example:
Dexterous Prayer Scroll: Around 6M GP
Arcane Prayer Scroll: Nearing 1M OSRS GP
Dragon Warhammer: Dropped from 45–60M to roughly 20M GP due to better drop rates and alternative defence-reduction options
Ghrazi Rapier: From 200M+ to around 36M GP
Evergreen TOA Gear: Nearly everything except the Shadow has decreased dramatically
Veterans returning to the game can now access formerly “dream tier” items at bargain prices.
4. Skill Levels Matter More Than Gear
While upgrades are always nice, levelling your stats provides more value than most players realise. For example, high levels paired with consistent prayer and potion usage can outperform players wielding expensive equipment. Higher combat and skill levels also unlock faster and safer boss kills, reducing reliance on rare drops.
When in doubt, invest in levels before luxuries.
5. Read Jagex Blog Posts Early for Profit Opportunities
Market swings often happen the moment a new Jagex blog post drops. Players panic buy or sell based on proposed changes—even if those changes never make it into the game. Recent examples include:
Boots from Cerberus spiking within minutes after a proposed best-in-slot boot upgrade
Ring of Endurance is crashing after the run energy update
If you’re quick to read new blogs, you can often catch profitable trends before the masses move the market.
6. Rare Drop Table ≠ Extremely Rare Drop
A common misconception is that receiving a rare-drop-table item (like a dragon spear or shield left half) means you missed out on a boss pet. In reality, these items simply indicate that you hit the generic RDT roll, not the pet roll. It’s a long-standing community meme, but mechanically, the two are separate events.
7. Hybrid Skilling Methods Are Underrated
OSRS has several “train two skills at once” methods that add long-term value, including:
Barbarian Fishing: Fishing + Agility + Strength
Drift Net Fishing: Fishing + Hunter
Lunar Spells:
Spin Flax / Superglass Make / String Jewelry → Crafting
Arceuus Spells:
Demonic Offering / Grimy Offering → Prayer or Herblore
Slow but efficient, these hybrid methods stack passive XP you’ll appreciate later.
8. Managing Bank Space Is Easier Than You Think
When your bank gets cramped, try:
Talking to the Wise Old Man to identify worthless items
Purchasing additional bank space (cheap at first, very expensive at maximum)
Using your POH Storage Rooms for gear, holiday items, clue loot, skilling outfits, and more
Building STASH Units to store clue step items permanently
Proper organization can save hundreds of bank slots.
9. Use Slayer Weighting to Get the Tasks You Want
If you prefer certain Slayer tasks—bossing tasks, AFK tasks, or burst/barrage tasks—you can increase your chances through task weighting. Check a Slayer master’s task table, identify the highest-weight tasks you don’t want, and block or skip them. This naturally increases your odds of being assigned the tasks you do want.
10. Consider Buying Membership or Early-Game Bonds
While not feasible for everyone, purchasing a few bonds early on can remove financial pressure and dramatically smooth out your early-game progression. Farming GP for membership every 14 days is extremely stressful for new players, especially in the early and mid-game. A small investment can help you focus on learning the game instead of grinding constantly for money. Having enough OSRS gold can be very helpful.