This app is RuneScape 3, the modern client, not Old School RuneScape. Jagex runs 29 skills here, and the newest of them, Necromancy, arrived on 7 August 2023 as a fourth combat style that sits outside the melee, ranged and magic triangle. Necromancy, Invention and Archaeology all climb to level 120 instead of stopping at 99.
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 | City of Um | Necromancy 1 to 120 | Death guard and skull lantern tiers, Deathwarden and Deathdealer robes | Melee |
| 2 | Elite Dungeons | High combat with tier 80 gear or better, or story mode at any level | Ancient scales, draconic energy, eldritch crossbow components, Fury and Flurry codices, Masuta's warspear | Melee |
| 3 | Prifddinas | Skills 75 plus for most of the city | Seren stones, crystal tools, Voice of Seren experience bonuses | Necromancer |
| 4 | Anachronia | Hunter 70 plus, Archaeology from level 1 | Orthen artefacts, big game hides, base camp totem buffs | Necromancer |
| 5 | Lumbridge | Levels 1 to 30 | Free quests such as Cook's Assistant, early combat training, the Lumbridge lodestone | Necromancer |
City of Um: Starting Area
The Necromancy hub in the Underworld, home to Kili, the soul forge and the Um Smithy where every death guard, skull lantern and robe upgrade is made.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Necromancy 1 to 120 |
| Key Rewards | Death guard and skull lantern tiers, Deathwarden and Deathdealer robes |
| Recommended Build | Melee |
| Key Equipment | Omni guard |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Necromancy as a fourth combat style. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Elite Dungeons.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Elite Dungeons: Early Game
Three linked dungeons: Temple of Aminishi behind the Impressing the Locals quest, Dragonkin Laboratory in the deep Wilderness castle ruins, and The Shadow Reef with 16 possible mini bosses. All three have a story mode with reduced enemy health and damage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | High combat with tier 80 gear or better, or story mode at any level |
| Key Rewards | Ancient scales, draconic energy, eldritch crossbow components, Fury and Flurry codices, Masuta's warspear |
| Recommended Build | Melee |
| Key Equipment | Omni guard |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Revolution and Full Manual ability bars. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Omni guard if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Prifddinas.
Prifddinas: Mid Game
The elf city unlocked by finishing Plague's End, split into eight clan districts. Two districts hold the Voice of Seren at a time and boost the activities in them.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Skills 75 plus for most of the city |
| Key Rewards | Seren stones, crystal tools, Voice of Seren experience bonuses |
| Recommended Build | Necromancer |
| Key Equipment | Omni guard |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Death guard becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Conjures, Necrosis and Residual Souls for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Anachronia: Late Game
The dinosaur island south east of the mainland, holding the Orthen dig site for Archaeology, Big Game Hunter creatures and a base camp whose totems buff your skilling.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Hunter 70 plus, Archaeology from level 1 |
| Key Rewards | Orthen artefacts, big game hides, base camp totem buffs |
| Recommended Build | Necromancer |
| Key Equipment | Death guard |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Death guard should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Kili's Knowledge upgrades at the Um Smithy mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Lumbridge.
Lumbridge: Endgame
The starter town and the centre of free to play RuneScape, with the crater to the north, low level training spots and the first quests most accounts finish.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Levels 1 to 30 |
| Key Rewards | Free quests such as Cook's Assistant, early combat training, the Lumbridge lodestone |
| Recommended Build | Necromancer |
| Key Equipment | Death guard |
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 Skiller for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: City of Um → Elite Dungeons → Prifddinas → Anachronia → Lumbridge. 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 RuneScape Guides
- RuneScape RuneScape Overview
- RuneScape Best Builds
- RuneScape Tier List
- RuneScape Walkthrough
- RuneScape Beginner's Guide
- RuneScape Tips & Tricks
- RuneScape Weapons Guide
- RuneScape Combat Guide
- RuneScape Boss Guide
- RuneScape Crafting Guide
- RuneScape Classes & Characters
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