OSRS Ardougne Knights Guide: The Ultimate AFK Thieving Method

If you're looking for one of the most popular, low-effort, and AFK training methods in all of Old School RuneScape, look no further than the Ardougne Knight. For years, players have flocked to East Ardougne to mindlessly click their way to 99 Thieving.

This guide will cover everything you need to know to join them, including the crucial requirements, the best locations, and why this method is the undisputed king of AFK Thieving.

The Core Concept: Why Ardougne Knights?

The strategy is simple: find a Knight of Ardougne, trap him in a location where he can't move, and repeatedly click to pickpocket him.

  • Low Intensity: Because the knight is trapped, you don't have to move your mouse. You can position your camera and just click in the same spot.
  • Good XP: The XP rates are very competitive for the low amount of effort required, ranging from 150k to 250k XP per hour depending on your level and efficiency.
  • Decent Profit: Each successful pickpocket gives you 50 gold coins. Over time, this adds up to a nice passive income stream.

Requirements: The Key to Success

To make this method viable, there is one essential unlock you need.

  • Thieving Level: 55 (minimum)
  • The Game-Changer: Ardougne Medium Diary
    • Completing this diary is non-negotiable for this method.
    • The Reward: It provides a permanent 10% increased chance to successfully pickpocket NPCs in Ardougne. This drastically reduces how often you fail and get stunned, which means you use less food and gain more XP per hour. Do not start this grind without completing the diary first.

Gear and Inventory

  • Dodgy Necklace: This enchanted opal necklace gives you a 25% chance to avoid being stunned when you fail a pickpocket. It has 10 charges and is highly recommended.
  • Rogue Equipment: The full Rogue outfit, obtained from the Rogue's Den minigame, gives you a chance to get double loot from a pickpocket, effectively doubling your profit.
  • Food: You will need food until you reach a high enough level to stop failing. Wines or cakes are cheap options.

The Best Locations

The goal is to trap a knight so he can't move. The most popular spots are:

  • The South-East Ardougne Bank: This is the most common spot. Players will use an alternate account or a friend to lure a knight into the bank and shut the door, trapping him for everyone on that world to use.
  • The House North of the Castle: Another popular spot where a knight can be trapped in a small building.

On many worlds, you will find a knight already trapped by other players.

When Do I Stop Failing?

This is the holy grail for anyone grinding Ardougne Knights. With the Ardougne Medium Diary completed:

  • You will stop failing completely at level 95 Thieving.
  • This can be temporarily boosted. For example, wearing a Dodgy Necklace, you'll effectively stop failing around level 93-94.

Once you stop failing, the method becomes truly AFK. You no longer need food and can click for hours with minimal attention.

Ironman Ardougne Knight Strategy

For Ironmen, Ardougne Knights are a good, but not always top-priority, training method.

  • The Seed Dilemma: The most important Thieving target for an Ironman is the Master Farmer, who provides essential seeds for Farming and Herblore. Most of an Ironman's Thieving grind will be dedicated to this.
  • When to Train on Knights: Knights are a great option for an Ironman when:
    1. You have already stockpiled a large number of seeds.
    2. You need a simple, AFK way to train Thieving while doing other things.
    3. You need a consistent source of cash from the coin pouches.

Conclusion

Pickpocketing Ardougne Knights is the definition of a low-effort, high-reward skilling method. It's the perfect activity for players who want to make progress on their account while watching movies, working, or p