The Easiest Road to 99 in RuneScape 3 F2P: A No-Nonsense Guide
Alright, aspiring RuneScape 3 free-to-play (F2P) legends, let’s cut to the chase. The easiest 99 in F2P RS3? It’s undoubtedly Cooking. Hear me out before you scoff and dismiss it as too simple. While other skills might offer slightly faster experience rates at certain stages, Cooking provides a consistently smooth, accessible, and arguably least click-intensive path to level 99 for free players.
Why Cooking Reigns Supreme
The key to Cooking’s ease lies in several factors:
- Minimal Requirements: You need practically nothing to get started. A basic range (available in numerous locations, like Lumbridge), some raw fish (which are abundant and cheap), and a willingness to avoid burning your food are all you need.
- Accessibility: Raw ingredients are readily available. You can fish them yourself (another easy F2P skill), buy them from the Grand Exchange (GE), or even pick them up from other players who are willing to give them away.
- Low Click Intensity: Compared to skills like Mining or Woodcutting, Cooking requires far fewer clicks per hour. Find a good rhythm, and you can easily watch TV, listen to a podcast, or engage in conversation while training.
- Profit Potential (Early Levels): While it’s not going to make you rich, cooking lower-level fish like shrimp or herring can generate a small profit early on.
- Consistent Experience: While experience rates vary slightly depending on the food you’re cooking, the overall pace is consistent and predictable.
The Cooking Grind: From Level 1 to 99
Here’s a recommended roadmap to guide you:
- Levels 1-5: Cook Shrimp. You’ll burn a lot initially, but it’s the fastest way to get started.
- Levels 5-20: Switch to Herring. These burn less frequently and provide slightly more experience.
- Levels 20-30: Trout are your next best bet. Again, focus on minimizing burns for maximum efficiency.
- Levels 30-99: This is where Lobster come in. Cook Lobster until 99. This is the most commonly suggested route, and the simplest to do as you’re only required to cook one type of food for 69 levels.
Tips for Maximizing Your Cooking Efficiency
- Lumbridge Range: This is the go-to spot for many F2P players. It’s easily accessible and always populated, creating a social atmosphere.
- Portable Ranges: If you can find a player who’s placed a portable range in a populated area, take advantage of it! These offer a temporary experience boost, speeding up your training.
- Monitor Your Burns: Pay attention to how frequently you’re burning food. As your level increases, you’ll burn less. Adjust your cooking pace accordingly.
- Grand Exchange (GE): The GE is your best friend for buying raw materials. Compare prices regularly to ensure you’re getting the best deals.
- Wine Making (Alternative): As pointed out in your source material, Jugs of Wine are the fastest way to train cooking. However, for this to work, you must first get the items to do it. Making wines heals 11 hitpoints, but decreases the Attack stat when drank.
Beyond Cooking: Other Notable F2P Skills
While Cooking is the easiest, other F2P skills have their own merits:
- Fishing: Essential for gathering raw materials for Cooking.
- Mining: Can be profitable but is extremely click-intensive.
- Woodcutting: Another profitable option, but also quite click-heavy.
- Smithing: Requires Mining and is less efficient than other skills.
- Firemaking: Simple and fast but ultimately pointless.
- Magic: Superheating is the fastest way to 99, but it costs a lot of money to purchase the runes.
FAQs: Demystifying the F2P Grind
Q1: Is it really worth getting 99 in F2P?
Absolutely! Achieving level 99 in any skill is a significant accomplishment, demonstrating dedication and perseverance. It provides a sense of mastery and opens doors to more advanced content (if you eventually decide to become a member).
Q2: How long does it take to get 99 Cooking in F2P?
The time varies depending on your dedication and efficiency, but expect it to take anywhere from 80 to 150 hours. Consistent effort and optimized strategies can significantly reduce this timeframe.
Q3: What’s the best F2P money-making method to fund my Cooking?
Mining coal and selling it on the Grand Exchange is a reliable method. High Alching is another option, which requires higher levels in magic. Woodcutting is also a consistent method, however, it requires patience.
Q4: Should I buy my raw fish or fish them myself?
Early on, fishing can be a decent way to gather resources. However, as you progress, buying from the GE is generally more efficient. The time saved is worth the cost.
Q5: What’s the best range location besides Lumbridge?
The Cooks’ Guild offers a more convenient setup, but it requires level 32 Cooking to enter.
Q6: Are there any F2P events or activities that boost Cooking XP?
Keep an eye out for seasonal events and promotional weekends. Jagex occasionally offers XP boosts that can accelerate your training.
Q7: Is Firemaking a faster 99 than Cooking?
Firemaking can be faster in terms of raw experience per hour, but it’s also incredibly monotonous and offers no real utility. Cooking provides more value and enjoyment.
Q8: Can I use a cooking gauntlets in f2p?
No, Cooking gauntlets are not available in F2P.
Q9: Does agility affect my cooking speed?
No, Agility does not directly affect your cooking speed. It primarily affects run energy restoration.
Q10: What is the closest bank to a range in F2P?
Doris’ house, directly west of the Edgeville’s bank houses the closest range.
Q11: Is RS3 worth playing F2P?
Yes, the free trial is fun, but it really is just a demo. It won’t take long before you really hit the content cap.
Q12: Is Fletching a good F2P skill?
Fletching is considered by many to be the fastest skill in the game that you can train. It will also provide you with a decent profit when you get into the later levels of training the skill.
Q13: What is the best F2P amulet?
An Amulet of power is generally the best amulet available to free-to-play players.
Q14: What is the highest level in RuneScape F2P?
The maximum level is 99.
Q15: Are portable ranges worth using?
Yes, if you can find them. Portable ranges are always worth using.
Conclusion: Embrace the Cooking Journey
While some might chase the fleeting allure of slightly faster XP rates in other skills, the consistent, accessible, and relatively chill nature of Cooking makes it the undisputed easiest 99 in RS3 F2P. So, fire up that range, grab some raw fish, and embark on your culinary quest to RuneScape mastery. And remember, learning doesn’t stop in the game world; explore how games enhance education at the Games Learning Society website.