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The Easiest 99 in Ironman OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide

In the challenging world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) Ironman, where self-sufficiency reigns supreme, achieving level 99 in any skill is a significant accomplishment. However, some skills are undoubtedly easier and more accessible for the solitary adventurer. The easiest 99 for an Ironman in OSRS is generally considered to be Cooking. This is due to the relative ease of acquiring resources, the passive training nature, and the essential need for food throughout your Ironman journey.

Why Cooking is King

Here’s a breakdown of why Cooking is widely regarded as the simplest 99 for an Ironman:

Abundant Resources: Food is a necessity for Ironman accounts, and the resources to train Cooking are generally readily available. You’ll be fishing, killing chickens, or gathering ingredients organically as you progress through the game.
Passive Training: Unlike combat skills or resource-intensive skills like Construction, Cooking can often be trained passively while you’re engaged in other activities. For example, you can fish while waiting for something else to happen or cook while chatting with clanmates.
Low Gear Requirements: Cooking requires minimal gear. A simple range, a cooking gauntlet, and perhaps a chef’s hat are all you need. This is a far cry from the expensive equipment required for some other 99s.
Reduces Waste: Successfully cooking food grants experience and provides valuable healing, reducing resource waste. While failing to cook food will result in it burning, proper monitoring and the use of Cooking gauntlets greatly reduces the number of burnt ingredients and increases the efficiency of the skill.
Useful Throughout the Game: High Cooking levels unlock access to superior healing foods like sharks, manta rays, and anglerfish, all vital for tackling challenging bosses and quests.
Easy and Early Start: You can begin training Cooking immediately, with simple and easily accessible resources like shrimp and sardines. No complex quests or prerequisites are needed.

While Firemaking is often touted as an easy 99, it offers very little utility to an Ironman. It’s fast, yes, but ultimately provides no tangible benefit beyond the skill level itself. Cooking, on the other hand, is an integral part of the Ironman experience.

The Cooking Grind: A Level-by-Level Guide

Here’s a suggested pathway to 99 Cooking as an Ironman:

Levels 1-5: Cook Shrimp – readily available at Lumbridge.
Levels 5-20: Cook Sardines – fish them at Barbarian Village or Draynor Village.
Levels 20-30: Cook Herring – same locations as Sardines.
Levels 30-40: Cook Trout – Waterfall Quest rewards can provide a boost.
Levels 40-68: Cook Salmon – same locations as Trout.
Levels 68-74: Cook Lobster – Catherby is a great location. Consider completing the Fremennik Isles quest for access to higher-level lobsters
Levels 74-80: Cook Swordfish – again, Catherby is ideal.
Levels 80-99: Cook Sharks – Arguably the most sustainable approach at this level.

Leveling Tips

Cooking Gauntlets: Obtain these from the Family Crest quest as soon as possible. They drastically reduce burning rates for fish.
Range Location: Use a range with the smallest fire possible for improved efficiency.
Focus: Despite being relatively simple, pay attention to your cooking. Burning food is wasted experience and resources.
AFK Efficiency: Cooking provides opportunities for AFK training, especially at higher levels with lower burning rates.
Consider Barbarian Training: Completing Barbarian Training will unlock the ability to cook Karambwan at level 30 Cooking, an exceptional food source with a high cooking experience rate.
Recipe for Disaster: Completing the Recipe for Disaster quest unlocks access to many more foods which can make the 99 grind more interesting!

FAQs: Ironman Cooking and Beyond

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further assist your Ironman journey:

Is Firemaking really easier than Cooking? While Firemaking is faster in terms of pure experience per hour, it offers virtually no utility to an Ironman account. Cooking provides essential food and healing throughout the game, making it the more practical and sustainable choice.
What other skills are considered “easy” for Ironmen? Other skills often mentioned include Prayer (using bones obtained from slayer), Fletching (making darts or arrows), and Woodcutting (but often tedious).
Is Mining a terrible 99 for Ironmen? Mining can be incredibly slow and tedious, especially without access to the Grand Exchange. However, it’s necessary for crafting and smithing.
What about Herblore? Herblore can be expensive and require a lot of farming for ingredients, making it challenging early on. It becomes more manageable as you progress and unlock farming patches and high-level seeds.
How does Agility compare? Agility is notorious for being tedious and repetitive. While the benefits (shortcuts, stamina) are crucial, the training itself can be mind-numbing.
Is Slayer worth doing early on as an Ironman? Absolutely. Slayer provides valuable combat experience, supplies, and access to better equipment.
What’s the best way to get early-game money as an Ironman? Thieving is a decent option early on. Also, consider crafting and selling jewelry.
What are some essential quests for early-game Ironmen? Waterfall Quest, Recipe for Disaster, Plague City, and Animal Magnetism are all fantastic starting points.
How important is Farming for an Ironman? Extremely important. Farming provides access to herbs for potions, food, and valuable resources.
How do I deal with getting burnt food? Focus on using a range with the smallest fire, acquiring Cooking Gauntlets from the Family Crest quest, and paying attention during the process, especially with foods that burn easily.
What’s the best food to use at higher levels? Sharks are a good starting point, and Manta Rays and Anglerfish become increasingly valuable.
How do I optimize my Cooking training? Plan your training path, gather necessary resources in advance, and focus on efficient cooking methods.
How does learning apply to OSRS? Games Learning Society has demonstrated how game mechanics, like resource management and skill optimization in OSRS, can be applied to real-world problem-solving. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about educational possibilities through gameplay.
What is the best fishing location for Ironman Osrs? Catherby is an amazing place, offering lots of options, and can be very profitable for a low-level Ironman.
How does crafting level up? Mining for ore, smelting the ore into bars, and using those bars to craft items like jewelry are the main method.

Final Thoughts

While other skills might be faster to reach 99, Cooking stands out as the easiest and most practical choice for Ironman accounts. The accessibility of resources, the passive training nature, and the essential need for food throughout your journey makes it a skill you’ll continually utilize. So, fire up that range and get cooking – your Ironman will thank you for it!

What is the easiest 99 in Ironman Osrs?