If you don't want to spend real money, you can buy a membership using Bonds, which are purchasable with RuneScape gold in-game gold at the Grand Exchange. This gives dedicated F2P players a way to earn membership purely through gameplay.
Other Ways to Play
OSRS is more than just grinding skills and quests. Many players enjoy different aspects of the game, such as:
PvP in the Wilderness - Risky but exciting combat against other players.
Clans - Join groups to socialize, raid, or participate in events.
Roleplay - Some players immerse themselves in the world of Gielinor with custom playstyles.
Achievement hunting - Steam achievements or in-game diary tasks give you long-term goals.
The beauty of OSRS lies in its freedom-whether you're chasing 99 skills, collecting pets, or just hanging out with friends, the game lets you choose your own adventure.
Final Thoughts
Starting out in Old School RuneScape can feel overwhelming, but that's part of what makes the game special. By tackling beginner quests, experimenting with skilling, and dipping your toes into OSRS gold making, you'll slowly carve out your own path in Gielinor.
The most important thing to remember? Have fun. OSRS is a sandbox MMORPG, meaning there's no "right" way to play. Whether you want to slay dragons, chop trees, or simply chat with other adventurers, the world is yours to explore.
The Chambers of Xeric (CoX) was released in 2017 as Old School RuneScape's first raid. Since then, the raid has changed dramatically thanks to new gear, balance updates, and a more skilled player base. What was once a daunting group challenge is now a highly optimized piece of content, with many players completing it solo for both enjoyment and efficiency.
This guide focuses on maximizing efficiency in regular solo Chambers of Xeric. It assumes you already understand the raid's mechanics and want to refine your methods for faster completions and higher points per hour (PPH). We'll cover gear setups, scouting strategies, the four-tick cycle, tile markers, and room-by-room optimizations to help you push your solos to the next level.
The Optimal Gear Setup
At max efficiency, your setup should include a 9-way Mage, 9-way Melee, and 6-way Range switch. Commonly used spec weapons are the Eldermall and Zaryte Crossbow (ZCB). Your rune pouch should hold Thralls and Vile Vigour, eliminating the need for stamina potions after the recent run energy changes. Bring one restore, one Sanfew (or an antidote for shamans if you're an Ironman), and swap in bruise depending on the rooms.
Small gear choices can save time:
Slayer Helm: Saves ~5 seconds on shamans or mystics.
Lockpick: Saves ~4 seconds (worthwhile).
Arclight: Saves ~4.5 seconds on Guardians.
Bronze axe/pickaxe: Saves 3 ticks on scavenger shortcuts and gives ~500 points - always worth it.
Always plan ahead. Many wipes or slowdowns happen because players sip entire brews or manage their inventory poorly before picking up drops. Knowing exactly what to drop or sip before a kill can save more time than any minor tick optimization.
Scouting for Maximum Points
Scouting is one of the most misunderstood aspects of CoX efficiency. Traditionally, players aimed for 3 combat / 2 puzzle layouts (3C2P) with crabs and tightrope, since these are fast. However, for points per hour, the math changes.
Thieving rooms outperform crabs, nearly doubling their points per hour.
4C2P layouts are excellent for self-scouting, since they reduce scouting time and still yield strong points. Having a lot of RS gold can help you get high scores easily.
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