So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) as a member? Fantastic choice! OSRS is a vast and engaging sandbox MMORPG that offers countless hours of adventure and progression. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about where to start, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide is designed to help new OSRS members like you navigate your first hours and lay a solid foundation for your RuneScape journey.
What is Old School RuneScape for Members?
Old School RuneScape, often abbreviated as OSRS, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that throws you into a world brimming with possibilities. As a member, your experience expands dramatically compared to free-to-play (F2P) accounts. Becoming a member unlocks a significant portion of the game, including:
- Expanded World: Explore a map that’s several times larger than the F2P area, filled with new cities, dungeons, and landscapes.
- More Skills: Access to additional skills like Prayer, Agility, Thieving, Slayer, Farming, Hunter, Construction, and more, opening up diverse gameplay styles and money-making methods.
- Thousands of Quests: Embark on a huge array of quests, from simple tasks to epic storylines, offering unique rewards and lore.
- Member-Only Items and Gear: Wield powerful weapons, wear impressive armor, and utilize specialized tools unavailable to free players.
- Enhanced Social Features: Engage more deeply with the community through clans, larger friends lists, and more populated worlds.
OSRS is renowned for its sandbox nature, meaning there’s no single “right” way to play. You set your own goals and decide your own path. Whether you want to become a master chef, a wealthy trader, a powerful warrior, or a skilled mage, OSRS provides the tools and freedom to achieve your ambitions.
Getting Started: Your First Steps as an OSRS Member
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going as a new OSRS member:
-
Account Creation and Membership: If you haven’t already, create an account on the official RuneScape website and subscribe to membership. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account and payment.
-
Tutorial Island (Optional but Recommended): While experienced players might skip it, Tutorial Island is highly recommended for new members. It provides a basic introduction to game controls, skills, and core mechanics. You’ll learn about movement, interacting with NPCs, basic combat, and skill training.
-
Explore Lumbridge and Set Initial Goals: After Tutorial Island (or if you skipped it), you’ll find yourself in Lumbridge. This is a great starting town for members. Take some time to explore. Speak to NPCs to get quests, and familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Think about what you want to achieve initially. Some good early goals for members include:
- Questing: Start with simple quests in Lumbridge and nearby areas like Cook’s Assistant or Sheep Shearer. Quests are a fantastic way to explore the world, gain experience, and unlock new content.
- Skill Training: Choose a few skills to focus on initially. Fishing and Cooking are great for food and early money. Combat skills (Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, Magic) are essential for progression. Consider skills like Woodcutting and Firemaking for early levels.
- Money Making: Even at low levels, members have access to better money-making options than F2P. Fishing lobsters or shrimp, cutting trees, or completing early quests can provide starting capital.
-
Venture Beyond Lumbridge: Once you feel comfortable in Lumbridge, start exploring the wider member areas. Popular early destinations include:
- Varrock: A large city north of Lumbridge with a Grand Exchange (for trading), shops, and quests.
- Falador: West of Lumbridge, known for its mining resources, white knights, and more quests.
- Draynor Village: Northwest of Lumbridge, with fishing spots, the Draynor Manor quest, and access to members’ areas further west.
-
Utilize the RuneScape Wiki: The Old School RuneScape Wiki is your best friend in OSRS. It’s an incredibly comprehensive resource for everything in the game. If you’re stuck on a quest, unsure about the best way to train a skill, or need information about an item, the wiki is the place to go. Bookmark it now!
-
Consider RuneLite: RuneLite is a free, open-source client that enhances your OSRS experience. It offers numerous helpful plugins that provide information, improve interface clarity, and offer quality-of-life improvements without breaking game rules. Download it from the official RuneLite website.
Essential Tips for New OSRS Members
To make the most of your member experience, keep these tips in mind:
- Embrace the Wiki: Seriously, the RuneScape Wiki is invaluable. Don’t hesitate to use it for quest guides, skill training methods, item information, and more.
- Take Your Time with Quests: OSRS quests are often well-written and humorous. Don’t rush through them using guides. Enjoy the stories and dialogue. If you do need help, refer to the wiki or video guides by creators like Slayermusiq1 on YouTube.
- Be Wary of Scams: Unfortunately, scams exist in OSRS. Be cautious of anyone offering “free” items or services, especially in popular areas or the Wilderness. “Doubling money” and “armor trimming” are always scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Report scammers by right-clicking their chat messages.
- Community Interaction: The OSRS community is generally helpful, especially towards new players. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in public chat or join a clan for guidance and social interaction. However, be cautious about accepting large amounts of free items from strangers, as it can diminish your early game experience of earning your own way.
- Experiment and Find Your Fun: OSRS offers immense freedom. Try different skills, quests, combat styles, and activities to discover what you enjoy most. There’s no pressure to play a specific way.
Conclusion
Welcome to the world of Old School RuneScape membership! This step-by-step guide is just the beginning of your adventure. By following these initial steps and embracing the resources available, you’ll be well on your way to exploring the vast and rewarding world of Gielinor. Remember to set your own goals, enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Happy ‘Scaping!
