Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a nostalgic yet ever-evolving MMORPG that has captivated millions of players since its revival in 2013. The free-to-play (F2P) experience is vast in itself, but the real depth of the game lies behind the membership paywall, unlocking hundreds of quests, dozens of new skills, and expansive lands to explore.

 

However, jumping straight into membership without preparation can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the free-to-play world offers an excellent foundation to get your bearings, develop your character, and set yourself up for success once you take the leap into membership.

 

Here are 8 essential things to do in Old School RuneScape before becoming a member, ensuring a smoother, more rewarding transition to the pay-to-play world.

 

1. Complete All Free-to-Play Quests

Quests are at the heart of RuneScape's storytelling and progression. Before diving into the vast world of P2P content, completing all available F2P quests is highly recommended.

 

Why it's Important:

Quests reward valuable experience points, particularly in skills that are slow to train like Magic and Crafting.

 

Certain F2P quests unlock convenience features such as teleports and access to specific areas.

 

Completing quests will train combat and non-combat stats organically, saving you from mindless grinding.

 

Notable F2P Quests to Complete:

Dragon Slayer I: Unlocks the ability to wear Rune Platebody and Green Dragonhide Body.

 

The Knight's Sword: Grants a massive Smithing XP boost.

 

Imp Catcher: Easy Magic XP early on.

 

Demon Slayer: Provides a solid introduction to combat mechanics.

 

Completing all F2P quests will give you a strong narrative understanding of the game and a well-rounded character.

 

2. Train Combat Stats to a Solid Base Level

In OSRS, having decent combat stats is crucial for survival and progression. While membership unlocks more diverse training options, you can build a solid combat foundation as an F2P player.

 

Recommended Base Levels:

Attack/Strength/Defence: Aim for level 40-50.

 

Ranged: At least level 40 for using better bows and arrows.

 

Magic: Level 37 for teleports like Falador, or ideally 55 for High Alchemy.

 

Prayer: Level 43 unlocks Protect from Melee, essential for most bosses.

 

Not only will these levels allow you to handle early P2P monsters and quests with ease, but they'll also make you less reliant on food and safer during exploration.

 

3. Level Your Non-Combat Stats

Non-combat skills form the backbone of OSRS, and many of them can be trained efficiently in the F2P world.

 

Key Skills to Train:

Woodcutting, Fishing, and Cooking: Together these provide a reliable way to earn food and generate cash through Lobsters or Swordfish.

 

Mining and Smithing: After completing The Knight's Sword, Smithing becomes more efficient. Aim for level 40-50 Mining to mine gold ore upon membership.

 

Crafting: Often overlooked in F2P, but essential for future quests and gear crafting.

 

Getting these to a decent level (30-50) provides a head start, especially for P2P quests that have skill prerequisites.

 

4. Earn a Good Starting Cash Stack

Membership introduces massive opportunities for money-making, but you'll need a starting OSRS gold to buy gear, teleport tabs, and supplies. Building this foundation as an F2P player helps you avoid early struggles.

 

Best F2P Money-Making Methods:

Mining Iron Ore: Consistently profitable and easy to train.

 

Fishing Lobsters or Swordfish: Useful for both money and food.

 

Making Rune or Pure Essence: Once you have higher Mining levels.

 

Crafting and Selling Air Runes: After Rune Mysteries, crafting runes is a steady income.

 

Aim for a 1-2 million GP stack before becoming a member, giving you flexibility for purchases like better weapons, armor, or transportation.

 

5. Familiarize Yourself with Game Mechanics

Many F2P players overlook the importance of learning core OSRS mechanics, but doing so is invaluable.

 

Mechanics to Master:

Prayer Flicking: Preserves Prayer points, especially useful in PvM scenarios.

 

Tick Manipulation: Advanced, but understanding the concept of the game's tick system (0.6 seconds per tick) will vastly improve your combat and skilling efficiency.

 

Safe-spotting: Essential for Ranged and Magic training against tough monsters.

 

Inventory and Gear Setup: Learn how to optimize your inventory for skilling or combat.

 

By mastering these fundamentals early, you'll be better prepared for the complexities of P2P content.

 

6. Learn Efficient Movement & Teleports

Travel in OSRS is critical, and while F2P teleports are limited, mastering them helps you navigate the world more effectively.

 

Teleports to Prioritize:

Varrock Teleport: Requires Magic level 25.

 

Lumbridge Teleport: Early default option.

 

Falador Teleport: Magic level 37.

 

Upon membership, teleportation expands significantly via spellbooks, jewelry, and quest rewards. If you've trained Magic sufficiently in F2P, you'll immediately benefit from teleporting efficiently once you subscribe.

 

Additionally, unlocking the Amulet of Glory teleport (members only) early on is a priority, so having the required Magic level for teleports in F2P gives you a jumpstart.

 

7. Join a Clan or Social Community

Even before becoming a member, joining an OSRS clan or community can greatly enhance your experience.

 

Benefits:

Access to Knowledge: Veteran players can guide you through skilling, bossing, and questing.

 

Assistance in Group Activities: While F2P lacks significant multiplayer PvM, a clan will help once you become a member.

 

Social Support: OSRS can be grindy, and social interaction makes it more enjoyable.

 

Look for beginner-friendly clans or Reddit communities where you can ask questions and prepare for the P2P world.

 

8. Set Clear Goals for Membership

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content in members' worlds, from hundreds of quests to new skills like Agility, Slayer, and Herblore.

 

Define Your First Membership Goals:

Do Quests First: Membership quests like Waterfall Quest, Tree Gnome Village, and The Grand Tree provide significant experience boosts.

 

Unlock Key Skills: Slayer, Agility, and Thieving open up new pathways for both money-making and gear progression.

 

Explore New Regions: Places like Zeah, Morytania, and the Fremennik Isles contain new creatures, skilling areas, and questlines.

 

Setting these goals prevents aimless wandering and ensures you're making the most of your membership.

 

Bonus Tip: Know When to Subscribe

Only subscribe to membership when:

 

You've completed the majority of F2P quests.

 

You've reached comfortable combat and skilling levels.

 

You have enough gold to support initial expenses.

 

You're familiar with game mechanics.

 

Alternatively, some players choose to earn enough GP in F2P to buy OSRS gold, which grants 14 days of membership without real money, offering a free trial of sorts.

 

Final Thoughts

Old School RuneScape is a game of patience and planning. Taking the time to optimize your F2P experience means you'll enter the membership world with confidence, efficiency, and a head start in both knowledge and progression.

 

By completing quests, training essential skills, earning a solid cash stack, and learning key mechanics, you'll ensure that your transition to members' content is smooth, fun, and highly rewarding.