New to RuneScape 3? A Getting-Started Guide

RuneScape 3 is huge, and that's exactly what makes the first few hours overwhelming. This guide gives you a clear starting order so you can skip the analysis paralysis and just start making progress.

Start with the tutorial and early areas

New accounts begin with a short tutorial that drops you into the starter zone around Burthorpe and Taverley, a whole area built to teach the basics with easy quests, low-level monsters, and helpful NPCs. Work through what it points you at before wandering off; it hands you gear, XP, and a feel for the controls.

Burthorpe, the RuneScape 3 starter area — Burthorpe, the starter town where new adventurers learn the ropes.

Turn on Revolution right away

Combat runs on abilities, but you don't have to master them on day one. Switch combat to Revolution, which auto-fires your basic abilities so you deal proper damage while you learn. You'll pick up manual thresholds and ultimates naturally as you go, the combat abilities guide covers the system when you're ready.

Do quests early, they're the best "tutorials"

RS3's quests are genuinely good, and for a new account they're the most efficient thing you can do: they hand out XP lamps (usable on skills you choose), unlocks, and access to new content. Follow the wiki's recommended order (see the quest guide) so requirements line up.

Free-to-play vs members

Free-to-play (F2P) gives you a real slice of the game to try, several skills, quests, and areas.
Members unlocks the vast majority of RS3: most skills (including elite skills), the best quests, bossing, and money-makers.

Try F2P first; if the game clicks, membership is where the bulk of the content lives.

Pick a direction (and a first goal)

You don't need a grand plan, just a next goal:

Want to fight? Start Slayer and pick a combat style to learn.
Prefer a chiller pace? Pick a couple of skills and chase your first 50s and 70s, the efficient skilling guide explains the XP curve.
Like structure? Do the early quests for the guaranteed rewards.

Don't overthink your first goalPick one next thing, a quest, a first 50 in a skill, or your first Slayer task, and do it. Momentum beats the perfect plan.

Don't try to learn it all at once

The single best habit is using the wiki, nearly every item, monster, and quest has a page. Look things up as you meet them instead of trying to memorise the game up front.

RuneScape Wiki, the definitive reference for everything.

Track your progress from day one

Search your name on The Codex and your stats, XP gains, and milestones are tracked automatically, a simple way to watch your first account grow and stay motivated. Free, no download. New-player references courtesy of the RuneScape Wiki.