In Old School RS, gold bars are a crucial mid-level item that requires 40 Smithing to create. Their primary role is in the production of various jewelry pieces, many of which can be enchanted to boost stats or offer teleports, providing players with versatile benefits throughout the game. This guide covers the three main methods of obtaining gold bars, each suited to different goals and skill levels.

Understanding the Uses of Gold Bars

Gold bars can be crafted into rings, amulets, and bracelets, each with unique benefits when enchanted. Players often craft gold bars into Rings of Recoil or Amulets of Strength, which provide combat boosts, or Amulets of Glory, which grant valuable teleports and bonuses in the game. For ironmen, these bars are invaluable in acquiring items independently, while skillers find them useful in leveling Crafting and Magic.

To accumulate gold bars effectively, here are the three primary methods:

1. Telekinetic Grabbing

Telekinetic Grabbing, or "telegrabbing," is a low-level yet somewhat impractical method of gathering gold bars, utilizing Telekinetic Grab (requiring 33 Magic and one Law rune per cast) to reach items from a distance. While gaining Magic XP, you can telegrab gold bars from specific spawn points. This approach is particularly suited for free-to-play (F2P) players who want to gather a few bars without much combat or skilling investment.

Where to Telegrab Gold Bars

  • Varrock Bank Basement: A single gold bar can be telegrabbed in this location.

  • Corsair Cove:

         • Eastern Spawn: Contains two gold bars.

         • Northern End: Offers a larger spawn of five gold bars, making it more efficient with fewer world hops required.

The Corsair Cove northern spawn is recommended for faster bar gathering due to the greater number of bars. It’s also a low-traffic area, meaning you’ll have less competition and minimal interference from bots. However, Telekinetic Grabbing is not suitable for gathering gold bars in large quantities, making it ideal only if you need a small supply for beginner jewelry or quest requirements.

2. Skilling Methods

If you have a Mining and Smithing level of 40 or higher, skilling offers a more sustainable method for gathering gold bars. This method is generally faster and can be more rewarding in terms of Smithing XP, especially for players who have access to specialized equipment or locations.

Mining Gold Ore

The first step is to mine gold ore, which doesn’t require coal to smelt into bars. Recommended mining spots include:

  • Crafting Guild (requires 40 Crafting and a brown apron to access): Close to a bank and abundant in gold ore rocks.

  • Mining Guild (requires 60 Mining): Although it offers fewer gold rocks, it's closer to banks and has faster respawn times.

Smelting Gold Bars

After gathering enough gold ore, smelt them in a furnace to create gold bars. Some top furnace locations include:

  • Edgeville Furnace: A convenient F2P spot close to the Edgeville bank.

  • Blast Furnace (P2P): By far the most efficient furnace in the game. It reduces the cost of materials and speeds up smithing while offering significant XP bonuses, especially when wearing Goldsmith Gauntlets, which more than double the XP earned per bar.

Using Goldsmith Gauntlets

Goldsmith Gauntlets, obtainable through the Family Crest quest, are essential for efficient Smithing. When equipped, these gauntlets double the XP earned for each gold bar smelted, making this a favored method for players looking to level up their Smithing quickly. The Blast Furnace combined with Goldsmith Gauntlets provides exceptional XP rates, with lower costs and faster production speeds, and is ideal for bulk gold bar creation.

Recommended Skilling Method

For non-members, a practical approach is mining at the Crafting Guild and smelting at Edgeville. Members should consider the Blast Furnace for bulk processing, optimizing both time and XP. While skilling does require some effort, the time invested can be worthwhile due to the steady, non-RNG nature of the output.

3. PvM Drops (Members Only)

For members, gathering gold bars through PvM (Player vs. Monster) drops is another viable approach. PvM drops are typically random but often provide gold bars in bulk, especially from monsters that drop noted bars.

Key Monsters for Gold Bar Drops

1. Gargoyles: Known for their profitable drops, Gargoyles frequently drop 5-15 noted gold bars, making them one of the top choices for accumulating bars.

2. Greater Nechryaels: These monsters also drop gold bars in noted stacks, allowing for efficient collection.

Since many of these monsters require Slayer levels to kill, it’s beneficial to combine gold bar farming with Slayer tasks. This not only saves time but also results in a steady supply of gold bars over time as a secondary benefit of Slayer training. While PvM drops depend on RNG, the consistency of noted stacks can make up for the variance, especially when combined with Slayer rewards like pure essence or coin drops.

Advantages of PvM Farming for Gold Bars

For high-level players, PvM provides passive gold bar income, allowing them to work on other goals like combat XP and Slayer tasks. The profitability of Gargoyles and Greater Nechryaels also means players can make a profit while accumulating bars, adding to the efficiency of this method. However, because PvM farming is RNG-dependent, it may not be suitable if you need gold bars urgently.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Your choice of method will depend on your goals, skills, and how many gold bars you need:

  • Low Quantities (e.g., for quests): Telekinetic Grabbing works well for F2P players needing a handful of bars without any major setup or level requirements. Corsair Cove’s northern spawn is especially handy here.

  • Steady Supply and XP: Skilling is ideal for players looking to level up their Mining and Smithing or who need a consistent source of gold bars. Members can benefit significantly from the Blast Furnace paired with Goldsmith Gauntlets.

  • Bulk Collection as Secondary Income: PvM is the best option for those who don’t mind waiting for RNG-based drops and are looking to combine bar farming with combat and Slayer progress. High-level members with access to Gargoyles and Greater Nechryaels will find this method profitable over time.

Additional Tips

  • Banking Locations: Ensure you use furnaces close to banks, like the Edgeville furnace for F2P or the Blast Furnace for P2P.

  • Ring of Wealth: This can help improve RNG-based drops in PvM, increasing your odds of obtaining gold bars over extended farming sessions.

  • Bot-Free Zones: Telekinetic Grabbing in Corsair Cove is largely bot-free, providing a low-competition environment if you’re aiming to telegrab a few gold bars.

In conclusion, whether you're looking to level up your Smithing, gather crafting materials, or passively farm gold bars while training Slayer, there’s an option that fits your needs. Skilling and PvM remain the most efficient methods for bulk accumulation, with PvM being a rewarding secondary OSRS gold income source and skilling offering reliable, consistent results. With gold bars in hand, you’re well-equipped to craft valuable jewelry that can assist in your adventures across Gielinor.

 
RSorder Team