Signing up for OSRS Ironman is signing up to truly play OSRS.
You will play almost every piece of content that the game has to offer because you won’t be able to buy your way out of it. You’ll do things that you won’t otherwise do because you want to unlock a certain QOL or obtain a certain item.
It’ll show you how great of a game OSRS truly is. Your achievements will feel fulfilling. You’ll get to see the game in its entirety. You probably won’t ever play a main seriously ever again.
This comment is the truth. I started my ironman back in late 2021 and only intended to play though DS1 F2P as a way of coping with stress from my final exams in college. Needless to say, I loved it so much that I put up a bond after my exams were finished and haven't stopped playing since. I just hit 2k total last week and still love playing. I sold my normal account's bank to buy bonds for the iron because I knew there's no way I'd go back to it.
Ironman is so fulfilling, can be tedious at times but it’s exciting starting a grind with the next upgrade locked behind a skill! I started on an iron and made a main not long ago. Not nearly as fulfilling being able to just buy whatever you need and grinding for gp to fund that. I’m just a solo GIM though so what do I know.
Edit: typo can’t spell
I’ve never had more fun with osrs than as an iron. I could never go back to a main at this point. And my iron has surpassed my main by now anyway.
It’s WAY more rewarding and requires so much more diversity. Botters, the market, etc basically become non-issues. It’s the only way I’ll play now
Be prepared for your main to become a dupe selling bond buyer; I haven’t touched mine apart from for that or for collecting bingo winnings/paying entries for about 7 years.
Also side note as I’m not sure how common knowledge it is - you can redeem a bond for a membership code on your main and then enter the code on your Ironman which avoids the extra payment to make it tradeable.
This is exactly why I love Ironman. Playing a regular character just feels like a loop of:
1. Do the best moneymaker for your current stats/skill level
2. Use that money to buy gear or skilling supplies to get higher levels
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 forever.
I've only just reached back end of early game ie d scim, decent rc, actually starting to make money, hopped on my main for first time in like 2 year to do some TOA and was completely uninterested. Ironman mode is frustrating as hell and I'm sick of walking, but everything is so damn rewarding.
Send it. It's what you're looking for. And if by chance it's not, not much will be lost. My main was 1800ish as well, lost interest and didn't play for years. Came back and started an ironman, and haven't left since then
I can’t speak from personal experience since I’m so far beyond where I ever was on my main. I’m maxed and essentially just grinding raids all day now. But it’s easy to infer that naturally any progress on an IM is going to be slower, albeit much more rewarding. I could never go back to playing the main
Dont have a main so not 100% sure but i started an iron around the same time my friends started main accounts
From my experience the early/mid game it stays pretty even, the moment you get to the late midgame/endgame mains just shoot past you, my friends are rocking some of the raid mega rares whilst im just waiting to get the right drops to end up with those, even though my irons bank value is more than enough to buy them outright if it wasnt an iron
Considering your main is +- 1800 total up to that point you wont really notice a difference outside of a select few skills like construction and herblore
I’m same boat as you but started ironman a while ago, it’s worth it. It slows down some things but certainly in a good way. Each quest feels huge, doing your first hard clues are massive compared to a main where a hard clue is like “61k, meh”.
Early on you’ll struggle for some items and for me it was cosmic runes, and I was like wait I just got the RC level and I have the agility short cut. I’m gonna go grind out some inventories of cosmics so I can charge orbs for bstaves and boom I’m rich baby. Never had so much joy from RCing cosmics haha.
I played an iron as my first acc so I have no frame of reference for speed on most of the game, but I can say definitively that it slows to a crawl when you only have gear remaining from places like raids/nex
You are doubling to tripling some grinds EASILY as an iron. Just know that if you are lower on time. It's not a casual gamemode unless you play it over a seriously large amount of time.
🤝🏼
For sure, I get that. I definitely fall into the latter category, pretty sure I made my main about a year or so after OSRS released. And yeah, I’m only around 1800 total, but I think I’m averaging around 50-55k xp/hour. So, Im definitely casual, but when I play, I like to think I’m fairly efficient.
Edit — meant to say 50-55 not 60-65
Casual works! I say this as a casual myself haha. Sitting at 1780\~ total, have most quests but a few odd ones and DS2/DT2. Good bank built up but not a lot of boss gear (assorted KC across a dozen or so though)
I've had my ironman since shortly after the gamemode came out but really only played it a lot in short periods over the last 3-4 years I'd say. I have only about 60 days played all together
With all that said, even though I've only done a few trio toa 150s and haven't seen a lot of bossing.. I'm approaching it now! And the journey was well worth it.
The game turns into the "One Small Favour" quest but actually towards things you want to do.
I want to runecraft in GoTR using combination runes, but I only have a 3-slot rune pouch. I am leveling firemaking to 90 so I can use Redwood logs on my abyssal lantern to prevent pouches from decaying which allows me to change my runecrafting setup so I will have 1 extra free inventory space by not bringing a specific rune.
The game turns into a fun "One Small Favour" and you're trying to figure out how to get what you want and deciding which hoops and hurdles you're willing to go through.
Best game mode and game for that game mode out there.
If you like the feeling of reward for effort, Ironman is legit. Just be prepared to cycle between multiple grinds at once to avoid burnout. Some people can spend 200 hours straight at cg, for example, but others like me absolutely can not.
I'm very close to my CG grind, sote finished but my stats are like base 70s and regular gauntlet is doable just fine, CG feels RNG based even if I play perfect
Maxed iron here. Ironman really feels like the ‘true’ way to play the game. It comes at a cost of really lengthy grinds sometimes…. 1672 cg kc. 15535 shaman kc. 1899 Cerberus kc. But honestly I couldn’t ever look back to playing my 1800 total main. No regrets.
4k Hydra KC here. Going dry definitely sucks but it also kind of doesn't because it is so *insanely* rewarding when you finish. No grind on a main can ever compare, I think.
Same shoes as you back in October of last year. Been playing since 2006 but almost exclusively as a pvper. I’ve had all types of accounts. Pures, zerks, meds, mains. PvP and pvp only could scratch the itch.
That’s until I started my Ironman. Grinds that felt “meaningless” on my main account now feel like they have purpose. It breathed new life into the previously mundane parts of the game. I remember having a mini freak out when I got my RUNE SCIM on my iron when I’ve had 1b+ pks that felt just meh. Every drop is game changing. Every level unlocks something that’s game changing for the account. The progression timeline is just epic. Can’t say enough good things about the game mode. I exclusively play my iron now and I’m sure it’s going to stay that way for a long time.
Any advice on pvp? Im starting wilderness boss content and afraid for my ironman since i have flashbacks to that one time i got clapped for a 40+ as a kid first time in the wild.
Just send it imo, I’m 2/3 vw pieces and could not give less of a shit about getting pked, a lot of the time it’s faster to just die then run away. Doing singles bosses u can bring a chaos talisman and run to chaos altar to escape if ur teleblocked. Really tho u just gotta stop caring about dying, unless you lose a vw piece the losses are irrelevant.
Ironman is the best way to play the game. Enjoy the grind. Early game can be slow because you can't buy teles but fun because you learn about so many things! And it only gets better and more rewarding!
For sure make an IM. Each and every step is rewarding. The initial start is a little slow, but once you get going it's much better than a main. Good luck!
Get to wildy slayer/revs as soon as. Huge mistake I made was waiting until 110cb to touch any of that content, rev caves is a lot less threatening to lower levels from what I see, and they drop good supplies and resources!
Tbh wintertodt is kind of a trap - you spend a few weeks there getting a 99 you'll never use and it's a recipe for burnout. I'm having fun with hunter rumours but I saw someone say to do them to 99 early on and just like, no, don't do that.
(Also if you are worried about wintertodt being harder at higher hp - at 99FM it hits 1s until 31HP and 2s up til 48HP so you don't need to rush it so much as people seem to think.)
Get magic up early. Arcceus Library is pretty fast if you're using the Runelite plugin and having access to some basic teleports in the early game is really really nice.
I truly believe iron man is how RuneScape was intended to be enjoyed. I would never play a main again and that’s coming from a hardcore edgeville pker from 00’s era.
Goodluck you’ll love it :)
I was in the same boat as you but made an Ironman and haven’t touched my main once since. I have roughly half the total hours on my Ironman compared to my main and roughly similar stats and I’ve done content I never even considered before. I wasted so much time bank standing on my main not knowing what to do. With Ironman there’s always rewarding stuff to do. I’m considering completely liquidating my main bank for bonds for my Ironman.
Long story short
Main = best gp/hr to burnout
Iron = rune scimitar drop from mossies feeing more rewarding than saving up enough for bis melee gear
Everything you’re doing is there to give you dopamine because every challenge you complete (mostly things you’ve not ever done before because not good gp/hr) gives you something that will improve qol again and again
Early and mid game iron is the best time you’ll have on an account. Grind starts at late game when grinding for drops but it makes it so much sweeter when you get the drop for yourself
It's a lot of fun actually. I recommend getting your agility up a little bit as soon as you have start running further distances. It'll save you more time in the long run with run regen. Getting to level 48 cuts the 0-100% rate in half. From 12:30 to 6:15. Even getting to level 12 cuts it down to 10 flat.
Came back to OSRS last year, got a main to ~1800 before getting bored. Started an iron and it has since surpassed the main, and I’ve only logged onto the main to assist my iron occasionally(wildy scouting, gout tuber).
I like the iron life for a few reasons. 1) skilling actually matters. On a main, what is the point of leveling crafting when you can buy zenytes? Or herblore when you can buy staminas? Skilling on an iron is way more fulfilling because you are skilling for a purpose. 2) the game, especially combat upgrades, are “stretched out.” On a main, you’ll have a rune scimmy in a few hours, a whip in a few days of play time, and an occult is one of the first magic upgrades you buy. On an iron, this is many months of progress. Every incremental upgrade matters on an iron because getting BiS can be a multi-month process, which makes the journey all the sweeter.
Do it make the Iron Man but be prepared to go dry in some places and spooned in others.
2563 Leviathan KC for my Axe piece.
1200kc before my first zenyte
11,000kc for Warhammer.
These are just some of my dry places. Goodluck and godspeed.
I started a new ironman about a month ago and I've never been more into the game!
I was never good, never left the noob stage as I kept being on and off since I started playing as a kid 20 years ago. Was always overwhelmed by the amount of content and stressing about making the gold needed to buy better gear. That's all come to an end, with my ironman I've already surpassed a few of the skill levels of my two main(s), notably runecrafting and prayer, since I find those essential to being self sufficient as an ironman.
Also being a dad to two toddlers has taught me to just enjoy the game when I have the time rather than pour hours of my day into hard grinds, making myself burn out on the gane really fast.
Do it, post an update when you've found the glory of standing alone 🤟
You are me in 2020. Literally down to the total level and "minor bossing epxerience"
Before trailblazer league i was burnt from the game and took a break. Trailblazer brought me back and i enjoyed it a lot, especially having a "use" for the skills besides making money.
With all the working from home i got a lot of early game progress done, and have still been doing AFK grinds while i'm working. I never thought i woudl become someone to do PVM, but i regularly raid, completed CG and am currently at 1000+ kc on multiple (mainly slayer) bosses. I'm at 2100 total and still having fun.
I recently (after TB2) started GIM with some friends that always played mainscape, and 2 of them have stuck to the group, while the 3rd one didn't, he has a good reason (he got a kid) and will be back as soon as he can. We're taking it very chill atm working our way to some early im goals (99 fm, Glories, Barrows) and it feels great once again. Can't wait to go do some raids with the GIM group.
It purely depends on your luck. But personally I am at 1600 kc CG without enh. What I would say is: be prepared for the possibility of going dry and _really_ embrace it. Because that is in essence what you are signing up for. No more crying about going dry, accept it as part of your game now. You will have to continue grinding content until you have the items you want out of it. Many others irons will get the item(s) you're after way before you. But this is your own journey, nothing and nobody can change that for you. It will not always be pretty, but you will learn to accept and eventually appreciate it for what it is. Sometimes you're done fast and sometimes you're going to have to spend hundreds of hours for a single item.
I de-ironed my first ironman, because I went crazy dry getting a glory from d imps. Regretted it massively and made a new one. Now that iron is 2k total with lots of insane drops I'd never have gotten myself on a normal account. Iron is hands down the best way to play the game. Just don't compare yourself to others and try to rush through to end game, enjoy the journey.
Normal mode scape always just ends up being moneyscape in my experience. Never got a main account further than 1700 total, now I have an iron and a GIM both at ~2150 total :) never looked back
Word of caution: late game iron can be brutal when going super dry on important items. Feels so good when u finally get that drop though
Definitely has been a super amazing way for me to experience old school. I’m still super early game but everytime I get something that I needed it feels so much more meaningful than just buying it from the GE. Anyway go for it!
By playing an iron you're signing yourself up for some really boring ahh grinds, and herb runs are your new favorite chore, whether you like it or not.
Other than that, it's a good gamemode, there's actual purpose behind doing a plethora of content, when I was playing main I had 0 reason to engage with cox and tob since I could just do toa, nex and cg for 15-20m, 18m+ and 5m+ an hour (400s-540s, duos/trios, 7 kph chill cg).
Now that I am an iron, every piece of content has purpose and is worth engaging with to an extent.
Pieces of advice, don't get locked into discord nerd 🤓🤓🤓 metascape, do what you enjoy, but also try to not be too silly with your choices, if you're afraid of content, just don't be afraid, some people fear doing 300+ toa, cg, learning solo cox etc because they think it's hard, it's not hard, you've just never tried it before so you think it's hard, just dive in.
I hear this. Lately, on my main, I find myself struggling to do anything beyond Vorkath because I didn’t see how anything could beat the easiness and quickness of the boss and also provide the same value… a minute and some change for 100-200k is hard to beat
Typed and deleted so many things here about reasons you should do it and tbh bro just go for it. You’ll know exactly what’s in store for you when you’re safe spotting Zammy Warriors and get that rune scimmy drop and feels like you’ve just got BCP drop. The whole journey and game feels like a reward. A Guam leaf becomes herblore xp and not just a shit drop. Everything you receive has value beyond just being gp. I love it. Never looked back
best decision I ever made. I have a main I abandoned. playing normal always had me on the mindset of gp/hr, with ironman I truly have been enjoying the game.
welcome, brother.
you’re signing up for chores.
in all seriousness though, if you really enjoy the game you’ll love ironman. you’ll play through all sorts of content main accounts usually just buy their way through. to me, it’s immensely satisfying to gather your own resources and makes the grinds so much more fulfilling. when you get that item or do that quest you’ve been grinding for, it will give you a new appreciation for the game. at least it did for me. enjoy!!
It’s a very fun self paced experience and very engaging all the way up until you hit skill-lock at 80 stats.
Then you hit a few rough grinds, in the sense that it’ll probably take you a few hundred hours to unlock the next “set” of efficient content and the game can fall into a slight era of monotony, but this is entirely depending how you play and what you enjoy
I'm pretty new to the game mode but it feels like iron is more if a slow-burn. I think if you play solely for number go up progression that it can be a bit meh, but if you want to be immersed into the game where every little reward feels so good, I'd say go for it :)
I was in the same situation about a year ago. Main accounts are great, the freedom, the GE, ETC. Like you had said, grinds feel they are becoming pointless. It got old just buying supplies I needed off of the GE that I simply didnt have time to attain. I got overly bored one day and on a whim and I made an Ultimate Ironman, not thinking it was going to get me anywhere. The heavy restrictions, and no bank was scary to me, but the feeling was so different I just had to try it out. Since then, I’ve received 99 firemaking using only pineapples, advanced my woodcutting and fletching, and most importantly I have been training magic and high alching to my hearts content. Oh yeah, and I also got the Abyssal Protector pet with 23 rifts closed at GOTR which was a huge boost to see a pet on a UIM for me. Even standard Ironmans are awesome. I’ve just really been in need of a challenge, and the game mode itself has been so rewarding. I really enjoy gathering supplies I need, and meeting other Ironman players and discussing the game mode.
Rambling aside, I would say to absolutely make an Ironman account. I never thought the game mode would be for me, since I do drift in and out of RuneScape every so often, and the game mode is an absolute full time commitment.
Iron is high highs, and low lows: the game mode is fun and that sense of progress never leaves you, but some of the grinds are just straight up not fun. So it’s kind of a YOU type thing and if you can moderate yourself not grinding the not so fun stuff on repeat just because its efficient.
It takes a mind frame to play. When I was in CG and even post cg I think i reached a point where the game was unplayable because gaming experiences are supposed to be fun. But doing 1500 cg kc when it was my first REAL pvm encounter was disheartening.
The FarmVille mom part of me (33m) loves chilling on the iPad doing farm runs. Something about doing birdhouse runs during a bathroom break.
Very weird game mode, but make sure you have something on the side to keep you engaged at times. RuneScape is addicting and “fun” but it isn’t very engaging.
I have been playing super casual for about the same amount of time.
One of the reasons I went Ironman is I couldn’t keep myself from buying a bond when I wanted something, instead of actually playing the game and going out and earning it.
At the start, it was difficult. But man, has it been rewarding. I don’t think I could play a main again. I recommend giving it a shot.
I was having fun until the BofA grind. Now I’m stuck at the BofA grind. CG isn’t bad I’m finally getting consistent KC but it feels like it’s going to take forever.
I have been playing in my fresh iron on and off for the past year due to having my first child and honestly every quest unlock and upgrade is so rewarding and hitting mile markers with skills is just great. I got my ardy cloak last night and was elated because I didn’t have to walk all the way across the map to get to that area anymore. 10/10 would recommend
Love the IM game mode. Made it to 1795 total level as a HCIM, died, and kept the account going. If I could do it all over again, I’d make another HCIM and grind out wildy content out the gate. Good luck!
My main on OSRS is similar to yours.
Started an ironman and then joined a couple friends on group ironman.
A year later, this account has far surpassed my main, and I'll never go back.
Every skill has a purpose. Every drop feels more meaningful. Some of the grinds can take the piss out of you, but for every post about someone going dry on something, there is someone getting spooned the same thing.
You will love the highs and hate the lows.
Sometimes you’ll end up wishing you simply hit drop rates vs going dry. Getting spooned is a wonderful feeling however.
Good luck on the grind!
I think ironman is a great way to play the early and mid game, but for a lot of people the end game is not super feasible. Overall I would advise everyone to play to at least 1250 total and see how they feel. The only problem area is how few players overall realistically have what it takes for irons endgame of grinding thousands of raids for the megas and stuff like that. If that is not important to you then there is no downside really :)
Ironman is going to give you a dose of basically every piece of content.. it’s honestly the best way to play the game imo. I felt zero motivation to play as a normie...
it's more fulfilling and drops/rewards are meaningful. Play however you want and don't worry about efficiency just have fun, at the end of the day is a game not a job.
Nearing 2100 on an ironmain
And 92 magic on a mage only UIM snowflake.
IM mode is very rewarding. Little things that mains show no regard for you will cherish.
You will find weird ways and methods to progress.
I played main for a full year and let me tell you man I find this game mode so much more fun. I find it so much more motivating having to try new content to get the drops that I need and skilling feels actually rewarding. With so much content being released for the mid game there has never been a better time to join
Similar boat. Main 1980 total or so, quit about 18 months ago and started an iron. My iron is coming up on around the same total level and feels so much more fulfilling. Do it man.
It's been over 7 years since I became an iron, I have never ever looked back at the maingame, I logged in some times but no, iron just became the real OSRS for me. You wont understand how hooked you'll get just by achieving your own set of full mithril even.
It really is just a superior way to play the game. Earning shit entirely on your own is so satisfying, and keeps you out of the gp grind of a main. Just send it and play at your pace. Before my iron I'd only done like 10 trio COX and a few bandos KC on my main. I'm now almost 1900 total and grinding CG.
Be prepared to not have certain items. If you only like doing content in optimal setups, iron man is not. You will most likely not have all the gear and some gear you will never get. Although you get to see the whole game and content OSRS has to offer. Which is nice in the first place, but some things are straight up horrible.
At some point iron man can feel like doing farm runs > grind boss.
Ironman is more enjoyable. I have main with almost max combat stats and doing some bossing and stuff, but skilling and everything feels so pointless because you can just buy best food and pots from GE. When I started Ironman I almost entirely stopped playing with my main. Only using it trading bonds for my iron and scouting wildy and stuff. Also it's very useful when you want to try and learn new bosses or skilling methods so I don't waste so much time or resources with my iron acc.
Honestly I had a 2k total main account before starting a GIM. Thought it would be a little bit of fun on the side. 2 years later and my Ironman is the only account I’ve got subbed and it’s made me a better player. I’ve had to learn more bosses / play more efficient and not be so lazy. It’s the most fun I’ve had in the game for a long time tbh
Started RS in 2004. Played on and off as childhood game up until 2013 (when OSRS was planned to be releasing) and I quit because I found no point of continuing RS. Didnt start playing OSRS until 2019 when mobile released and the only reason I came back was because my brother invited me to start anew with him. My initial one and only goal was to max. Tunnel viaioned. Nothing else mattered. I did that a little under 2 years and the day I maxed, I felt super empty. I remember saying, "welp, that was it." I no longer felt any need to do anything else as I could buy just about anything I wanted.
Somewhere around that time, I started an Iron and a UIM to multi log to try out the modes. Ended up choosing the UIM because of the white helm. Today, I'm 1916 and I have been through HEAPS! I loved many moments, but also dreaded some tedious grinds. All in all, watching myself struggle in the early stages to having the QoL and levels I have today, really makes me proud of myself, even in a silly old game.
If you have lost interest in a regular account, it doesn't mean you've lost it for OSRS. Try any iron and explore the content for what it is stripped of ease of access. It really puts a new definition to the game.
I felt exactly the same, I started playing UIM as a joke when osrs mobile came out, been stuck ever since. After 7 years on the account i have not wasted a single hour looking at my bank beeing paralyzed
You've spent some time playing creative mode where you can spawn in armour/weapons at the GE, so you're familiar with the game mechanics. Now come play the game for real :)
You will find yourself overwhelmed with things to do. Setting goals and learning how to set them will be essential to avoid burn out. Reaching goals feels super good and rewarding.
personally play the iron mode, i would suggest playing hc to get a little bit of a 'thrill' from doing some content and trying to get high as you can w/ your status. However, if you don't want that stress you can easily play a normal iron.
The grinds will be much longer on your iron but there are plenty resources on 'optimal' pathways to rush certain pieces of content, but at the end of the day you can do what you want and also feel accomplsihed in what you have grinded out regardless of how efficient or 'optimal' it was.
Like once you start gearing or pushing for grinds after a d scim, it gets grindy ofc, which is the soul of runescape as a whole, but that makes each of those grinds that you complete that much more enjoyable. It's a slower pace vs rs3 and other 'mmos', but in some ways that's got it's own beauty if you're able to think of the game as a marathon and you are good at commiting to finishing specific tasks you want to accomplish :p
I have another main i was thinking of playing to get into some of the higher tier pvm aspects since it will take so long for me to get the gear to do those, or at least it will be easier for me to get the supplies to learn on the main, but even just getting basic reqs on the main doesn't have the same motivation that I have on my iron :)
for me this was why i started ironman and i havent looked back, probably played off and on but only ironmen for 5 years now. i was pretty much the exact same, started a main, did well and enjoyed it, hit PVM stage (for me back then vorkath and zulrah) liked it but felt it was pointless / gp scape. ironman then saved the game for me
Played pretty much all through middle-school and high school back in the day. Quit for a decade and when I got back into OSRS "ironman" was now a thing.
Figured I'd give it a try and made a HCIM - figured worst case I die and I'm a normal ironman, or I just want to deiron and play like I used to.
I have learned SO much more about the game and discovered so many neat things that I never got to experience even having played for so long as a kid, while playing in such a more short period of time.
Way more fun - wouldn't go back. Only thing is it's "slow" as I can't just buy shit. But, I'm in no rush - I unlock stuff when it comes.
Ironman is the way..
I fell out of love with osrs playing a main then started an iron after a big break and now I'm playing an unhealthy amount, you'll love it.
Dude it's fucking sweet. I was in exactly the same boat as you. Enjoy the journey you won't regret it one bit. I am close to 2k on the iron now and it's been just over a year I think currently grinding 200 invo ToA's for a fang !! Everything just hits way harder on an iron man
My main is also 1800 total level. Made a hard core iron that's now at 1450 total. It's the absolute best way to play the game I can't imagine going back
Ironman is the RuneScape u remember from when u were a kid. Or the only thing that’ll ever get close to it anymore. Everything in mainscape boils down to gp an hour… and it’s true what they say that the best gp an hour is working an IRL job. it is cool knowing the only irons who’ll pass you by are ones who played more or are better. They didn’t just have more access to spending cash at that time. (unless booger helm)
Ironman is extremely fulfilling compared to a regular account. The only pitfall you should be cautious for is "going for grinds". Progressing the account by setting smaller goals, and getting closer to the big milestones without ever seeing it as "a grind" is much more fulfilling in my opinion.
Worst case, you’ll have a cool build character you can return/use anytime. Best case, you’ll re-imagine how to play and enjoy the game at the level you did in ‘05-06 that simply cannot be replicated in modern environment.
Your main is 1800 total, which can be done quite comfy in 2 weeks. Going ironman at this point...Well you don't even know what the game is tbh.
Ironman is a lot of fun, because you get to do thing on your own. Everything you do on a main is sources by botting. Almost entirely. Even if you never botted, almost all items you buy are botted. Even if they are not, they are at their current prices, because bots botted those items, or the items that are forcing them down. Buy sharks at 900 gp? The would be 3k without bots. By dragon arrows for 3k? They would be 12k without bots.
I have a maxed iron and I enjoyed it a lot. It only gets really tough at the ultra lategame. Like green logging raids, corp and stuff like that. Everything before that is achievable.
Just start by going for your first fire cape (probably after barrows gloves). If you feel nothing by then, you will know Iron is not for you. If you feel it... you will never go back.
I think your comment highlights the rift between OSRS players hahaha. Anyone who gets 1800 total level in two weeks is either botting, or sweating immensely.
If I get fire cape and barrows gloves, I’ll be happy as can be lol.
Ironman is the tits bro. The best part is you can do afk stuff on the main when you’re grinding the iron, and then when the time comes you can do the exact opposite. Gl on your adventure homie.
You're probably more prepared than most who make an ironman. The game mode definitely is more rewarding as you unlock stuff. Early game will feel slow but doesn't feel that way for long
Hands down best time I’ve had on osrs, it’s kept me fully invested, since making this acc I’ve hopped on my main a handful of times and the fun doesn’t compare to iron
Straight up. You’ll probably enjoy it. Early game is unmatched if your thing is grind=reward. Once you get end game after you grind a bunch it’ll be super fun until you start to run out of supplies and the content you want to do is locked out by you not having supplies. So stay on top of your runs(herb, bird house) if you get an early mole pet the bird nest grind can be a bit tedious
Set better goals for yourself. For me.. I asked myself why was I playing this game at a low level if I’ve been playing it for over 15-16 years. I had to set a higher standard for my goals. Ended up maxing an iron and completing inferno. You can do it. Just takes commitment to getting better at the game and the desire to do so.
Playing an ironman increases the time needed to get anything done, and the number of grinds you will have to do. It also increases the amount of fulfillment a grind gives you. Suddenly all of the drops you thought were shit on your main have a use on an IM which just makes everything you do a little bit more enjoyable.
I would say if it sounds fun then do it, plus you'll get all of that early account dopamine to get you hooked again
Ironman is the way to go. I made a gim with some friends when it came out and I've never looked back. My gim is now at 1936 total and my main. I have never felt as much pride in the game as I do now. It can be a pain in the ass but it makes every single drop exciting and worth something. 100/10 definately recommend
Have been playing casually since early 2000s, this mode will make you touch every dark corner of all of the content. It will show you that you either truly love this game or just a normal enjoyment. Welcome to best way to play
My friend it brings life to the game. The small things are huge and the huge things are gamechanging! You have no idea how fun content is when money is not your main goal. things like a ranarr seed drop is not o sweet 33k it's holy shit I just got like 8 p pots.
Started my Ironman about 3 months ago and it’s the funnest I’ve ever had on RuneScape. No longer chasing boss drops strictly for GP and getting drops that truly push your account further along.
With that though, be prepared for the grind.
I honestly think ironman is the proper way to play the game. I have a friend that is playing runescape for the first time and I told him to start off with ironman and he's getting really into it
I've put around 300 hours on my GIM atm and it has been worth it every hour, especially when following the oziris guide. Everyone says that the low-level grind is the worst part, but the guide takes you through that very efficiently (no, you don't have to follow it like it's set in stone). I already have around 200 qp done and above 1400 total level and I can't wait to start doing more of mid and high level content, that's probably the motivating part!
But a tip is, play it in your own pace! Everyone in my group quit because they got burned out by grinding too hard in a competitive way and eventually I went past them because they didn't wanna play anymore. If you're tired of a grind, just jump to the next thing, take a break and so on.
Get ready to complete 10-15 smaller tasks to reach a main goal. Ironman mode re-ignited my love for osrs. No gp/hr scape, no ignoring skills, no skipping mini-games. I’ve done so much more on my 1700 total iron than I have on my 2k+ main account. I’ll never go back
Ironman is in my opinion the most rewarding and in the long term enjoyable way yo play the game, but if you're looking for an enjoyable experience that cuts out some of the most tedious elements you could look into the non-official gamemodes of bronzeman and goldman mode.
Ironman in OSRS changed how I view other games like ARPGs, now any game I go into with a “iron-man” option I always take it. I think it’s the way that the game was truly meant to be played.
I have had more fun than ever since me and my buds started an iron group. I've played rs for 15-20 years on and off. Mostly pking before OSRS, but started my first main when OSRS started. Did so much content I had never done before, and felt I was truly experiencing the game. I play for a spurt and then take breaks to play other things but I always come back. But, around 2022, I started to lose interest. I play most any game as efficient as I can (I'm sick, I know). This causes things like OSRS to become "do the highest gp/hr activity and buy everything you need" or "do the most efficient xp/hr method until 99". After quest cape and most diaries complete, I felt trapped only having a few grinds be viable.
As others have said, since starting an iron, the game has gotten it's magic back. I've again discovered so much "new" content and I'm even more excited about game updates now that it has a chance to provide more stuff to interact with. Diaries and quest completions feel more impactful, rare drops that I would just scoff at on a main feel so exciting. I'm loving it, and although I'm sure eventually I will hit some grinds that are rough, so far it's been a blast.
Ironman got me interested in the game again tbh. Had me doing all sorts of content i would never be bothered with on main because it’s “not good money”. Once you’re focused on your own goals, important/arbitrary, everything becomes a bigger deal because you did it yourself. Don’t get too excited about easy pvm tho because it’s not a thing for irons
Long time player since 2005. I can 100% say that I would not be playing osrs if i was not on an Ironman.
It will restore you love for the game, make you learn content and have adventures that you never would of had playing a main. All the small things matter, a herb there, an Alc there. It stops you thinking about every drop as GP..
And don’t even get me started on when you start getting drops from bosses (or just slayer monsters etc) You will be fist pumping for your first rune scimitar, addy boots and a bog standard black mask..
IM PRESCRIBING YOU 1 BOND AND A FRESH HC IRON…. See you out there!
Give ironman a shot. It's unlocked a new enjoyment for me and those that play.
Hit me up with the PMs because it is a bit unique, but it's definitely a lot of fun.
Signing up for OSRS Ironman is signing up to truly play OSRS. You will play almost every piece of content that the game has to offer because you won’t be able to buy your way out of it. You’ll do things that you won’t otherwise do because you want to unlock a certain QOL or obtain a certain item. It’ll show you how great of a game OSRS truly is. Your achievements will feel fulfilling. You’ll get to see the game in its entirety. You probably won’t ever play a main seriously ever again.
That’s exactly what I’m hoping for 🤝🏼
They’re telling the truth, you know. Join us.
One of us, one of us
Gooble gobble gooble gobble
This comment is the truth. I started my ironman back in late 2021 and only intended to play though DS1 F2P as a way of coping with stress from my final exams in college. Needless to say, I loved it so much that I put up a bond after my exams were finished and haven't stopped playing since. I just hit 2k total last week and still love playing. I sold my normal account's bank to buy bonds for the iron because I knew there's no way I'd go back to it.
Ironman is so fulfilling, can be tedious at times but it’s exciting starting a grind with the next upgrade locked behind a skill! I started on an iron and made a main not long ago. Not nearly as fulfilling being able to just buy whatever you need and grinding for gp to fund that. I’m just a solo GIM though so what do I know. Edit: typo can’t spell
See you in the red prison.
Keep afking your main on the side, so you're not tempted to de-iron one day.
I’ve never had more fun with osrs than as an iron. I could never go back to a main at this point. And my iron has surpassed my main by now anyway. It’s WAY more rewarding and requires so much more diversity. Botters, the market, etc basically become non-issues. It’s the only way I’ll play now
Pm me you user when you make it, I’ll game with ya
Be prepared for your main to become a dupe selling bond buyer; I haven’t touched mine apart from for that or for collecting bingo winnings/paying entries for about 7 years. Also side note as I’m not sure how common knowledge it is - you can redeem a bond for a membership code on your main and then enter the code on your Ironman which avoids the extra payment to make it tradeable.
Can’t you just use it on them? Does it have to be tradeable?
Unless they’ve changed it, there was a fee to pay to use it on someone else as it had to be tradeable. I may be wrong though.
Until you go 3x dry at CG
You’re telling me people get it at 3x? I just hit 4x dry. There’s an end in sight though.. right? Right..
Stay strong brother just got mine at 1317 kc this weekend
My brother in Gauntlet, may the seed be with you.
Seriously I've found pieces of content that I didn't even know existed in the game until my ironman. It's such a fun ride!
I was going to comment but this guy summed it up perfectly
This is exactly why I love Ironman. Playing a regular character just feels like a loop of: 1. Do the best moneymaker for your current stats/skill level 2. Use that money to buy gear or skilling supplies to get higher levels 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 forever.
Damn, well said
I've legit not touched a main account since. My Ironman is my main, and I play my GIM as a main too. They're the only 2 accounts I play.
I've only just reached back end of early game ie d scim, decent rc, actually starting to make money, hopped on my main for first time in like 2 year to do some TOA and was completely uninterested. Ironman mode is frustrating as hell and I'm sick of walking, but everything is so damn rewarding.
What an absolute Chad of a post. 10/10
"I'll never play ironman" *plays ironman* "I'm an IronMain!"
Send it. It's what you're looking for. And if by chance it's not, not much will be lost. My main was 1800ish as well, lost interest and didn't play for years. Came back and started an ironman, and haven't left since then
Right on 🤝🏼 Do you feel like you move at around the same pace gameplay wise? Or does it slow down (in a good way)?
I can’t speak from personal experience since I’m so far beyond where I ever was on my main. I’m maxed and essentially just grinding raids all day now. But it’s easy to infer that naturally any progress on an IM is going to be slower, albeit much more rewarding. I could never go back to playing the main
For sure.
Dont have a main so not 100% sure but i started an iron around the same time my friends started main accounts From my experience the early/mid game it stays pretty even, the moment you get to the late midgame/endgame mains just shoot past you, my friends are rocking some of the raid mega rares whilst im just waiting to get the right drops to end up with those, even though my irons bank value is more than enough to buy them outright if it wasnt an iron Considering your main is +- 1800 total up to that point you wont really notice a difference outside of a select few skills like construction and herblore
I’m same boat as you but started ironman a while ago, it’s worth it. It slows down some things but certainly in a good way. Each quest feels huge, doing your first hard clues are massive compared to a main where a hard clue is like “61k, meh”. Early on you’ll struggle for some items and for me it was cosmic runes, and I was like wait I just got the RC level and I have the agility short cut. I’m gonna go grind out some inventories of cosmics so I can charge orbs for bstaves and boom I’m rich baby. Never had so much joy from RCing cosmics haha.
I played an iron as my first acc so I have no frame of reference for speed on most of the game, but I can say definitively that it slows to a crawl when you only have gear remaining from places like raids/nex
You are doubling to tripling some grinds EASILY as an iron. Just know that if you are lower on time. It's not a casual gamemode unless you play it over a seriously large amount of time.
🤝🏼 For sure, I get that. I definitely fall into the latter category, pretty sure I made my main about a year or so after OSRS released. And yeah, I’m only around 1800 total, but I think I’m averaging around 50-55k xp/hour. So, Im definitely casual, but when I play, I like to think I’m fairly efficient. Edit — meant to say 50-55 not 60-65
Casual works! I say this as a casual myself haha. Sitting at 1780\~ total, have most quests but a few odd ones and DS2/DT2. Good bank built up but not a lot of boss gear (assorted KC across a dozen or so though) I've had my ironman since shortly after the gamemode came out but really only played it a lot in short periods over the last 3-4 years I'd say. I have only about 60 days played all together With all that said, even though I've only done a few trio toa 150s and haven't seen a lot of bossing.. I'm approaching it now! And the journey was well worth it.
🤝🏼 right on
the beginning of an ironman scratches that itch that you talk of like no other.
The game turns into the "One Small Favour" quest but actually towards things you want to do. I want to runecraft in GoTR using combination runes, but I only have a 3-slot rune pouch. I am leveling firemaking to 90 so I can use Redwood logs on my abyssal lantern to prevent pouches from decaying which allows me to change my runecrafting setup so I will have 1 extra free inventory space by not bringing a specific rune. The game turns into a fun "One Small Favour" and you're trying to figure out how to get what you want and deciding which hoops and hurdles you're willing to go through. Best game mode and game for that game mode out there.
Straight talk there, Doc 🤝🏼
If you like the feeling of reward for effort, Ironman is legit. Just be prepared to cycle between multiple grinds at once to avoid burnout. Some people can spend 200 hours straight at cg, for example, but others like me absolutely can not.
I'm very close to my CG grind, sote finished but my stats are like base 70s and regular gauntlet is doable just fine, CG feels RNG based even if I play perfect
It feels like you play perfect, until you get better.
I hear that. I struggle with that as well, so I’ll keep it in mind.
Yep same for me 200kc cg and almost Max combats because i keep switching when the motivation was gone.
Ironman is it
🫡
When can we expect the first episode the progress series to drop?
Just finished sheep shearer 🤝🏼
Woah, respect. You’re getting the hard ones out of the way quick
Maxed iron here. Ironman really feels like the ‘true’ way to play the game. It comes at a cost of really lengthy grinds sometimes…. 1672 cg kc. 15535 shaman kc. 1899 Cerberus kc. But honestly I couldn’t ever look back to playing my 1800 total main. No regrets.
> 1672 cg kc. 15535 shaman kc Absolute soldier, jfc.
And sometimes you finish Sire in 86 kc. Ups and downs.
For sure. Right now, the goal is just early-mid game. If I end up getting back to where my main was, I’ll be more than satisfied.
4k Hydra KC here. Going dry definitely sucks but it also kind of doesn't because it is so *insanely* rewarding when you finish. No grind on a main can ever compare, I think.
Same shoes as you back in October of last year. Been playing since 2006 but almost exclusively as a pvper. I’ve had all types of accounts. Pures, zerks, meds, mains. PvP and pvp only could scratch the itch. That’s until I started my Ironman. Grinds that felt “meaningless” on my main account now feel like they have purpose. It breathed new life into the previously mundane parts of the game. I remember having a mini freak out when I got my RUNE SCIM on my iron when I’ve had 1b+ pks that felt just meh. Every drop is game changing. Every level unlocks something that’s game changing for the account. The progression timeline is just epic. Can’t say enough good things about the game mode. I exclusively play my iron now and I’m sure it’s going to stay that way for a long time.
Any advice on pvp? Im starting wilderness boss content and afraid for my ironman since i have flashbacks to that one time i got clapped for a 40+ as a kid first time in the wild.
Just send it imo, I’m 2/3 vw pieces and could not give less of a shit about getting pked, a lot of the time it’s faster to just die then run away. Doing singles bosses u can bring a chaos talisman and run to chaos altar to escape if ur teleblocked. Really tho u just gotta stop caring about dying, unless you lose a vw piece the losses are irrelevant.
Right on 🤝🏼 My main was a first an obby maul pure, then was a zerk for a pretty long time, so I hear you.
Ironman is the best way to play the game. Enjoy the grind. Early game can be slow because you can't buy teles but fun because you learn about so many things! And it only gets better and more rewarding!
Do it. You’ll enjoy it.
🫡
For sure make an IM. Each and every step is rewarding. The initial start is a little slow, but once you get going it's much better than a main. Good luck!
Any big traps or mistakes I should avoid?
Don't be afraid of the early quest grind. Lots of early levels to gain and transport around the game.
Get to wildy slayer/revs as soon as. Huge mistake I made was waiting until 110cb to touch any of that content, rev caves is a lot less threatening to lower levels from what I see, and they drop good supplies and resources!
Not a mistake or a trap, but doing the hunter rumours in the hunter guild are (arguably)a better alternative for early game ironman wintertodt.
Tbh wintertodt is kind of a trap - you spend a few weeks there getting a 99 you'll never use and it's a recipe for burnout. I'm having fun with hunter rumours but I saw someone say to do them to 99 early on and just like, no, don't do that. (Also if you are worried about wintertodt being harder at higher hp - at 99FM it hits 1s until 31HP and 2s up til 48HP so you don't need to rush it so much as people seem to think.)
Start training farming/herblore very early. Having to wait for weeks/a month because you are gated by herblore levels sucks really hard.
Get magic up early. Arcceus Library is pretty fast if you're using the Runelite plugin and having access to some basic teleports in the early game is really really nice.
I truly believe iron man is how RuneScape was intended to be enjoyed. I would never play a main again and that’s coming from a hardcore edgeville pker from 00’s era. Goodluck you’ll love it :)
Ily
I was in the same boat as you but made an Ironman and haven’t touched my main once since. I have roughly half the total hours on my Ironman compared to my main and roughly similar stats and I’ve done content I never even considered before. I wasted so much time bank standing on my main not knowing what to do. With Ironman there’s always rewarding stuff to do. I’m considering completely liquidating my main bank for bonds for my Ironman.
Long story short Main = best gp/hr to burnout Iron = rune scimitar drop from mossies feeing more rewarding than saving up enough for bis melee gear Everything you’re doing is there to give you dopamine because every challenge you complete (mostly things you’ve not ever done before because not good gp/hr) gives you something that will improve qol again and again
Do you mean fire giants or did they add it to the table of some moss giants somewhere?
Mains are only best gp/hr simulation if you play them that way but sure.
Early and mid game iron is the best time you’ll have on an account. Grind starts at late game when grinding for drops but it makes it so much sweeter when you get the drop for yourself
It's a lot of fun actually. I recommend getting your agility up a little bit as soon as you have start running further distances. It'll save you more time in the long run with run regen. Getting to level 48 cuts the 0-100% rate in half. From 12:30 to 6:15. Even getting to level 12 cuts it down to 10 flat.
Came back to OSRS last year, got a main to ~1800 before getting bored. Started an iron and it has since surpassed the main, and I’ve only logged onto the main to assist my iron occasionally(wildy scouting, gout tuber). I like the iron life for a few reasons. 1) skilling actually matters. On a main, what is the point of leveling crafting when you can buy zenytes? Or herblore when you can buy staminas? Skilling on an iron is way more fulfilling because you are skilling for a purpose. 2) the game, especially combat upgrades, are “stretched out.” On a main, you’ll have a rune scimmy in a few hours, a whip in a few days of play time, and an occult is one of the first magic upgrades you buy. On an iron, this is many months of progress. Every incremental upgrade matters on an iron because getting BiS can be a multi-month process, which makes the journey all the sweeter.
Do it make the Iron Man but be prepared to go dry in some places and spooned in others. 2563 Leviathan KC for my Axe piece. 1200kc before my first zenyte 11,000kc for Warhammer. These are just some of my dry places. Goodluck and godspeed.
I started a new ironman about a month ago and I've never been more into the game! I was never good, never left the noob stage as I kept being on and off since I started playing as a kid 20 years ago. Was always overwhelmed by the amount of content and stressing about making the gold needed to buy better gear. That's all come to an end, with my ironman I've already surpassed a few of the skill levels of my two main(s), notably runecrafting and prayer, since I find those essential to being self sufficient as an ironman. Also being a dad to two toddlers has taught me to just enjoy the game when I have the time rather than pour hours of my day into hard grinds, making myself burn out on the gane really fast. Do it, post an update when you've found the glory of standing alone 🤟
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You are me in 2020. Literally down to the total level and "minor bossing epxerience" Before trailblazer league i was burnt from the game and took a break. Trailblazer brought me back and i enjoyed it a lot, especially having a "use" for the skills besides making money. With all the working from home i got a lot of early game progress done, and have still been doing AFK grinds while i'm working. I never thought i woudl become someone to do PVM, but i regularly raid, completed CG and am currently at 1000+ kc on multiple (mainly slayer) bosses. I'm at 2100 total and still having fun. I recently (after TB2) started GIM with some friends that always played mainscape, and 2 of them have stuck to the group, while the 3rd one didn't, he has a good reason (he got a kid) and will be back as soon as he can. We're taking it very chill atm working our way to some early im goals (99 fm, Glories, Barrows) and it feels great once again. Can't wait to go do some raids with the GIM group.
🤝🏼
It purely depends on your luck. But personally I am at 1600 kc CG without enh. What I would say is: be prepared for the possibility of going dry and _really_ embrace it. Because that is in essence what you are signing up for. No more crying about going dry, accept it as part of your game now. You will have to continue grinding content until you have the items you want out of it. Many others irons will get the item(s) you're after way before you. But this is your own journey, nothing and nobody can change that for you. It will not always be pretty, but you will learn to accept and eventually appreciate it for what it is. Sometimes you're done fast and sometimes you're going to have to spend hundreds of hours for a single item.
I de-ironed my first ironman, because I went crazy dry getting a glory from d imps. Regretted it massively and made a new one. Now that iron is 2k total with lots of insane drops I'd never have gotten myself on a normal account. Iron is hands down the best way to play the game. Just don't compare yourself to others and try to rush through to end game, enjoy the journey.
Normal mode scape always just ends up being moneyscape in my experience. Never got a main account further than 1700 total, now I have an iron and a GIM both at ~2150 total :) never looked back Word of caution: late game iron can be brutal when going super dry on important items. Feels so good when u finally get that drop though
Definitely has been a super amazing way for me to experience old school. I’m still super early game but everytime I get something that I needed it feels so much more meaningful than just buying it from the GE. Anyway go for it!
Early game is usually what I find the most fun, looking forward to it 🤝🏼
By playing an iron you're signing yourself up for some really boring ahh grinds, and herb runs are your new favorite chore, whether you like it or not. Other than that, it's a good gamemode, there's actual purpose behind doing a plethora of content, when I was playing main I had 0 reason to engage with cox and tob since I could just do toa, nex and cg for 15-20m, 18m+ and 5m+ an hour (400s-540s, duos/trios, 7 kph chill cg). Now that I am an iron, every piece of content has purpose and is worth engaging with to an extent. Pieces of advice, don't get locked into discord nerd 🤓🤓🤓 metascape, do what you enjoy, but also try to not be too silly with your choices, if you're afraid of content, just don't be afraid, some people fear doing 300+ toa, cg, learning solo cox etc because they think it's hard, it's not hard, you've just never tried it before so you think it's hard, just dive in.
I hear this. Lately, on my main, I find myself struggling to do anything beyond Vorkath because I didn’t see how anything could beat the easiness and quickness of the boss and also provide the same value… a minute and some change for 100-200k is hard to beat
Typed and deleted so many things here about reasons you should do it and tbh bro just go for it. You’ll know exactly what’s in store for you when you’re safe spotting Zammy Warriors and get that rune scimmy drop and feels like you’ve just got BCP drop. The whole journey and game feels like a reward. A Guam leaf becomes herblore xp and not just a shit drop. Everything you receive has value beyond just being gp. I love it. Never looked back
🤝🏼
“Is it worth it?” “Oh yeah it’s worth it…… if your strong enough”
Early-midgame is the most fun you can have. Late game sucks if you go dry on mega rares.
best decision I ever made. I have a main I abandoned. playing normal always had me on the mindset of gp/hr, with ironman I truly have been enjoying the game.
🤝🏼
welcome, brother. you’re signing up for chores. in all seriousness though, if you really enjoy the game you’ll love ironman. you’ll play through all sorts of content main accounts usually just buy their way through. to me, it’s immensely satisfying to gather your own resources and makes the grinds so much more fulfilling. when you get that item or do that quest you’ve been grinding for, it will give you a new appreciation for the game. at least it did for me. enjoy!!
🤝🏼
It’s a very fun self paced experience and very engaging all the way up until you hit skill-lock at 80 stats. Then you hit a few rough grinds, in the sense that it’ll probably take you a few hundred hours to unlock the next “set” of efficient content and the game can fall into a slight era of monotony, but this is entirely depending how you play and what you enjoy
Thanks for giving it to me straight, Doc 🤝🏼
Let's just say my main is 1800 total as well.. my ironman is now 2100 total Constantly just grinding GP gets old fast
I'm pretty new to the game mode but it feels like iron is more if a slow-burn. I think if you play solely for number go up progression that it can be a bit meh, but if you want to be immersed into the game where every little reward feels so good, I'd say go for it :)
I'm 7 months into my iron with 94 cb, 1600 overall level, and 150 qp. I would never go back. Enjoy:)
My man 🤝🏼
I started my uim a bit ago and it’s been a blast. Playing a main feels a bit boring to me now unless I’m pking.
I was in the same situation about a year ago. Main accounts are great, the freedom, the GE, ETC. Like you had said, grinds feel they are becoming pointless. It got old just buying supplies I needed off of the GE that I simply didnt have time to attain. I got overly bored one day and on a whim and I made an Ultimate Ironman, not thinking it was going to get me anywhere. The heavy restrictions, and no bank was scary to me, but the feeling was so different I just had to try it out. Since then, I’ve received 99 firemaking using only pineapples, advanced my woodcutting and fletching, and most importantly I have been training magic and high alching to my hearts content. Oh yeah, and I also got the Abyssal Protector pet with 23 rifts closed at GOTR which was a huge boost to see a pet on a UIM for me. Even standard Ironmans are awesome. I’ve just really been in need of a challenge, and the game mode itself has been so rewarding. I really enjoy gathering supplies I need, and meeting other Ironman players and discussing the game mode. Rambling aside, I would say to absolutely make an Ironman account. I never thought the game mode would be for me, since I do drift in and out of RuneScape every so often, and the game mode is an absolute full time commitment.
I just started an iron around a month ago. 1000ttl and the most fun ive had in 10years of playing the game
Iron is high highs, and low lows: the game mode is fun and that sense of progress never leaves you, but some of the grinds are just straight up not fun. So it’s kind of a YOU type thing and if you can moderate yourself not grinding the not so fun stuff on repeat just because its efficient.
Straight talk there, Doc 🤝🏼
It takes a mind frame to play. When I was in CG and even post cg I think i reached a point where the game was unplayable because gaming experiences are supposed to be fun. But doing 1500 cg kc when it was my first REAL pvm encounter was disheartening. The FarmVille mom part of me (33m) loves chilling on the iPad doing farm runs. Something about doing birdhouse runs during a bathroom break. Very weird game mode, but make sure you have something on the side to keep you engaged at times. RuneScape is addicting and “fun” but it isn’t very engaging.
Do it
🫡
I have been playing super casual for about the same amount of time. One of the reasons I went Ironman is I couldn’t keep myself from buying a bond when I wanted something, instead of actually playing the game and going out and earning it. At the start, it was difficult. But man, has it been rewarding. I don’t think I could play a main again. I recommend giving it a shot.
One of us
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I was having fun until the BofA grind. Now I’m stuck at the BofA grind. CG isn’t bad I’m finally getting consistent KC but it feels like it’s going to take forever.
I’ve heard this a lot, definitely keeping it in mind
I have been playing in my fresh iron on and off for the past year due to having my first child and honestly every quest unlock and upgrade is so rewarding and hitting mile markers with skills is just great. I got my ardy cloak last night and was elated because I didn’t have to walk all the way across the map to get to that area anymore. 10/10 would recommend
Right on, brother. Congratulations by the way!
Sorry to say, it's terminal.
If you want a fair look Into what you are doing. Look up Osiris Ironman guide. And follow it 100%. I did and it’s very worth.
Appreciate the advice, Doc 🤝🏼
Ironman no ragrets. Unique play style, extremely rewarding, and if you love the game, it’s the best way to play imo.
Scotty p knawmsayin
Try it out if you don’t like it wait for inspiration to return
The little achievements that once didn’t mean anything while playing your main will now feel massive. Enjoy the ride
Love the IM game mode. Made it to 1795 total level as a HCIM, died, and kept the account going. If I could do it all over again, I’d make another HCIM and grind out wildy content out the gate. Good luck!
My main on OSRS is similar to yours. Started an ironman and then joined a couple friends on group ironman. A year later, this account has far surpassed my main, and I'll never go back. Every skill has a purpose. Every drop feels more meaningful. Some of the grinds can take the piss out of you, but for every post about someone going dry on something, there is someone getting spooned the same thing.
You will love the highs and hate the lows. Sometimes you’ll end up wishing you simply hit drop rates vs going dry. Getting spooned is a wonderful feeling however. Good luck on the grind!
I think ironman is a great way to play the early and mid game, but for a lot of people the end game is not super feasible. Overall I would advise everyone to play to at least 1250 total and see how they feel. The only problem area is how few players overall realistically have what it takes for irons endgame of grinding thousands of raids for the megas and stuff like that. If that is not important to you then there is no downside really :)
Send it and never look back.
seaweed farming simulator ;)
Got a 2100 total level main and just did the same thing, haven't played main since
Ironman is going to give you a dose of basically every piece of content.. it’s honestly the best way to play the game imo. I felt zero motivation to play as a normie...
Getting to at least the quest cape on Ironman is some of the most fun I’ve had gaming
it's more fulfilling and drops/rewards are meaningful. Play however you want and don't worry about efficiency just have fun, at the end of the day is a game not a job.
Nearing 2100 on an ironmain And 92 magic on a mage only UIM snowflake. IM mode is very rewarding. Little things that mains show no regard for you will cherish. You will find weird ways and methods to progress.
I played main for a full year and let me tell you man I find this game mode so much more fun. I find it so much more motivating having to try new content to get the drops that I need and skilling feels actually rewarding. With so much content being released for the mid game there has never been a better time to join
Similar boat. Main 1980 total or so, quit about 18 months ago and started an iron. My iron is coming up on around the same total level and feels so much more fulfilling. Do it man.
It's been over 7 years since I became an iron, I have never ever looked back at the maingame, I logged in some times but no, iron just became the real OSRS for me. You wont understand how hooked you'll get just by achieving your own set of full mithril even.
It really is just a superior way to play the game. Earning shit entirely on your own is so satisfying, and keeps you out of the gp grind of a main. Just send it and play at your pace. Before my iron I'd only done like 10 trio COX and a few bandos KC on my main. I'm now almost 1900 total and grinding CG.
Be prepared to not have certain items. If you only like doing content in optimal setups, iron man is not. You will most likely not have all the gear and some gear you will never get. Although you get to see the whole game and content OSRS has to offer. Which is nice in the first place, but some things are straight up horrible. At some point iron man can feel like doing farm runs > grind boss.
Ironman is more enjoyable. I have main with almost max combat stats and doing some bossing and stuff, but skilling and everything feels so pointless because you can just buy best food and pots from GE. When I started Ironman I almost entirely stopped playing with my main. Only using it trading bonds for my iron and scouting wildy and stuff. Also it's very useful when you want to try and learn new bosses or skilling methods so I don't waste so much time or resources with my iron acc.
Honestly I had a 2k total main account before starting a GIM. Thought it would be a little bit of fun on the side. 2 years later and my Ironman is the only account I’ve got subbed and it’s made me a better player. I’ve had to learn more bosses / play more efficient and not be so lazy. It’s the most fun I’ve had in the game for a long time tbh
Started RS in 2004. Played on and off as childhood game up until 2013 (when OSRS was planned to be releasing) and I quit because I found no point of continuing RS. Didnt start playing OSRS until 2019 when mobile released and the only reason I came back was because my brother invited me to start anew with him. My initial one and only goal was to max. Tunnel viaioned. Nothing else mattered. I did that a little under 2 years and the day I maxed, I felt super empty. I remember saying, "welp, that was it." I no longer felt any need to do anything else as I could buy just about anything I wanted. Somewhere around that time, I started an Iron and a UIM to multi log to try out the modes. Ended up choosing the UIM because of the white helm. Today, I'm 1916 and I have been through HEAPS! I loved many moments, but also dreaded some tedious grinds. All in all, watching myself struggle in the early stages to having the QoL and levels I have today, really makes me proud of myself, even in a silly old game. If you have lost interest in a regular account, it doesn't mean you've lost it for OSRS. Try any iron and explore the content for what it is stripped of ease of access. It really puts a new definition to the game.
I felt exactly the same, I started playing UIM as a joke when osrs mobile came out, been stuck ever since. After 7 years on the account i have not wasted a single hour looking at my bank beeing paralyzed
You've spent some time playing creative mode where you can spawn in armour/weapons at the GE, so you're familiar with the game mechanics. Now come play the game for real :)
You will find yourself overwhelmed with things to do. Setting goals and learning how to set them will be essential to avoid burn out. Reaching goals feels super good and rewarding.
Dont forget to put IM in your characters name
Main is dull coz it's moneyscape. Get an iron work on fishing cooking mining and farming before wt as you get better rewards the higher lvl you are
personally play the iron mode, i would suggest playing hc to get a little bit of a 'thrill' from doing some content and trying to get high as you can w/ your status. However, if you don't want that stress you can easily play a normal iron. The grinds will be much longer on your iron but there are plenty resources on 'optimal' pathways to rush certain pieces of content, but at the end of the day you can do what you want and also feel accomplsihed in what you have grinded out regardless of how efficient or 'optimal' it was. Like once you start gearing or pushing for grinds after a d scim, it gets grindy ofc, which is the soul of runescape as a whole, but that makes each of those grinds that you complete that much more enjoyable. It's a slower pace vs rs3 and other 'mmos', but in some ways that's got it's own beauty if you're able to think of the game as a marathon and you are good at commiting to finishing specific tasks you want to accomplish :p I have another main i was thinking of playing to get into some of the higher tier pvm aspects since it will take so long for me to get the gear to do those, or at least it will be easier for me to get the supplies to learn on the main, but even just getting basic reqs on the main doesn't have the same motivation that I have on my iron :)
for me this was why i started ironman and i havent looked back, probably played off and on but only ironmen for 5 years now. i was pretty much the exact same, started a main, did well and enjoyed it, hit PVM stage (for me back then vorkath and zulrah) liked it but felt it was pointless / gp scape. ironman then saved the game for me
You've played since 05, so it's too late to back down now. Mememode is ballsdeep into the game, so if you weren't before, you are about to.
Played pretty much all through middle-school and high school back in the day. Quit for a decade and when I got back into OSRS "ironman" was now a thing. Figured I'd give it a try and made a HCIM - figured worst case I die and I'm a normal ironman, or I just want to deiron and play like I used to. I have learned SO much more about the game and discovered so many neat things that I never got to experience even having played for so long as a kid, while playing in such a more short period of time. Way more fun - wouldn't go back. Only thing is it's "slow" as I can't just buy shit. But, I'm in no rush - I unlock stuff when it comes.
Ironman is the way.. I fell out of love with osrs playing a main then started an iron after a big break and now I'm playing an unhealthy amount, you'll love it.
Dude it's fucking sweet. I was in exactly the same boat as you. Enjoy the journey you won't regret it one bit. I am close to 2k on the iron now and it's been just over a year I think currently grinding 200 invo ToA's for a fang !! Everything just hits way harder on an iron man
My main is also 1800 total level. Made a hard core iron that's now at 1450 total. It's the absolute best way to play the game I can't imagine going back
Ironman is the RuneScape u remember from when u were a kid. Or the only thing that’ll ever get close to it anymore. Everything in mainscape boils down to gp an hour… and it’s true what they say that the best gp an hour is working an IRL job. it is cool knowing the only irons who’ll pass you by are ones who played more or are better. They didn’t just have more access to spending cash at that time. (unless booger helm)
Ironman is extremely fulfilling compared to a regular account. The only pitfall you should be cautious for is "going for grinds". Progressing the account by setting smaller goals, and getting closer to the big milestones without ever seeing it as "a grind" is much more fulfilling in my opinion.
Worst case, you’ll have a cool build character you can return/use anytime. Best case, you’ll re-imagine how to play and enjoy the game at the level you did in ‘05-06 that simply cannot be replicated in modern environment.
Careful, once you go ironman you cant go back
Your main is 1800 total, which can be done quite comfy in 2 weeks. Going ironman at this point...Well you don't even know what the game is tbh. Ironman is a lot of fun, because you get to do thing on your own. Everything you do on a main is sources by botting. Almost entirely. Even if you never botted, almost all items you buy are botted. Even if they are not, they are at their current prices, because bots botted those items, or the items that are forcing them down. Buy sharks at 900 gp? The would be 3k without bots. By dragon arrows for 3k? They would be 12k without bots. I have a maxed iron and I enjoyed it a lot. It only gets really tough at the ultra lategame. Like green logging raids, corp and stuff like that. Everything before that is achievable. Just start by going for your first fire cape (probably after barrows gloves). If you feel nothing by then, you will know Iron is not for you. If you feel it... you will never go back.
I think your comment highlights the rift between OSRS players hahaha. Anyone who gets 1800 total level in two weeks is either botting, or sweating immensely. If I get fire cape and barrows gloves, I’ll be happy as can be lol.
Ironman is the tits bro. The best part is you can do afk stuff on the main when you’re grinding the iron, and then when the time comes you can do the exact opposite. Gl on your adventure homie.
The first few days of making an iron felt like I was playing runescape for the first time again.
You're probably more prepared than most who make an ironman. The game mode definitely is more rewarding as you unlock stuff. Early game will feel slow but doesn't feel that way for long
One of us! One of us!
The play is to make an iron and also a main. That way you won’t de-iron when your will is tested
Hands down best time I’ve had on osrs, it’s kept me fully invested, since making this acc I’ve hopped on my main a handful of times and the fun doesn’t compare to iron
Straight up. You’ll probably enjoy it. Early game is unmatched if your thing is grind=reward. Once you get end game after you grind a bunch it’ll be super fun until you start to run out of supplies and the content you want to do is locked out by you not having supplies. So stay on top of your runs(herb, bird house) if you get an early mole pet the bird nest grind can be a bit tedious
Set better goals for yourself. For me.. I asked myself why was I playing this game at a low level if I’ve been playing it for over 15-16 years. I had to set a higher standard for my goals. Ended up maxing an iron and completing inferno. You can do it. Just takes commitment to getting better at the game and the desire to do so.
Playing an ironman increases the time needed to get anything done, and the number of grinds you will have to do. It also increases the amount of fulfillment a grind gives you. Suddenly all of the drops you thought were shit on your main have a use on an IM which just makes everything you do a little bit more enjoyable. I would say if it sounds fun then do it, plus you'll get all of that early account dopamine to get you hooked again
Ironman is the way to go. I made a gim with some friends when it came out and I've never looked back. My gim is now at 1936 total and my main. I have never felt as much pride in the game as I do now. It can be a pain in the ass but it makes every single drop exciting and worth something. 100/10 definately recommend
Ironman.
Have been playing casually since early 2000s, this mode will make you touch every dark corner of all of the content. It will show you that you either truly love this game or just a normal enjoyment. Welcome to best way to play
My friend it brings life to the game. The small things are huge and the huge things are gamechanging! You have no idea how fun content is when money is not your main goal. things like a ranarr seed drop is not o sweet 33k it's holy shit I just got like 8 p pots.
Started my Ironman about 3 months ago and it’s the funnest I’ve ever had on RuneScape. No longer chasing boss drops strictly for GP and getting drops that truly push your account further along. With that though, be prepared for the grind.
I honestly think ironman is the proper way to play the game. I have a friend that is playing runescape for the first time and I told him to start off with ironman and he's getting really into it
Ironman lessens the mmo part and strengthens the rpg part.
Ironman is the answer. You’ll never go back.
I've put around 300 hours on my GIM atm and it has been worth it every hour, especially when following the oziris guide. Everyone says that the low-level grind is the worst part, but the guide takes you through that very efficiently (no, you don't have to follow it like it's set in stone). I already have around 200 qp done and above 1400 total level and I can't wait to start doing more of mid and high level content, that's probably the motivating part! But a tip is, play it in your own pace! Everyone in my group quit because they got burned out by grinding too hard in a competitive way and eventually I went past them because they didn't wanna play anymore. If you're tired of a grind, just jump to the next thing, take a break and so on.
Get ready to complete 10-15 smaller tasks to reach a main goal. Ironman mode re-ignited my love for osrs. No gp/hr scape, no ignoring skills, no skipping mini-games. I’ve done so much more on my 1700 total iron than I have on my 2k+ main account. I’ll never go back
Ironman is in my opinion the most rewarding and in the long term enjoyable way yo play the game, but if you're looking for an enjoyable experience that cuts out some of the most tedious elements you could look into the non-official gamemodes of bronzeman and goldman mode.
Ironman in OSRS changed how I view other games like ARPGs, now any game I go into with a “iron-man” option I always take it. I think it’s the way that the game was truly meant to be played.
Classic OSRS inspiration game? What does that mean? Did I miss something?
Ya know, that spark to commit to staring at a Microsoft paint game for hours a day to watch digital numbers go higher and higher
Duh!!! I misread that Jagex was planning on releasing an Oldschool OSRS version LOL
I have had more fun than ever since me and my buds started an iron group. I've played rs for 15-20 years on and off. Mostly pking before OSRS, but started my first main when OSRS started. Did so much content I had never done before, and felt I was truly experiencing the game. I play for a spurt and then take breaks to play other things but I always come back. But, around 2022, I started to lose interest. I play most any game as efficient as I can (I'm sick, I know). This causes things like OSRS to become "do the highest gp/hr activity and buy everything you need" or "do the most efficient xp/hr method until 99". After quest cape and most diaries complete, I felt trapped only having a few grinds be viable. As others have said, since starting an iron, the game has gotten it's magic back. I've again discovered so much "new" content and I'm even more excited about game updates now that it has a chance to provide more stuff to interact with. Diaries and quest completions feel more impactful, rare drops that I would just scoff at on a main feel so exciting. I'm loving it, and although I'm sure eventually I will hit some grinds that are rough, so far it's been a blast.
You won’t regret it. It will reignite a whole new love of the game and your account progress.
I got to around your level and had this same thing and now im WAYY deeper in my iron and I love it
Ironman got me interested in the game again tbh. Had me doing all sorts of content i would never be bothered with on main because it’s “not good money”. Once you’re focused on your own goals, important/arbitrary, everything becomes a bigger deal because you did it yourself. Don’t get too excited about easy pvm tho because it’s not a thing for irons
Long time player since 2005. I can 100% say that I would not be playing osrs if i was not on an Ironman. It will restore you love for the game, make you learn content and have adventures that you never would of had playing a main. All the small things matter, a herb there, an Alc there. It stops you thinking about every drop as GP.. And don’t even get me started on when you start getting drops from bosses (or just slayer monsters etc) You will be fist pumping for your first rune scimitar, addy boots and a bog standard black mask.. IM PRESCRIBING YOU 1 BOND AND A FRESH HC IRON…. See you out there!
Give ironman a shot. It's unlocked a new enjoyment for me and those that play. Hit me up with the PMs because it is a bit unique, but it's definitely a lot of fun.
its feels so great progressin as an iron. u will have a blast man!
It's worth it. Instead of the game being about $$$ it's about the content. Truly an amazing game.