This guide is your comprehensive resource for mastering the art of bursting in Old School RuneScape. We will delve into maximizing your magic experience through multi-target ancient magic spells. Get ready to unlock efficient training methods and profitable strategies.
Bursting in Old School RuneScape refers to utilizing Ancient Magicks burst spells, such as Ice Burst, to inflict damage on multiple monsters simultaneously. This method is highly favored for its ability to provide exceptional magic experience rates compared to single-target spells. Bursting involves gathering numerous enemies in a confined 3×3 area and unleashing the burst spell, hitting up to nine targets at once. The key to successful bursting lies in selecting appropriate locations where monsters are densely packed and relatively weak, allowing for rapid elimination.
The efficiency of bursting depends on factors such as your magic level, gear setup, and the specific monsters you are targeting. While bursting can be an expensive training method due to the cost of runes, the high experience rates often justify the expense for players seeking rapid magic level gains. It’s also a popular method for completing Slayer tasks quickly when assigned monsters like Dust Devils or Maniacal Monkeys. Bursting is a dynamic and engaging way to train magic, offering a change from traditional methods.
Requirements for Bursting
Before embarking on your bursting journey in OSRS, several requirements must be met to ensure efficiency and accessibility. First and foremost, you’ll need a magic level of 70 to cast Ice Burst. This spell is fundamental to the bursting method, providing the multi-target damage necessary for optimal experience rates. Additionally, the Desert Treasure quest must be started to unlock the Ancient Magicks spellbook, which contains Ice Burst and other essential spells.
Having adequate supplies of runes is crucial, including water runes, earth runes, and death runes. The exact quantities will depend on your training duration and the number of monsters you’re engaging. Furthermore, certain locations, such as Ape Atoll for Maniacal Monkeys, require completion of Monkey Madness I. While not strictly required, having a decent magic level and magic bonus gear will significantly enhance your accuracy and damage output, leading to faster kill times and improved experience gains.
Consider investing in prayer potions to sustain prayer points, especially if using protection prayers. Finally, having a Slayer level of 65 is necessary if you wish to burst Dust Devils as they can only be assigned as a Slayer task once you have started Desert Treasure I.
Best Locations for Bursting
Selecting the right location is paramount for maximizing your bursting experience in OSRS. Several factors influence the effectiveness of a bursting spot, including monster density, aggression, and accessibility. One of the most popular and efficient locations is the Catacombs of Kourend, particularly for Dust Devils. These monsters are densely packed, aggressive, and offer decent Slayer experience in addition to magic experience.
Another prime location is Ape Atoll, specifically the Maniacal Monkey area after completing Monkey Madness I. Maniacal Monkeys are highly aggressive and abundant, making them ideal for sustained bursting sessions. However, accessing this location requires quest completion. For players seeking alternative options, the lower levels of the Smoke Dungeon or the Morytania Slayer Tower can provide suitable bursting opportunities, though monster density might be lower compared to Dust Devils or Maniacal Monkeys.
Castle Wars and Fight Pits are also viable due to the high concentration of players in confined spaces, though these are more situational and less consistent. Ultimately, the best location depends on your Slayer level, quest progress, and preference for experience versus profit. Experiment with different spots to find what suits your needs.
Bursting Dust Devils
Dust Devils, found within the Catacombs of Kourend, are a highly sought-after target for bursting due to their favorable characteristics. Requiring 65 Slayer to kill and completion of Desert Treasure I to be assigned as a task, they offer an excellent balance of magic and Slayer experience. Their aggressive nature ensures constant engagement, maximizing your experience per hour.
To effectively burst Dust Devils, position yourself in the center of a group, ensuring that your spells hit multiple targets simultaneously. The Catacombs’ layout allows for easy luring and grouping of these monsters. Wearing Slayer equipment, such as a Slayer helm (i), significantly boosts accuracy and damage output, further enhancing your experience rates.
Utilizing prayer flicking techniques to conserve prayer points is highly recommended, as bursting can be prayer-intensive. Bringing prayer potions or Super Restore potions is crucial for sustained training sessions. While Dust Devils don’t drop valuable items, the combination of magic and Slayer experience makes them a worthwhile choice for efficient training. Experiment with different gear setups to optimize your damage output and prayer sustain. Remember to prioritize staying alive and maximizing your spell casts per hour for the best results.
Bursting Maniacal Monkeys
Maniacal Monkeys, located within the Monkey Madness 2 tunnels, are another exceptional target for bursting, offering very high experience rates. They are particularly popular for players seeking rapid magic level gains. These monkeys are aggressive and densely packed, making them ideal for multi-target spells like Ice Burst. Access to Maniacal Monkeys requires completion of the Monkey Madness 2 quest, a significant undertaking that unlocks this lucrative training method.
To effectively burst Maniacal Monkeys, position yourself strategically within the tunnels to maximize the number of monkeys hit by each spell. The tunnels’ layout offers several optimal spots where monkeys congregate. Protect from Melee is highly recommended to mitigate damage, as the monkeys’ attacks can be quite aggressive. Prayer potions or Super Restore potions are essential for sustained bursting sessions.
While Maniacal Monkeys do not drop valuable items, the sheer speed of experience gain makes them a worthwhile option. Experiment with different gear setups, prioritizing magic damage and accuracy, to further enhance your experience rates. Keep in mind that this method can be expensive due to rune costs, so factor in profitability when deciding whether to train here. Efficient prayer management is key to minimizing costs and maximizing training time.
Gear Setup for Optimal Magic Experience
Optimizing your gear is crucial for maximizing magic experience during bursting sessions. The ideal setup balances magic damage, accuracy, and prayer bonus. For the head slot, consider the Ancestral hat or Slayer helmet (if on a Slayer task). The Ahrim’s Robetop or Virtus Robe Top provide excellent magic damage bonuses for the body slot. Similarly, Ahrim’s Robeskirt or Virtus Robe Bottom are suitable for the legs.
For the weapon slot, an Ancient staff or Smoke battlestaff is recommended for autocasting the appropriate spells. The off-hand slot should be filled with an Arcane spirit shield or Book of darkness for added magic accuracy and defensive stats. A Mystic amulet or Occult necklace enhances magic damage. Equip a Ring of suffering (i) or a Brimstone ring for additional bonuses.
Gloves should be magic-boosting, such as Barrows gloves or Tormented bracelet. For boots, use Mystic boots or Eternal boots. Remember to prioritize magic accuracy and damage bonuses to increase hit rates and damage output. Prayer bonus is also essential for longer trips, so incorporate items like a Holy symbol or a Prayer book. Adjust your gear based on budget and availability, but always aim for the best possible magic stats.
Burst Spells: Ice Burst vs. Other Options
When it comes to bursting, Ice Burst stands out as a popular choice, but understanding its strengths and weaknesses compared to other options is essential. Ice Burst, requiring 70 Magic, is favored for its relatively lower cost and accessibility. It freezes targets in a 3×3 area, providing crowd control and preventing melee attacks. This makes it effective in locations with tightly packed monsters like the Monkey Madness 1 dungeon.
However, other burst spells like Fire Burst, Water Burst, and Earth Burst exist. These spells have lower requirements but also offer less utility and damage. Fire Burst, for example, is cheaper than Ice Burst but lacks the freezing effect, making it less desirable for maintaining safe distances from enemies.
The ultimate upgrade is Ice Barrage, which requires 94 Magic and provides higher damage and a longer freeze duration. While more expensive, Ice Barrage significantly increases experience rates and reduces the need for frequent banking trips. Consider your budget, magic level, and desired experience rate when choosing between Ice Burst and other options. If you prioritize cost-effectiveness and have a lower magic level, Ice Burst is a solid choice. For maximum efficiency and higher levels, Ice Barrage is the superior option.
Experience Rates and Profitability
Bursting in OSRS offers exceptional magic experience rates, but the profitability can vary significantly depending on the location, gear setup, and monsters targeted. Generally, players can expect to achieve experience rates ranging from 160,000 to 400,000 magic experience per hour while bursting. The higher end of this range is typically achieved at locations like Maniacal Monkeys with optimal gear and prayer flicking.
Profitability is less consistent. Bursting is generally a cost-intensive training method due to the runes required for each cast. However, some locations offer the potential for profit through alchable drops or valuable resources. For example, bursting Dust Devils in the Catacombs of Kourend can yield valuable herbs, seeds, and rune drops.
To maximize profitability, consider using a looting bag to collect additional drops and alching items during your bursting sessions. Additionally, utilizing prayer to reduce incoming damage can significantly lower the need for food, further reducing expenses. Ultimately, bursting is primarily a method for rapid magic experience, and any profit earned should be considered a bonus rather than the primary goal.
Alternative Bursting Locations
While Dust Devils and Maniacal Monkeys are popular choices for bursting, several alternative locations offer viable experience rates, albeit with varying levels of profitability and convenience. One such location is the Experiments found beneath the Lumbridge Castle. These monsters are relatively weak and clustered together, making them suitable for low-level bursting. They also drop bones, which can be offered at a gilded altar for prayer experience.
Another option is the Rock Crabs located on the Fremennik Isles. While typically used for melee training, these crabs can be effectively burst with water spells due to their low magic defense. They are also very AFK and require minimal attention. Yaks on Neitiznot can also be burst, offering a less crowded alternative to Rock Crabs.
For players with higher slayer levels, Jellys and Pyrefiends in the Catacombs of Kourend are decent options, especially when assigned as slayer tasks. These monsters provide reasonable magic experience and slayer experience simultaneously. Ultimately, the best alternative bursting location will depend on your individual preferences, combat stats, and slayer level.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Bursting
To maximize your magic experience while bursting, consider these essential tips and tricks. Firstly, ensure your auto-retaliate is turned off. This prevents your character from moving out of position and interrupting the burst spell. Secondly, use prayer flicking techniques to conserve prayer points. This is especially crucial when using overhead prayers like Protect from Melee or Protect from Missiles.
Optimize your inventory to include prayer potions, super magic potions, and runes for your chosen burst spell. Consider bringing an imbued heart to boost your magic level.Positioning is key. Group the monsters tightly together to maximize the number of targets hit by each burst spell. Experiment with different spots to find the most effective locations.
Utilize game plugins like RuneLite to track your experience rates, prayer usage, and monster respawn timers. These tools provide valuable insights for optimizing your bursting sessions. Moreover, be mindful of other players in the area. Avoid crashing or disrupting their training. If a world is too crowded, hop to a less populated one to maintain efficiency.