Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that’s been hooking players since 2013, bringing back the 2007 RuneScape with fresh updates. With over 240,000 players online at once in August 2025, it’s a bustling world of grinding, quests, and community fun. If you’re new to Gielinor, this guide will get you started, from setting up your account to your first adventures. Let’s jump in!

Osr

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Account

1. Create a Jagex Account

To play OSRS, you need a Jagex account. Go to oldschool.runescape.com and hit “New User, Sign Up Now.” You’ll need:

  • An email address
  • Your birth date
  • A name for your character

After signing up, grab the official OSRS client from the website or get the mobile app (iOS or Android). For a smoother experience, try RuneLite, a third-party client with handy tools like quest guides and inventory trackers. Get it at runelite.net.

2. Secure Your Account

OSRS has its share of scammers, so lock down your account early:

  • Use a strong, unique password and swap it out monthly.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) in Jagex account settings to use your phone for logins.
  • Set a bank PIN at Lumbridge Castle’s bank to protect your loot.

3. Choose Free-to-Play or Membership

OSRS gives you a solid free-to-play (F2P) experience with 15 of the 23 skills, 20 quests, and tons to do. Start F2P to learn the ropes before thinking about membership, which runs $12.49/month (cheaper for longer plans) and opens up most of the game—new areas, skills, and quests. You can also score membership by buying bonds with in-game gold at the Grand Exchange.

Osrs World Map July23 2025

Your First Steps: Tutorial Island

When you log in, you’ll land on Tutorial Island, a quick intro to OSRS. Here’s the deal:

  • Character Creation: Pick your character’s look (hair, clothes, etc.).
  • Basic Mechanics: NPCs teach you how to move, use the camera, skill (like Fishing or Woodcutting), fight, and bank.
  • Game Modes: At the end, choose between a standard account or Ironman (no trading with others). Stick with standard for an easier start.

The tutorial takes about 10-15 minutes. Use RuneLite’s Quest Helper plugin to make it a breeze by highlighting what to do.

Welcome to Lumbridge: Your First Hour

After Tutorial Island, you’re dropped in Lumbridge, the newbie hub. The game’s open world can feel huge, so here’s a plan for your first hour:

1. Meet Adventurer Jon

Find Adventurer Jon outside the Sheared Ram pub in Lumbridge (look for a blue square on your minimap). Tell the Gielinor Guide you’re new to unlock Adventure Paths—guided missions with rewards. Pick the Combat Path for a free starter kit (weapons, armor, items) and more tasks than the Gatherer Path. Finish missions for XP, gear, and a Combat Path Voucher for Varrock goodies.

2. Start with Beginner Quests

Quests are a fun way to learn, earn XP, and see Gielinor. They’re unique stories, not boring fetch quests. Try these F2P quests in Lumbridge:

  • Cook’s Assistant: A quick cooking quest. Reward: 300 Cooking XP.
  • The Restless Ghost: A short graveyard quest. Reward: 1,125 Prayer XP.
  • Sheep Shearer: Gather wool for XP and cash.

Check your Quest Log (Compass icon > Quests tab) or use the OSRS Wiki (oldschool.runescape.wiki) for step-by-step help.

3. Train Basic Skills

OSRS is all about skills—23 activities like Mining or Combat that you level up by doing them. Focus on these in Lumbridge:

  • Woodcutting and Firemaking: Grab an axe and tinderbox from Tutorial Island. Chop trees (regular ones, then oaks at level 15) and burn logs for Firemaking XP.
  • Fishing and Cooking: Use a small fishing net from the Lumbridge Fishing tutor (south of the castle in the swamp). Catch shrimp, cook them on a fire, and drop any burnt ones.
  • Combat: Fight goblins or cows east of Lumbridge. Pick an attack style (accurate, aggressive, or defensive) to boost Attack, Strength, or Defence. Use the Home Teleport spell to get back to Lumbridge if you wander off.

4. Explore the Stronghold of Security

Head to Barbarian Village (west of Lumbridge) and enter the Stronghold of Security dungeon. It teaches account security and gives you 10,000 gold, four emotes, and a choice of Fancy or Fighting Boots. Watch out—monsters can hit hard, so bank valuable stuff first.

Tips for Success

Old School Runescape Screenshot 1340x754

1. Embrace the Sandbox

OSRS lets you do whatever you want—quest, skill, fight, or just hang out. Set small goals, like finishing a quest or hitting level 20 in a skill, to stay on track.

2. Use the OSRS Wiki

The in-game Quest Log can be unclear, so check the OSRS Wiki for detailed guides on quests, skills, and items. RuneLite’s wiki feature lets you click items or NPCs for instant info.

3. Make Money Early

Gold (GP) buys gear and supplies. Try these F2P money-makers:

  • Mining and Smithing: Mine copper and tin in Lumbridge, smelt them into bronze bars, and sell at the Grand Exchange in Varrock.
  • Fishing: Sell cooked fish or raw salmon/trout at the Grand Exchange.
  • Stronghold of Security: Get 10,000 GP for completing it.

4. Join the Community

OSRS is all about its players. Chat with folks in Lumbridge or at Varrock’s Grand Exchange. Join a clan for group tips, events, or boss fights. Check out Reddit’s r/2007scape or OSRS Discord for advice.

5. Avoid Scams

Don’t share your password or take “free” items from strangers—it’s usually a trick. Say no to random gifts and enjoy earning your own rewards.

Planning Your Journey

Old School Runescape Sailing Skill Deep Dive Alpha

Combat or Skilling?

Decide if you want to focus on combat (melee, ranged, or magic) or skilling (like Fishing or Crafting). Combat players can train on goblins, then move to Flesh Crawlers in the Stronghold of Security. Skilling players should gather resources (Mining, Woodcutting) for cash and XP.

Quest for Progress

Quests like Dragon Slayer (F2P’s hardest) unlock gear like the Rune Platebody. Aim for 175+ quest points with an “Efficient Barrows Gloves guide” (search online) for the best quest order.

When to Get Membership

Play F2P until you finish most quests (like Dragon Slayer) and hit 40+ in key combat skills. Membership unlocks skills like Agility and Thieving, plus bosses and areas like Varlamore. Save 3-5 million GP to buy a bond for membership without spending real cash.