Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game built on the thrill of progression, and few skills encapsulate this better than Magic. Magic in OSRS provides an array of abilities, from combat spells to utility spells, and can be incredibly rewarding to level up, especially as you hit higher levels and unlock more powerful abilities. However, for Free-to-Play (F2P) players, getting to level 99 Magic is a challenge, as they have fewer options available compared to their members-only counterparts. But with the right strategy, it is entirely possible to reach 99 Magic without spending a dime.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most efficient and cost-effective ways to train Magic from level 1 to 99 in OSRS gold, covering the spells to cast, the best locations to train, and some tips and tricks to maximize your experience gains.
Levels 1-55: Early Magic Training
Levels 1-19: Wind Strike
Your journey begins with Wind Strike, the basic magic attack spell. At level 1, you can cast Wind Strike, which requires one Air rune and one Mind rune per cast. The experience is decent for the early levels, but it’s quite inefficient for later progression.
Best Training Locations:
Varrock Guards: Guards are a good early target. They drop coins, which can help you fund your rune usage. Be sure to equip some armor for extra survivability and stay stocked with food, as they can deal significant damage.
Alternative:
If you don’t want to engage in combat training early on, you can also train using High Alchemy for some experience gains. However, it’s not efficient until later in the game, and you’ll need to acquire the necessary items.
Levels 19-55: Fire Strike
Once you hit level 19 Magic, you unlock Fire Strike, which requires one Fire rune, one Air rune, and one Mind rune per cast. This spell will be your bread and butter until you reach 55 Magic. It offers decent experience per cast and has the advantage of dealing higher damage than Wind Strike.
Best Training Locations:
The Hill Giants in Edgeville Dungeon: These are excellent low-level monsters that offer a solid amount of experience. With the Fire Strike spell, you can deal with them quickly and collect valuable loot, including big bones and coins. It’s a great spot for both experience and profit.
Al Kharid Warriors: If you’re looking for a more central location, the Al Kharid warriors also make great targets. They’re easily accessible and drop various items you can sell for profit, helping to offset the cost of runes.
Levels 55-99: Advanced Magic Training
Once you hit 55 Magic, the true power of Magic in OSRS begins to unfold. You unlock High Alchemy, a spell that is crucial for fast Magic training and a decent profit-maker if used strategically.
Levels 55-99: High Alchemy
High Alchemy is the ultimate method for training Magic in F2P. This spell turns items into gold and grants a significant amount of experience (65 XP per cast). It’s a cost-effective and efficient method for training Magic at higher levels, but it does require you to purchase or craft items to alch.
Best Items to High Alch:
Uncut sapphires: These are often one of the best choices for alching. They offer a solid balance between cost and XP gains. You can purchase them from other players or buy them from the Grand Exchange at a low price.
Wand and book of darkness: The cheapest method for high alchemy is crafting wands, but you’ll need more time invested in buying supplies.
Efficient High Alch Strategies:
Use the Ardougne Cloak for reduced cost: The Ardougne Cloak (obtained from the Ardougne Diary) will reduce your rune cost for casting High Alchemy, making your training more affordable in the long run.
Use a Portable Altar: If you’re using the Altar to recharge your Prayer points, combining this with your Magic training can make for a very efficient setup.
Levels 70-99: Superheat Item
At level 70, you unlock Superheat Item, which is useful if you want to train Magic while crafting ores into bars. It requires one Fire rune and one Nature rune. This method is a bit slower than High Alchemy but can be a good alternative for players looking to combine combat training with Magic XP.
Best Locations for Superheating:
Mining Iron Ore: If you have access to a lot of ores, you can Superheat them into bars while mining. This is an excellent method for players who want to combine their Mining and Magic training. The experience gained per bar is decent, and you’ll make use of ores you would otherwise have to drop or sell.
Additional Tips for Efficient Magic Training
Use of Magic Boosting Equipment
While F2P players don’t have access to many of the high-level gear and equipment that members have, there are still several items that can boost your Magic experience and make your training more efficient:
Staff of Fire: This staff provides unlimited Fire runes, reducing the cost of casting Fire Strike, Fire Bolt, and other fire-based spells. It can be incredibly useful during your early levels.
Amulet of Glory: The Amulet of Glory provides an added bonus to your Magic attack, which can increase your damage output. This can be beneficial when training combat spells or when fighting stronger monsters.
Mage’s Book: If you are training with specific spells, consider getting the Mage’s Book for its Magic bonus.
Questing for Magic XP
Certain quests provide Magic experience, which can supplement your training. While these quests are not the most efficient way to get to 99 Magic, they can give you a good XP boost along the way.
Notable Quests for Magic XP:
The Eyes of Glouphrie: Provides 1,000 Magic XP.
The Tourist Trap: 5,000 Magic XP.
Vampire Slayer: 4,825 Magic XP.
You can complete these quests as you progress in the game, gaining a decent amount of XP without much additional effort.
Making Money While Training Magic
If you’re looking to make a profit while training Magic, Alching is one of the best ways. High Alchemy, in particular, can help you make money on the side if you carefully select items to alch. Alternatively, Enchanting Jewellery (such as amulets and rings) can also be a profitable Magic training method.
The Final Stretch: Reaching 99 Magic
Once you’ve hit level 94 Magic, you unlock Vengeance, an incredibly powerful spell that’s used mainly in PvP. If you’re not focused on PvP, you can continue using High Alchemy, or even switch to casting Fire Wave in places like Abyssal Demons for faster combat-based training.
Maxing Your Magic XP:
While there are numerous ways to train, many players who aim for 99 Magic use a combination of:
High Alchemy (for the majority of the XP),
Superheating (for some variety and additional skills),
Occasional combat training with Fire spells or other damaging magic when applicable.
Conclusion
Getting to 99 Magic as a Free-to-Play (F2P) player in buy RuneScape gold is a journey that takes time, patience, and strategy. The key to success is to train efficiently while minimizing rune costs, maximizing XP gains, and balancing your methods. High Alchemy is undoubtedly the most reliable and effective method, but it’s important to switch things up when needed to keep the training process from getting monotonous.
With consistent effort, you can reach 99 Magic and unlock some of the most powerful spells in OSRS, making you a force to be reckoned with in both PvE and PvP. Happy training, and may your runes always hit the mark!