Common Old School RuneScape Mistakes That Slow Down Progress

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) may appear to be a simple game on the surface, with its click-based combat and progression systems, but beneath that lies a complex world of strategies, planning, and decision-making. New players and even seasoned veterans often make certain critical mistakes that slow down their progression or cost them valuable time and in-game wealth. In this guide, we’ll explore the ten biggest mistakes you can make in OSRS and how to avoid them, ensuring you maximize your efficiency, gameplay, and enjoyment.

1. Using the Wrong Weapon or Combat Style

One of the most common mistakes in OSRS combat is using the wrong weapon or style against a monster or boss. While combat may seem straightforward—click on a monster and start attacking—it’s actually quite intricate. Every monster in Gielinor has specific weaknesses based on its defense stats for melee, magic, and ranged attacks. Melee defense is further divided into stab, slash, and crush, while magic and ranged weaknesses vary depending on the monster’s specific vulnerabilities.

For example, many players make the mistake of using a dragon scimitar against an Iron Dragon, which has high slash and crush defense but a lower stab defense. The optimal approach would be to use a stab weapon like the dragon sword or an earth spell, which takes advantage of the dragon's weaknesses, speeding up the kill significantly.

Pro Tip: Always consult the OSRS Wiki or use the in-game DPS calculator to find the most effective weapon and combat style for your fight. Ensuring you’re using the correct attack style (stab, slash, crush) is just as crucial as selecting the right weapon.

2. Neglecting Quests Early On

Quests in OSRS are essential for unlocking new content, teleports, and crucial items. One of the biggest mistakes players make is not prioritizing quests early enough. The experience rewards from quests are incredibly valuable, especially in the early game. For instance, 10,000 attack and strength experience when you're at level one will boost your combat stats rapidly, but waiting until you’re level 60 renders that same reward nearly insignificant.

Additionally, many quests provide access to content and areas essential for further progression. Skipping quests early only makes your gameplay more difficult as you progress, locking you out of important gear and abilities.

Pro Tip: Even if you're not a fan of questing, it's highly beneficial to knock out key quests early to set yourself up for long-term success. Start with those that offer experience rewards for skills that are slower to train manually.

3. Overloading on Plugins

The RuneLite client offers a wide variety of plugins that enhance gameplay by providing additional information and convenience. However, there is such a thing as information overload. Highlighting every monster, tile, and action can clutter your screen and reduce your overall enjoyment of the game.

While some plugins—like GPU, XP trackers, and tile markers—are indispensable, using too many can overwhelm you with unnecessary data. It turns the game into a sea of numbers and calculations, making it feel more like a math problem than a fantasy adventure.

Pro Tip: Try a “less is more” approach with RuneLite plugins. Only activate those that truly enhance your gameplay without overloading your interface. The game will feel more immersive and less like a spreadsheet.

4. Relying on Non-Experience Money Makers

Some money-making methods in OSRS do not offer any experience gains. While these methods can be lucrative, over-relying on them is a mistake that can stall your account’s progress. Since you’ll spend a considerable amount of time earning money to buy gear and supplies, it’s more efficient to combine that time with training your account.

Whenever possible, prioritize money-making methods that also give experience. For instance, killing dragons for their bones and hides is a great way to make money while simultaneously gaining combat experience. Focusing solely on non-experience money makers like crystal keys or flipping items can leave you with plenty of gold but an underdeveloped account.

Pro Tip: Aim to balance both experience and money-making. As you progress into the late game, the best money makers often require higher stats anyway, so getting your account there faster will unlock even more lucrative opportunities.

5. Overinvesting in Expensive Gear Early On

Another mistake that many players make is over-investing in expensive gear before their account is ready. It's common to see players running around with Bandos chestplates and boots but lacking the essential upgrades to their weapons or other equipment that could help them progress faster.

Once you’ve acquired basic gear—like tier 70 or 75 weapons and armor—your next priority should be leveling your skills and completing important content like quests and achievement diaries, not splurging on fancy gear that provides minimal boosts. For example, buying high-end boots or accessories early can set you back millions without much tangible improvement to your performance.

Pro Tip: Focus on upgrading your account holistically. Save the expensive gear purchases for when you’ve completed key milestones in quests, skills, and achievements that give more meaningful progression.

6. Locking Yourself Into One Content Grind

Feeling like you need to complete a specific grind before moving on to other content is a trap many players fall into. Whether it’s grinding for a full set of graceful or focusing solely on one combat style, locking yourself into one piece of content can drain your enjoyment and slow your progression.

For example, the graceful set requires around 20-25 hours of agility training. While it's tempting to get it all done in one go, breaking the grind into smaller chunks while enjoying other content is a much healthier way to play.

Pro Tip: Don't feel pressured to finish a grind all at once. Switch up your content to keep the game enjoyable and engaging, and you’ll find that you’ll progress just as effectively without burning out.

7. Overestimating the Need for Best-in-Slot Gear

The idea that you need the best-in-slot (BiS) gear to try new content is another common misconception. While top-tier items like the Twisted Bow or Scythe of Vitur are undoubtedly powerful, they are often not necessary for efficient or enjoyable gameplay. In fact, the difference between BiS gear and the next-best option is often minimal for most content.

For example, when killing Zilyana, the Twisted Bow yields about 27 kills per hour, while a much cheaper Bow of Faerdhinen provides around 22 kills per hour—a small difference considering the massive price gap.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait to try new content just because you don’t have the absolute best gear. Often, you can perform almost as well with cheaper alternatives.

8. Using More Expensive Items When Cheaper Options Exist

OSRS is full of examples where players use more expensive items out of habit when cheaper, equally effective alternatives exist. For instance, manta rays heal 22 HP but are significantly more expensive than dark crabs, which heal the same amount.

Another common mistake is using regular super restores in the Wilderness instead of the much cheaper blighted versions. These small changes can save you millions in the long run.

Pro Tip: Always check if there’s a cheaper alternative to the items you’re using. Small savings add up over time, especially in a game where every GP counts.

9. Relying on Bonds to Sustain Membership in the Early Game

While it might be tempting to try and sustain your OSRS membership using bonds, this is incredibly inefficient for low-level players. Bonds currently cost around 13 million GP, which can take upwards of 15 hours to earn as a new player. Spending this much time grinding for membership diverts valuable hours away from leveling and progressing your account.

Pro Tip: If possible, pay for your membership during the early game. Once you reach high-level money makers, earning a bond takes far less time.

10. Underrating AFK Training Methods

OSRS has an efficiency-driven community, but not every player can commit to the most efficient training methods for extended periods. AFK (away-from-keyboard) training methods, while slower, allow you to train while multitasking, making them a great option for players who can't dedicate their full attention to the game.

Pro Tip: Incorporate AFK training methods like Nightmare Zone or shooting stars into your routine when you need a break from active gameplay. It’s better to train slowly than not at all, and these methods provide an excellent way to progress while handling other tasks.

By avoiding these ten common mistakes, you’ll make your OSRS journey smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, efficiency is great, but at the end of the day, RuneScape is meant to be fun. Play at your own pace, and always look for ways to improve without sacrificing your enjoyment of the game.