Old School RuneScape: How Long Does Level 99 Really Take? Asking for a RuneScape Friend…
So, you want level 99 in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)? Maybe you seek that skillcape. Or you are tired of the “noob” title. The big question is: “How long will this take?”
Well, prepare for a journey. The answer is complex. It varies based on your skills and methods. We will break down the grind for you. This way, you can plan your time.
The Big Picture: Total Time Investment for 99s
Let’s start with the ultimate goal in OSRS: getting 99 in every skill. Ready for this task? Grinding out 200 million experience across every skill takes about 18,000 hours. That’s a lot of time. This assumes you are playing at peak efficiency with the best methods.
If you’re after a single level 99, it is much less. Expect about 30 to 50 hours for one skill. This varies based on your training method. Want a leisurely pace? Multiply those hours by ten.
Skill-Specific Time Sinks (and Speeds)
Now, let’s look at specific skills. Some 99s are marathons, while others feel more like a stroll.
Fletching: The Speedy Gonzales of 99s
Want fast progress? Fletching is the answer. You can reach 99 Fletching quickly. It is often noted as one of the faster skills to max.
Magic: Abracadabra to 99 (Eventually)
Magic is a powerful skill, but not the fastest to train. One dedicated player completed their 1 to 99 Magic journey in roughly 39 hours. It’s not quick, but it’s manageable.
Firemaking: Wintertodt and the Grind
Firemaking, thanks to Wintertodt, offers decent training time. One player needed about 48 hours to hit 99 Firemaking at Wintertodt. This includes the time spent banking and the occasional missed kills.
Runecrafting: The Infamous Grind
Runecrafting is known to be a struggle. From levels 91 to 99, expect to invest about 320 hours. It is often seen as the slowest skill in the game. Prepare for a long grind.
Woodcutting: Chop Chop to 99 (Slowly)
Woodcutting may seem simple, but it requires effort. If you are a dedicated player, expect about 87 hours to achieve 99 Woodcutting. That’s if you play actively for 5 hours a day.
Slayer: Combat and Commitment
Slayer is considered the second slowest 99 by some players. Starting at level 85 combat stats, you’ll need a minimum of 170 hours for effective training. It is a marathon that demands consistency.
Factors That Speed Up (or Slow Down) the Grind
What can influence your timeline while pursuing level 99?
Efficiency is King (or Queen)
The 18,000-hour figure assumes peak efficiency. It all comes down to utilizing the best training methods. Optimizing your approach plays a crucial role in speeding up training time.
Tick Manipulation: Exploiting the Game’s Heartbeat
Have you heard of “3-ticking”? This technique exploits the game’s tick system to perform actions faster. It can drastically improve your training rates in skills like Fishing and Woodcutting.
Experience Rates: The XP Battlefield
Experience rates differ significantly between skills. Skills like Cooking and Fletching can offer over 800,000 XP per hour, while skills like Slayer and Agility lag at 20,000–75,000. This difference is why some level 99s are easier than others.
AFK Methods: The Lazy (But Smart) Way
Sometimes you want to kick back while gaining XP. AFK methods are useful here. Firemaking has the Forester’s Campfire for AFK training. You earn less XP but enjoy your free time.
Skill-Specific Training Tactics: Pro-Tips for Faster 99s
Want to expedite your grind? Here are some skill-specific strategies.
Fishing: Fastest Catches
For Fishing, try 3-tick fly fishing. It’s fast for levels up to 58 with tick manipulation. For later levels, focus on Karambwans using efficient methods for high XP rates.
Firemaking (Again): AFK vs. Active
If you want full speed, opt for Wintertodt instead of AFK methods. It delivers active training at higher rates. Select the method that suits your goal.
Woodcutting: Teak Time
While Woodcutting, use tick manipulation with teak trees for fastest experience gains. Be ready for dedicated clicking to maximize your XP.
Slayer: Mastering Your Masters
Selecting the right Slayer master impacts your efficiency. Many players favor Duradel for speed, but others like Nieve’s tasks better. Experiment to find your best match.
RuneScape Trivia: Fun Facts to Ponder During the Grind
Need some trivia to lighten those long training sessions? Here are intriguing RuneScape facts.
Level 92: Halfway to 99 (Seriously!)
A fascinating fact: level 92 is nearly halfway to 99 in experience. It requires 6,517,253 experience, just shy of half for 99. Level 85 is about one-quarter of that.
Fireworks of Achievement
Reaching level 99 deserves recognition. Instead of regular fireworks, unique visuals await you when you hit 99. A nice touch to celebrate your effort.
Max Total Level Fireworks: The Ultimate Celebration
If you achieve max total level of 2277, an impressive spectacle awaits. Bright red and golden fireworks enhance your accomplishment. A grand display awaits completionists.
Runecrafting: The Rarest 99 (For Now)
As of March 1, 2025, Runecrafting remains the least common skillcape. Just 93,644 players have reached this milestone. Wear that cape proudly; it’s an exclusive club.
Speedrunning Max: Insane Efficiency
Think you’re fast? The record for a Max Cape in OSRS stands at an astonishing 771 hours, 3 minutes, and 0 seconds, achieved by heboxjonge. Truly an impressive feat in dedication.
So that’s it. The essence of the OSRS 99 grind is laid bare. Whether you seek quick Fletching or face the Runecrafting challenge, enjoy the journey. Happy ‘Scaping!
