Old School Runescape - The Complete Magic Guide

Magic is one of the most important skills in the game, it is a F2P skill but can be trained using F2P and P2P methods. Players focus on training it for many reasons such as the various teleports that get unlocked through the Spellbooks, or to be able to enchant certain items.

Training Magic is not so complicated or difficult, actually, it is considered to be the fastest combat skill to train. Players mainly use it in combat for PVP in the wilderness or for PVE in raids. Some players use it as a source of coins since you can use a spell called “ High-Level Alchemy” that can turn some items into gold coins.

In this article, we are going to introduce the most efficient and fast way to reach level 99, in addition to some alternative methods and ways to make decent money by using Magic. Note that Magic training can be so expensive at some points, so be ready to spend some money on items at the Grand Exchange.

Most of the methods below are semi-AFK and can only be done in the P2P worlds.

Make sure to check out all 23 OSRS skills in our relevant guide.

OSRS Magic 101

First of all, you should know that training your Magic is very essential to build your account in Old School Runescape, and you have to aim for level 99 as soon as possible.

Higher Magic level doesn’t only mean high Magic bonus or accuracy, it also means higher Magic defense which is very helpful against the Magic attacks. 70% of the Magic defense depending on the Magic level and 30% depending on your Defense level.

Some teleports are unlocked only by using Magic which are going to be very helpful in your account progress. Players also need Magic to cast spells in combat where some monsters are very weak to Magic attacks.

Some crafted items can also be enchanted using some Magic spells to turn them into enchanted and more powerful items. This is actually a good way to make money as you can sell the enchanted items at the Grand Exchange.

Casting any spell requires you to click on the spell itself from the Magic Spellbook, then you can use it on your target. Some spells don’t require you to use it on your target and/or item, such as the teleports where you just click on it to activate.

Magic Spellbooks

Magic Spellbook, Old School Runescape

There are 4 Magic Spellbooks in the game; Standard, Ancient, Lunar and Arceuus. Each one of them (except the Standard) has some requirements to be unlocked. Also, each spell in any of these books requires a specific Magic level and Runes to be used. Casting any of the spells will give you a specific Magic XP in addition to more XP if it was a combat skill, depending on the damage you apply to the target.

Standard Spellbook

Standard Spellbook, Old School Runescape

This spellbook is unlocked by default, you don’t need to do anything to unlock it however, some spells inside it requires the completion of certain activities. It contains many teleports and most of the combat spells in addition to the High-Level Alchemy spell and the Enchanting spells.

Ancient Spellbook

Ancient Spellbook, Old School Runescape

The Ancient Spellbook is unlocked by completing the Desert Treasure Quest and it consists of combat spells and some teleports. Some of these combat spells are very important and will be essential to use for training Magic later in this article.

To change your spellbook to Ancient, you must pray at the Jaldraocht Pyramid which is located in the desert south of Al Kharid.

Lunar Spellbook

Lunar Spellbook, Old School Runescape

This spellbook is partially unlocked once you complete the Lunar Diplomacy Quest and fully unlocked upon the completion of Dream Mentor Quest.

The Lunar Spellbook mainly consists of spells that are being used for skilling, in addition to some other defensive spells.

To change your spellbook to Lunar, you must pray at the Astral Altar which is located on the Lunar Isle.

Arceuus Spellbook

Arceuus Spellbook, Old School Runescape

The Arceuus Spellbook is unlocked once you gain 60% Arceuus favour. This spellbook is mainly focused on the spell that is being used for training Prayer as well as some teleport spells.

To change your spellbook to Arceuus, you will have to speak to Tyss who is located north of Arceuus near the Dark Altar.

Runes

Various Runes, Old School Runescape

Runes are needed to cast any spell from any of the four spellbooks and each spell requires a different set of Runes. To learn more about Runes and how to obtain them, please check our Runecrafting guide[link to it when published].

Elemental Staves

Some Runes can be replaced by using one of the Elemental staves, these Staves give an unlimited amount of Runes of a specific kind, making it very useful for training. Check the table below to know more about which Runes are provided by each Staff.

Splashing

Splashing Fire Strikes, Old School Runescape

In Old School Runescape, any combat spell gives you a constant Magic XP upon casting in addition to more XP depending on the damage you apply to the target.

But there is also a chance to not hit the target and only gain the Magic XP for casting the spell which is called “Splashing”. This chance is depending on your Magic level and your Magic Accuracy.

Magic Accuracy is increased by using items with high Magic bonus, or by having a High Magic level.

Players tend to use this method to train Magic while being AFK for approximately 20 minutes by wearing Magic reducing gear and auto casting a spell that gives decent Magic XP on a low-level target.

To guarantee that your low-level target won’t die (aka you will always splash) you must use a gear that reduces your Magic bonus to minus 65 or below. This is a good AFK method to train Magic but only recommended for the first few levels.

Players usually use a Bronze armor and a Bronze Kiteshield in addition to a Cursed Goblin Staff to reach a Magic bonus of minus 65.

Having a Smithing level of 18 is enough to craft the 3 parts of the Bronze armor in addition to the Kiteshield, or you can directly buy them all from the Grand Exchange. The Cursed Goblin Staff can be bought for 45 gold coins from Diango who is a merchant located just west of the Draynor Village Bank.

The Location of Diango, Old School Runescape

Do not forget to set your Auto Retaliate on and use the Autocast for the specific spell you will be splashing.

Staff Settings, Old School Runescape

Note that the target should be attacking you otherwise you will log out after 5 minutes instead of 20.

Useful Magic Training Items

The following items will be useful for training Magic using the combat methods. Note that it is only recommended to do that but not required.

Magic Gear and Weapons

Equipped Magic Bonus Gear, Old School Runescape

Using a good Magic gear and weapon will be very helpful if you are going to train your Magic via combat only, which won’t really be the main case in this guide.

In our guide, Magic Accuracy won’t matter that much when it comes to the combat methods but only the Magic Damage bonus will matter which is provided by some items. Magic Accuracy is increased by increasing the Magic Attack bonus, but not the Magic Damage bonus.

You can check our Best-in-Slot article to learn more about the best gear you can use for Bursting which is the only combat method that will be mentioned in this guide.

Magic Quests

Completing the following quests is very helpful to pass the first few levels but if you are not interested in Quests, you can still follow our leveling guide.

Magic Training – Level 1-99

Follow the guide below to train Magic as efficient as possible in a short time. If you find any difficulty understanding the guide, please go to the OSRS Magic 101 section to learn any missing information.

Note that it is highly recommended to buy any mentioned item in the following guide from the Grand Exchange for more efficient training.

Magic Level 1-7

Splashing Rats, Lumbridge, Old School Runescape

• Splashing 120 Wind Strikes (5.5 XP / Cast).

Spellbook: Standard
Elemental Staff: Air Staff
Runes Required: 120 Mind Runes
Required Gear: Bronze Armor (Helmet, Chest, and Platelegs) + Bronze Kiteshield + Cursed Goblin Staff

Splashing was previously mentioned in the OSRS Magic 101 section, check it to learn more about Splashing.

You should use Wind Strikes on any low-level target in the game, but we highly recommend doing it on Rats located inside Lumbridge town. Using Air staff will provide you with unlimited Air Runes so you will only have to use Mind Runes.

Set the staff on Auto Retaliate and Autocasting Wind Strikes from the Combat Tab.

By doing that you will be able to AFK for only 20 minutes, so be sure to interact with the client every 19 minutes.

Magic Level 7-19

Sapphire Rings Enchanting, Old School Runescape

• Enchant 190 Sapphire Rings (17.5 XP / Ring).

Spellbook: Standard
Spell Used: Lvl-1 Enchant
Elemental Staff: Water Staff
Runes Required: 190 Cosmic Runes

Enchanting Sapphire Rings is done by casting Lvl-1 Enchant spell on a one Sapphire Ring in your inventory to turn it into a Ring of Recoil.

Sapphire Rings can be obtained by crafting them by yourself at level 20 Crafting or you can just buy them from the Grand Exchange.

Casting the spell on one Ring in your inventory will automatically trigger the same action on the rest of the Rings in the inventory. Although this method can be used while being AFK, doing it manually is more efficient and faster than the auto casting.

You can sell all your enchanted Rings at the Grand Exchange to reduce the total cost or maybe make profits.

Magic Level 19-27

Curse Splashing, Lumbridge, Old School Runescape

• Splashing 199 Curse Spells (29 XP / Cast).

Spellbook: Standard
Elemental Staff: Mud Battlestaff
Runes Required: 199 Body Runes
Required Gear: Bronze Armor (Helmet, Chest, and Platelegs) + Bronze Kiteshield + Cursed Goblin Staff

This time splashing will be done without auto casting since the Curse spell is not an auto-cast spell. That means this method will not be AFK at all, but it won’t last for a long time anyway.

Magic Level 27-49

Emerald Rings Enchanting, Old School Runescape

• Enchant 1,098 Emerald Rings (37 XP / Ring).

Spellbook: Standard
Spell Used: Lvl-2 Enchant
Elemental Staff: Air Staff
Runes Required: 1,098 Cosmic Runes

This time you will be enchanting Emerald Rings to make Ring of Dueling by using Lvl-2 Enchant spell. You can make Emerald Rings by yourself at level 27 Crafting but it is recommended to buy all the Emerald Rings from the Grand Exchange.

Selling the enchanted Rings to the Grand Exchange will decrease the total cost of this method and maybe make profits.

Magic Level 49-55

Ruby Amulets Enchanting, Old School Runescape

• Enchant 1,270 Ruby Amulets (59 XP / Ring).

Spellbook: Standard
Spell Used: Lvl-3 Enchant
Elemental Staff: Fire Staff
Runes Required: 1,270 Cosmic Runes

Ruby Amulets are enchanted using the Lvl-3 Enchant spell to make Amulets of Strength. You can make these Ruby Amulets by yourself at level 50 Crafting, but it is better to buy them from the Grand Exchange.

Sell the Amulets of Strength at the Grand Exchange to reduce the total cost.

Magic Level 55-76

High-Level Alchemy, Yew Longbows, Old School Runescape

• High-Level Alchemy on 17,998 Yew Longbows (65 XP / Cast).

Spellbook: Standard
Spell Used: High-Level Alchemy
Elemental Staff: Fire Staff
Runes Required: 17,998 Nature Runes

Casting High-Level Alchemy on any item in the game will turn it into gold coins, but some items are being sold at the Grand Exchange for a higher price than the Alching gold. Thus we are recommending using Yew Longbows since they are the most stable item to use the High-Level Alchemy spell on.

You should be turning all the Bows into Noted form for a very quick training instead of casting the spell on them one by one.

This method is not AFK and click-intensive, but it can be done comfortably by placing the noted stack of bows just in the same slot where you would click on the spell in the Magic Spellbook.

Explaining How to High Alchemy Efficiently, Old School Runescape

Explaining How to High Alchemy Efficiently, Old School Runescape

That means you will only have to spam left-clicking on one spot while watching a movie or something. Doing that will make it a far easier method than enchanting items.

Players can make Yew Longbows via Fletching at level 70, but it is highly recommended to buy all the amount needed from the Grand Exchange. Casting High-Level Alchemy on all the Bows may result in making profits.

Magic Level 76-99

Ice Bursting Maniacal Monkies, MM2 Tunnels, Old School Runescape

• Casting Ice Burst on Maniacal Monkies (XP per cast varies).

Spellbook: Ancient
Required staff: Ancient Staff or Kodai Wand
Runes Required: Death, Chaos, and Water (don’t bring Water if you use Kodai Wand).
Required Gear: Prayer Bonus and Magic Damage Bonus Gear.
Other Requirements: Completion of Monkey Madness II & Desert Treasure Quests.

This method is the only combat method in our guide, it requires you to Cast Ice Burst on the Maniacal Monkies in the Monkey Madness II tunnels.

Ice Burst is unlocked in the Ancient Spellbook which requires the completion of Desert Treasure quest. The Maniacal Monkies are accessible after or during the Monkey Madness II quest.

Inside the tunnels, you will have to gather the Monkies around you and leave your character on Auto retaliate while auto-casting Ice Burst. This also requires you to pray Protect from Melee so you don’t receive any damage from the monsters.

Protect from Melee is a prayer unlocked at level 43 Prayer which will consume your Prayer points as the time goes on. Thus you will need Prayer potions to stay there for a long time.

The Maniacal Monkies will drop Prayer Points which will help you to stay there for a far long time as you pick them all.

The Vestment robes are probably the best gear to wear for this method as it gives a high Prayer bonus which will reduce the consumption of the points. Wearing any Magic Accuracy gear here won’t make any difference as the Magic Defense level of the monsters is 0.

Wearing items like a Kodai Wand is recommended as it gives a Magic Damage bonus meaning that you will get more XP per cast. Check the Magic Gear and Weapons section above to learn more about the best gear you can use.

Ice Burst requires 2 Death Runes, 4 Chaos Runes, and 4 Water Runes to cast but using a Kodai Wand will provide you with unlimited Water Runes.

At level 94 Magic, you should start using Ice Barrage which will increase your XP per Hour ratio. Ice Barrage requires 2 Blood Runes, 4 Death Runes, and 4 Water Runes.

Alternative Magic Training Methods

The following methods can be used instead of some of the previously mentioned methods, but it may be less efficient. Some of the following training methods are being used to make money while training, follow them if you need money.

Stringing Gold Amulets

Gold Amulets Stringing, Old School Runescape

Required Level: 80+
XP/Hour: 150K
Spellbook: Lunar
Spell Used: String Jewellery
Elemental Staff: Mud Battlestaff
Required Items: Gold Amulets (u)
Runes Required: 2 x Astral Runes per cast

You can String Gold Amulets (u) using the String Jewellery spell from the Lunar Spellbook with each cast providing you with 83 Magic XP.

Once you click on one Gold Amulet (u), the rest of the Amulets in your inventory will automatically be turned into a Gold Amulet one by one. That means you can be AFK while using this method for a few minutes.

This method won’t make any money, but you can sell the Gold Amulets at the Grand Exchange to reduce the total cost.

Spinning Flax

Spinning Flax Inventory, Old School Runescape

Required Level: 76+
XP/Hour: 80K
Spellbook: Lunar
Spell Used: Spin Flax
Elemental Staff: Air Staff
Required Items: Flax
Runes Required: 2 x Nature Rune and 1 x Astral Rune per cast

Using a Spin Flax spell from the Lunar Spellbook on a full inventory of Flax will instantly turn 5 of them into 5 Bowstrings. Each cast will grant you 75 Magic XP, and it cannot be done automatically.

This method requires your attention, but the profits you can make off it can be really good (depending on the market prices) once you sell the Bowstrings at the Grand Exchange.

Flax can be obtained by killing monsters such as King Kurask but it is advised to buy them from the Grand Exchange.

Tanning Dragonhides

Black Dragonhide Tanning Inventory, Old School Runescape

Required Level: 78+
XP/Hour: 127K
GP/Hour: Up to 1M
Spellbook: Lunar
Spell Used: Tan Leather
Elemental Staff: Fire Staff
Required Items: Black Dragonhide
Runes Required: 1 x Nature Rune and 2 x Astral Rune per cast
Other Requirements: Completion of Easy, Medium, and Hard Fremennik Diaries.

You can Tan the Black Dragonhide without the need to go to a Tannery by using the Tan Leather Spell in Lunar Spellbook. 1 Nature Rune and 2 Astral Runes are required for each cast and it will turn instantly 5 Hides from your inventory into Leathers granting you 81 XP.

Casting Tan Leather also requires the completion of the Easy, Medium and Hard Fremennik Diaries.

The Black Dragonhides can be obtained by killing monsters such as Black Dragons, but it is highly recommended to buy them from the Grand Exchange for fast training.

You can make very good money per hour by selling the Leathers at the Grand Exchange. This method can be used for all of the other Dragonhides depending on the market prices.