Welcome to Old School RuneScape (OSRS).Whether you're returning after a long hiatus or diving into the game for the first time, creating a new OSRS account and becoming a member opens up a world packed with possibilities. The key to success and get more OSRS gold is planning your first steps wisely.

This article breaks down everything you should do immediately after becoming a member to ensure the fastest and most efficient progression. From teleportation tricks to early game moneymakers, combat upgrades to long-term goals, here's how to dominate RuneScape right from day one.

Step 1: Unlock Efficient Transportation

The world of Gielinor is vast—quadrupled in size once you become a member. To take full advantage of that, you need to travel fast.

Fairy Rings

Fairy rings are teleportation hubs that allow you to zip across the world in seconds. To use them, wield a Dramen staff and step into any ring. Unlock this system by completing Fairytale I - Growing Pains and partially completing Fairytale II - Cure a Queen. You'll need 31 Crafting and 36 Woodcutting—easy requirements for arguably the best teleportation method in the game.

Spirit Trees

Another gem for transportation is the Spirit Tree network. Completing The Grand Tree or Tree Gnome Village quests unlocks these majestic trees, letting you travel to places like the Grand Exchange, Gnome Stronghold, and Tree Gnome Village. These quests also award 30,000 Attack XP—jumping you straight to level 35 Attack.

Ardougne Cloak

By completing the Ardougne Easy Diary, you'll earn an Ardougne Cloak, which grants unlimited teleports to the Ardougne Monastery—conveniently located near a fairy ring and spirit tree. It also offers free Prayer point recharge. You'll only need to complete Rune Mysteries and Biohazard quests to qualify.

Step 2: Train Magic for Even More Teleports

Magic isn't just a combat style—it's a travel method. With Law Runes and high enough Magic, you can teleport to almost every major city. You can even redirect certain teleports with Achievement Diary rewards, making them land in useful places like the Grand Exchange or Seers' Village.

Magic also opens up access to High Alchemy, a powerful money-making spell at level 55. With a Wizard's Mind Bomb, you can temporarily boost from level 52 to 55 to unlock it early.

Step 3: Level Agility Early

Agility is often overlooked but crucial. It determines how long you can run before your energy runs out and unlocks shortcuts across the map.

Use XP lamps from Achievement Diaries on Agility—especially the 2,500 XP lamp from the Ardougne Diary. Also, complete these agility-rich quests:

The Tourist Trap - 9,300 XP

Troll Romance - 8,000 XP

Death Plateau - 8,000 XP

Cold War - 5,000 XP

These quests not only offer XP but also unlock useful locations and game mechanics.

Step 4: Use Quests for Massive Early XP

Questing in OSRS is the best way to skip early-game grinding. You can jump straight into decent combat levels by completing specific quests.

The Grand Tree + Tree Gnome Village - 30,000 Attack XP

Witch's House - 6,325 Hitpoints XP

Waterfall Quest + Fight Arena - 13,700 Strength XP and 26,000 Attack XP combined

Holy Grail - 15,300 Defence XP and 11,000 Prayer XP

Just by completing these, you can reach:

50 Attack

31 Strength

27 Hitpoints

32 Defence

27 Prayer

Use the Quest Helper plugin in RuneLite to make questing seamless—it tells you exactly where to go, what to bring, and what to do.Step 5: Start Making Money While You Train

No one likes being broke in OSRS, and you don't have to be. There are plenty of low-effort money-making methods that train your skills too.

Agility Pyramid

At 30 Agility, climb the pyramid in the Kharidian Desert to earn 10,000 GP per lap and ~10k Agility XP/hour. You can earn up to 260k GP/hour here.

Chaos Druids

Kill Chaos Druids in Taverley Dungeon for herb drops worth up to 150k GP/hour and solid combat XP.

High Alchemy

At 55 Magic, cast High Alch on rune or dragon items for up to 800k GP/hour and 75k Magic XP/hour.

Birdhouse Runs

After completing Bone Voyage, unlock Fossil Island and place birdhouses. They passively generate Hunter XP and bird nests, which sell for good profit. This low-effort method also gives clue scrolls, seeds, and even rings.

Herb Runs

Once you unlock more farming patches, start herb farming. Use ultracompost and magic secateurs to maximize profit. Good herbs to plant:

Ranarr

Snapdragon

Toadflax

Avantoe

Greater Nechryael Looting

Camp near Greater Nechs in the Catacombs of Kourend. Many high-level players leave behind loot worth hundreds of thousands. Bring High Alch runes and “neck recycle” for up to 400k GP/hour.

Battle Staff Flipping

After the Varrock Easy Diary, buy discounted battle staves from Zaff and sell them on the Grand Exchange. It's free daily profit and scales with your diary tier.

Step 6: Set Long-Term Gear Goals

With gold in your pouch, start chasing upgrades that will define your combat efficiency.

Dragon Scimitar

After reaching 60 Attack, complete Monkey Madness I to unlock the iconic Dragon Scimitar—your main melee weapon for midgame content.

Dragon Defender

Reach a combined 130 Attack and Strength to access the Warriors' Guild, where Cyclopes drop defenders. Climb from Bronze to Dragon for the best-in-slot offensive shield in OSRS.

Fighter Torso

Complete Barbarian Assault for the Fighter Torso, which has the same Strength bonus as a 22M GP Bandos chestplate—yet costs nothing but time.

Barrows Gloves

Barrows Gloves are the best gloves for nearly all combat styles. Unlock them by earning 175 Quest Points and completing Recipe for Disaster. It's a long grind, but absolutely worth it.

Knight Waves + Piety

Complete King's Ransom and the Knight Waves Training Ground to unlock Piety, one of the strongest melee prayers in the game.

Fire Cape

Face 62 waves in the TzHaar Fight Cave and defeat TzTok-Jad for the Fire Cape. It's the second-best melee cape in the game and a rite of passage for every OSRS player.

Step 7: Master Slayer and Bossing

Once you're well-geared, it's time to go all in on Slayer—a skill that not only trains combat but also earns you tons of profit.

Unlock Slayer Perks

Use your Slayer Points wisely:

Bigger and Badder - gives a chance to spawn superior monsters that drop the rare Imbued Heart (110M+).

Like a Boss - allows you to receive boss tasks for even greater challenge and reward.

Bossing Tasks

With the Like a Boss perk, take on unique boss tasks such as the Deranged Archaeologist or General Graardor. They offer rare drops and serious gold, all while training Slayer.

Step 8: Complete Achievement Diaries

Achievement Diaries are essential for quality-of-life upgrades. They reward you with:

Free teleports

XP lamps

Improved item interactions

Access to elite gear like Void Knight equipment

Some key benefits:

Fairy Ring Access Without Dramen Staff

Noted bone drops for Prayer training

Better herb patch yields

Conclusion

Starting fresh in Old School RuneScape can be overwhelming—but with the right plan, it's one of the most rewarding gaming experiences out there. By prioritizing teleportation, efficient questing,  fast RuneScape gold, and low-level moneymakers, you'll set yourself up for long-term success. Then as your levels and bank grow, you can aim for milestones like Barrows Gloves, the Fire Cape, and Slayer bosses.

So grab your Dramen staff, load up Quest Helper, and let Gielinor become your playground. Your journey is just beginning.