Becoming a member in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is exciting—it opens access to a huge variety of money-making methods. However, knowing where to start can be tough. If you’re low-level or just stepping into members’ content, don’t worry. This guide will show you how to start building your bank from day one.
Pickpocket Ardougne Knights for Fast, Easy Cash
If you have at least 38 Thieving (42+ is better), head to Ardougne and pickpocket the knights in the market area. It’s a simple but profitable way to earn gold. As your level increases, you’ll succeed more often and get more loot per hour.
To improve your profits even more, work toward getting the Rogue’s Outfit, which doubles the loot. Also, completing parts of the Ardougne Diary gives a better success rate. Using Dodgy Necklaces can reduce stun time and keep you pickpocketing longer.
Kill Chaos Druids for Valuable Herbs
Another great early option is killing Chaos Druids. You’ll only need basic gear and 30+ combat to start. Found in places like Taverley Dungeon, they drop many useful herbs such as Ranarr and Harralander, which sell well on the Grand Exchange.
Bring food and a looting bag if you’re in the Wilderness area. Not only is this low-risk, but you’ll also level your combat stats while stacking profits.
Fletch Broad Bolts for Steady Passive Income
Once you’ve done some Slayer and unlocked the Broad Bolt Fletching ability (costs 300 Slayer points), you can start turning unfinished broad bolts and feathers into finished bolts. This is a low-effort, low-risk way to make 200k–300k gold per hour.
You’ll need 55 Fletching, but once unlocked, you can do this nearly AFK while watching videos or doing other tasks.
Use Telekinetic Grab to Collect Wines of Zamorak
At just 33 Magic, you can start grabbing Wines of Zamorak using the Telekinetic Grab spell. These spawn in the Chaos Temple in level 38 Wilderness and can sell for several thousand gold each.
Although the area is dangerous, using a Burning Amulet to get in and a quick teleport to escape will help keep you safe. It’s a high-risk, high-reward method if you’re careful.
Flip Items on the Grand Exchange
If you prefer not to fight or skill, flipping items on the Grand Exchange can be surprisingly profitable. All you need is some starting gold—100k to 1m is enough. Buy items at a low price and resell them for a margin.
To succeed here, start with high-volume items like runes, food, or potions. Using tools like RuneLite’s built-in GE tracker or external sites can help find the best margins. While profits vary, it’s a great way to grow your gold passively.
Do Daily Shop Runs for Guaranteed Profit
Some shops across Gielinor sell items at fixed prices lower than what they go for on the GE. For example, you can buy battlestaves from Zaff in Varrock (especially after completing diaries), or grab feather packs and rune packs in specialty stores.
These runs are fast and consistent. While you won’t make millions instantly, stacking daily profits adds up over time.
Kill Green Dragons for High-Value Drops
Once your combat stats are a bit higher (60+ recommended), killing Green Dragons in the Wilderness becomes a solid moneymaker. They drop dragon bones and green dragonhide, both of which sell well.
However, because they’re in the Wilderness, it’s important to stay alert. Bring an anti-dragon shield, teleport tab, and keep your inventory light. It’s one of the most profitable options for mid-level players.
Try Low-Level Skilling for Profit Too
Although combat can be more profitable, skilling is also a viable option. Fishing karambwan, catching implings in Puro-Puro, or collecting Marks of Grace during rooftop agility runs can bring in solid income.
In fact, many skillers stack profit while training their levels at the same time—making these options efficient and rewarding in the long run.
Final Tips to Maximize Your Gold Early
To get the most out of your time, focus on early-game quests that boost stats quickly. Quests like Waterfall Quest, Witch’s House, and Tree Gnome Village can boost combat levels and unlock more opportunities.
Also, don’t forget to take advantage of daily activities like birdhouse runs, herb runs, and Kingdom of Miscellania. These passive money-makers compound over time and will help you build wealth with little effort.
Conclusion: Focus on Consistency Over Complexity
Making money as a new member in OSRS doesn’t require high stats or rare drops. By focusing on consistent, low-risk methods and gradually building your account, you’ll unlock more profitable paths down the line. Whether you enjoy skilling, combat, or trading—there’s a method that fits your playstyle.
Stick with it, keep learning, and before long you’ll be gearing up for Raids and raking in millions.
