What to Do with Bones in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide

Bones in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) are a common drop from many creatures, and understanding what to do with them is crucial for efficient gameplay. The primary use for bones is to gain Prayer experience by offering them to an altar or using them in specific spells. However, they also have other niche uses like composting, summoning familiars (in RS3, though this article focuses on OSRS content), and fulfilling certain quest requirements. This guide will explore all the avenues available for utilizing those bony remains, maximizing your Prayer gains, and optimizing your gameplay.

Maximizing Prayer Experience: The Core Use

The most common and beneficial use of bones is for training the Prayer skill. The amount of experience gained depends on the type of bone and the method used for offering them.

Offering Bones at an Altar

Offering bones at an altar is the most straightforward method for gaining Prayer experience. Certain altars offer a bonus to the experience gained, making them highly desirable.

• Standard Altars: Found in churches and temples throughout Gielinor, these altars provide the base experience for each type of bone.

• Gilded Altar: Located in player-owned houses (POHs), the Gilded Altar offers a 50% experience boost compared to standard altars. Using burners on either side of the altar further increases the experience. This is generally the most efficient method for training Prayer, especially when used in conjunction with the “Chaos Altar” located inside of the same POH.

• Chaos Altar: Also found in player-owned houses, the Chaos Altar provides a significant risk of losing your bones. However, offering bones here provides a similar experience bonus to the Gilded Altar, making it a risky but potentially faster method.

Burying Bones

Burying bones is the simplest but least efficient method for gaining Prayer experience. It is commonly used by low-level players or when inventory space is limited. The experience gained per bone buried is significantly lower than offering them at an altar.

Ectofuntus

The Ectofuntus, located near Port Phasmatys, is an alternative method for training Prayer. It requires collecting buckets of slime and bones, grinding the bones into bone meal, and then offering both to the Ectofuntus. While the setup is tedious, the experience gained is higher than offering bones at a standard altar, making it a viable option for ironmen who may not have access to a Gilded Altar.

Using Bones with Spells

Certain spells can be used with bones to provide additional benefits or training methods.

• Reanimation Spells: These spells, requiring completion of the Arceuus spellbook in Kourend, allow you to reanimate different types of creatures, providing Prayer experience upon successful reanimation. The amount of experience gained varies depending on the creature reanimated.

• Burying Bones as a Task: Some slayer masters may assign tasks requiring you to bury specific types of bones. This provides a small Prayer experience boost alongside Slayer experience.

Cremation

Cremation is a Prayer training method available after completing the Shades of Mort’ton miniquest. By combining shades and pyre logs to create pyres, and then burning shades, you can earn Prayer experience. The amount of experience you get depends on the shade type and the pyre logs used. This method can also drop valuable keys.

Bone Types and Their Experience Rates

Different types of bones provide varying amounts of Prayer experience. Here’s a breakdown of some common bone types and their base experience:

• Bones: 4.5 experience
• Big Bones: 15 experience
• Wolf Bones: 4.5 experience
• Burnt Bones: 4.5 experience
• Bat Bones: 5.3 experience
• Monkey Bones: 5.3 experience
• Baby Dragon Bones: 30 experience
• Dragon Bones: 72 experience
• Wyvern Bones: 72 experience
• Fayrg Bones: 84 experience
• Raurg Bones: 96 experience
• Ourg Bones: 144 experience
• Superior Dragon Bones: 150 experience

Other Uses for Bones

While Prayer training is the primary use for bones, they have other applications as well.

Composting

Bones can be added to compost bins to create compost and supercompost. This is beneficial for farmers looking to improve their crop yields. Different types of bones yield varying amounts of compost.

Quest Requirements

Certain quests require the collection or offering of specific types of bones. For example, the “Animal Magnetism” quest requires collecting specific animal bones.

Selling to Players or the Grand Exchange

If you don’t need Prayer experience, bones can be sold to other players or on the Grand Exchange for a small profit. The price of bones fluctuates based on demand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about bones in OSRS to provide even more clarity and guidance.

1. What are the fastest ways to get bones in OSRS?

Killing dragons, especially green dragons in the wilderness, is a popular method. Cannons can speed up the process. Other options include killing chaos druids or farming specific monsters in the Slayer Tower.

2. What is the best bone to use for Prayer training?

Superior dragon bones provide the most experience per bone. However, dragon bones are more readily available and cost-effective.

3. Is it worth using the Ectofuntus for Prayer training?

It can be worth it, especially for Ironmen who lack access to player-owned houses with a Gilded Altar. The setup is time-consuming, but the experience is better than standard altars.

4. How do I build a Gilded Altar in my POH?

You need level 75 Construction and the necessary materials, including marble blocks, gold leaves, and a lectern.

5. Can I use bones on the Gilded Altar without burners?

Yes, you can, but you will only receive the 50% bonus. Burners add an additional experience boost.

6. What are the best burners to use on the Gilded Altar?

Lighting two burners adjacent to a Gilded Altar awards a 350% experience multiplier, whereas lighting one burner awards a 250% experience multiplier.

7. Are there any prayers that affect bone experience?

No, there are no prayers in OSRS that directly increase the experience gained from offering bones.

8. What levels can I make Supercompost?

You can make regular compost with Farming level 1 and Supercompost with Farming level 45.

9. Can I store bones in my looting bag in the Wilderness?

Yes, you can store bones in a looting bag while in the Wilderness.

10. How much does it cost to get 99 Prayer using dragon bones on a Gilded Altar?

The cost varies depending on the current price of dragon bones. Use a calculator tool online for accurate estimates.

11. Are there any safe spots to kill green dragons for bones?

Yes, there are several safe spots near the Lava Maze in the Wilderness. Be cautious of player killers.

12. How do reanimation spells work with bones?

Reanimation spells require specific bones and runes. Upon successful reanimation, the creature will fight for you for a short period, and you’ll gain Prayer experience.

13. Is it worth killing revenants for bones?

Revenants drop valuable items in addition to bones, making them a potentially profitable option if you can handle the risk in the Wilderness.

14. What’s the difference between bones, big bones, and dragon bones?

They all provide Prayer experience, but their experience rates differ significantly. Dragon bones offer the most experience per bone, while bones offer the least. Big bones are a mid-level option.

15. Are there any events that give bonus Prayer experience?

Occasionally, Jagex may introduce temporary events with experience boosts. Keep an eye on official announcements.

In conclusion, bones are a versatile resource in OSRS. Whether you’re aiming to maximize Prayer experience, improve your farming, or simply make some extra gold, understanding how to utilize them effectively is crucial for success in the game. By understanding the nuances of each method, you can optimize your gameplay and achieve your goals more efficiently.