Embarking on your Free-to-Play (F2P) Ironman journey in RuneScape 3 (RS3)? The early game can feel like a grind as you establish your self-sufficient account. This guide provides the essential combat training methods and resource gathering strategies to propel your F2P Ironman forward. Forget about traditional “money making” – for Ironman, it’s all about acquiring the resources you need yourself.
Method 1: Chickens and Cows – Levels 1-20 Combat (Melee & Ranged)
Combat Type: Melee Levels 1-20, Ranged Levels 1-20 (for feathers & leather)
Requirements: None
Notable Drops: Feathers, Leather, Raw Chicken, Raw Beef
Locations: North and North-East of Lumbridge
Chickens and cows are your quintessential early-game enemies. While low-level, they provide crucial starting resources. Melee is effective here, but Ranged becomes relevant if you specifically need feathers for early Fishing experience or leather for Crafting. Cook the raw chicken and beef dropped for essential early-game food.
Method 2: Minotaurs – Levels 1-20 Ranged (Arrows & Skull Scepter)
Combat Type: Ranged Levels 1-20, Melee Levels 1-20 (situational)
Requirements: None
Notable Drops: Iron Arrows, Right Skull Half
Location: Stronghold of Security
Minotaurs in the Stronghold of Security are fantastic for acquiring iron arrows – a vital resource for any F2P Ironman Ranger in the early stages. Safe-spotting is easily achievable, making this a low-risk training method. They also drop the Right Skull Half, necessary for crafting and recharging the Skull Scepter, a useful early-game F2P item. Melee is less recommended here unless you specifically need these drops and prefer melee combat.
Method 3: Hill Giants – Levels 20-50 Melee, 20-40 Ranged (Keys & Resources)
Combat Type: Melee Levels 20-50, Ranged Levels 20-40
Requirements: Brass Key (Edgeville Dungeon Shortcut)
Notable Drops: Giant Keys, Limpwurt Roots, Law Runes, Nature Runes, Big Bones, Gems (rare)
Locations: East of Al-Kharid, South of Duel Arena, Edgeville Dungeon, Lava Maze (Wilderness)
Hill Giants are a step up in combat and resource potential. Located conveniently east of Al-Kharid, they offer a safe training spot. While not high-profit in terms of gold, for an Ironman, the Giant Keys (for Obor), Limpwurt Roots (for strength potions), and runes are highly valuable. Big Bones offer Prayer experience. Wilderness locations increase risk but also drop rates for Giant Keys. Melee is generally more efficient here, though Ranged remains viable at lower levels.
Method 4: Mind and Body Golems – Levels 40-50 Melee (Gems & Runecrafting)
Combat Type: Melee Levels 40-50 (Body Golems)
Requirements: Ruins of Camdozaal Quest
Notable Drops: Gems, Mind/Body Cores, Barronite Mace Head, Barronite Shards
Locations: Ruins of Camdozaal
An alternative to giants, Mind and Body Golems in the Ruins of Camdozaal offer a unique Ironman benefit: passive Runecrafting experience through Mind/Body Core drops. Gems are also a valuable find for crafting or future use. Utilize a crush weapon like the Barronite Mace (crafted using drops from this area) for optimal damage. Progress from Mind Golems to Body Golems around level 40-50 for increased combat experience.
Method 5: Moss Giants – Levels 50-90 Melee, 20-50 Ranged (Money & Keys)
Combat Type: Melee Levels 50-90, Ranged Levels 20-50
Requirements: Knife or Sharp Weapon, Woodcutting Axe
Notable Drops: Mossy Keys, Law Runes, Nature Runes, Steel Bars, Black Square Shield
Locations: Varrock Sewers, Crandor, Wilderness (Canoe Exit)
Moss Giants significantly ramp up resource acquisition. Located in Varrock Sewers (safest), Crandor, and the Wilderness, they drop Mossy Keys (for Bryophyta), runes, and Steel Bars (useful for Smithing). The Varrock Sewers location is multi-combat, requiring caution but offering efficient training. Bring a knife to cut through webs to access the area. Melee combat excels here, though Ranged remains an option at lower levels. Wilderness locations increase Mossy Key drop rates but introduce PvP risk.
Method 6: Ogresses – Levels 90-99 Melee, 50-99 Ranged (Top-Tier F2P Resources)
Combat Type: Melee Levels 90-99, Ranged Levels 50-99
Requirements: The Corsair Curse Quest, Dragon Slayer 1 Quest (optional for Corsair Cove Dungeon)
Notable Drops: Limpwurt Roots, Law Runes, Nature Runes, Gems, Big Bones, Rune Med Helm, Rune Full Helm, Rune Battleaxe
Locations: Corsair Cove Dungeon, Resource Area Dungeon
Ogresses are the pinnacle of F2P Ironman resource farming and combat training. Located in Corsair Cove Dungeon and the Resource Area Dungeon, their drops are exceptional: abundant runes, gems, Limpwurt Roots, and even rune armor pieces. This makes them ideal for achieving level 99 combat stats in F2P and stockpiling essential resources for your Ironman journey.
Not Recommended: Flesh Crawlers, Catablepons, Ankous (Skull Scepter Parts Only)
Combat Type: Various
Requirements: None
Notable Drops: Skull Scepter Parts
Locations: Stronghold of Security Levels 2, 3, 4
Flesh Crawlers, Catablepons, and Ankous in the Stronghold of Security are primarily relevant only for obtaining Skull Scepter parts. Once you have these, these methods become inefficient compared to others. Minotaurs are superior for Skull Scepter fragments due to ease of killing. Other drops from these monsters are generally not worthwhile for an F2P Ironman focusing on efficient resource acquisition.
Not Recommended 2: Ice Giants (Inefficient Drops)
Combat Type: Various
Requirements: None
Notable Drops: Black Kiteshield, Mithril Mace, Mithril Square Shield, Adamant Arrows, Runes, Gems (uncommon), Mithril Ore
Location: Asgarnian Ice Dungeon, Frozen Waste Plateau (Wilderness)
Ice Giants, found in the Asgarnian Ice Dungeon and Wilderness, are generally not recommended for F2P Ironman resource gathering. Their drops, while including Adamant Arrows and Mithril Ore, are not as efficient or valuable as those from other methods listed. Focus your efforts on the more rewarding options outlined above to maximize your early-game F2P Ironman progression in RS3.
