For a long time, free-to-play (F2P) money-making methods in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) have struggled to keep pace with the more lucrative methods available to members. However, after dedicating my entire Christmas break to discovering the best F2P money makers, I’ve unearthed some hidden gems that far surpass the outdated options on the wiki. If you’re eager to climb up the in-game financial ladder, these methods are designed to help you earn OSRS gold efficiently and effectively. Let’s dive into some of the top strategies that can help you make a significant amount of GP without the need for membership.
1. Trading Incomplete Pizzas
One of the most lucrative F2P methods involves trading incomplete pizzas, a collectible item in OSRS. These pizzas are unique because they cannot be traded through the Grand Exchange (GE), making them highly desirable among collectors. Here’s how you can capitalize on this opportunity:
- Ingredients and Creation: You need a tomato and a pizza base to create an incomplete pizza. Each pizza costs approximately 230 GP to make. With a Cooking level of 35, you can craft these pizzas by simply combining the tomato with the pizza base.
- Profit Calculation: I tested this method and found that crafting 500 incomplete pizzas took about 12 minutes and 22 seconds. Traders on Discord channels like All Buls and RuneScape Collector currently value these pizzas at around 1,250 GP each. Selling them at this price would result in an impressive hourly rate of 2.5 million GP. However, for quicker sales, offer them at 750 GP each. This approach ensures a steady stream of buyers and still nets you 1.25 million GP per hour. If you decide to add cheese to make an uncooked pizza, you could fetch about 1,000 GP each, lowering your hourly earnings slightly but still profitable at 1 million GP per hour.
2. Making Pie Shells
Another effective money-making method involves crafting pie shells, a simple but profitable endeavor:
- Ingredients: Purchase pie shells and pastry dough, which cost just under 250 GP each. Combine them to make pie shells, a process that requires no Cooking experience.
- Profit Calculation: Crafting 500 pie shells took me 12 minutes and 42 seconds. Each shell sells for around 365 GP, resulting in a profit of 116 GP per shell. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately 300,000 GP, making it a reliable method for players seeking consistent income.
3. Profitable Shop Items
Exploring shops in Varrock and other locations can also be highly profitable:
- Shop Item Flipping: Use tools like Menu Entry Swapper to purchase items from shops more efficiently. Items such as aprons, pink skates, and silk can be bought cheaply and sold for a profit on the GE. In just over 5 minutes, I spent 1,500 GP on profitable items, selling them quickly on the GE for a total profit of 300,000 GP per hour. This method is particularly useful for newer accounts or those starting fresh.
4. Rune Buying and Selling
Rune buying and selling is another reliable method:
- Buying Runes: Purchase Earth, Fire, Water, and Air runes from the Rune shop in Varrock’s southeast corner. The current GE price is around 4 GP each, but they must be sold for at least 6 GP each. With a buy limit of 50,000 runes every 4 hours, you can make a substantial profit.
- Profit Calculation: By buying runes from the shop and selling them on the GE or through Discord channels, you can achieve profits of up to 1.2 million GP per hour. This method requires some effort but offers a high return on investment.
5. Steel Arrow Flipping
Steel arrows have maintained a surprisingly high price in F2P:
- Purchasing Arrows: Buy steel arrows from archery shops in Varrock and Remington. The price varies based on stock levels, so use Menu Entry Swapper to buy in bulk. Steel arrows are profitable, and buying and reselling them can yield up to 372,000 GP per hour.
6. Feather Trading
Feathers are a versatile commodity in OSRS:
- Buying and Selling Feathers: Purchase feathers from shops such as the one in Port Sarim. The price fluctuates, so monitor stock levels and buy when prices are low. You can buy around 600,000 feathers per hour, selling them for up to 900,000 GP if sold through Discord channels. Alternatively, you can sell them on the GE for a profit of 255,000 GP per hour.
7. Moss Giants for Profit
For those who enjoy combat, Moss Giants offer a unique money-making opportunity:
- Killing Moss Giants: Kill Moss Giants in the Wilderness or Edgeville for a chance to obtain mossy keys, which are used to access the Moss Giant boss. Each key has an average value of 86,000 GP. With a drop rate of 1 in 60, you can expect to earn between 200,000 to 400,000 GP per hour depending on your combat level.
8. Crafting Jewelry and Thread
Crafting jewelry and thread is a quick way to make money:
- Crafting Items: Purchase jewelry molds and thread from the crafting shop in Al Kharid. The cost of items is minimal, but they sell for much higher prices on the GE. In a few minutes, you can invest 3,000 GP and make a profit of around 45,000 GP.
9. Team Cape Flipping
Team capes can be highly profitable:
- Buying and Selling Team Capes: Purchase team capes from NPCs in the Wilderness. The further from a bank you buy them, the more profit you can make. Each cape typically costs 50 GP and can sell for up to 650 GP, depending on demand. With efficient buying and selling, you can make up to 972,000 GP per hour.
10. Uncooked Cakes
Uncooked cakes are another collectible item:
- Creating and Selling Cakes: Buy the ingredients for uncooked cakes, which include an egg, a cake pot, flour, and milk. The total cost to make a cake is around 273 GP. Selling these cakes to collectors can earn you up to 1.26 million GP per hour.
Conclusion
These methods offer some of the most effective and profitable ways to make money in OSRS without needing a membership. By leveraging these strategies, you can significantly boost your RuneScape GP earnings and enjoy a more prosperous gameplay experience. Remember to stay updated with market trends and adjust your methods accordingly to maximize your profits. Happy money making and may your account be filled with riches in the coming year!
