OSRS Bossing Progression Guide: From Beginner to Endgame Pro

Feb-24-2026 PST Category: Runescape

Bossing in Old School RuneScape can feel overwhelming when you’re starting fresh. With dozens of encounters ranging from entry-level skilling bosses to punishing endgame raids, it’s hard to know where to begin. This guide lays out a clear progression path—from early-game PvM introductions all the way to elite challenges like raids and the Inferno. Having a lot of cheap OSRS GP can be very helpful.

 

This isn’t a strict checklist. Think of it as a roadmap designed to build mechanics, gear progression, and confidence step by step.

 

Early Game: Learning the Basics

 

Your PvM journey doesn’t need to start with traditional combat bosses.

 

Skilling Bosses

 

Wintertodt


A fantastic starting point. While technically a skilling boss, Wintertodt teaches movement and reaction timing while supplying valuable early resources—especially for Ironmen.

 

Tempoross


A safe, scaling encounter where death isn’t a concern. Great for learning boss flow and earning fishing supplies.

 

These bosses ease you into mechanics without heavy gear requirements.

 

Entry-Level Combat Bosses

 

Once you’ve trained base combat stats (50s–60s), it’s time to dip into real PvM.

 

Barrows

 

Barrows

One of the best early PvM stops. With around 60+ Magic, you can farm Barrows for powerful armor upgrades that will carry you through midgame.

 

Bryophyta & Obor

 

Bryophyta

Obor

 

Free-to-play friendly and simple mechanically. These bosses introduce prayer management and add-spawn awareness.

 

Deranged Archaeologist

 

Deranged Archaeologist

A manageable demi-boss on Fossil Island with useful early drops.

 

Hespori

 

Hespori

Unlocked through Farming, this boss is straightforward and introduces basic prayer switching and root-clearing mechanics.

 

Early Midgame: Real PvM Foundations

 

Now you’ll begin developing core PvM skills—movement, positioning, prayer switching, and gear swaps.

 

Giant Mole

 

Giant Mole

Simple but teaches tracking and resource sustainability.

 

Sarachnis

 

Sarachnis

An excellent boss for practicing movement and prayer switches while earning consistent loot.

 

Dagannoth Kings

 

Dagannoth Kings

At this stage, aiming for a Berserker ring is worthwhile. Trio rotations can wait—focus on learning safe positioning.

 

Fight Caves

 

TzTok-Jad

Earning your Fire Cape is a rite of passage. Mastering Jad’s prayer switching is a massive confidence boost and prepares you for future content.

 

Midgame: Gear Power Spikes

 

Now you’re stepping into mechanically demanding encounters that reward meaningful upgrades.

 

Moons of Peril

 

Moons of Peril

A strong midgame addition with valuable armor sets and resources, especially for Iron accounts.

 

Grotesque Guardians

 

Grotesque Guardians

Unlocked via Slayer, these bosses improve your movement and reaction timing.

 

Vorkath

 

Vorkath

A staple money dragon. Also required for upgrading to the Ava’s Assembler.

 

Zulrah

 

Zulrah

A true mechanics check. Phase recognition and prayer switching become second nature here.

 

Phantom Muspah

 

Phantom Muspah

A hybrid fight that reinforces gear switching and movement discipline.

 

Late Midgame: Raid Preparation

 

You’re now transitioning from solo bosses into group and raid content.

 

Tombs of Amascut (Entry & Normal)

 

Tombs of Amascut

Start with Entry Mode for mechanics practice. Move into Normal runs to build consistency and chase upgrades.

 

Chambers of Xeric

 

Chambers of Xeric

Less mechanically punishing than Theatre, but layout-dependent. Great introduction to coordinated raiding.

 

Demonic Gorillas

 

Demonic gorillas

Zenite shards are nearly mandatory for late-game jewelry progression.

 

Late Game: High-End Slayer & Advanced PvM


Alchemical Hydra

 

Alchemical Hydra

Unlocked at 95 Slayer. Precision positioning and phase management are key.

 

Thermonuclear Smoke Devil

 

Thermonuclear Smoke Devil

Mechanically simple but locked behind high Slayer requirements.

 

Araxxor

 

Araxxor

A challenging Slayer boss offering powerful melee upgrades.

 

Endgame Pinnacle Content

 

This is where PvM mastery is tested.

 

The Inferno

 

Inferno

Completing the Inferno and earning the Infernal Cape defines endgame PvM. Wave management, flicking, and mental endurance are critical.

 

Theatre of Blood

 

Theatre of Blood

Mechanically intense and team-dependent. Hard Mode pushes coordination to its limits.

 

Nex

 

Nex

Supply-heavy but rewarding. Small teams increase both challenge and profitability.

 

Optional & Niche Bosses

 

Some bosses are more situational:

 

Corporeal Beast – Shields are niche upgrades.

 

Nightmare – Profitable only with uniques.

 

Wilderness bosses – Worth trying, but not mandatory for progression.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Bossing progression in Old School RuneScape isn’t linear. You can rush raids early or grind Slayer first. What matters most is building mechanical skill over time:

 

Early game builds fundamentals.

 

Midgame sharpens mechanics.

 

Late game demands execution.

 

Endgame rewards mastery.

 

If you follow a path similar to this, you’ll steadily grow from a beginner learning prayer switches to a seasoned PvMer tackling Inferno waves and Hard Mode raids. Having enough OSRS GP can be a great help to you.

 

And remember: progression isn’t about perfection—it’s about improvement.