OSRS can be overwhelming at first, but it rewards patience and planning. Start small-train your combat, complete essential quests, and set achievable goals. Use community resources like RuneLite plugins, the OSRS Wiki, and quest guides to RuneScape gold smooth your journey.
Whether you're here for the grind, the economy, or epic boss battles, Old School RuneScape offers endless possibilities. Your adventure is what you make of it.
So, you've created your character, adjusted your settings, and wrapped your head around the user interface. You've finished Tutorial Island, and now your character suddenly appears in Lumbridge, the bustling heart of Old School RuneScape (OSRS).
Now comes the big question every new adventurer asks:
"What do I actually do in Old School RuneScape?"
Don't worry-you're not alone. Every player has faced this moment, and the beauty of OSRS is that the answer depends entirely on you. This guide will give you the tools to find your direction, understand how progression works, and set meaningful goals to keep your adventure exciting. Having enough RuneScape gold can make adventures more fun.
Understanding Progression in OSRS
Unlike most MMOs, where you have one character level, OSRS has 23 individual skills-each with its own unique gameplay, progression path, and uses. These skills range from combat-focused (like Attack, Strength, and Defence) to gathering (Woodcutting, Mining, Fishing) and crafting skills (Smithing, Cooking, Herblore).
Leveling up these skills unlocks access to better resources, powerful gear, bosses, and quests. Skills also tie into secondary systems like Achievement Diaries and Combat Achievements, giving you even more goals to chase.
Think of skills as the building blocks of your journey. Every log chopped, every fish caught, every monster defeated-it's all progress.
Goal Setting: The Heart of OSRS
OSRS is a sandbox at its core. There's no fixed path-you create your own adventure by setting goals.
For example, unlocking the Fairy Ring teleportation system is a huge quality-of-life milestone. But to get there, you'll need to partially complete the quest Fairy Tale II: Cure a Queen, which requires Lost City. That quest, in turn, needs 31 Crafting and 36 Woodcutting, which might push you to complete early quests that give Crafting XP.
What starts as one small goal spirals into a network of interconnected challenges. That's the magic of RuneScape-you're always working toward something meaningful.
Don't Panic: Play at Your Own Pace
At first glance, this web of requirements can feel overwhelming. But OSRS isn't a race. You can swap between activities, set short-term goals, or even enjoy AFK (away from keyboard) training methods while watching a show or working out.
The best part? Progress in OSRS is permanent. Your levels, loot, and completed quests remain relevant forever. Whether you play for a few hours a week or dive in daily, your character keeps moving forward.
Leveling Skills
Your Skills tab is one of the most useful interfaces in the game. Clicking on any skill shows you details about it, including unlockable abilities and resources.
Take Woodcutting as an example. Starting with a bronze axe, you'll chop regular trees, then gradually unlock oaks, willows, and yews. Each new tree type offers more experience and profit. The same logic applies to every skill-small upgrades stack into major progress over time.
If you're ever unsure how to train a skill, the in-game tutors or the OSRS Wiki provide clear guides. Some skills also have minigames tied to them, like Wintertodt for Firemaking or Tempoross for Fishing, which make leveling more fun and rewarding.
The Power of Quests
Quests in OSRS aren't filler-they're some of the most important and enjoyable content in the game. Instead of "kill 10 boars," quests deliver unique storylines, puzzles, and boss fights.
Even better, many quests unlock massive pieces of content:
Priest in Peril opens up Morytania.
Children of the Sun gives access to the new continent of Varlamore.
Beneath Cursed Sands unlocks the Tombs of Amascut raid.
Completing quests early is a fantastic way to jumpstart your progression, often giving big skill XP rewards, gear upgrades, and transportation methods.
You can track quests using the Quest List tab, which shows all available quests and their requirements. If you're ever stuck, the Wiki or in-game quest helper plugins (like RuneLite's) can walk you through step by step.
Navigating Gielinor
Gielinor is vast, but luckily, there are plenty of ways to get around beyond walking. Some early methods include:
Teleport spells are unlocked through the Magic skill.
Enchanted jewelry, like the Amulet of Glory, for quick travel.
Spirit trees and Fairy Rings (after certain quests).
Agility shortcuts that cut down long walks.
Learning different transportation methods not only saves time but also makes the world feel more connected as cheap OSRS GP you explore new regions.