Old School RuneScape is the 2013 fork of a 2007 backup of RuneScape, and it is not a mode inside RuneScape 3. Separate servers, separate accounts, separate membership, separate high scores. Steam app 1343370 is Jagex's official client for it rather than a distinct game, and the client is free while membership is not. Jagex polls new content to paying members and needs 70 percent yes to pass, a bar lowered from 75 percent at the end of 2022, which is why the game still plays like 2007 with two decades of member approved additions layered on.
Old School RuneScape features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lumbridge | Combat levels 3 to 20 | Early quests, basic gear and the free to play skill introduction | Ranged training |
| 2 | Varrock | Combat levels 20 to 60 | Grand Exchange access, mid tier quests and the closest thing to a free to play hub | Ranged training |
| 3 | Great Kourend | Members content from roughly combat level 60 upward | Chambers of Xeric drops, Wintertodt for early Firemaking, Woodcutting Guild and the favour rewards | Melee training |
| 4 | Varlamore | Members content, mid to high level | Hueycoatl and Amoxliatl drops, new agility and thieving content, and the region's quest line | Melee training |
| 5 | The Wilderness | Any combat level, but realistically 70 or above to survive | High value resource spots, wilderness bosses and the only PvP loot in the game | Melee training |
Lumbridge: Starting Area
The starting town and the free to play tutorial area. Cows, chickens and goblins here are the first training ground, and the respawn point sits in the castle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Combat levels 3 to 20 |
| Key Rewards | Early quests, basic gear and the free to play skill introduction |
| Recommended Build | Ranged training |
| Key Equipment | Toxic blowpipe |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Twenty four skills, every one capped at 99. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Varrock.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Varrock: Early Game
The largest free to play city, holding a Grand Exchange entrance, banks and several early quest lines. Most accounts move here once Lumbridge stops giving useful experience.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Combat levels 20 to 60 |
| Key Rewards | Grand Exchange access, mid tier quests and the closest thing to a free to play hub |
| Recommended Build | Ranged training |
| Key Equipment | Toxic blowpipe |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Content polls needing 70 percent yes. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Toxic blowpipe if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Great Kourend.
Great Kourend: Mid Game
The Zeah landmass added in 2015 with its own five house favour system, the Wintertodt firemaking boss and the Chambers of Xeric raid.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Members content from roughly combat level 60 upward |
| Key Rewards | Chambers of Xeric drops, Wintertodt for early Firemaking, Woodcutting Guild and the favour rewards |
| Recommended Build | Melee training |
| Key Equipment | Toxic blowpipe |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Abyssal whip becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Tick based combat on a 0.6 second tick for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Varlamore: Late Game
The newest major region, delivered in parts across 2024 and 2025. It brought Amoxliatl and The Hueycoatl, the latter a group boss for up to 20 players with a 50,000 coin fee for a private instance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Members content, mid to high level |
| Key Rewards | Hueycoatl and Amoxliatl drops, new agility and thieving content, and the region's quest line |
| Recommended Build | Melee training |
| Key Equipment | Abyssal whip |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Abyssal whip should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Account modes including Ironman and Group Ironman mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into The Wilderness.
The Wilderness: Endgame
The open PvP zone that runs north from Edgeville. Deeper wilderness means a wider range of players who can attack you, and death means dropping everything you carried.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any combat level, but realistically 70 or above to survive |
| Key Rewards | High value resource spots, wilderness bosses and the only PvP loot in the game |
| Recommended Build | Melee training |
| Key Equipment | Abyssal whip |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Ironman and Group Ironman for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Lumbridge → Varrock → Great Kourend → Varlamore → The Wilderness. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Old School RuneScape Guides
- Old School RuneScape Old School RuneScape Overview
- Old School RuneScape Best Builds
- Old School RuneScape Tier List
- Old School RuneScape Walkthrough
- Old School RuneScape Beginner's Guide
- Old School RuneScape Tips & Tricks
- Old School RuneScape Weapons Guide
- Old School RuneScape Combat Guide
- Old School RuneScape Boss Guide
- Old School RuneScape Crafting Guide
- Old School RuneScape Classes & Characters
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