In RuneScape gold the early stages, your main goal is to become self-reliant as fast as possible while building the skills and supplies you'll need to sustain further progress. Focus on the basics: food, gear, and levels.
Prioritize Questing for Key Unlocks
Quests are one of the most efficient ways to gain experience, unlock vital game content, and access new areas. Early on, prioritize quests that reward you with skill XP or essential unlocks:
Cook's Assistant – A basic intro to questing and Cooking.
The Restless Ghost – Grants Prayer XP to help unlock protection prayers faster.
Doric's Quest – Quick Mining XP and access to Doric's anvil.
Imp Catcher – Free early runes for Magic training.
Rune Mysteries – Unlocks the Runecrafting skill.
Waterfall Quest – Massive Attack and Strength XP with no combat required.
The Grand Tree – Unlocks the Tree Gnome Stronghold and Agility training.
Lost City – Grants access to Zanaris and the Dragon longsword.
These quests will build your early stats, provide useful tools, and open up core mechanics of the game that Ironman accounts depend on.
Sustainable Resource Gathering
As an Ironman, you are your own economy. Learning how to gather your own resources efficiently is critical.
Focus on These Core Gathering Skills:
Focus on These Core Gathering Skills:
Woodcutting – Start with normal logs and progress to oaks, willows, and yews. Great synergy with Firemaking and Fletching.
Mining – Start with copper and tin, then iron, coal, and mithril. Vital for Smithing your own armor and tools.
Fishing – A reliable early food source. Begin with shrimp and anchovies, aiming for trout, salmon, and lobsters later.
Cooking – Trains alongside Fishing. Cook your catch to stockpile food for combat training.
Herblore – Unlocked via Druidic Ritual, this skill lets you create vital potions like Strength and Prayer potions later on.
Fletching – Pairs well with Woodcutting and is great for making your own arrows and ranged weapons.
All of these skills support your self-sufficiency and reduce your reliance on rare drops or purchases.
Combat Training: Build Safely and Strategically
Combat is a core part of your progression, and you'll need solid stats to tackle mid- and late-game challenges.
Start With These Early Monsters:
Start With These Early Monsters:
Chickens – Provide feathers and bones. Great for early Prayer XP.
Cows – Drops cowhides for Crafting and bones for Prayer.
Goblins – Easy to kill and occasionally drop bronze or iron gear.
Al-Kharid Warriors – A step up in difficulty, with decent XP and access to better drops.
Once you've built up a few combat levels, head into:
The Stronghold of Security – This free dungeon provides early combat experience and rewards you with 10,000 coins, plus good gear for cheap OSRS GP your level.