Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a beloved and timeless MMORPG that has been a part of the gaming world since 2001. With its nostalgic feel and retro pixel graphics, the game continues to capture the hearts of both veteran players and new adventurers alike. However, stepping into the world of Gielinor for the first time can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with its mechanics, quest systems, and overall gameplay. But don't worry—this beginner's guide is here to help you navigate your journey through the world of OSRS gold.

Whether you're just getting started or need a refresher, this guide will cover the basics, provide tips on getting started, and help you avoid common pitfalls while progressing through the game.

1. Getting Started: Creating Your Character

When you first launch Old School RuneScape, you'll need to create a character to embark on your adventure. OSRS offers a few basic customization options for your avatar, including your character's appearance, but for the most part, the game sticks with simple customization, letting your skill levels and accomplishments define you.

    Character Name: Choose your in-game name wisely! Once chosen, it can't be changed unless you delete your character and start over. Think of something unique that represents you.

    Tutorial Island: Your journey will begin on Tutorial Island, a small, guided area designed to help new players get familiar with the game mechanics. This part of the game will teach you how to move, interact with NPCs, and perform basic tasks such as mining, fishing, and combat.

After completing the tutorial, you'll be dropped off in Lumbridge, a central area that serves as the starting hub for new players.

2. Understanding the Interface

OSRS has a simple and straightforward interface. Below are the essential parts of the interface you need to be familiar with:

    Health Bar: Shows your character's current health (hitpoints). If your health reaches zero, you'll die and respawn at a nearby location.

    Prayer and Run Energy: The prayer bar allows you to activate prayer abilities, while the run energy bar depletes when you use the run option (holding the shift key while moving).

    Experience Bar: Displays the progress you've made in each skill. As you train skills, the experience bar fills up until you level up.

    Inventory: The inventory holds all your items, such as weapons, armor, potions, and materials for skilling.

    Map: A minimap located in the upper-right corner shows your location in the world, nearby players, and important destinations.

    Chat Box: This is where you can read in-game messages from other players, NPCs, and system alerts.

3. Choosing Your Path: Skills and Combat

In OSRS, there are two main categories of activities to focus on—combat and skilling. You'll want to balance both to succeed in the game, as each plays an important role in your overall progress.

Combat

Combat is a big part of OSRS, and it is how you will interact with enemies, complete quests, and gather experience points (XP). There are three combat styles in the game:

    Melee: Focusing on physical attacks with weapons like swords, axes, and maces. Strength, Attack, and Defence are the key stats for melee combat.

    Ranged: Using bows and crossbows to attack enemies from a distance. Ranged combat relies on the Ranged stat.

    Magic: Utilizing spells from runes to deal damage, heal, or provide utility. The Magic stat is important here.

In addition to choosing your combat style, your character's combat level will increase as you level up your Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Prayer, and Magic skills.

Skilling

Skilling is the non-combat side of OSRS, and it is equally important for both progression and profit. There are many skills in OSRS, and they are grouped into combat skills and non-combat skills. As a beginner, you'll likely focus on leveling up basic non-combat skills first.

    Gathering Skills: These include skills like Woodcutting, Mining, Fishing, and Farming. These skills allow you to buy RS gold gather resources that can be used in crafting, construction, and other aspects of the game.

    Production Skills: These skills include Smithing, Crafting, Cooking, and Herblore. These skills allow you to create valuable items from the raw materials you gather.