Beginners' Guide

Welcome to Gielinor

New and returning players will begin on Tutorial Island where they'll be met by Reginald. He'll explain the basic mechanics of the game, including how to move the player character and the camera.

From there you should follow the tutorial to learn more about the world in which you have have arrived.

Read on for a handy guide to your first few days in game, and beyond.

Get your bearings

First up, you'll need to know how to get around.

The Minimap is the adventurer's best friend. As well as showing you the surrounding area, it has two essential functions:

Home teleport
This returns you to any lodestone (circular stone plinths found in most major cities) that you've visited and activated. Note that this can't be done during combat, though.
World Map
The best way to find your next adventure. Click the World Map button, then use the filtering options on the left of the World Map interface to find the type of content you're most interested in.

Paths and challenges

RuneScape has a classless progression system and a vast, open world. It can be hard to decide what to do first.

If you ever need a nudge in the right direction, the Path System is for you. It will point you to content based on your choice of three categories: questing, combat and non-combat skills.

A round yellow compass icon
Click the Compass icon, then select the Path tab to get started.

Daily Challenges are another great way to start levelling up and learning about the array of content RuneScape offers. These tasks can often be completed in as little as 20 minutes, and get you a nice chunk of XP to boot.

Speak to Challenge Mistress Fara in Burthorpe to find out more.

Where next

The joy of RuneScape is the freedom it offers. Be an intrepid quester, a mighty warrior, a deft artisan...or all of those things!

Got the hang of the free game? Consider upgrading to membership to unlock everything RuneScape has to offer.

Quests

RuneScape's quests are its pride and joy. No 'Kill 10 boars' here - each one is a hand-crafted slice of story, shot through with trademark humour and packed with tasty rewards.

Your Quest Journal is the first stop - click the Compass icon, then the Quests tab.

Here are some suggestions to start you off:

Screen shot of the Blood Pact quest

The Blood Pact

Free to Play

Stop a cultists' plot to unleash an undead horde on the city of Lumbridge.

Speak to Xenia in Lumbridge Graveyard, then delve deep.

Screen shot of the Let Them Eat Pie quest

Let Them Eat Pie

Free to Play

Wreak gastronomic ruin on a greedy merchant and give power back to the people.

Contact Nails Newton in Taverley and fight the good fight.

Screen shot of the One Piercing Note quest

One Piercing Note

Free to Play

Immerse yourself in a bloody murder mystery at a sand-blasted desert monastery, complete with full voice acting and musical tracks.

Seek out Sister Catherina, east of Al Kharid.

Screen shot of the Missing, Presumed Death quest

Missing, Presumed Death

Members Only Members only logo

The gods have returned to Gielinor. Old grudges resurface as trickster Sliske kicks off a new war.

Speak to Brother Samwell north-east of Varrock and start the Sixth Age's biggest storyline.

Combat

Gielinor's a dangerous place, and many adventurers spend their days honing their combat skills to perfection.

Find out more about combat, or see below for some content that'll test your steel:

Screen shot of the Abandoned Mine - Burthorpe

Abandoned Mine - Burthorpe

Free to Play

Heaving with trolls just itching for a scrap, this is a great place to start your combat training.

Access the mine at the northern end of Burthorpe.

Screen shot of a Slayer Master

Slayer

Members only Members only logo

Take tasks from a Slayer Master and travel the world, using special gear to slay Gielinor's deadliest beasts.

Speak to Turael in Taverley to begin.

Screen shot of The Void

Pest Control

Members Only Members only logo

Join the Void Knights and hold back the relentless incursion of the Void Pests, earning the right to bear the order's iconic armour and weapons.

Head there from the Void Knight ship at Port Sarim.

Non combat and support skills

There's plenty of room for peaceful pursuits, too. Make your fortune crafting valuable items and selling them, level up support skills that'll help you as you travel, or even build your own home.

Find out more about RuneScape's skills, or read on for some great starting points:

Screen shot of The Nexus

The Nexus

Free to Play

Prayer grants useful buffs for many areas of the game, and holding back an eldritch monstrosity south of Lumbridge gets you a leg-up in the skill.

Speak to Ysondria in Lumbridge Swamp and get your hands dirty.

Screen shot of ta player fishing

Trade Skills

Some free, some members only

Gather, create and dominate. Collect valuable materials, then smith or craft powerful weapons and armour to use or sell.

Speak to the skill trainers in Burthorpe for a head start.

Screen shot of the Thieves' Guild

Lumbridge Thieves' Guild

Members only Members only logo

Bring a touch of larcenous class to Gielinor as you help found the dapperest den of villainy around.

Enter the trapdoor north of Lumbridge and contact Darren Lightfinger to start the introductory Buyers and Cellars quest.

Screen shot of a summoning alter

Summoning

Members Only Members only logo

Call forth beasts from the Spirit Realm to help you in combat, skill training and more.

Speak to Pikkupstix in Taverley to start the Wolf Whistle quest.

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