Training skills in Old School RuneScape has always been a balancing act between efficiency, profit, and enjoyment. Some players prefer AFK methods that allow them to relax while leveling, while others chase the fastest possible experience rates. Over the years, the game has evolved significantly, introducing new content and mechanics that allow players to train several skills simultaneously or benefit multiple areas of progression at once.

The idea of efficient training is not simply about maximizing experience per hour. Instead, it involves choosing activities that provide meaningful progress across multiple skills, resources, or account goals. Whether you are playing a main account or an Ironman—especially a Hardcore Ironman—taking advantage of these methods can dramatically accelerate your overall account development.

This guide explores how various skills can passively support others, highlighting modern training methods and content that provide excellent multi-skill synergy.

Combat Training and the Rise of Tormented Demons

Combat training used to revolve heavily around the Slayer skill, even at lower levels. Many players preferred leveling combat stats exclusively through Slayer tasks to avoid ending up with high combat levels but low Slayer.

However, perspectives have changed over time. Today, many players find it more efficient to train combat stats independently until around level 60–80 before focusing heavily on Slayer.

One major reason for this shift is the introduction of Tormented Demons, which arrived alongside the quest While Guthix Sleeps. These monsters award 1,065 Slayer experience per kill, placing them among the best Slayer XP sources in the game—behind only high-end encounters like:

· Alchemical Hydra

· Araxxor

· Grotesque Guardians

For Ironman accounts, Tormented Demons are particularly important because they drop powerful demonbane weapon upgrades. Even for main accounts, the experience rates and potential loot make them extremely worthwhile once unlocked.

Ranged Training Through Bossing

Ranged training has remained relatively consistent throughout the game’s history. Traditional methods still include:

· Training via Slayer tasks

· Using Chinchompas for high XP rates

· Utilizing the Dwarf multicannon during combat

However, modern boss encounters now provide surprisingly strong Ranged experience alongside valuable resources.

Bosses such as:

· Phantom Muspah

· Duke Sucellus

offer accelerated combat experience while also providing useful drops such as OSRS gold, seeds, alchables, and crafting materials. For Ironman accounts in particular, these bosses can significantly boost resource accumulation while combat training.

Prayer Training with the New Varlamore Meta

Prayer is one of the few skills that cannot be easily trained in others simultaneously. Typically, players level it by offering bones at altars or using Slayer drops such as ensouled heads.

However, newer content from Varlamore introduced an alternative approach. Players can now use the libation pool in Cam Torum to offer bone shards gathered from various activities. By combining these with Sunfire splinters and blessed wine, Prayer training becomes significantly faster.

While it may not train other skills directly, this system rewards players who gather resources during other activities, such as Slayer or mining.

Magic: A Utility Powerhouse

Magic is one of the most versatile skills in the game. Training it through Slayer tasks—particularly against enemies weak to magic—provides excellent synergy with other skills.

For example, bursting monsters like:

· Dust Devils

· Nechryael

Inside the Catacombs of Kourend yields strong experience while generating large quantities of drops. Magic also features numerous utility spells that indirectly train other skills, including:

· Superglass Make (Crafting)

· Tan Leather (Crafting and money-making)

· Plank Make (Construction)

· Compost and Crop Resurrection (Farming)

· Shadow Veil (Thieving)

These spells allow Magic to contribute to multiple progression paths simultaneously.

Runecrafting and Guardians of the Rift

Runecrafting has traditionally been one of the most isolated skills in the game, but the minigame Guardians of the Rift changed that significantly.

This activity allows lower-level players to obtain high-tier runes—including nature, law, death, and blood runes—long before they can craft them normally. For Ironman accounts, this provides a massive early-game boost for Magic training and utility spells.

Later on, the Dense Essence mine unlocked through Sins of the Father offers a relaxed AFK method to gather materials for higher-level runecrafting methods.

Agility and the Importance of Shortcuts

Agility has often been criticized for feeling unrewarding, but its value becomes obvious once players begin unlocking shortcuts around the world.

These shortcuts drastically improve efficiency for activities like:

· Slayer boss runs

· Runecrafting routes

· Clue scroll completion

For example, shortcuts exist near the True Blood Altar and the Nature Altar near Shilo Village, saving significant travel time. Additionally, rooftop agility courses provide Marks of Grace used to purchase the Graceful outfit, which remains essential for efficient movement across Gielinor.

Slayer: The Ultimate Resource Generator

Few skills contribute to account progression as much as Slayer. Killing various monsters provides:

· Combat experience

· Valuable drops

· Crafting materials

· Herbs and seeds

· Bones for Prayer

· Essence for Runecrafting

For Ironman players especially, Slayer essentially acts as a resource engine that fuels multiple other skills simultaneously. Certain monsters also drop highly desirable items, such as blood shards from Vyrewatch Sentinels or valuable seeds from creatures like Aquanites.

Hunter Rumours: A Modern Training Revolution

One of the most impactful new training methods comes from Hunter Rumours, introduced with Varlamore content. These tasks reward players with Hunter loot sacks, which can contain a wide range of supplies, including:

· Bones for Prayer

· Bird nests for Farming and Herblore

· Logs for Firemaking and Fletching

· Herbs and seeds

· Hunter meats used in potion substitutes

This makes Hunter one of the best examples of a skill that actively supports others during training.

Mining, Smithing, and the Giant’s Foundry

Mining methods like the Motherlode Mine provide large quantities of ores and bars. These can then be processed in the Giants' Foundry to generate Smithing experience and profit simultaneously. Players can also gather blessed bone shards in Cam Torum mines, allowing Mining to indirectly support Prayer training over time.

Fishing, Cooking, and Tempoross

Fishing becomes far more rewarding through the boss encounter Tempoross. The reward pool includes items that assist multiple skills, including:

· Construction materials

· Crafting supplies

· Fishing upgrades

· Magic pages and resources

Fishing naturally feeds into Cooking as well, providing food necessary for combat and bossing.

Woodcutting and Forestry

Woodcutting received a major refresh through the Forestry system, which introduced random events that grant experience in several skills, including:

· Farming

· Construction

· Hunter

· Thieving

· Fletching

This turns an otherwise simple gathering skill into a more dynamic training method with broader benefits.

Farming: One of the Most Valuable Skills

Farming may not train other skills directly, but it supports them through Herblore progression. Growing herbs is essential for potion production, which enhances nearly every aspect of gameplay—from combat to skilling efficiency.

Tree runs, herb patches, and new content like underwater coral nurseries provide steady experience and valuable materials for potions.

Sailing and the Future of Skilling

The upcoming skill Sailing promises to expand nearly every existing skill. Through sailing activities, players will be able to:

· Fight new monsters across ocean regions

· Gather new ores, trees, and fish

· Discover additional Runecrafting methods

· Build ships using Construction and Smithing

· Hunt new creatures for potion ingredients

Few updates in OSRS history have had such a broad impact on the entire skill ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

Efficient training in Old School RuneScape is no longer just about maximising experience per hour. The modern game rewards players who choose activities that simultaneously progress multiple skills, gather resources, and unlock future content.

Whether you're grinding Slayer, completing Hunter rumours, or exploring new activities like Guardians of the Rift, the smartest approach is to look for methods that double dip on gains.

In the end, though, the most important rule still holds true: there is no wrong way to play OSRS as long as you're having fun. But if you can have fun while progressing several skills at once, your journey through Gielinor will become far more efficient—and rewarding.