Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a rich and diverse experience where players can engage in a variety of skills to level up, explore the world, and earn wealth. Among these, some skills are more lucrative than others, providing opportunities for players to make a significant amount of OSRS gold. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your OSRS journey, understanding the most profitable skills can help you efficiently work toward your financial goals.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 8 most profitable skills in Old School RuneScape, considering factors such as time investment, market demand, and the potential for consistent returns.
1. Runecrafting
Runecrafting is often considered one of the most profitable skills in OSRS, especially for high-level players. Although it can be a slow and tedious skill to train, it offers high rewards for those who dedicate time to mastering it.
Profit Potential: The profit from Runecrafting primarily comes from crafting runes, particularly Nature runes and Soul runes, which are used in high-demand spells and alchemy. Players can craft Rune Pouches and Binding Necklace items, both of which have high resale values.
Key Methods for Profit:
Crafting Nature Runes: Nature runes are commonly used in Alchemy (for gold-making) and Telekinetic Grab spells, so they have a high demand in the market. Players can craft Nature runes at the ZMI Altar or the Nature Altar.
Crafting Soul Runes: This high-level Runecrafting method involves crafting Soul runes at the Soul Altar, yielding significant profits due to their value in higher-level spells.
Profitability: At higher levels (80+), crafting Nature runes at the ZMI Altar (level 65 Runecrafting) can yield between 250,000 to 300,000 GP per hour. Players with level 91 Runecrafting can craft Soul Runes, making up to 700,000 GP per hour.
While Runecrafting is often slow to level, it’s one of the best ways to make substantial profits once you achieve higher skill levels.
2. Slaying
Slayer is one of OSRS’s most versatile and rewarding skills. It involves training the skill by killing specific monsters assigned by Slayer Masters. The monsters you fight often drop valuable items, some of which are in high demand.
Profit Potential: The main source of income in Slayer comes from drops such as High Alchables, Rare drops, and Slayer-related gear. Some monsters, like Abby Demons, Kalphites, and Thermonuclear Smoke Devils, drop items that can be sold for high profits, including Demon Task drops and Smoky Key for valuable rare items.
Key Profitable Slayer Monsters:
Abby Demons: They drop Abby Whips, which sell for a high price and are in demand for combat training.
Kalphite Soldiers: These creatures drop Kalphite Pieces, including the highly profitable Kalphite Queen drops.
Thermonuclear Smoke Devils: Drop Smoke Devils and Smoky Key which can lead to high-end profit from the Smoky Treasure Chest.
Profitability: Training Slayer while focusing on high-level tasks can result in consistent hourly profits. High-level players can expect to make 400,000 to 1 million GP per hour depending on the monsters they’re assigned and the drops they get.
Slayer is often seen as one of the most rewarding skills because it combines combat training with profitable drops, making it a great money-making activity for players of various levels.
3. Herblore
Herblore is a skill that involves making potions using herbs and other ingredients. While the skill itself is not as time-intensive as some others, it can yield very high profits depending on market trends and potion demand.
Profit Potential: The profits in Herblore largely come from making high-demand potions like Super Restores, Saradomin Brews, and Prayer Potions. These potions are used by players for combat, bossing, and PvP, meaning there is always a consistent demand.
Key Profitable Potions:
Super Restore: Often used in raids, bossing, and PvP, these potions are in constant demand.
Saradomin Brews: A highly sought-after item due to their healing properties, especially in PvM.
Prayer Potions: Essential for prolonged combat and raid encounters, making them a steady income source.
Profitability: The potential for profit in Herblore depends on the cost of ingredients (like Herbs, Vials of Water, and Secondary Ingredients). However, for high-level players, making potions can yield up to 1 million GP per hour, particularly when focusing on making Super Restores and Saradomin Brews.
Herblore is most profitable for high-level players who can make potions quickly, but even mid-level players can profit by focusing on popular potions like Prayer and Super Strength.
4. Fishing
Fishing is one of the oldest and most profitable gathering skills in OSRS. The market for fish, whether for cooking, Herblore ingredients, or high-level bosses, remains strong.
Profit Potential: The most profitable fish in OSRS are Sharks, Anglerfish, and Minnows. High-level players can fish for these valuable items, which sell for significant amounts.
Key Fishing Locations:
Sharks: These are fished at Shark Fishing Spots in Piscatoris Fishing Colony and can yield substantial profits.
Anglerfish: Fished at Piscarillus House and provides high healing potential, which is highly valued in PvM.
Minnows: The Minnow spots offer massive quantities of fish that can be caught quickly, generating high profits.
Profitability: Fishing can generate 300,000 to 1 million GP per hour, depending on the fish being caught and the player’s fishing level. The Anglerfish and Sharks are particularly profitable, as they are both used for Healing Potions and Bossing.
Fishing is a relatively straightforward skill to train and can be highly profitable when focusing on high-level fish.
5. Woodcutting
Woodcutting is another gathering skill that provides consistent profits, especially when focusing on high-value logs like Magical Logs, Yew Logs, and Teak Logs.
Profit Potential: The primary way to earn gold from Woodcutting is by selling logs or Timber products to other players. Yew Logs and Magic Logs are two of the most profitable types of logs, used for high-level training or Firemaking.
Key Locations for Profit:
Yew Trees: Found in places like Edgeville and Taverley, Yew Logs are a staple for players looking to make Arrows, Crossbow Bolts, and other high-demand items.
Magic Trees: These provide Magic Logs, one of the highest-value logs in OSRS.
Profitability: The profit from Woodcutting can range from 250,000 GP to 1 million GP per hour when cutting high-demand logs like Yew and Magic Logs. Magic Logs, in particular, can bring in substantial returns for high-level players.
For players who prefer a more passive and relaxing way to earn money, Woodcutting is a great option. The key to making significant profits is focusing on the logs in high demand.
6. Mining
Mining is a highly profitable skill that involves gathering ores from various locations in buy RuneScape gold. Mining offers a variety of high-value ores that are used in Smithing or sold directly to other players.
Profit Potential: Runite Ore is one of the most valuable ores, and it’s often mined in the Wilderness or Resource Areas. The 3-tick method, which can be used for mining, greatly speeds up the process, boosting profits.
Key Locations for Profit:
Runite Rocks: These rocks are found in the Wilderness, and Runite Ore is often in high demand from Smithers and other players.
Amethyst: While mining Amethyst requires level 92, it’s an excellent option for players who want to profit from Amethyst Arrows or Jewelry.
Profitability: Mining Runite Ore in the Wilderness can earn up to 1 million GP per hour, depending on the mining method and the player’s efficiency. Amethyst Mining can also generate 300,000 to 500,000 GP per hour for players with the required skill level.
7. Construction
Construction is a non-gathering skill that has an excellent profit potential, primarily due to the demand for Furniture and House Construction Services.
Profit Potential: The profit from Construction is more indirect, but it comes from Training Rooms, Teleportation Facilities, and providing House Services for players who need help with XP Boosts and Training Methods.
Key Services for Profit:
House Construction: Many players offer House Services to boost XP or other related services.