Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is more than just a nostalgic trip back to 2007 — it's one of the most rewarding, community-driven MMORPGs still thriving today. Yet, for new players or returning veterans, making meaningful progress in OSRS can feel overwhelming at first. With its sandbox structure, lack of hand-holding, and a seemingly endless list of skills, quests, and money-making methods, it's easy to log out feeling stuck.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Whether you want to become a PvP beast, a skilling millionaire, or a questing legend, there's a smart path to turning Old School RuneScape into your personal success story. In this guide, we'll break down how to set yourself up for success in OSRS — no matter your experience level.

Step 1: Define What “Success” Means for You

The first thing to understand is that success in OSRS is subjective. Some players want to max their stats, others aim for rare pets, and many just want to build wealth and wield the best gear. Because OSRS has no storyline endpoint or clear “win condition,” it's up to you to decide what you're chasing.

Common goals include:

Maxing your account (99 in every skill)

Becoming rich through PvM or merchanting

Completing every quest

Earning all skill capes

Collecting rare items or pets

Dominating in PvP (Deadman Mode, LMS, or Wilderness PKing)

Pick one or two long-term goals, then work backward to create smaller, achievable steps that support them.

Step 2: Focus on Efficient Early Game Progression

Too many new or returning players burn out because they try to do everything at once. The secret to long-term success is building a strong foundation in your first 50–100 hours of gameplay.

Prioritize these early game essentials:

Complete free-to-play and beginner members quests: Quests like Waterfall Quest, Tree Gnome Village, and Fight Arena give massive combat experience boosts.

Get your agility, magic, and prayer levels up early: These skills drastically improve quality of life later, making traveling, combat, and food management much easier.

Unlock key teleports: Prioritize Varrock, Falador, and Camelot teleports early for faster travel.

Start training profitable skills early: Woodcutting, Fishing, and Mining are beginner-friendly and offer steady cash.

By focusing on these foundations first, you avoid future bottlenecks and open up high-reward activities faster.

Step 3: Master the Art of OSRS Money Making

RuneScape has always been about OSRS gold — and OSRS is no different. You'll need coins for gear, supplies, skill training, and membership bonds if you're playing self-sufficiently.

Here's how to turn your account into a reliable gold-maker:

Early Game: Farm cowhides, iron ore, or oak logs, or kill low-level monsters like Hill Giants for their bones.

Mid-Game: Complete Slayer tasks, kill Green Dragons in the Wilderness, or farm Barrows runs for profit.

High-Level: Take on bosses like Zulrah, Vorkath, or The Gauntlet, or flip items on the Grand Exchange with merchanting techniques.

Pro tip: OSRS has a famously stable player-driven economy, so staying active in the market with price trends can pay off big-time.

Step 4: Use the Community to Your Advantage

One of the biggest advantages of Old School RuneScape is its vibrant, helpful community. From wikis and YouTube guides to Reddit threads and Discord servers, there's no shortage of resources.

Some of the most helpful resources include:

OSRS Wiki: The single most accurate, up-to-date knowledge source.

YouTube Channels: Creators like Framed, Settled, Theoatrix, and 9Rain post top-tier guides and series.

RuneLite Plugins: The RuneLite client improves gameplay with hundreds of useful tools (timers, XP trackers, clue scroll helpers).

Discord Servers: Join community servers for bossing, trading, or quest help.

Using these tools removes guesswork, speeds up progress, and introduces you to strategies you might have missed.

Step 5: Play Smart, Not Hard

One of the biggest mistakes in OSRS is grinding aimlessly without a plan. You don't have to spend 200+ hours chopping yew trees when smarter methods exist.

Combine goals whenever possible: Train combat through Slayer to earn money and level stats at the same time.

Take advantage of Double XP events and seasonal game modes: Deadman Mode and Leagues offer boosted rates for faster progress.

Invest in quality-of-life upgrades: Upgrade to the Graceful outfit early for faster Agility training and movement.

Focus on unlocks that save you time: Complete quests like Fairy Tale Part II for fairy ring teleports or Monkey Madness II for elite bosses.

By working smarter and setting clear milestones, your account will grow efficiently and with far less frustration.

Final Thoughts

Turning Old School RuneScape into a success story is about more than raw playtime. It's about setting clear goals, mastering efficient progression, learning smart money-making methods, and leaning on the game's outstanding community. OSRS rewards planning, knowledge, and consistency — qualities any player can develop, whether they've been playing since 2005 or just made their account yesterday.

Set your long-term vision, break it down into manageable tasks, and enjoy the process. Before you know it, you'll have built a powerful account, stacked your bank, and earned your place in Gielinor's legends.