What is the Best Pet in OSRS? A Comprehensive Guide
Determining the “best” pet in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is subjective and depends heavily on individual preferences. There isn’t a single pet that reigns supreme in all categories. Instead, the best pet is often a combination of personal taste, the prestige associated with obtaining it, and the type of activities a player enjoys. However, if we are to evaluate based on a combination of rarity, desirability, visual appeal, and the effort required to obtain it, the Bloodhound pet arguably takes the top spot, closely followed by TzRek-Zuk. These pets are not only visually striking but also very challenging to obtain, making them symbols of dedication and skill within the OSRS community. This ranking, however, will be further broken down through the lens of various criteria throughout the article.
Skilling Pets vs. Boss Pets
One key distinction to consider when evaluating pets in OSRS is the method of acquisition. Generally, pets are divided into two main categories: skilling pets and boss pets.
Skilling Pets: A Test of Patience
Skilling pets are obtained while training various non-combat skills like Agility, Fishing, or Farming. These pets are often seen as a measure of dedication and commitment, as they can require thousands of hours to acquire. Some of the top skilling pets include:
- Giant Squirrel: Obtained from training Agility. It’s a cute and recognizable pet, making it a popular choice.
- Heron: The Fishing pet. Seen as a badge of honor for those willing to put in the hours at the docks.
- Tangleroot: Earned from Farming. Known for being one of the more visually appealing skilling pets, it is also one of the more time-consuming to obtain.
- Rocky: Found while Thieving. It is known for being cute and fairly easy to obtain with persistence.
Boss Pets: Marks of Combat Prowess
Boss pets, on the other hand, are dropped by various bosses around Gielinor. These pets signify a player’s mastery of combat mechanics and their ability to conquer tough challenges. Highly sought-after boss pets include:
- Jal-Nib-Rek/TzRek-Zuk: Obtained by defeating TzKal-Zuk in the Inferno. This is not only one of the rarest pets but also a testament to incredible skill.
- Corporeal Critter/Pet Dark Core: A difficult to acquire pet dropped by the Corporeal Beast, signifying a player’s ability to engage in high-level bossing.
- God Wars Pets: Pets that are obtained from the 4 God Wars Dungeon bosses, these can take hundreds of hours to obtain making them prestigious to own.
The Rarest and Most Desirable Pets
When looking at pure rarity, some pets stand out as the absolute pinnacle of accomplishment. These are the pets that players spend countless hours trying to obtain. In this regard, the Bloodhound takes precedence. Obtained from Master Clue Scroll Caskets, the Bloodhound is incredibly rare, demanding both luck and commitment to complete countless clues. Additionally, the Infernal Cape pets are incredibly rare and showcase a player’s achievement at a high level of gameplay. However, when considering rarity and prestige, the Pet Penance Queen also ranks very highly. The pet is obtained by gaining the highest rank in Barbarian Assault, which requires extensive teamwork and a huge time commitment. These pets are often the most desired, signifying the highest tier of achievement within the game.
Visual Appeal: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Beyond rarity and effort, the visual appeal of a pet is a significant factor for many players. Some pets simply look better, and this is a highly subjective topic. Many players love the aesthetic of the Tangleroot, while others prefer the small and cute nature of the Giant Squirrel or the fearsome look of the Pet Dark Core. Ultimately, the “best” pet in terms of looks is down to individual preference. However, pets that resemble formidable monsters or have unique animations tend to be highly valued.
Performance and Functionality
While most pets in OSRS are purely cosmetic, there are a few exceptions. Some pets can be used in quests or have very minor benefits, but these are few and far between. For the most part, pets in OSRS serve no function beyond decoration and a status symbol of dedication, skill, or sheer luck. It is this cosmetic nature that makes collecting pets so addictive for many players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About OSRS Pets
1. What is the easiest pet to get in OSRS?
The Chompy Chick is arguably the easiest pet to obtain, as it is acquired from killing Chompy Birds, which are relatively easy to kill. Additionally, some of the pets from lower level bosses can also be obtained fairly easily as well.
2. What is the hardest pet to get in OSRS?
The hardest pets to obtain in OSRS are generally considered to be the Bloodhound and the Inferno Cape pets. The pet from the Inferno, in particular, demands an incredibly high level of skill and patience.
3. Are pets tradeable in OSRS?
No, pets in Old School RuneScape are not tradeable between players. They are account-bound items that must be obtained through gameplay.
4. Can you lose your pet if you die in OSRS?
Yes, you can lose your pet if you die in OSRS if it is not insured. It is crucial to insure your pet, typically for a fee from Probita, to ensure its safety upon death.
5. How do I insure my pet in OSRS?
You can insure your pet by speaking to Probita located in East Ardougne. There is an insurance fee, depending on the pet in question.
6. Does having a pet affect your gameplay in OSRS?
Generally, pets have no impact on gameplay. They are purely cosmetic and do not provide any combat bonuses or other advantages, with a few very rare exceptions.
7. What are the odds of getting a pet from skilling?
The odds of obtaining a skilling pet vary based on the specific skill and level. The general formula is 1 in B – (Lvl * 25), where B is the base chance.
8. What are the odds of getting a pet from a boss?
Boss pet drop rates vary widely depending on the specific boss. Some are as common as 1/300, while others can be 1/1000 or even rarer. These odds are also affected by factors such as whether a player is on a slayer task.
9. What is the best way to farm for skilling pets?
The best way to farm for skilling pets involves optimizing your training methods for the fastest XP rates. The fastest method will vary depending on the skill in question. Generally, focusing on the fastest training methods is key for achieving the pet.
10. Is there a Smithing pet in OSRS?
Yes, the Smithy pet can be obtained while training Smithing.
11. How many pets are there in OSRS?
The total number of pets in OSRS is constantly growing as new content and updates are released. There are dozens of pets obtainable from different skills and bosses.
12. What is the fastest method to obtain the Heron pet?
The fastest method to obtain the Heron pet is using 2-tick fishing, specifically on tuna and swordfish. Alternatively, karambwans are a solid alternative without tick manipulation.
13. How do you get a Tangleroot pet fast?
The fastest way to obtain the Tangleroot pet is by consistently farming high-yield items such as cacti, belladonna, hespori, giant seaweed and mushrooms, as well as doing regular tree runs.
14. Is it worth going for pets in OSRS?
Whether it’s worth going for pets is ultimately a personal decision. If you find pleasure in the grind and enjoy collecting rare items, then going for pets is definitely worthwhile. If not, they offer nothing beyond cosmetic value.
15. Can you have multiple pets following you in OSRS?
No, you can only have one pet, familiar, or NPC following you at a time in OSRS.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “best” pet in Old School RuneScape is subjective, dependent on a player’s personal tastes and objectives within the game. Whether it’s the prestige of the Bloodhound, the visual appeal of the Tangleroot, or the challenge of obtaining the TzRek-Zuk, each pet represents a unique accomplishment within OSRS. Ultimately, the journey to obtain any pet can be just as rewarding as owning the pet itself, as it provides the opportunity to engage with all the various engaging aspects of this fantastic game.