OSRS Pay-to-Play Ranged Training Guide

Ranged is a versatile and powerful combat skill in Old School RuneScape, essential for tackling many bosses and offering unique training methods. Whether you prefer AFK grinding, high-intensity clicking, or integrating training with other activities like Slayer, this guide covers efficient pay-to-play (P2P) strategies to level up your Ranged skill.

General Notes:

  • Attack Style: Use the 'Rapid' attack style for the fastest attack speed and highest damage per second (DPS). 'Longrange' trains Defence simultaneously but is slower Ranged XP.
  • Ava's Devices: Obtained after Animal Magnetism, Ava's Attractor/Accumulator/Assembler automatically recovers a percentage of your fired ammunition (arrows, bolts, darts, knives - not Chinchompas). This saves significant money and is essential for most Ranged training. Wear a metal body armour (like platebodies) prevents Ava's devices from working.
  • Ammunition: Always use the best ammunition you can afford and wield for your weapon, as this significantly impacts DPS.

Fastest Experience Methods

  1. Levels 1-32/36: Questing
    • Completing Shadow of the Storm (choose Ranged XP), Death to the Dorgeshuun, Horror from the Deep, and Temple of Ikov (can bypass Ranged requirement with specific trick) grants enough XP to reach level 32-36 quickly, skipping the very early levels.
  2. Levels 1-75+: Dwarf Multicannon
    • Requires: Dwarf Cannon quest completion.
    • Method: Set up the cannon in multi-combat areas with high monster density. The cannon attacks rapidly, hitting multiple targets, granting passive Ranged XP regardless of your own Ranged level or attack style.
    • Locations:
      • Slayer Tasks: Extremely effective on tasks like Dagannoths, Kalphites, Suqahs, Smoke Devils. Highly recommended whenever possible.
      • Ogres: Combat Training Camp (post-Biohazard) or east of Castle Wars are popular low-level cannon spots.
      • Ice Trolls: Fremennik Isles (post-Fremennik Trials) offer a potentially profitable cannon spot with a safespot.
    • Notes: Can be expensive due to cannonball costs but provides excellent XP, especially alongside Slayer or Melee training. Accuracy scales with your equipped weapon's attack bonus for the style you're using (or your best Ranged bonus if Ranged style is selected).
  3. Levels 45-99: Chinning (Chinchompas)
    • Requires: Access to Ape Atoll Tunnels (Monkey Madness I for Skeletal, Monkey Madness II start for Maniacal).
    • Method: Throwing Red or Black Chinchompas (Black are better but more expensive) in multi-combat areas densely packed with low-defence monsters. Chinchompas explode, hitting multiple targets.
    • Best Location: Maniacal Monkeys (Kruk's Dungeon - MM2): The undisputed fastest Ranged XP in the game. Monkeys stack tightly and have low defence. Requires prayer potions (or Bonecrusher Necklace) to maintain Protect from Melee and offensive prayers (Eagle Eye/Rigour). Can exceed 1,000,000 XP/hr at max levels/gear. Very expensive.
    • Alternative: Skeletal Monkeys (Ape Atoll Dungeon - MM1): Slower XP than Maniacal Monkeys but accessible earlier. Salve Amulet (ei) boosts damage against these undead targets. Still expensive.
    • Notes: Extremely high XP rates but high cost. Gear focus is on Ranged Strength and Prayer bonus (Void Knight gear is often optimal). Chinchompas are lost on death.

Other Viable Methods

  • Levels 1-70+: Crabs (AFK Training)
    • Monsters: Sand Crabs, Ammonite Crabs, Rock Crabs, Swamp Crabs.
    • Method: Similar to Melee training. Use darts (Mithril/Adamant recommended for cost-effectiveness) or knives with Ava's device. Stand near multi-spawns and let Auto Retaliate work. Reset aggro every ~10 minutes.
    • Notes: Very low cost and highly AFK. XP rates are moderate (significantly lower than cannoning or chinning). Good for casual training.
  • Levels 70-99: Nightmare Zone (NMZ) (AFK)
    • Method: Use Absorption potions and Overloads in a custom Normal Rumble. The Venator Bow is excellent here due to its bouncing attack hitting multiple low-defence NMZ bosses. Alternatively, use a Magic Shortbow (i) with Amethyst/Rune arrows or darts.
    • Notes: Offers long AFK periods (up to 20 mins). Decent XP rates (up to ~150k/hr with Venator Bow). Cheaper than chinning.
  • Levels 70-99: Pest Control
    • Requires: 100+ Combat Level for Veteran lander (best points/XP).
    • Method: Participate in the Pest Control minigame, earn Commendation points, and exchange them for Ranged XP. Completing Combat Achievements increases points earned.
    • Notes: Decent XP rates, especially with CA boosts. Requires active participation. Also trains combat stats directly while fighting pests.
  • Levels 75-99: Slayer
    • Method: As mentioned, cannoning provides passive XP. Actively ranging tasks with a Toxic Blowpipe or Bow of Faerdhinen is also viable.
    • Notes: Using Blowpipe is expensive but offers high DPS and good combined Ranged/Slayer XP. Slower Slayer XP overall compared to barraging/bursting tasks where applicable. Slayer Helmet (i) provides a crucial 15% accuracy and damage boost.

Equipment Choices

  • Prioritize Ranged Strength: This stat directly increases your max hit with most ranged weapons.
  • Key Items: Necklace of Anguish, Ava's Assembler/Accumulator, Zaryte Vambraces/Barrows Gloves, Pegasian Boots, Archers Ring (i).
  • Armour: Black d'hide -> Blessed d'hide -> Karil's -> Armadyl Armour -> Crystal Armour (with Bow of Faerdhinen) -> Masori Armour (Best). Void Knight gear is BiS for Chinning and against very low defence targets.
  • Weapons:
    • Early: Darts (Steel/Mithril/Adamant), Knives, Shortbows (Maple/Yew/Magic).
    • Mid/Late: Magic Shortbow (i) (Amethyst/Rune Arrows), Rune Crossbow (Broad/Diamond/Ruby Bolts), Crystal Bow, Toxic Blowpipe, Bow of Faerdhinen, Zaryte Crossbow, Twisted Bow.
    • Chinning: Red/Black Chinchompas.
    • Cannon: Dwarf Multicannon.
  • Refer to the extensive gear tables in the provided data for detailed comparisons.

Conclusion

Training Ranged in OSRS offers diverse paths, from the incredibly fast (but costly) chinning method to AFK crab training and the integrated approach of cannoning during Slayer. Choosing the right method depends on your budget, desired intensity, and whether you prioritize pure Ranged XP or balanced account progression. Always use Ava's devices and the best ammunition/gear you can afford to maximize efficiency.

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