So, you’re stuck in F2P. Maybe you’re a fresh Iron-man, or perhaps you’re just a cheapskate who refuses to shell out for a bond until you’ve "earned it." I get it. Training Ranged in Old School RuneScape without access to Chinchompas or the Nightmare Zone feels like trying to empty the ocean with a leaky spoon. It’s slow. It’s tedious. But honestly? It’s also kinda nostalgic.
Most people think f2p range training osrs is just about clicking a cow for twelve hours and calling it a day. That's a mistake. If you want those sweet, high-level hits without your bank account crying, you need to understand how tick manipulation, gear progression, and monster defense actually work in the free version of the game. You're working with a limited toolkit, so every arrow counts.
The Gear Reality Check
Forget about Armadyl. You’re wearing green dragonhide and you’re going to like it. Actually, scratch that—you aren't even wearing the body unless you’ve tackled Dragon Slayer I.
For a beginner, the progression is basically Leather into Studded, then eventually into that iconic Green D-hide. But here is what most people get wrong: they prioritize the "best" bow immediately. In F2P, the Shortbow is your god. Always use the Maple Shortbow once you hit level 30. Why? Because speed is everything. The Longbow might have a longer reach, but it’s painfully slow, and in OSRS, DPS (Damage Per Second) is king. You want to be a machine gun, not a sniper.
Let's talk about ammo. Bronze arrows are dirt cheap but they hit like wet noodles. Iron arrows are the sweet spot for low-level grinding. Once you’re serious, Adamant arrows are the gold standard for F2P. Don't even look at Mithril; it's the middle child that nobody likes.
Early Levels: The Meat Grinder
Levels 1 through 20 are basically a rite of passage. You head to the sheep pens in Lumbridge or the chickens in the farm north of the graveyard. It’s depressing. You’re hitting 1s. You’re hitting 0s.
Chickens and Cows
Chickens have 3 HP. You kill them in one hit eventually. The real value here isn't the XP; it's the feathers. Collect them. You'll need them for fishing or selling later. If the chickens are too crowded—and they usually are on World 301—move to the cows. Cows give you hides. If you’re a fresh account, banking these hides is a legitimate way to fund your first few thousand Adamant arrows.
Once you hit level 20, the game changes slightly. You can equip the Willow Shortbow. Now, you’ve got options. You could go to the Al-Kharid warriors. They’re aggressive, which means you can "AFK" (away from keyboard) to an extent. They’ll keep attacking you while you just sit there and watch your character fire away.
The Mid-Level Slump
Levels 40 to 60 are where most people quit. The XP requirements start to balloon, and you’re still stuck in the same brown and green landscapes. This is where f2p range training osrs becomes a test of willpower.
Hill Giants are the classic choice. They’re in the Edgeville Dungeon. They have decent drops—notably Limpwurt roots and Big bones—and they have a fair bit of HP. But here is the secret: Everyone goes to Hill Giants. It’s a mosh pit. If you want peace, go to the Moss Giants on Crandor or in the Varrock Sewers.
The Safespot Meta
Safespoting is the bread and butter of Ranged. You find a rock, a fence, or a table, and you put it between you and the monster. The monster’s pathfinding breaks, and it just stares at you while you pelt it with arrows.
In the Varrock Sewers, there’s a perfect spot for Moss Giants where you can stand behind the water. It’s relaxing. You can watch a movie on your second monitor. Is it the fastest XP? No. But it's sustainable. If you’re trying to be "efficient," you’re looking at around 20k to 30k XP per hour here. It’s not much, but it’s honest work.
High-Level F2P Range Training OSRS
So you’ve hit 60 or 70 Ranged. You’re feeling good. You’re wearing the Coif, the Green D-hide chaps, and the Vambraces. Now what?
Ogress Shamans: The Holy Grail
If you aren't fighting Ogresses, you’re doing it wrong. Located in the Corsair Cove Dungeon (you’ll need to complete the Corsair Curse quest), Ogress Shamans and Warriors are the absolute peak of F2P combat. They are the only reason high-level F2P players can even afford things.
They drop:
- Rune Med Helms
- Rune Battleaxes
- Big Bones
- Law Runes
- Nature Runes
The loot is actually good. Like, "I might actually buy a bond eventually" good. There are numerous safespots in the cave. You can sit there for hours. The XP is comparable to Moss Giants, but the profit makes it far superior. Most people bring a Fire Staff and Nature Runes to High Alch the rune drops while they stay there. It’s the ultimate F2P loop.
Flesh Crawlers
If you don't care about money and just want the fastest possible XP, go to the second level of the Stronghold of Security. Flesh Crawlers have very low defense and a decent amount of HP. They are aggressive for about ten minutes before you have to run away and come back to "reset" them. You can easily clear 30k+ XP per hour here if you’re using Adamant arrows and clicking efficiently. It’s click-intensive because they die fast, but the numbers don't lie.
Why Nobody Talks About Lessers
Lesser Demons used to be the "cool" thing to kill back in 2007. They’re in the top floor of the Wizards' Tower or the Karamja Volcano. Honestly? They suck. Their defense is way too high for F2P gear. You’ll spend half your time missing. Unless you’re specifically hunting for a Rune Med Helm drop and can’t get to Corsair Cove, stay away from them. Your XP per hour will plummet.
The "Secret" to Consistency
The biggest mistake players make is switching targets every 20 minutes. Pick a spot and stay there. f2p range training osrs is a marathon. If you’re at Ogresses, commit to a 1,000-arrow trip. If you’re at Flesh Crawlers, don't leave until you’ve gained two levels.
Also, pray. If you have the Prayer level, use Hawk Eye (level 26) or Eagle Eye (level 44). Wait, Eagle Eye is P2P. See? Even I forget sometimes how restricted we are. Use Hawk Eye. It’s a 10% boost to your Ranged level. It makes a noticeable difference in your max hit and accuracy. Just bring some Prayer potions... oh wait, those are P2P too. You’ll have to run to an altar. See the struggle?
Actionable Steps for Your Journey
If you’re starting today, follow this exact path to minimize the headache:
📖 Related: Why GameCube Metal Gear Solid Still Divides the Fanbase Today
- Levels 1-20: Chickens and Cows in Lumbridge. Pick up the feathers. Bank the hides if you're poor.
- Levels 20-40: Minotaurs in the first level of the Stronghold of Security. They drop an insane amount of Iron arrows, meaning you’ll actually gain ammo while you train. It’s the infinite ammo glitch of F2P.
- Levels 40-60: Flesh Crawlers (Level 2 Stronghold) for pure speed, or Hill Giants (Edgeville) if you want to bury Big bones for Prayer XP.
- Levels 60-99: Ogress Shamans. This is your home now. Get comfortable. Get a specialized "Ogress" setup with a Maple Shortbow and at least 5,000 Adamant arrows.
- Always use "Rapid": Never, under any circumstances, use "Accurate" or "Longrange." The speed boost from Rapid far outweighs the minor accuracy or defense bonuses of the other styles.
Stop worrying about the lack of a blowpipe or a twisted bow. The Maple Shortbow and a stack of Addy arrows have been getting people to 99 Ranged since the dawn of the game. Put on a podcast, find a corner in Corsair Cove, and start clicking. The 99 cape is waiting, even if it doesn't have a trim.