In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), Prayer is an essential skill that boosts your combat abilities, especially when it comes to protection prayers, boosting your stats, and providing helpful utility in tough situations. Whether you’re training for high-level PvM (Player vs. Monster) content or looking to gain the benefits of prayers, OSRS Prayer Training is vital for your journey. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the most efficient and cost-effective methods for leveling up your Prayer skill in OSRS
What Is Prayer in OSRS?
Prayer in OSRS allows players to activate powerful prayers that offer defensive, offensive, and utility benefits. These prayers are crucial in combat, whether you’re facing other players in PvP or bossing in PvM. Training Prayer effectively is key to gaining combat advantage, and understanding the best methods can save you both time and gold.
How Does OSRS Prayer Training Work?
The main goal of OSRS Prayer training is to raise your Prayer level, which increases your ability to use stronger prayers. Each time you level up in Prayer, your combat level also increases. For every 8 Prayer levels, you gain 1 combat level. This means that reaching level 99 Prayer gives you 12 additional combat levels.
Prayer is also important for restoring your Prayer points through potions, which help in using prayers during combat. The more Prayer you have, the more effective your potions will be, increasing the duration of your prayers.
Best Methods for OSRS Prayer Training
When it comes to OSRS Prayer training, there are several methods available. Some methods are faster, while others are more cost-effective. Below, we’ll go over the most popular ways to train Prayer in OSRS, comparing the XP rates, costs, and benefits of each.
Gilded Altar Method
One of the most effective ways of OSRS Prayer training is using a Gilded Altar. This method provides 3.5x the regular Prayer XP for using bones. You need access to a player’s house with a Gilded Altar or a house that allows the use of one.
For maximum efficiency, you should use Superior Dragon Bones or Dragon Bones. The experience gained from using these bones at the Gilded Altar is one of the best in the game.
At a Gilded Altar, you also benefit from the incense burners, which can further increase your Prayer XP rate. With these burners lit, you receive a 10% XP boost on top of the base experience.
The cost of this method can be high, especially with the use of Superior Dragon Bones, but the XP per hour is exceptional.
XP rate: Up to 450k Prayer XP per hour
Cost: 10-12 GP per XP
Best bones to use: Superior Dragon Bones, Dragon Bones
Read more: Prayer to st rita
OSRS Prayer Training Method Comparison
| Method | XP Rate | Cost per XP | Best Bones to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilded Altar | Up to 450k XP/hr | 10-12 GP/XP | Superior Dragon Bones |
| Chaos Altar | Up to 400k XP/hr | 5-6 GP/XP | Dragon Bones |
| Bone Shards | 20k-30k XP/hr | Low | Superior Dragon Bones |
| Ensouled Heads | 100k-250k XP/hr | Low | Ensouled Goblin Head |
| Offering Spells | Up to 590k XP/hr | 12 GP/XP | Infernal Ashes |
Chaos Altar in the Wilderness
The Chaos Altar is another method for OSRS Prayer training. Located in the Wilderness, it offers 3.5x the regular Prayer XP per bone, similar to the Gilded Altar. However, it also has a 50% chance of saving your bones, which effectively reduces the cost of training by half.
Since the Chaos Altar is in the Wilderness, it is a high-risk, high-reward method. Player-killers (PKers) can attack you while you’re training, so you must be cautious when using this method. However, if you’re comfortable with the risk, it can be an affordable option.
XP rate: Up to 400k Prayer XP per hour (with the bone-saving effect)
Cost: 5-6 GP per XP
Best bones to use: Dragon Bones, Wyvern Bones
Bone Shards (Varlamore Method)
For Ironman players, Bone Shards from the new Varlamore update offer an excellent OSRS Prayer training method. This method requires you to mine bone shards and bless bones at the Temple of Ralo’s Rise. Once blessed, you use these bones with Sunfire wines for Prayer XP.
Although it’s a safe and effective way to train Prayer, it does require you to mine the bone shards yourself, which slows down the XP rate. However, the method is quite cost-effective, especially for Ironman players who need to train Prayer without relying on the Grand Exchange.
XP rate: 20k to 30k Prayer XP per hour (factoring in shard mining)
Cost: Low (depending on your mining speed and bone shard acquisition)
Best bones to use: Superior Dragon Bones (providing the best XP)
Ensouled Heads
Using Ensouled Heads is another method of OSRS Prayer training that involves reanimating monsters using the Arceuus spellbook. You use Ensouled Heads, which can be obtained via Slayer tasks, and reanimate them using the Reanimation spells.
Once reanimated, you kill the monsters for Prayer XP. While this method doesn’t provide as high an XP rate as others, it is relatively cheap and is an effective alternative for training Prayer, especially when training Slayer simultaneously.
XP rate: 100k to 250k Prayer XP per hour
Cost: Low
Best heads to use: Ensouled Goblin Head, Ensouled Imp Head
Offering Spells (Demonic & Sinister)
After completing the Kingdom Divided quest, you gain access to the Demonic Offering and Sinister Offering spells. These spells consume 3 bones or ashes to provide 3x Prayer XP. The spells are useful for those looking to train Prayer and Magic simultaneously.
The Demonic Offering spell is used for ashes, while the Sinister Offering is used for bones. Though the XP rate is good, it requires high Magic levels, specifically 84 Magic for Demonic Offering and 92 Magic for Sinister Offering.
XP rate: Up to 590k Prayer XP per hour (using Infernal Ashes)
Cost: 12 GP per XP (for Infernal Ashes)
Best bones/ashes to use: Infernal Ashes, Dragon Bones
Passive Methods for OSRS Prayer Training
Some methods of OSRS Prayer training are passive and can be used while training other skills. These methods help you train Prayer without actively focusing on it. Here are a few passive options:
- Bonecrusher: Automatically crushes bones for Prayer XP when used in Slayer tasks.
- Ectoplasmator: Provides Prayer XP when you kill spectral creatures in Soul Wars.
- Ash Sanctifier: Grants Prayer XP when you scatter ashes after completing the Kourend Hard Diary.
These methods are not fast but are useful if you want to train Prayer while focusing on other skills.
Read more: Prayer times irvine
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I train Prayer efficiently in OSRS?
To train Prayer efficiently, you can use methods like Gilded Altars with Superior Dragon Bones for fast XP or the Chaos Altar for a cheaper option with the risk of PvP in the Wilderness.
Is using Bone Shards a good method for Ironman players?
Yes, Bone Shards from Varlamore are a great option for Ironman players, as they are cost-effective and safe, though it requires some mining to gather the shards.
What is the best method for cheap Prayer training in OSRS?
For cheap Prayer training, using Wyvern Bones at a Chaos Altar is a solid option. It provides decent XP rates at a low cost.
How can I train Prayer while training other skills?
Passive methods like the Bonecrusher and Ectoplasmator allow you to train Prayer while focusing on Slayer and Soul Wars, respectively.
Conclusion
The best method for OSRS Prayer training depends on your goals and resources. If you’re looking for fast XP, the Gilded Altar with Superior Dragon Bones is the most efficient method. However, it can be expensive.
If you’re aiming for a cheaper option, the Chaos Altar offers a 50% bone-saving effect, significantly reducing the cost. For Ironman players, Bone Shards and Ensouled Heads provide effective ways to train Prayer without relying on the Grand Exchange.
Ultimately, your choice of method will depend on whether you prioritize speed, cost, or safety.
In conclusion, OSRS Prayer training requires a balance between XP rate, cost, and risk. Choose the method that best suits your playstyle and resources to reach level 99 Prayer efficiently.