OSRS Low-Level Money Making Guide
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), making money is an essential part of progression, whether you're gearing up for high-level content or just trying to afford some better gear. For low-level players, earning gold can seem daunting, but there are many profitable methods that require minimal skills and gear. This guide will outline some of the best ways for low-level players to earn OSRS gold, with methods that require little to no combat skills, and can help you get started on your journey to riches.
1. Killing Chickens and Collecting Feathers
One of the easiest and most beginner-friendly methods for making money in OSRS is by killing chickens. Chickens can be found at the Lumbridge Chicken Coop, Falador, and various other locations throughout the game world. With very low-level combat stats, chickens are easy to kill and drop items that can be sold for a steady income.
How to Do It:
Location: The Lumbridge Chicken Coop is the best spot for low-level players to start. It's close to the spawn point and doesn't require a lot of effort to get to.
Items to Collect: Chickens drop feathers and raw chicken, which can be sold on the Grand Exchange (GE). Feathers sell for around 5-10 coins each, and raw chicken can be sold for roughly 10-20 coins each.
XP and Profit: While the money isn't huge at first, the items you gather from chickens can add up quickly. You'll also gain experience in Attack, Strength, and Defence if you're killing them manually.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Very low requirements: No special equipment or high-level skills are needed.
Quick kills: Chickens are weak, and the process is fast and efficient for beginners.
Multiple profit streams: Both feathers and raw chicken can be sold for decent amounts of money.
2. Mining and Selling Copper and Tin Ore
Mining is one of the most accessible gathering skills in OSRS, and for low-level players, copper and tin ores are excellent starting points. These ores can be found in abundance in several locations, such as the Varrock South Mining Site, Lumbridge Swamp, or the South-east Varrock mine.
How to Do It:
Location: The Varrock South Mining Site is a popular and efficient place to start mining. It has a set of copper and tin rocks close together, and it's easy to get to.
Items to Collect: Mining copper and tin gives you ores, which can be smelted into bars at a furnace. You can sell the raw ores on the Grand Exchange or turn them into bronze or iron bars for slightly higher profit.
Profit: A tin ore or copper ore typically sells for around 10-20 coins each, but this can fluctuate. If you decide to smelt the ores into bars, you may be able to get a slightly higher price per item.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Low requirements: You only need level 1 Mining to start, and you can even use the bronze pickaxe at first.
Simple method: No complicated processes involved—just mine, collect, and sell.
No combat required: If you're new to OSRS and want to avoid combat for now, mining is a peaceful alternative.
3. Fishing for Shrimp and Anchovies
Fishing is another great low-level money-making method, especially if you're working on the Fishing skill early in your OSRS journey. You can start fishing at level 1, and the best catch for new players is shrimp and anchovies, which can be sold for a good profit.
How to Do It:
Location: The Lumbridge Swamp has fishing spots for shrimp and anchovies right at the start. There are also spots near Draynor Village for easy access.
Items to Collect: Catch shrimp and anchovies, which can be sold raw on the Grand Exchange. The price can vary, but shrimp typically sell for around 5-10 coins each, and anchovies around 10-20 coins each.
XP and Profit: Fishing for shrimp and anchovies grants experience in the Fishing skill, and the raw fish can be sold for a decent profit as a low-level player.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Very low skill requirements: Start at level 1 Fishing.
Easy to do: You can sit by the fishing spots and continue gathering without much effort.
No combat: Like mining, fishing is a peaceful and profitable activity that doesn't require fighting.
4. Killing Cows for Cowhides
Killing cows for cowhides is a well-known money-making method in OSRS for low-level players. Cows drop cowhides and bones, which can be sold on the Grand Exchange or used for crafting or prayer training. The cows at the Lumbridge Cow Pen are particularly popular among new players.
How to Do It:
Location: The Lumbridge Cow Pen is the ideal place for low-level players to kill cows. It's located just west of Lumbridge Castle and easily accessible.
Items to Collect: Cowhides and bones. Cowhides are valuable because they can be sold for a decent profit, and bones can be used for prayer or sold as well.
Profit: Cowhides typically sell for around 150-200 coins each. If you're just starting out, this method provides good, consistent cash flow.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Low combat requirement: Cows have low hitpoints and are easy to kill for low-level players.
Consistent income: Cowhides provide a steady source of income for new players who don't have access to more advanced money-making methods.
Bonus XP: Killing cows also provides some combat experience, especially useful for training Attack, Strength, and Defence.
5. Woodcutting and Selling Logs
Woodcutting is another skill that offers a great way for low-level players to make money. The most common method involves cutting normal trees for logs, which are in high demand for players who are training Firemaking or Fletching.
How to Do It:
Location: Start cutting normal trees around Varrock, Lumbridge, or Draynor Village. These trees are abundant and easy to chop down with a bronze or iron axe.
Items to Collect: Logs, which can be sold on the Grand Exchange for a decent price. You can also cut oak and willow trees at higher levels to increase your profit.
Profit: A normal log typically sells for around 20-30 coins, and cutting these logs provides you with valuable Woodcutting experience.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Low skill requirements: Start with level 1 Woodcutting and use a simple axe.
Simple and relaxing: Woodcutting is easy to do and doesn't require a lot of focus, making it perfect for a low-effort money-making method.
Versatile: Logs are used by many different players in OSRS, so the demand is steady.
6. Thieving for Coins and Valuable Items
Thieving is another low-level method that can be highly profitable, especially if you focus on looting chests and NPCs that drop valuable items or coins. One of the most lucrative options is to pickpocket men and women in Varrock or Draynor Village for small amounts of gold.
How to Do It:
Location: Draynor Village is a great place to start pickpocketing men and women for gold coins and items.
Items to Collect: Gold coins and random items like silverware or cloth. You can also pickpocket higher-level NPCs as your Thieving skill improves.
Profit: While the amount of gold you earn per pickpocket is relatively low (about 10-50 coins), it adds up over time, especially if you're training Thieving as you go.
Why It's Good for Low Levels:
Low requirements: Thieving can be started with level 1 Thieving, and the rewards increase as your skill improves.
Easy and fast: Pickpocketing is a quick and passive way to earn money, especially if you're running around training other skills or completing quests.
Conclusion
While low-level players in OSRS might not have access to the high-tier money-making methods yet, there are plenty of ways to start building up your bank balance. Whether you're fishing, mining, killing cows, or pickpocketing NPCs, OSRS offers many accessible options for players to begin earning buy RuneScape gold early in their adventure. These methods might not make you rich overnight, but they provide the foundation for building wealth and progressing in the game.