Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game loved for its freedom, nostalgia, and depth—but it’s also notorious for luring new players into avoidable mistakes. Whether you’re just starting out in Gielinor or coming back after years away, it’s easy to fall into “noob traps”—decisions that seem smart but ultimately waste time, gold, or resources. This article highlights the 10 biggest noob traps in OSRS so you can dodge them like a seasoned adventurer.

1. Training on Cows or Chickens Way Too Long

Sure, cows and chickens are great for the first few combat levels—but many new players stick with them for far too long. At a certain point, the experience gain becomes painfully slow. Players often don’t realize that moving on to Sand Crabs, Rock Crabs, or Al Kharid Warriors will boost their gains dramatically.

Tip: Once you hit 20+ in your combat stats, switch to stronger monsters with better XP rates.

2. Wearing Full Melee Armor While Using Magic or Ranged

It seems logical—plate armor is protective, right? But many new players don't realize that wearing melee armor while using Magic or Ranged massively reduces accuracy. Magic spells will splash constantly, and ranged hits will miss more often than not.

Tip: Use magic robes (like wizard robes) or leather armor when casting or ranging for better accuracy and damage output.

3. Overpaying for Gear in the Grand Exchange

The Grand Exchange is a blessing and a curse. Many noobs either panic-buy items at ridiculous prices or use outdated guides that recommend inefficient gear. Items like the Dragon Scimitar or Rune Armor are often overpriced during peak hours due to demand.

Tip: Use websites like GE Tracker or RuneLite plugins to check average prices. Don’t impulse-buy.

4. Training Prayer on Regular Bones

Many players start burying every bone they come across thinking it's the best way to level Prayer. But this method is extremely slow. A smarter player banks bones for Gilded Altars, Chaos Altar, or uses Ensouled Heads for faster and cheaper Prayer XP.

Tip: Save bones and use them in bulk on a gilded altar in a player-owned house or the Chaos Altar in the Wilderness (if you dare).

5. Falling for Scam Trades and Doublers

Classic scams are still alive and well in OSRS—especially in free-to-play worlds. From fake item multipliers to "doubling money" scams, players with low experience can easily fall prey to tricksters in busy areas like Varrock West Bank or World 301 Grand Exchange.

Tip: Never trust anyone claiming they’ll double your money. If it sounds too good to be true—it is.

6. Going Into the Wilderness with Valuable Items

The Wilderness is one of the most dangerous places in OSRS. Countless noobs unknowingly bring all their best items while doing clue scrolls, exploring, or trying out PvP. The result? Losing everything to PKers lurking just beyond the safe zones.

7. Ignoring Quest Rewards

Some players grind for hours to earn XP or gear that they could’ve gotten much faster by doing quests. For example, Waterfall Quest, Fight Arena, and Tree Gnome Village offer huge XP drops without requiring any combat levels.

Tip: Use the Optimal Quest Guide to plan efficient questing routes. Early quests can rocket you from level 1 to 30+ in combat stats.

8. Spending Hours Woodcutting or Fishing for Gold

Gathering skills like Woodcutting, Mining, and Fishing are peaceful and nostalgic, but they’re not the best ways to earn money anymore—especially in early levels. Some players waste dozens of hours gathering lobsters or willows, thinking they’ll become rich.

Tip: Explore alternatives like flipping on the GE, Slayer, or low-level bossing (like Obor or Bryophyta) once you’ve built basic stats.

9. Not Using RuneLite Plugins

Many new players stick with the official OSRS client and miss out on powerful quality-of-life features. RuneLite is the most trusted and widely used third-party client. It includes plugins that highlight tiles, track XP, show monster timers, and more.

Tip: Download RuneLite from the official website and explore plugins like NPC Aggression Timer, Ground Items, Menu Entry Swapper, and Tile Markers.

10. Thinking “Efficiency” is Everything from Day One

While it's tempting to obsess over XP rates and guides, many new players burn out because they feel pressured to play “efficiently” all the time. OSRS is a game of patience and long-term progression. If you try to rush to max without enjoying the ride, you’ll likely quit before you get far.

Final Thoughts

Everyone falls into noob traps at some point—some of them are part of the charm of Old School RuneScape. But by learning from the mistakes of others, you can skip the most frustrating setbacks and progress with confidence. Whether it’s avoiding scams, leveling smarter, or just playing with purpose, these insights will help you navigate Gielinor like a pro.

So gear up, quest wisely, and may your RNG be forever in your favor.