Top Quests for XP Rewards in OSRS 2026: Complete Guide

Why grind skills when quests can give you massive XP rewards? This definitive guide ranks the best quests for XP rewards in OSRS 2026, showing you which quests to prioritize for maximum skill gains.

Why Quest XP Matters

Benefits of Quest XP:

• ✅ Skip early-game grinds (most boring levels)
• ✅ Unlock content while gaining XP
• ✅ Often better XP/hour than training
• ✅ One-time rewards (permanent boost)
• ✅ Many quests combined = huge XP gains

Example: The Knight's Sword gives 12,725 Smithing XP, taking you from level 1 → 29 in 10 minutes!

---

Top 10 Quest XP Rewards (By Skill)

Attack XP Quests

#1: Monkey Madness I

XP Reward: 35,000 Attack + 20,000 Defence Requirements: Medium Why Best: Massive Attack XP (1 → 30 or 60 → 66)

#2: Dragon Slayer

XP Reward: 18,650 Strength + 18,650 Defence Requirements: Low Why Best: F2P accessible, takes Strength 1 → 37

#3: Waterfall Quest

XP Reward: 13,750 Attack + 13,750 Strength Requirements: Very low (can do level 3) Why Best: Level 3 → 30 Attack/Strength instantly!

Best Attack Quest Path:

1. Waterfall Quest: 1 → 30
2. Fight Arena: +12,175 (30 → 36)
3. Tree Gnome Village: +11,450 (36 → 41)
4. Grand Tree: +18,400 (41 → 47)
5. Monkey Madness: +35,000 (47 → 58)
6. Result: 1 → 58 Attack without training!

---

Strength XP Quests

#1: Tears of Guthix (Weekly)

XP Reward: Varies (gives XP to lowest skill) Requirements: 43 Quest Points, Tears of Guthix quest Why Best: Weekly passive XP (50-500+ tears = 2,500-25,000+ XP)

#2: Waterfall Quest

XP Reward: 13,750 Strength (same as Attack) Requirements: Low Why Best: 1 → 30 Strength instantly

#3: Dragon Slayer

XP Reward: 18,650 Strength + 18,650 Defence Why Best: F2P, iconic quest

Best Strength Quest Path (same as Attack):

• Waterfall → Fight Arena → Tree Gnome Village → Grand Tree → Monkey Madness
• Result: 1 → 58 Strength from quests!

---

Defence XP Quests

#1: Monkey Madness I

XP Reward: 20,000 Defence Why Best: Good Defence chunk

#2: Dragon Slayer

XP Reward: 18,650 Defence Why Best: Classic quest

#3: Holy Grail

XP Reward: 15,300 Prayer + 11,000 Defence Why Best: Decent Defence + Prayer

Note: Many quests give Defence XP, so it's easy to quest to 45+ Defence (for Zerker build, be CAREFUL!)

---

Ranged XP Quests

#1: Animal Magnetism

XP Reward: 1,000 Ranged + 4,800 Slayer Requirements: Low Why Best: Unlocks Ava's device (BiS ranged cape slot)

#2: Temple of Ikov

XP Reward: 10,500 Ranged Requirements: 42 Thieving Why Best: Decent Ranged XP

#3: Big Chompy Bird Hunting

XP Reward: 262 Ranged (small, but unlocks content) Why Best: Unlocks Chompy hunting

Verdict: Very few Ranged quests. Train Ranged manually.

---

Prayer XP Quests

#1: Holy Grail

XP Reward: 15,300 Prayer + 11,000 Defence Requirements: 20 Attack Why Best: Takes 1 → 30 Prayer!

#2: Recruitment Drive

XP Reward: 1,000 Prayer + 1,000 Agility Requirements: 12 Quest Points Why Best: Easy quest, decent Prayer

#3: The Restless Ghost

XP Reward: 1,125 Prayer Requirements: None (F2P) Why Best: F2P accessible, early Prayer boost

Best Prayer Quest Path:

1. The Restless Ghost: 1,125 XP
2. Priest in Peril: 1,406 XP
3. Holy Grail: 15,300 XP (1 → 30)
4. Rum Deal: 7,000 XP
5. Total: ~25K Prayer XP = level 34

---

Magic XP Quests

#1: Fairytale II - Cure a Queen

XP Reward: 11,000 Magic Requirements: 57 Herblore Why Best: Unlocks fairy rings + good Magic XP

#2: Lunar Diplomacy

XP Reward: 5,000 Magic + 5,000 Defence Requirements: 65 Magic, 61 Crafting, many other requirements Why Best: Unlocks Lunar spellbook (Vengeance!)

#3: Witch's House

XP Reward: 6,325 Hitpoints Requirements: Low Why Best: Early HP boost

Verdict: Few good Magic quests. Train Magic manually or via combat.

---

Runecrafting XP Quests

#1: Sins of the Father

XP Reward: 15,000 Runecrafting Requirements: Many (long quest line) Why Best: 1 → 31 Runecrafting instantly!

#2: Eyes of Glouphrie

XP Reward: 12,000 Runecrafting + 6,000 Magic Requirements: 46 Magic, 5 Construction Why Best: Massive RC XP (skips 20-28)

#3: Devious Minds

XP Reward: 5,000 Runecrafting Requirements: 50 Smithing, 50 Runecrafting Why Best: Good mid-level boost

Best Runecrafting Quest Path:

1. Rune Mysteries: Unlocks RC
2. Enter the Abyss: 1,000 XP
3. Eyes of Glouphrie: 12,000 XP (1 → 26)
4. Sins of the Father: 15,000 XP (26 → 35)
5. Result: 1 → 35 RC from quests!

Note: Quest to 35 RC, then do ZMI altar or lava runes.

---

Slayer XP Quests

#1: Smoking Kills

XP Reward: 2,500 Slayer Requirements: Many Why Best: Unlocks Slayer points (ESSENTIAL)

#2: Animal Magnetism

XP Reward: 4,800 Slayer + 1,000 Ranged Requirements: Low Why Best: Early Slayer boost + Ava's device

#3: A Porcine of Interest

XP Reward: 1,000 Slayer Requirements: Low Why Best: Easy quest

Best Slayer Quest Path:

• Animal Magnetism: 4,800 XP
• A Porcine of Interest: 1,000 XP
• Smoking Kills: 2,500 XP
• Total: 8,300 XP = level 18 Slayer

Verdict: Few Slayer quests. Must train manually.

---

Agility XP Quests

#1: Song of the Elves

XP Reward: 20,000 Agility (+ 20K to two other skills) Requirements: MASSIVE (end-game quest) Why Best: Huge Agility XP

#2: The Grand Tree

XP Reward: 18,400 Agility + 7,900 Attack + 2,150 Magic Requirements: 25 Agility Why Best: 1 → 32 Agility + other bonuses

#3: Recruitment Drive

XP Reward: 1,000 Agility + 1,000 Prayer Requirements: 12 Quest Points Why Best: Easy quest

Best Agility Quest Path:

1. Recruitment Drive: 1,000 XP
2. The Grand Tree: 18,400 XP (1 → 32)
3. Troll Stronghold: 10,000 XP (32 → 37)
4. The Tourist Trap: 4,650 XP (pick Agility)
5. Song of the Elves: 20,000 XP (late-game)

---

Herblore XP Quests

#1: Druidic Ritual

XP Reward: 250 Herblore Requirements: None Why Best: UNLOCKS Herblore skill (mandatory)

#2: Jungle Potion

XP Reward: 775 Herblore Requirements: 3 Herblore Why Best: 3 → 10 Herblore

#3: Recruitment Drive

XP Reward: 1,000 Herblore Requirements: 12 Quest Points Why Best: Easy quest

Best Herblore Quest Path:

1. Druidic Ritual: 250 XP (unlocks skill)
2. Jungle Potion: 775 XP
3. Recruitment Drive: 1,000 XP
4. The Dig Site: 2,000 XP
5. Total: 4,025 XP = level 17

Verdict: Quest to 17, then train manually. Herblore is still expensive.

---

Thieving XP Quests

#1: The Feud

XP Reward: 15,000 Thieving Requirements: 30 Thieving Why Best: 30 → 37 instantly

#2: Darkness of Hallowvale

XP Reward: 7,000 Thieving + 7,000 Agility + 7,000 Construction Requirements: Many Why Best: Multi-skill XP

#3: The Giant Dwarf

XP Reward: 2,500 Thieving + 1,500 Crafting + 1,500 Magic Requirements: Low Why Best: Early Thieving boost

Best Thieving Quest Path:

1. The Giant Dwarf: 2,500 XP
2. The Feud: 15,000 XP (1 → 33 if starting at level 1)
3. Darkness of Hallowvale: 7,000 XP
4. Total: 24,500 XP = level 36

---

Crafting XP Quests

#1: Song of the Elves

XP Reward: 20,000 Crafting (+ 20K to two other skills) Requirements: MASSIVE Why Best: End-game quest, huge XP

#2: Elemental Workshop II

XP Reward: 7,500 Crafting + 5,000 Smithing Requirements: 30 Magic, 20 Smithing Why Best: Good Crafting boost

#3: Creature of Fenkenstrain

XP Reward: 4,000 Crafting + 1,000 Thieving Requirements: Low Why Best: Early Crafting XP

Best Crafting Quest Path:

• The Tourist Trap: 4,650 XP (can pick Crafting)
• Elemental Workshop II: 7,500 XP
• Total: 12,150 XP = level 29

---

Smithing XP Quests

#1: The Knight's Sword

XP Reward: 12,725 Smithing Requirements: None Why Best: 1 → 29 Smithing in 15 minutes!

#2: Elemental Workshop I

XP Reward: 5,000 Smithing Requirements: None Why Best: 29 → 33 Smithing

#3: Devious Minds

XP Reward: 6,500 Smithing Requirements: 50 Smithing Why Best: Mid-level boost

Best Smithing Quest Path:

1. The Knight's Sword: 12,725 XP (1 → 29)
2. Elemental Workshop I: 5,000 XP (29 → 33)
3. Elemental Workshop II: 5,000 XP (33 → 36)
4. Result: 1 → 36 Smithing from quests!

Note: Quest to 36, then do Blast Furnace.

---

Mining XP Quests

#1: Doric's Quest

XP Reward: 1,300 Mining Requirements: None (F2P) Why Best: 1 → 10 Mining (F2P accessible)

#2: The Giant Dwarf

XP Reward: 2,500 Mining + 1,500 Crafting + 1,500 Magic Requirements: Low Why Best: Good early Mining XP

#3: Between a Rock...

XP Reward: 5,000 Mining Requirements: Many Why Best: Solid Mining boost

Best Mining Quest Path:

1. Doric's Quest: 1,300 XP (1 → 10)
2. The Giant Dwarf: 2,500 XP (10 → 20)
3. Between a Rock: 5,000 XP
4. Total: 8,800 XP = level 26

Verdict: Quest to 26, then do iron ore or Motherlode Mine.

---

Fishing XP Quests

#1: Sea Slug

XP Reward: 7,175 Fishing Requirements: 30 Firemaking Why Best: 1 → 24 Fishing

#2: Heroes' Quest

XP Reward: 3,075 Fishing (+ 1,375 many other skills) Requirements: Many Why Best: Multi-skill XP

Best Fishing Quest Path:

1. Sea Slug: 7,175 XP (1 → 24)
2. Heroes' Quest: 3,075 XP
3. Total: 10,250 XP = level 27

Verdict: Quest to 27, then do barbarian fishing or fly fishing.

---

Cooking XP Quests

#1: Recipe for Disaster (Full)

XP Reward: 20,000 Cooking (+ unlocks Barrows gloves) Requirements: MASSIVE (many subquests) Why Best: Barrows gloves = BiS (essential)

#2: Big Chompy Bird Hunting

XP Reward: 1,470 Cooking + 262 Ranged + 30 Fletching Requirements: 5 Fletching, 30 Ranged Why Best: Early Cooking XP

Best Cooking Quest Path:

1. Cook's Assistant: 300 XP (1 → 4)
2. Gertrude's Cat: 1,525 XP (4 → 16)
3. Big Chompy Bird Hunting: 1,470 XP (16 → 21)
4. Recipe for Disaster (Full): 20,000 XP

Note: Do RFD for Barrows gloves (BiS melee gloves).

---

Firemaking XP Quests

#1: Enlightened Journey

XP Reward: 1,500 Firemaking + 3,000 Crafting + 1,500 Farming Requirements: 20 Firemaking, 30 Farming, 36 Crafting Why Best: Unlocks balloon transport system

#2: Mourning's End Part II

XP Reward: 20,000 Firemaking (varies, can choose skill) Requirements: MASSIVE Why Best: End-game quest

Verdict: Very few Firemaking quests. Do Wintertodt instead.

---

Woodcutting XP Quests

#1: Monks Friend

XP Reward: 2,000 Woodcutting Requirements: None Why Best: 1 → 14 Woodcutting

#2: Enlightened Journey

XP Reward: 1,500 Woodcutting Requirements: 20 Firemaking, 30 Farming, 36 Crafting Why Best: Balloon transport

Verdict: Quest to 14, then train manually.

---

Essential Quest Lines (Multiple Skills)

Recipe for Disaster (RFD)

Total XP: 20,000 Cooking + various subquest XP Why Essential: Unlocks Barrows gloves (BiS melee/ranged gloves) Subquests: 10 different subquests, each with requirements

Result: Barrows gloves = mandatory for any serious account

---

Fairy Tale Quest Line

Total XP: ~20,000+ across multiple skills Why Essential: Unlocks fairy rings (best teleport system)

Quests:

1. Fairy Tale I
2. Fairy Tale II - Cure a Queen (partial for fairy rings)
3. Fairy Tale II - Complete (for fairy ring staff)

---

Desert Treasure

Total XP: Various across combat stats Why Essential: Unlocks Ancient Magicks (ice barrage, blood barrage)

Requirements: MASSIVE (many prerequisite quests) Result: Ancient spellbook = essential for PvM/PvP

---

Plague Quest Line → Song of the Elves

Total XP: Massive (100K+ across all skills) Why Essential: Unlocks Prifddinas (elves city, best skilling hub)

Final Quest: Song of the Elves Reward: 20,000 XP x4 skills + access to Prifddinas

---

Fremennik Quest Line

Total XP: Moderate Why Essential: Unlocks Lunar spellbook, Neitiznot helm, Fremennik gear

Key Quests:

• Fremennik Trials (unlocks Fremennik area)
• Lunar Diplomacy (unlocks Lunar spellbook)
• Fremennik Isles (Neitiznot helm)
• Fremennik Exiles (Neitiznot faceguard)

---

Most Efficient Quest Order

Early Game (New Account):

1. Waterfall Quest - 13,750 Attack + 13,750 Strength (1 → 30)
2. The Knight's Sword - 12,725 Smithing (1 → 29)
3. Doric's Quest - 1,300 Mining (1 → 10)
4. Witch's House - 6,325 HP
5. Fight Arena - 12,175 Attack + Strength
6. Tree Gnome Village - 11,450 Attack
7. The Grand Tree - 18,400 Agility + 7,900 Attack

Result: 30+ Attack/Strength, 29 Smithing, 10 Mining, 32 Agility

---

Mid Game:

1. Holy Grail - 15,300 Prayer (1 → 30)
2. Monkey Madness I - 35,000 Attack + 20,000 Defence
3. Animal Magnetism - Ava's device + 4,800 Slayer
4. Fairytale II - Fairy rings + 11,000 Magic
5. Dragon Slayer - 18,650 Strength + Defence

---

Late Game:

1. Recipe for Disaster (full) - Barrows gloves
2. Desert Treasure - Ancient Magicks
3. Lunar Diplomacy - Lunar spellbook (Vengeance)
4. Song of the Elves - Prifddinas

---

Quest Point Unlocks

32 Quest Points

• Culinaromancer's Chest (RFD shop, best food/potions)

50 Quest Points

• Duradel Slayer Master (best Slayer tasks)

99 Quest Points

• Dragon Slayer II access

200+ Quest Points

• Max cape requirement (eventually)

293 Quest Points

• Quest Cape (all quests complete)

---

Best Skills to Quest For

✅ Always Quest These:

1. Smithing (1 → 36 via quests)
2. Runecrafting (1 → 35 via quests)
3. Prayer (1 → 30+ via quests)
4. Slayer (1 → 18 via quests)

⚠️ Sometimes Quest These:

• Agility (1 → 32 from Grand Tree)
• Mining (1 → 26 from quests)
• Herblore (1 → 17 from quests)

❌ Don't Bother Questing:

• Attack/Strength (train via combat)
• Ranged (very few quest rewards)
• Magic (train via combat/slayer)
• Firemaking (do Wintertodt instead)

---

Total XP from All Quests

If you complete every quest in OSRS:

• ~400K+ total XP across all skills
• Quest cape (all 293 quests)
• Unlocks 90% of game content

Time: 150-300 hours depending on preparation

---

FAQ

What quest gives the fastest Smithing levels?

The Knight's Sword gives 12,725 Smithing XP with no requirements, taking you from level 1 to 29 in about 15 minutes. It is the best early Smithing quest reward, and Elemental Workshop I then continues from 29 to 33.

How much XP does Waterfall Quest give?

Waterfall Quest gives 13,750 Attack and 13,750 Strength XP and can be completed at level 3. It instantly takes both skills from level 1 to 30, has very low requirements, and is the best first combat quest.

What is the best quest for Prayer XP?

Holy Grail gives 15,300 Prayer XP and 11,000 Defence XP, taking Prayer from level 1 to 30. It only requires 20 Attack, and Recruitment Drive and The Restless Ghost are easy early Prayer boosts too.

How do you get Barrows gloves?

Completing the full Recipe for Disaster quest unlocks Barrows gloves and gives 20,000 Cooking XP. The quest has 10 subquests with various requirements, making it essential for serious accounts, and the gloves are best-in-slot for melee and ranged.

What quest unlocks fairy rings?

Fairy Tale II - Cure a Queen unlocks fairy rings and gives 11,000 Magic XP, though it requires 57 Herblore. Completing it further allows use of the fairy ring staff, and fairy rings are the best teleport system in OSRS.

How much total XP do all OSRS quests give?

Completing every quest in OSRS gives roughly 400K+ total XP across all skills and unlocks about 90% of game content. It takes 150-300 hours and earns the Quest Cape for all 293 quests.

Related Guides

• Main Account Maxing Guide
• Best Training Methods 2026
• 1 Defence Pure Guide (quest restrictions!)

---

Conclusion

Top 5 Quests for XP:

1. The Knight's Sword - 1 → 29 Smithing (15 minutes)
2. Waterfall Quest - 1 → 30 Attack/Strength (30 minutes)
3. Sins of the Father - Massive RC XP
4. Holy Grail - 1 → 30 Prayer
5. Monkey Madness I - 35K Attack + 20K Defence

Essential Quest Lines:

• Recipe for Disaster (Barrows gloves)
• Fairy Tale II (fairy rings)
• Desert Treasure (Ancient Magicks)
• Song of the Elves (Prifddinas)

Quest Efficiently:

• Quest ALL early Smithing/RC/Prayer levels
• Quest to 30+ Attack/Strength
• Quest to 18+ Slayer
• Then train remaining skills manually

Total Time Saved: Questing early saves 50-100+ hours of boring low-level skill grinds!

Good luck questing! 📜⚔️