Getting Started on RuneScape

RuneScape… probably one of the most popular massive multiplayer online RPGs on the web. However, there is so much in the game that it is really difficult to know where to start.

After you complete the tutorial, you are on your own. Upon looking at the list of skills, spells, quests, and other things in game, it is not hard to get totally confused. So here are some useful tips:

1: Use the RuneScape Wiki If In Doubt

The RuneScape Wiki contains pretty much everything you need to know about RuneScape, giving an in depth explanation on weapons, skills, enemies, quests, food, minigames, items… you name it, it is listed somewhere in the site. The organization on the site is excellent, allowing you to easily find anything you need through the tabs on the side of the Search bar. It also gives detailed walkthroughs on every quest in the game, making it the perfect reference if you are struggling with a certain task. So do not waste your time searching for a halfway decent guide online; just use the RuneScape Wiki (http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/RuneScape_Wiki).

2: Train Your Skills

I cannot stress how important this is. If you do not train your skills, you will not get anywhere in RuneScape. However, this may sound completely boring; believe me, it is not boring. Yes, training your skills can actually be fun. There are a number of F2P (Free to Play) skills that you can train based on the type of character you want, which includes combat skills, magical, crafting, smithing, cooking, and woodcutting. These are just general categories; there are 15 F2P skills total, along with 9 Membership skills, but those are not relevant at the moment. Unlike some RPGs, you do not earn experience and then distribute points to skills. You have to work with a certain skill, such as cooking, and earn experience for that skill. So you level what skills you want at your own pace. I would first recommend increasing your combat skills first (Strength, Attack, Defense, and Ranged). Do not try to raise all of them at the same time, this will lead to frustration. Attack, Strength, and Defense are the most recommended skills to raise in order, unless you want to focus on range. Attack is most important as it will allow you to expand your weapon wielding capabilities, such as being able to wield a Steel Longsword instead of an Iron Longsword. At the same time, combat will increase your Hitpoints experience, allowing you to take more damage, so engaging in combat often is vital. Other skills, such as Mining and Smithing, go hand-in-hand.  It is recommended that you raise both of these skills at the same time, so mine some ore and then smelt it in a furnace. The other F2P skills that were not mentioned are Prayer, Magic, Runecrafting, Crafting, Fishing, Cooking, Woodcutting, and Firemaking.

3: Earn Money

Honestly, it is very hard to obtain decent items and equipment if you do not find some form of income. However, you can earn money by selling so many different items. This is why training your skills is so essential. Taking advantage of the Grand Exchange is the best way to make money. The Grand Exchange makes your items you make using your skills available to other players to purchase. Learn how to use the Grand Exchange through the tutorial (or simply by playing around) and then you’re set to go. Virtually anything can be sold, but here are some items that are much better to sell:

Food: In order to keep from dying, food is needed to restore health. So? This means that players are going to be buying truckloads of food from the Grand Exchange. So a good idea is to increase your cooking and make some decent food, such as bread or meat pies.

Sell Ore/Metal Bars: This will provide a ton of income, possibly resulting in an easy 15,000+ gold. However, it is highly recommended that you refer to the RuneScape Wiki to compare the prices of the ore itself and metal bars, as some ores may possibly be more valuable than the bar itself. However, most bars that require coal to smelt are not more expensive than the ore. Steel Bars can provide an excellent amount of profit as they usually sell instantly. Also, smithing weapons and armor can bring in a reasonable profit as well, but usually not as much as selling the bar or the ore.

Mine Rune Essence: You must first complete the Rune Mysteries quest, but this does not take long. Mining Rune Essence is an easy way to collect a lot of gold, as one essence sells for about 65 gold a piece. Many people mine about 200+ and then sell all of it at once, which results in a minimum of 13,000 gold. It also helps raise your Mining and with a better pickaxe, you can mine much faster.

4: Complete Quests

This is where most of your fun in RuneScape will come from- completing quests. If you are low level, then do not take on a quest that sounds really difficult. Refer to the RuneScape Wiki if you are unsure about a quest, as you might not know what you are getting yourself into. However, completing a quest is a good way to earn money, experience, and Quest Points, which are needed to complete other quests. Depending on the nature of the quest, you may get experience for a skill that is relevent to the quest. For example, the quest “A Knight’s Sword” is a quest that involves you collecting a certain ore to have a sword forged. This will provide over 12,000 Smithing experience, which will instantly push your Smithing from Level 1 to 29. The benefits can be trumendous, so completing any quest possible is well worth the effort.

5: Play With a Friend!

Seriously, RuneScape is not as much fun if you do not have a friend to play with. I often play RuneScape with my girlfriend and I can say that it is not as fun if she is not online. If you do not have any friends that are willing to play RuneScape, then make a friend in the game. There are millions of people who play RuneScape, so it is virtually impossible to NOT find someone you can get along with. Having a friend to explore with, complete quests or whatever you wish to do in game can dramatically increase your gameplay experience.

I hope this has been of some use. Have fun!