OSRS Hunters' Rumours Guide: Master the Hunt!

Welcome to the Hunter Guild in Varlamore! Beyond standard hunting, the Guild offers a dynamic and rewarding system called Hunters' Rumours. This activity tasks players with tracking down specific creatures across Gielinor in search of rare parts, offering bonus Hunter XP, valuable loot sacks, and unique rewards upon completion.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Hunters' Rumours: how they work, the different tiers, rewards, understanding drop rates and pity mechanics, and effective strategies for managing your tasks.

Getting Started with Hunters' Rumours

  • Unlock Requirement: Level 46 Hunter.
  • Starting Point: Speak to Guild Scribe Verity in the Hunter Guild Burrow (underneath the main Guild building in the Avium Savannah, Varlamore). This unlocks the rumour system.
  • Quest Introduction: The quest At First Light provides an introduction to the Guild and unlocks Master Tier rumours (requires 91 Hunter).

How Hunters' Rumours Work

  1. Get a Rumour: Speak to one of the Guild Hunters located throughout the Hunter Guild. They will assign you a rumour – a task to hunt a specific creature. There are different tiers based on your Hunter level.
  2. Hunt the Creature: Travel to the creature's location and hunt it using the appropriate method (bird snare, box trap, deadfall, etc.).
  3. Find the Rare Part: Continue hunting until you receive a rare creature part (e.g., "Tropical Wagtail Feathers," "Wild Kebbit Claws"). A distinct sound effect plays, and you'll get a chat message.
    • Pity Mechanic: To prevent extreme dryness, you are guaranteed to get the part after a certain number of successful catches (the "pity threshold"). This threshold varies by hunting method and is slightly lower if wearing pieces of the Guild Hunter Outfit. Important: If your inventory is full when the pity drop occurs, the item is destroyed – keep space free!
  4. Return to the Guild: Bring the rare part back to the specific Guild Hunter who assigned you the rumour.
  5. Claim Rewards: Completing the rumour grants:
    • Bonus Hunter XP: Scales with your Hunter level and rumour tier.
    • Hunters' Loot Sack: Tier depends on the rumour (Basic, Adept, Expert, Master). Contains meats, logs, herbs, and chances at unique items.

Rumour Tiers & Guild Hunters

There are four tiers, each with specific Guild Hunters and level requirements:

  • Novice (Lv 46+): Huntmaster Gilman (assigns rumours from all tiers, useful for starting blocks).
  • Adept (Lv 57+): Guild Hunter Cervus & Guild Hunter Ornus (each has a slightly different list).
  • Expert (Lv 72+): Guild Hunter Aco & Guild Hunter Teco (each has a slightly different list).
  • Master (Lv 91+): Guild Hunter Wolf (Requires completing At First Light).

(Refer to the OSRS Wiki for the full list of creatures assigned by each Hunter and tier).

Rewards Breakdown

  • Hunter XP: Formula: (HunterLvl + 5) * Modifier (Modifier is 50 for Novice/Adept, 55 for Expert, 60 for Master).
  • Hunters' Loot Sacks: Contain common Hunter resources. Higher tiers offer better potential loot.
  • Unique Items (from Loot Sacks):
    • Guild Hunter Outfit Pieces: Provides bonuses to catch rate and rare part chance.
    • Huntsman's Kit: Stores various Hunter tools.
    • Quetzin: Skilling pet specific to the Hunter Guild.
  • Milestone Unlocks:
    • 10 Rumours: Blueprint for Basic Quetzal Whistle (teleport to Guild).
    • 25 Rumours: Ability to cook Graahk, Kyatt, Pyre Fox meat.
    • 50 Rumours: Ability to cook Dashing Kebbit, Sunlight/Moonlight Antelope meat. Tattered request note (lore).
    • 100 Rumours: Chance for Torn Enhanced Quetzal Whistle blueprint. Guild history excerpt.
    • 150 Rumours: Special chest key (lore/miniquest item).
    • 250 Rumours: Chance for Torn Perfected Quetzal Whistle blueprint.

Drop Rates & Pity Mechanics Explained

  • Base Drop Rate: Varies significantly depending on the hunting method (e.g., Bird Snare ≈ 1/20, Box Trap ≈ 1/50, Butterfly Net ≈ 1/75).
  • Pity Threshold: Roughly double the base drop rate denominator (e.g., Bird Snare threshold ≈ 40, Box Trap ≈ 100). Wearing the Guild Hunter outfit slightly reduces this threshold (e.g., Bird Snare ≈ 38 with outfit).
  • Effective Rate: The pity system increases the long-term average drop rate by roughly 13-15%. You'll get parts slightly faster on average than the base rate suggests due to the guaranteed drop.
  • Inventory Full: If the pity drop occurs with a full inventory, the part is lost. Regular drops (before pity) will fall to the ground. Keep at least one inventory slot free!
  • Holding Parts: You cannot get a new rare part if you already have one (even a different type) in your inventory. Turn in rumours promptly!

Strategies for Efficient Rumours

  • Managing Active Rumours: You can accept rumours from multiple hunters, but only one is "active" (the last one accepted). You can switch your active rumour by talking to the desired hunter again.
  • Blocking Undesirable Rumours:
    1. Identify a rumour you dislike (e.g., a slow deadfall task).
    2. Find another Guild Hunter who also assigns that rumour (use Wiki list).
    3. Complete rumours for that other hunter until they assign the disliked rumour.
    4. Do not complete it! Leave that rumour assigned to them.
    5. Return to your preferred Guild Hunter for new rumours. The disliked rumour is now "blocked" because another hunter has it assigned to you.
    6. Use multiple hunters to set up multiple blocks (one per hunter). Start blocks with Gilman as he has the widest pool. Be careful not to accidentally reset all blocks via Gilman.
  • Toggling Back-to-Back: Speak to Guild Scribe Verity to toggle whether hunters can immediately assign the same rumour you just completed. Toggle ON after a good task, OFF after a bad one.
  • Quest Skipping (Advanced): Not completing Eagles' Peak blocks all box trap rumours. Not completing Bone Voyage blocks Herbiboar. This frees up blocks but locks you out of Master Tier (if skipping Eagles' Peak).
  • Gear & Inventory: Use weight reduction (or Guild Hunter Outfit), Ring of Endurance, necessary tools (stored in Huntsman's Kit ideally), teleport items (Whistles, tabs, jewellery), Bonecrusher/Herb Sack/Fur Pouch for inventory management.

Conclusion

Hunters' Rumours add a rewarding layer to the Hunter skill, encouraging exploration and providing consistent XP and loot. Understanding the tier system, pity mechanics, and strategic blocking can significantly boost your efficiency and enjoyment. Head to the Hunter Guild, grab a rumour, and happy hunting!

Need help reaching the Hunter levels required for higher tiers? Our OSRS Skilling Services cover Hunter training! Looking to explore Varlamore further? Check out our general Varlamore Guide or specific services like OSRS Quests.