RS3 Ironman Starter Guide (2026)
A new Ironman has one rule that shapes everything: you make or earn it yourself. This guide covers what the mode restricts, the first quests worth doing, the routines to start early and your first gear goal in each combat style, then points you at the deeper guides for each.
Last verified against the RuneScape Wiki: 28 September 2026 ·
What Ironman mode restricts
- No trading with other players and no Grand Exchange: every item comes from your own skilling, drops, shops or rewards.
- No Assist System and no loot from PvP. Some group activities and minigames where another player could earn you a reward are restricted too.
- The mode is picked on the character creation screen and cannot be switched on later.
- Hardcore Ironmen start with one life; when the last one runs out the account becomes a regular Ironman.
- Group Ironman Mode (added 28 October 2024) lets up to five players share a modified ruleset. Joining a group is permanent.
Source: Ironman Mode on the RuneScape Wiki, which also covers how to leave the mode through Mr Ex.
Your first 12 quests
Quests are the cheapest way for an Ironman to open skills, transport and early XP. These are the opening steps of our Quest Cape order, prerequisites first.
- Free-to-play
Cooking range in Lumbridge
- Free-to-play
- Free-to-play
Prayer XP, Ghostspeak amulet
- Free-to-play
Runecrafting
- Free-to-play
Summoning (276 XP lamp) + 275 gold charms
- Free-to-play
Herblore
Big Attack + Strength XP, no requirements
- Free-to-play10 Mining
Huge early Smithing XP
Big Attack XP early
Spirit tree network, Attack XP
- 25 Agility
Gnome gliders, Agility + Magic XP, 18.4k combat XP lamp
- Free-to-play
Morytania access
Daily routines to start early
Daily activities reset at 00:00 UTC. Some need levels or quests first, so start each one as soon as you can; the dailies and weeklies guide has the weekly and monthly list.
Player-owned Ports
Send voyages for resources + gear mats.
Player-owned Farm
Beehives + check/replace animals.
Nemi Forest
Mazcab — forest activities for Mazcab reputation + Dungeoneering/Farming/Mining/Prayer XP. (Supply runs are closed to Ironmen.)
Daily Challenges
Put combat-challenge XP into Ranged.
Soul Obelisk
Menaphos reputation + Prayer/Runecrafting XP. Needs The Jack of Spades (partial).
Rapid Growth (Het’s Oasis)
Once per bush per day on the 4 flower bushes (twice with the master farmer outfit). 88 Magic, The Light Within.
Your first gear goal in each style
Without the Grand Exchange, gear comes from smithing, crafting, shops and drops. The first step on each ladder:
MELEE
Rune armour T50
Smithing or monster drops
Full Melee ladder →
RANGED
Black dragonhide armour T60
Craft from your own black dragonhide (60 Crafting for the body)
Full Ranged ladder →
MAGIC
Mystic / Splitbark / Batwing robes T40
Buy mystic from Oziach (after Dragon Slayer) / splitbark from Wizard Jalarast / craft batwing from bat drops
Full Magic ladder →
NECROMANCY
Death guard + Skull lantern (T10) T10
Free from the Necromancy! tutorial (Sostratus)
Full Necromancy ladder →
Free tools that help from day one
- Voice of Seren today: the two Prifddinas districts with bonus XP this hour, for when you reach the elf city.
- Skill training guides: self-sufficient training paths for every skill.
- QoL unlocks and minigames: what is worth unlocking once the basics are done.
- The free dashboard reads your public hiscores and RuneMetrics, then shows your XP gains, Voice of Seren, boss rotations and your next three moves.
More Ironman guides
Game updates change things fast. If something here is out of date, and we'll fix it.