OSRS Prayer Guide 1-99
Master prayer training with maximum efficiency
Prayer is one of the most expensive skills in OSRS, but also one of the most essential for PvM and PvP. This guide covers the fastest methods including the NEW Varlamore altar (up to 340 XP per bone), gilded altars in player-owned houses, the risky but cost-effective Chaos Altar in the Wilderness, and budget-friendly ensouled heads. Whether you're aiming for 43 Prayer for protection prayers or pushing to 77 for Rigour, this guide will help you train efficiently.
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\u26a0\ufe0fF2P Prayer Training
\ud83d\udeab F2P Prayer is Extremely Limited
Prayer is one of the worst F2P skills. You can only bury bones (no altars), giving minimal XP per bone. Reaching 99 Prayer in F2P would take 1500+ hours of grinding and cost millions in bones.
F2P Prayer Training Path
Level 1-43: Bury Big Bones
Kill Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon for big bones (15 XP each when buried). This is painfully slow at around 5-10K XP/hour. You'll need to bury over 2,800 big bones to reach 43 Prayer.
Alternative: Dragon Bones (If Rich)
Dragon bones give 72 XP when buried in F2P, but they're expensive (10K+ GP each). This is only worth it if you're rich in F2P or plan to transfer wealth from members.
Why Get Membership for Prayer?
Membership makes Prayer 3-4x faster and opens up essential training methods:
- \u2714Gilded Altar: 3.5x XP multiplier (252 XP per dragon bone vs 72 in F2P)
- \u2714Chaos Altar: 3.5x XP + 50% chance to save bones (cuts costs in half)
- \u2714Ensouled Heads: Budget-friendly method for ironmen
- \u2714Varlamore Altar: NEW method giving up to 340 XP per dragon bone
- \u2714Protection Prayers: Essential for bossing and high-level PvM
Recommendation: Train Prayer to 31 in F2P for Ultimate Strength prayer, then get membership for efficient training. Don't waste time grinding to 43+ in F2P.
✨Why Train Prayer?
Prayer is one of the most important skills in OSRS. Higher prayer levels unlock powerful protection prayers, damage-boosting prayers, and essential PvM utilities.
Important Prayer Levels
- •43 Prayer: Protect from Melee/Range/Mage - Essential for PvM and PvP
- •52 Prayer: Smite - Forces opponents to lose +1 item when killed
- •70 Prayer: Piety - +20% attack, +23% strength, +25% defence (must complete Knight Waves)
- •74 Prayer: Rigour - Ranged equivalent of Piety (requires prayer scroll)
- •77 Prayer: Augury - Magic equivalent of Piety (requires prayer scroll)
- •99 Prayer: Maximum prayer bonus and prayer points
🦴Which Bones Should I Use?
Dragon bones are recommended for most players. They offer the best balance of cost and XP. Use Superior dragon bones if you have extra money to save time.
| Bone Type | Base XP | Gilded Altar XP | GP per XP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big bones | 15 XP | 52.5 XP | ~15-20 GP/XP |
| Dragon bones ⭐ (Recommended) | 72 XP | 252 XP | ~8-10 GP/XP |
| Wyvern bones | 50 XP | 175 XP | ~10-12 GP/XP |
| Superior dragon bones | 150 XP | 525 XP | ~6-8 GP/XP |
| Hydra bones | 110 XP | 385 XP | ~9-11 GP/XP |
Pro Tip: Dragon bones are the sweet spot. Superior dragon bones are faster but only slightly better GP/XP. Big bones are too slow for the small cost savings.
💰Prayer Training Costs
Here's what it costs to reach common prayer goals using dragon bones at a gilded altar:
| Goal Level | Total XP Needed | Dragon Bones | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 (Protect prayers) | 50,340 XP | ~200 bones | ~500K GP |
| 52 (Smite) | 123,660 XP | ~490 bones | ~1.2M GP |
| 70 (Piety) | 737,627 XP | ~2,930 bones | ~7-8M GP |
| 77 (Rigour/Augury) | 1,475,581 XP | ~5,855 bones | ~15-17M GP |
| 99 | 13,034,431 XP | ~51,720 bones | ~120-140M GP |
Note: Prices fluctuate based on GE prices for dragon bones (~2,500-3,000 GP each). Use the Chaos Altar to halve your costs (but risk losing bones to PKers).
📜Quests for Prayer XP
Complete these quests to skip early prayer levels:
| Quest | Prayer XP | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Restless Ghost | 1,125 XP | None |
| Priest in Peril | 1,406 XP | None |
| Recruitment Drive | 1,000 XP | 12 Quest Points |
| Holy Grail | 11,000 XP (2 Lamps) | 20 Attack |
| Rum Deal | 7,000 XP | 42 Crafting, 40 Fishing |
| Spirits of the Elid | 8,000 XP | 37 Ranged, 33 Magic |
| The Great Brain Robbery | 6,000 XP | 50 Construction, 50 Crafting |
Pro Tip: Completing all these quests gives you ~35,000 Prayer XP, which takes you from 1 to around level 30 without using any bones!
🆕Varlamore Prayer Method (NEW)
⭐ New Best Method: The Varlamore prayer training method offers higher XP per bone than gilded altar! This is now the recommended method for most players.
How It Works
Location: Teomat prayer altar in Varlamore (requires Children of the Sun quest)
Method: Use blessed bone shards + jugs of wine at the Teomat altar. Creates blessed bone shards that give more XP than traditional methods.
XP Rates & Details:
- • Dragon bones: 290-340 XP per bone (vs 252 at gilded altar)
- • Superior dragon bones: 690-805 XP per bone (vs 525 at gilded)
- • Requires: Children of the Sun quest completion
- • Materials: Blessed bone shards (from bones) + jugs of wine
- • Speed: 200,000-350,000 XP/hour depending on efficiency
How to Do It
- Complete Children of the Sun quest to unlock the method
- Buy dragon bones and grind them into blessed bone shards at the Teomat altar
- Buy jugs of wine from the Grand Exchange
- Use blessed bone shards on the altar with jugs of wine to train prayer
- Repeat the process - this is now the best prayer training method!
🏛️Gilded Altar Method
The traditional and most popular prayer training method. Safe, fast, and widely used.
How It Works
Location: Player-owned house gilded altars in Rimmington (World 330)
Method: Visit player houses with gilded altar + 2 incense burners lit (3.5x XP multiplier). Use bones on altar for massive XP.
XP Rates & Details:
- • Dragon bones: 252 XP per bone
- • XP Rate: 200,000-700,000 XP/hour
- • Very fast - can do 2,500+ bones per hour
- • Use Phials in Rimmington to un-note bones (5 GP each)
- • World 330 has many open POHs with altars
Step-by-Step Guide
- Buy dragon bones (noted) from GE
- Go to Rimmington on World 330
- Find an open house with gilded altar (check house advertisements)
- Un-note 26 bones with Phials (5 GP per bone)
- Enter the POH and use bones on the gilded altar
- Teleport back to Rimmington and repeat
- Use house teleport tabs or construction cape for speed
Pro Tip: Bring house teleport tabs and use the Rimmington POH portal. This creates a fast loop for maximum XP per hour.
⚠️Chaos Altar (Risky but Cheap)
⚠️ WARNING: The Chaos Altar is located in level 38 Wilderness (multi-combat). You WILL be attacked by PKers. Only bring what you're willing to lose!
How It Works
Location: Level 38 Wilderness, north of the Graveyard of Shadows
Method: The Chaos Altar gives the same 3.5x XP as gilded altar, but has a 50% chance to NOT consume the bone. This effectively doubles your XP, cutting costs in half.
XP Rates & Details:
- • Dragon bones: 252 XP per bone (50% chance to save bone)
- • Effective cost: ~50% of gilded altar cost (if you don't get PKed often)
- • XP Rate: 200,000-400,000 XP/hour
- • HIGH RISK: Multi-combat Wilderness
- • Expect to lose bones to PKers (suicide runs are common)
How to Minimize Losses
- •Suicide Runs: Bring only bones, no other items. If PKed, you only lose bones
- •Bank Often: Teleport to bank every 3-5 minutes to avoid losing too many bones
- •Use Protection: Dinh's bulwark, black d'hide, or tank gear to survive longer
- •Quiet Times: Train during off-peak hours for fewer PKers
- •Expected Losses: Even with deaths, you'll save 30-40% overall vs gilded altar
💀Ensouled Heads (Budget Method)
A budget-friendly prayer training method using Ensouled Heads and the Arceuus spellbook.
How It Works
Method: Kill monsters that drop ensouled heads, then reanimate them using the Arceuus spellbook at the Dark Altar. Kill the reanimated monster for prayer XP.
XP Rates & Details:
- • Dragon heads: 840 XP per head (best GP/XP ratio at ~3-4 GP/XP)
- • Abyssal heads: 1,300 XP (from Abyssal demons)
- • Bloodveld heads: 660 XP (common from slayer)
- • XP Rate: 50,000-150,000 XP/hour depending on head
- • Requires: Arceuus spellbook, combat stats
- • Cost: Much cheaper than dragon bones (3-5 GP per XP)
Recommended Heads
- •Dragon heads: Best GP/XP ratio. Buy from GE or kill green dragons
- •Abyssal heads: Higher XP but more expensive. Good for slayer tasks
- •Bloodveld heads: Common from slayer, decent XP
Pro Tip: This method is great for ironmen or budget players. It's slower than bones but much more affordable. Combine with slayer for passive heads.
🏺Ectofuntus (Ironman Method)
The Ectofuntus provides 4x XP (more than gilded altar!) but requires preparation. Popular with ironmen.
How It Works
Location: Ectofuntus in Port Phasmatys (requires Ghosts Ahoy quest for ectophial teleport)
Method: Grind bones into bonemeal, collect ectoplasm from ghosts, then use them at the Ectofuntus for 4x XP.
XP Rates & Details:
- • Dragon bones: 288 XP per bone (4x multiplier)
- • XP Rate: 80,000-110,000 XP/hour (very slow)
- • Requires: Bonemeal (grind bones), Ectoplasm (from ghosts)
- • Very click-intensive and time-consuming
- • Best for: Ironmen who can't buy noted bones for gilded altar
Process
- Complete Ghosts Ahoy quest to unlock Ectophial (teleport to Ectofuntus)
- Collect bones and grind them into bonemeal at the grinder
- Collect ectoplasm by worshipping the Ectofuntus with empty buckets
- Use bonemeal + ectoplasm on the Ectofuntus for 4x XP
- Repeat (this is very slow and tedious)
Note: Most players avoid this method because it's so slow. Even ironmen typically prefer other methods unless they have a large bone stack and nothing better to do.
🧮Prayer XP Calculator
Calculate exactly how many bones you need and what it will cost to reach your prayer goals!
Experience Planning
Plan your training path with accurate XP calculations for all bone types and methods
Cost Estimates
Calculate training costs based on current GE prices and your target level
❓Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best prayer training method?
The NEW Varlamore method (Children of the Sun) is now the best, giving 290-340 XP per dragon bone. If you haven't done that quest, use gilded altar in player houses (252 XP per dragon bone). For budget training, use the Chaos Altar in Wilderness (risky but cuts costs in half).
How much does 99 Prayer cost?
With dragon bones at gilded altar: 120-140M GP. With Chaos Altar (risky): 60-70M GP. With ensouled heads: 40-50M GP (but much slower). Prices vary based on GE market prices.
Should I use the Chaos Altar?
If you're on a budget and don't mind the risk, yes. The Chaos Altar saves ~50% of your bone costs due to the 50% chance to not consume bones. You WILL get PKed, but even accounting for deaths, you'll save 30-40% overall. Use suicide runs (no gear, just bones) to minimize losses.
What prayer level should I aim for?
Minimum: 43 for Protect prayers (essential for PvM). Recommended: 70 for Piety (huge combat boost). End-game: 77 for Rigour/Augury (best ranged/magic prayers, but requires expensive prayer scrolls). Most players stop at 70-77 unless going for 99.
Which bones should I use?
Dragon bones are the best value (8-10 GP/XP). Big bones are slower and not much cheaper. Superior dragon bones are faster but only marginally better GP/XP. Stick with dragon bones unless you're rich and want to save time with superior dragon bones.
Is the Ectofuntus worth it?
Not really. The Ectofuntus gives 4x XP (slightly more than gilded altar's 3.5x) but is extremely slow and tedious. It's only worth it for ironmen who have excess bones and can't access gilded altars easily. Most players avoid this method.
Should I train prayer as an ironman?
Yes, but it's slower. Kill dragons for dragon bones, use them at the Wilderness Chaos Altar (risky but efficient), or use ensouled heads from slayer. Ironmen can also use the Ectofuntus, but it's very slow. Aim for 43 first, then work towards 70-77 over time.
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