Table of Contents

Understanding OSRS Resets: A Comprehensive Guide

The primary reset time for Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is 00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). This is when most daily events, activities, and item restocks occur. However, it’s not always as straightforward as simply waiting for the clock to strike midnight UTC. There are nuances and specific situations that can affect how and when a reset takes place, so it’s essential to understand the intricacies of the reset system in OSRS. This article delves into the details of OSRS resets, providing you with a complete picture of how they work.

Daily Resets in OSRS: The Basics

The Standard Reset Time

As mentioned, the fundamental reset time in OSRS is 00:00 UTC. This time is crucial for various daily activities, including:

Shop Restocks: Many shops, such as Zaff’s battlestaff shop, reset their inventory at this time.
Daily Challenges: Any daily challenges or tasks you have will also reset at this time.
Certain Distractions & Diversions: Some of the in-game activities that offer unique rewards reset at this point too.

Hard vs. Soft Resets

There are two types of resets you should be aware of: hard resets and soft resets.

Hard Resets: These occur precisely at 00:00 UTC, regardless of whether you’re logged into the game or not. Once the time hits, the reset happens, and you’ll find everything has been refreshed.
Soft Resets: These resets are tied to your logout. The game records that the 00:00 UTC mark has passed, but the actual reset only occurs when you log out. Then, when you log back in, you’ll see the refreshed state.

Battlestaff Resets: A Specific Example

A good example is Zaff’s battlestaff shop. Zaff, a non-player character (NPC) in Varrock, sells battlestaves at a discounted price. This restock happens every 24 hours, resetting at 00:00 UTC. The number of battlestaves he sells to you depends on how many Varrock tasks you have completed. Completing different tiers of the Varrock Diary unlocks different amounts of staves. For instance, completing the easy Varrock tasks gives you access to 15 staves daily, while completing the elite tasks allows you to purchase 120 staves daily.

Why the Reset May Seem Off

Sometimes, players find that the reset doesn’t happen right when expected. This can occur due to the way the game handles soft resets. If you are logged in right around 00:00 UTC, the reset might not happen until you log out. Therefore, if something hasn’t reset at the appropriate time, logging out and then back into the game or switching worlds is the quickest troubleshooting method.

Other Important Time Considerations

Game Ticks

While not directly related to resets, game ticks are also important to understand. Each game tick is a small time interval during which the game processes actions. On average, they are around 0.6 seconds long, but this can vary slightly depending on the server you’re on and the number of players. It’s vital to understand ticks when engaging in certain actions and combat situations within the game. Server lag can cause a missed tick or multiple missed ticks, particularly on busy servers.

In-Game Time

OSRS runs on a clock that displays the current game time in UTC. This clock is important, especially when participating in special events or distractions and diversions that have specific start times. Players should understand and pay attention to the in game clock, to keep aware of timing events in the game, not just the time in their own time zones.

Playtime Limits

It is important to note that OSRS will automatically log you out of the game after 6 hours of continuous play. Several messages will be displayed at the 4-hour, 5-hour, and 5.5-hour intervals, reminding you to take a break before being logged out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on OSRS resets and time-related aspects:

What exactly does 00:00 UTC mean in my time zone?
- The best way to know what 00:00 UTC is in your own time zone is to use an online time converter. For example, 00:00 UTC is 8:00 PM EST during standard time and 9:00 PM EDT during daylight saving.
How can I check the in-game time in OSRS?
- The in-game time, which is always in UTC, is displayed as a clock in the interface. This clock helps you keep track of daily resets and the times of special events and distractions and diversions.
Why are some shop restocks delayed even after 00:00 UTC?
- Shop restocks are subject to a soft reset, meaning that they will only happen once you log out and back into the game after 00:00 UTC.
Does logging out and back in always trigger a soft reset?
- Yes, logging out and then back in triggers the reset for activities that use a soft reset system. Switching worlds also has the same effect.
Do quest completions reset daily?
- No, quest progress is permanent and does not reset. However, some daily activities or repeatable mini-quests may reset at 00:00 UTC.
What about farming patches? When do they reset?
- Farming patches use a unique timer system and do not reset at 00:00 UTC. Their timers depend on the type of patch and what has been planted there and follow in game hours.
Is there any way to tell if a reset is hard or soft?
- The specific mechanics of hard and soft resets are not always explicitly stated in the game. The best way to check is to test if the reset occurs precisely at 00:00 UTC while logged in. If it does not, then it is likely a soft reset.
How does the 6-hour logout timer work?
- After you have played for 6 hours without logging out, you will be automatically logged out of the game. This is a safeguard and can be helpful to remind players to step away from the game.
Does the 6-hour timer reset when I switch worlds?
- No, the 6 hour logout timer is account based and does not reset when switching worlds.
What happens if my Internet disconnects right at 00:00 UTC?
- If your internet connection goes out right as the clock hits 00:00 UTC, the reset will still happen. However, if your game is using a soft reset, it may require logging out and in again after reconnection to trigger properly.
Are there any activities that have their own specific reset times, besides the 00:00 UTC reset?
- While the majority of daily resets happen at 00:00 UTC, some activities like birdhouse traps and herb patches have their own timers which count down when a crop is planted or a trap is set and do not operate on the general daily reset timer.
How can I maximize the benefits of daily resets?
- To make the most of daily resets, be sure to log out and back in or switch worlds shortly after 00:00 UTC if you are still in the game from the previous day. This will trigger soft resets if there are any that are applicable for you and you can grab your daily items or complete your daily tasks.
Do servers have different reset times?
- No, all OSRS servers reset their daily activities at 00:00 UTC. However, game ticks can vary slightly between servers, mostly influenced by the player populations of those servers.
Is the RuneScape world reset at 00:00 UTC?
- No, the RuneScape world state itself does not reset. The reset at 00:00 UTC only applies to daily activities, shops, and certain other events.
If I get a battlestaff drop, will that reset as well?
- No, battlestaff drops do not reset. The battlestaff restock is different, as it is linked to NPCs in specific locations that have limited stock for players.

Understanding the reset system in OSRS is crucial for planning your gameplay and making the most of your time. While most resets happen at 00:00 UTC, knowing the difference between hard and soft resets, along with other time-related mechanics, will give you an advantage. With this information, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the world of Gielinor and optimize your daily gaming experience.

What time does OSRS reset?