The Bone Rush: Maximizing Your Experience in Old School RuneScape
If you're diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to level up your Prayer skill as efficiently as possible, you've likely stumbled upon the concept of "bones." These drops from defeated monsters are the cornerstone of Prayer training, allowing you to convert them into valuable experience points at an altar. But with a myriad of bones available, from the common ones dropped by goblins to the rare and potent varieties, the question on every aspiring scaper's mind is clear: Which bones give the most XP in OSRS? This article will break down the most efficient bones for Prayer training, helping you make informed decisions and speed up your journey to becoming a Prayer master.
Understanding Prayer Experience in OSRS
In OSRS, Prayer experience is primarily gained by offering bones at an altar. The type of altar you use matters, with the most efficient being the Chaos Altar in the Wilderness or a player-constructed altar in a Player-Owned House (POH). Offering bones at a standard altar in a monastery or temple will yield less experience. The amount of experience you receive per bone depends on the bone's rarity and the Prayer level requirement to bury it. Generally, rarer and higher-level bones offer more experience.
The Top Tier: The Most XP-Giving Bones
When it comes to raw experience per bone, certain types stand head and shoulders above the rest. These are the bones you'll want to prioritize if your goal is maximum efficiency, even if they come with a higher price tag or require more effort to obtain.
Dragon Bones
Unquestionably, Dragon Bones are the kings of OSRS Prayer experience. These formidable drops from dragons, such as the King Black Dragon, Vorkath, and various other dragonkin, grant a massive 720 Prayer experience per bone. This is a substantial amount, making them the go-to for high-level players aiming for rapid Prayer progression. However, the cost of Dragon Bones can be prohibitive for many players due to their high demand.
Superior Dragon Bones
A relatively newer addition to the game, Superior Dragon Bones are even more potent than their regular dragon counterparts. Dropped by a select few powerful enemies, including the Corporeal Beast and certain Slayer monsters, these bones offer a staggering 1,440 Prayer experience per bone. Their rarity and the difficulty of obtaining them mean they are an endgame item, reserved for those who can tackle the toughest challenges in Gielinor.
Ourania Bones (with a twist)
While not technically a "bone" in the traditional sense, Ourania Runes, when used to cast the Ourania spell at the Ourania Altar, provide an exceptional amount of Prayer experience. This method is often considered one of the fastest ways to train Prayer if you have access to high Magic levels and the necessary runes. The experience gained here is comparable to, and sometimes even surpasses, Dragon Bones, but it requires active spellcasting and a specific location.
Infernal Dragon Bones
These rare and potent bones are dropped by the Infernal Dragon. They offer a significant amount of Prayer experience, making them a highly sought-after item for players focused on rapid Prayer training. Their rarity means they are not as commonly used as Dragon Bones, but when acquired, they provide a substantial boost.
The Mid-Tier: Solid Experience Gains
While Dragon Bones offer the absolute best, several other bones provide excellent experience rates and are more accessible to a wider range of players.
Wyvern Bones
Dropped by Wyverns, these bones offer a respectable 540 Prayer experience per bone. They are a good step up from lower-tier bones and are often obtained as a byproduct of Slayer tasks or by specifically hunting Wyverns. They represent a solid balance between experience gained and acquisition cost.
Dagannoth Bones
These bones, obtained from Dagannoth monsters, provide 360 Prayer experience per bone. They are a more common drop than Wyvern Bones and can be farmed relatively easily, making them a popular choice for mid-level players looking for consistent experience.
Big Bones
A classic choice for early-to-mid-level training, Big Bones are dropped by various creatures like Giants and Hill Giants. They grant 120 Prayer experience per bone. While not as potent as higher-tier bones, they are incredibly cheap and abundant, making them an excellent starting point for your Prayer training journey.
Lower Tier: The Budget-Friendly Options
For players on a very tight budget or just starting out, the following bones offer a less efficient, but still viable, way to gain Prayer experience.
Bones
The most basic of the bunch, Bones are dropped by creatures like Goblins and Zombies. They offer a mere 5 Prayer experience per bone. They are incredibly cheap and plentiful but will take a very long time to accumulate significant experience with.
Bat Bones
Found by defeating Bats, these bones give 6 Prayer experience per bone. Similar to regular Bones, they are very low experience but easy to obtain in large quantities.
Wolf Bones
Dropped by Wolves, these provide 10 Prayer experience per bone. A slight improvement over Bat Bones, they are still very much in the budget category.
The Grand Exchange: Your Best Friend for Bones
The most practical way to acquire the best bones for Prayer training in OSRS is through the Grand Exchange (GE). The GE is a player-driven marketplace where you can buy and sell almost any item in the game. By checking the current prices, you can determine the most cost-effective bones for your budget. Often, Dragon Bones will be the most expensive but also the most XP-efficient. You'll need to balance the cost per XP with your available in-game wealth.
FAQ Section
How can I get Dragon Bones quickly?
Dragon Bones can be obtained from various dragon types, including King Black Dragons, Vorkath, and other high-level dragons. Many players also farm them through Slayer tasks that involve dragons. Alternatively, you can purchase them directly from the Grand Exchange if you have the necessary gold.
Why are Superior Dragon Bones so expensive?
Superior Dragon Bones are exceptionally rare drops from a limited number of very challenging boss monsters. Their scarcity, combined with the high demand for Prayer experience, drives up their price significantly. They are considered an endgame item due to the difficulty in obtaining them.
What is the fastest way to train Prayer if I don't have a lot of money?
If you're on a tight budget, start with Big Bones. They are relatively cheap and offer a decent amount of experience for their cost. As you earn more gold, you can gradually upgrade to Wyvern Bones and eventually Dragon Bones. Alternatively, consider training at the Chaos Altar in the Wilderness, where you might get drops that can offset some of the costs of training.
Why is offering bones at the Chaos Altar better than other altars?
The Chaos Altar in the Wilderness offers a significant experience boost (often around 50%) compared to standard altars. This is because it's a riskier location due to PvP combat. The increased XP rate makes the risk worthwhile for many players aiming for fast Prayer progression.
