For many Old School RuneScape players, the ultimate goal is maxing an account-achieving 99 in every skill. It’s a grind that demands patience, efficiency, and a clear plan. But for those who also enjoy the thrill of PKing, balancing the two worlds can be tricky. The good news? You can actually combine both lifestyles: skilling smartly while still diving into high-risk, high-reward PvP. Some players even choose to buy OSRS gold to speed up expensive training methods, freeing up more time for both progress and PvP. This article walks through how to structure your path to maxing, what skills to prioritize, and how to weave in PKing without derailing your progress.

1. Finish the Easy Wins First

When you’re close to maxing, it helps to identify the “low-hanging fruit.” For example:

· Farming: With tree runs, fruit tree runs, and hardwood patches, farming becomes one of the most idle 99s in the game. Logging in once or twice a day to do runs can yield massive XP without much effort. Many players say it feels like the easiest skill to finish.

· Woodcutting and Mining: If you’re within a few hundred thousand XP, just grind them out. For woodcutting, AFK redwoods at the Woodcutting Guild. For mining, consider Motherlode Mine for steady gains or tick manipulation methods like 3-tick granite for speed.

· Herblore: If cash isn’t an issue, herblore can be finished fast. Ancient brews, though costly, provide excellent XP and allow for semi-AFK training. Always weigh speed versus cost-sometimes spending more GP to save time is worth it when you’re so close to maxing.

These skills don’t just pad your total level; they give you momentum. Each completed 99 fuels the motivation to keep grinding.

2. Handling the Big Grinds

Every maxing journey comes down to a few skills that feel like marathons: agility, fishing, hunter, and slayer. Here’s how to approach them:

· Agility: If you’re planning to grind agility to 99, make it interactive. Many players stream or chat with friends while running courses. The Wilderness Course offers fast XP up to 92 if you don’t mind the risk, then you can switch to Hallowed Sepulchre for efficiency and rewards.

· Fishing: Barbarian fishing offers strength and agility XP alongside fishing XP. If you want something more AFK, drift net fishing on Fossil Island is a great option, especially when paired with hunter.

· Hunter: While it can feel tedious, hunter ties nicely into other grinds. Herbiboar is a solid mix of profit and XP, while chinchompas remain one of the fastest methods.

· Slayer: Once you unlock Zuk tasks with the Grandmaster Combat Achievements, Slayer becomes much faster. Tripling up on Zuk tasks is one of the most efficient ways to finish the grind, especially for those who already have top-tier gear.

The key is breaking these big grinds into manageable chunks. Rotate between them so you don’t burn out.

3. Managing Your Bank During the Grind

One of the hidden struggles of maxing is bank management. Items fluctuate in price-sometimes dramatically. For example, Voidwakers dropping from 90m to 45m each or Elysian Spirit Shields losing hundreds of millions in value can hurt your morale.

The best approach is to treat your bank as a tool, not an investment. If you’re sitting on unused items, consider liquidating them into supplies for fast XP. Maxing is about speed and efficiency, not hoarding wealth.

4. Mixing in PKing for Fun

Training skills doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in the Wilderness. In fact, many players find that alternating between skilling and PKing keeps the game fresh. Here’s how to make it work:

· Welfare PKing: Use inexpensive setups like mystics, a glory, and food supplies. Test weapons like the Arclight or even new items like the Arclan Blade in low-risk environments. The point is to have fun without risking your bank.

· Skilling While PKing: Believe it or not, you can train herblore or other semi-AFK skills on the side while looking for fights. This “skilling while killing” mindset keeps both goals moving forward.

· Loot as Supplies: PKed loot like blood runes, brews, and restores can often be funneled right back into your training. It’s an efficient loop that pays for itself.

5. Staying Committed to the Series

The biggest danger in a maxing grind is losing momentum. Many players pause for side goals, new accounts, or just sheer boredom. The best way to stay on track is to publicly commit-whether through friends, clanmates, or even streaming. Share milestones like 99 farming or 97 herblore, and let others celebrate with you.

When you’re tempted to wander off, remind yourself: the faster you finish maxing, the sooner you can fully dedicate yourself to PKing, PvM, or whatever else excites you.

Final Thoughts

Maxing in Old School RuneScape isn’t just about clicking until you hit 99s across the board. It’s about balancing efficiency with fun, learning to manage your bank smartly, and finding creative ways to stay motivated. By finishing off idle skills, chunking down the marathon grinds, and sprinkling in PKing along the way, you’ll not only reach max but enjoy the journey there. Some players even look for cheap RS gold to ease the cost of supplies, helping them focus more on the grind itself rather than constant money-making.
So whether you’re skilling, killing, or both, remember: commitment is key. The grind may be long, but every level brings you one step closer to the cape of accomplishment.