OSRS Ironman Thieving Guide 1-99: Ardy Knights & Farmers
Quest to 18 (30 min). Fruit stalls 18-38 (3 hrs). Master Farmers 38-50+ (CRITICAL for 1000+ herb seeds - unlock Herblore). Get Rogue outfit (50 Agility + 1-2 hrs). Ardy Knights 55-99 (AFK, 15M+ coins). Fastest XP: Blackjacking (45-91, 260k/hr). Endgame profit: Vyres (82+, 2.5M/hr) or Elves (85+, 3M/hr).
Thieving is the bottleneck unlock for Ironman progression. Master Farmers provide the herb seeds you need for Herblore (1000+ seeds possible), while Ardy Knights generate 15M+ coins for your entire mid-game. This guide covers the fastest path, the most profitable methods, and the critical Master Farmer unlock.
At a glance:
- Quest speedrun (1-18): 30 minutes, Hazeel Cult + Fight Arena
- Early stall training (18-38): 3 hours (Tea or Fruit stalls)
- CRITICAL: Master Farmers (38-50+): 12+ hours for 1000+ herb seeds (Herblore foundation)
- Rogue outfit (50 Agility + Thieving): 1-2 hours, doubles all pickpocket loot
- Ardy Knights (55-99): AFK-friendly, 15M+ coins, best balanced method
- Fastest XP: Blackjacking (45-91, 260k+/hr) or Pyramid Plunder (91-99, 270-300k/hr)
- Best Profit: Vyres (82+, 2.5M/hr) or Elves (85+, 3M/hr)
Early Game Thieving: Quest Speedrun & Stall Training (Level 1-38)
Quest Experience Speedrun (1-18)
Two quick quests unlock 3,675 XP instantly:
Hazeel Cult Quest
- XP Reward: 1,500 Thieving XP
- Requirements: None
- Quest Length: 5-10 minutes
- Strategy: Choose Path 1 (no combat required)
Fight Arena Quest
- XP Reward: 2,175 Thieving XP
- Requirements: None (can be safespotted if needed)
- Quest Length: 10-15 minutes
- Combined: 3,675 XP = Level 18
- Total Time: 30 minutes
You skip the first 15+ hours of tedious grinding.
Best Early Thieving Methods for Ironman (Tea Stalls vs Fruit Stalls)
After quest speedrun, reach 38 Thieving using one of two stall methods:
Tea Stalls (Level 5+)
Specifications:
- Location: Various (Taverley, Rimmington, Ardougne)
- XP Rate: 40,000+ XP/hr
- Failure Rate: Moderate at early levels
- Guards: None nearby - No guard mechanics
- Best For: Pure speed, safety
- Reputation: Fastest early stall option
Why Tea Stalls:
- No guards to manage
- Consistent high XP rates (40k+/hr)
- Available at level 5
- Zero complexity
Fruit Stalls - Hosidius (Level 25+)
Specifications:
- Location: Leaf Street (Great Kourend)
- Level: 25 (but accessible from 18 with decent success rate)
- XP Rate: 42,750 XP/hr
- Time to 38: ~3 hours from level 18
- Requirements: Optional 15% Hosidius favour
- Best For: Slightly better XP, Varlamore location synergy
Why Fruit Stalls:
- Slightly higher XP than tea (42.75k vs 40k)
- Stand under NPC to avoid guards
- Access to Galanova fruits (valuable resource)
Comparison: Tea vs Fruit Stalls
| Factor | Tea Stalls | Fruit Stalls |
|---|---|---|
| Speed to 38 | ~4 hours | ~3 hours |
| XP/hr | 40k | 42.75k |
| Guard Mechanics | None | Avoidable |
| Difficulty | Very Easy | Easy |
| Galanova Fruits | No | Yes (valuable) |
| Favour Needed | None | Optional 15% |
| Level | 5+ | 25+ |
Recommendation: Fruit stalls if you’re committed to Varlamore content. Tea stalls if you want maximum safety and simplicity. Both reach 38 in under 4 hours.
CRITICAL: Master Farmers - Best Herb Seed Source for Ironman (1000+ Seeds/Hour at High Level)
This is the single most important section for Ironman. Master Farmers unlock Herblore progression. Everything else is supplementary.
Why Master Farmers Are Essential
Master Farmers are the PRIMARY and most efficient source of high-level herb seeds:
Herb Seed Drop Rates:
- Ranarr Seeds: 1 per 302 pickpockets (0.33%)
- Snapdragon Seeds: 1 per 2,083 pickpockets (0.048%)
- Torstol Seeds: Extremely rare, scales with Farming level
Seed Farming Potential:
- At Level 38: ~436 seeds/hour
- At Level 75: ~720 seeds/hour
- At Level 99: ~750 seeds/hour (with 100% success rate)
Over 12 Hours of Master Farmer Grinding:
- 5,000-9,000 total herb seeds
- 300-500 Ranarr + Snapdragon seeds specifically
- This sustains your entire Herblore grind from 30-99
Without Master Farmers, Herblore becomes severely bottlenecked. You’ll spend 30+ extra hours grinding alternative seed sources.
Master Farmer Locations & Mechanics
Optimal Locations:
- Hosidius (best for early game)
- Ardougne (east of bank)
- Draynor Village
- Any farming location
Success Rates by Level:
- Level 38: 57.5% success rate
- Level 75: ~95% success
- Level 99: 94.1% success rate
Failure Mechanics:
- Failed pickpockets deal 1-2 damage and stun briefly
- Dodgy Necklace (25% chance) helps early levels
- Gloves of Silence (+5% success) minimal impact
- Hard Ardougne Diary (+10% success) eventually eliminates failures at 94+
Optimal Master Farmer Strategy
Phase 1: Rapid Level Gain (38-50, 8-10 Hours)
- Pickpocket Master Farmers continuously
- Drop all non-seed loot (prioritize XP over coin/items)
- Keep all Ranarr, Snapdragon, Torstol seeds
- Drop common seeds (potato, parsnip, etc.)
- Expected yield: 400-500 high-level seeds by level 50
Phase 2: Extended Farming (50-55+, 8-12 Hours)
- Continue Master Farmer pickpocketing
- Build seed reserve for entire Herblore progression
- Expected total: 1000-1500 herb seeds by level 55
- Money from loot becomes secondary benefit
Why Drop Loot Early?
- Herb seeds value >>> coin/item value at this stage
- You’re building a resource foundation, not making money yet
- Money comes later from Ardy Knights (55-99)
- Building seed redundancy prevents future bottlenecks
Master Farmers vs Other Seed Sources
Master Farmers alone are NOT the only source, but they’re the most efficient:
| Source | Seeds/Hour | Time Investment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Farmers | 400-750 | Active grinding | Volume (4000+ seeds) |
| Farming Contracts | 50-200/day | Daily 5-10 mins | Passive supplement |
| Kingdom Management | 20-50/day | Passive | Long-term passive |
| Slayer Drops | 100-500/task | Passive during slaying | Secondary |
| Bird Houses | 30-100/day | Passive Fossil Island | Long-term passive |
Optimal Strategy: Master Farmers for active grinding + Kingdom + Contracts for passive gains = unlimited seeds long-term.
Mid Game: Rogue Outfit & Progression (Levels 38-55)
Obtaining the Rogue Outfit - Game-Changing Gear
The Rogue outfit is the single biggest profitability multiplier in thieving for Ironman.
Specifications:
- Requirement: 50 Thieving + 50 Agility
- Location: Rogues’ Den (platforming maze)
- Time Required: 1-2 hours at minimum stats (50/50), 30 minutes at 70+/70+
- Full Set Effect: 100% guaranteed double loot from pickpocketing
- Set Pieces: Rogue mask, rogue top, rogue trousers, rogue gloves, rogue boots
Why It Matters:
- Without Rogue outfit: Ardy Knights = 60-120k GP/hr
- With full Rogue outfit: Ardy Knights = 200-300k GP/hr
- Profit multiplier: 2-3x for 40+ hours of endgame grinding
- ROI: 1-2 hours of platforming = 50-100M additional GP
This is non-negotiable for competitive thieving progression.
Rogues’ Den Platforming:
- Navigate timed obstacles and jumps
- Fall = Start from beginning (no actual penalty)
- Expect: 20-30 attempts at low Agility/Thieving
- Expect: 5-10 attempts at 70+ stats
- Brings full rogue outfit upon completion (one-time reward)
Mid Game: Alternative Methods for Variety (Levels 50-55)
If you want breaks from Master Farmer grinding:
Wealthy Citizens - Semi-AFK with Distraction Mechanic (Level 50+)
Specifications:
- XP Rate: 30-50k XP/hr
- Mechanism: Street urchins automatically distract citizens every 84-99 seconds (100% success during window)
- Loot: 85 coins per pickpocket, house keys (1 per 17 pickpockets)
- Effort: Very low - mostly automatic
Unlocks: Stealing Valuables activity (70-105k XP/hr)
Stealing Valuables - Semi-AFK Money + XP (Level 50+)
Specifications:
- XP Rate: 70-105k XP/hr
- Profit: 90-150k coins/hr
- Requirements: House keys (from Wealthy Citizens pickpocketing)
- Mechanic: Break into houses, steal valuables, exit within 180-190 seconds
- Best For: Players wanting lower intensity while still earning money and XP
Verdict: Both optional. Use as breaks from Master Farmers if desired, but Master Farmers priority is higher for seed acquisition.
Late Game: Three Paths to 99
Choose based on your priority: XP, profit, or AFK balance.
Path A: Fastest XP Route - Blackjacking (45-91+)
Best for: Players who want to reach 99 quickly (50-60 hours total)
| Level Range | Method | XP/hr | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-65 | Blackjacking Bearded Bandits | 100-150k | 12 hours |
| 65-91 | Blackjacking Menaphite Thugs | 200-260k | 30-35 hours |
| 91-99 | Pyramid Plunder OR Ardy Knights | 250-280k | 10-15 hours |
| Total | ~220k avg | 52-62 hours |
Pros: Fastest overall path to 99 Cons: Click-intensive, requires constant focus, zero profit
Path B: Best Balanced Route - Ardy Knights Focus (55-99)
Best for: Ironman wanting AFK + money + reasonable XP (70-80 hours total)
| Level Range | Method | XP/hr | Money/hr | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55-75 | Ardy Knights | 86-140k | 100-150k | 20 hours |
| 75-94 | Ardy Knights with Medium Diary | 150-200k | 150-250k | 25 hours |
| 94-99 | Ardy Knights with Hard Diary | 240-280k | 280-300k | 5-8 hours |
| Total | ~150k avg | ~150k avg | 50-53 hours |
Pros: AFK-friendly at high levels, 15M+ coin generation, zero failures at 94+ Cons: Slightly slower than blackjacking
Recommended: This is the best Ironman route (balanced XP, money, AFK).
Path C: Highest Profit Route - Vyres/Elves Endgame (82-99)
Best for: Players prioritizing money over XP speed
| Level Range | Method | Profit/hr | Best Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82-85 | Vyres Pickpocketing | 1.5-2.0M | Early endgame profit |
| 85-99 | Elves Pickpocketing | 2.0-3.0M | Peak profit (3M at 99) |
| Total Profit (82-99) | ~15-20M | Alongside Ardy Knights |
Pros: 2.5M-3M GP/hr at high levels (best profit source in game) Cons: Requires 82+ Thieving, click-intensive, not AFK
Best Ardy Knights Setup for Ironman (AFK-Friendly, 300k GP/Hr)
Ardy Knights is the gold standard AFK thieving method for Ironman.
Why Ardy Knights Dominate
Experience Rates by Level:
- Level 55: 86,000 XP/hr
- Level 75: 120,000 XP/hr
- Level 94+: 240-280,000 XP/hr (with Hard Ardougne Diary)
Profit with Rogue Outfit:
- Level 55: 60,000 GP/hr
- Level 75: 150,000 GP/hr
- Level 95+: 280,300,000 GP/hr
Total 55-99 Profit: 15M+ coins
Why It’s Best for Ironman:
- AFK from level 94+ with Hard Diary (literally no failures)
- Generates 15M coins for entire mid-game (Construction, Magic, Prayer)
- No special requirements (just pickpocket)
- Best XP/money/AFK balance
Achievement Diary Progression
Medium Ardougne Diary (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
- Effect: +10% pickpocket success for Ardougne NPCs
- Eliminates ~30% of failures
- Relatively easy tasks
- Do this by level 60-70
Hard Ardougne Diary (ESSENTIAL for endgame)
- Effect: +10% pickpocket success for ALL pickpocketing
- At 94+ Thieving: 100% success rate (literally zero failures)
- Enables true AFK training
- Do this by level 85-90
- Result: 99% afk from 94-99 (click every 3-5 seconds)
Optimal Ardy Knights Gear Setup
Essential:
- Full Rogue outfit (doubles loot)
- Graceful outfit (optional, weight reduction helps)
Recommended:
- Dodgy Necklace (early levels, 55-70)
- Medium/Hard Ardougne Diary
- Stamina potions (optional, minimal energy drain)
Advanced:
- Ardy Cloak 4 (with hard diary)
- Gloves of Silence (early only, diary makes irrelevant)
Expected Timeline
| Level Range | Hours | GP Made | Diary Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-75 | 20 | 2-3M | Before Medium |
| 75-94 | 25 | 5-8M | Medium complete by 70 |
| 94-99 | 5-8 | 2-4M | Hard complete by 90 |
| Total | 50-53 | 9-15M | Both complete |
Best High-Profit Thieving Methods for Ironman (Vyres & Elves 82+)
After reaching endgame, maximize profit with these methods:
Pickpocketing Vyres (82+ Thieving)
Specifications:
- XP Rate: 306.9 XP per successful pickpocket
- Profit: 1.5M-2.5M GP/hr with Rogue outfit
- Loot: Blood shards (rare), coins, unique items
- Effort: Click-intensive (not AFK)
- Best For: Profit-focused grind
Pickpocketing Elves (85+ Thieving)
Specifications:
- XP Rate: 353.3 XP per pickpocket
- Profit: 1.5M-2M GP/hr base, 3M GP/hr at 99
- Loot: Crystal shards (common), coins, gems
- Effort: Click-intensive (not AFK)
- Gear Bonus: 50% profit boost with full Rogue outfit at 99
- Best For: Maximum endgame profit
Comparative Analysis: Profit Methods
| Method | Level | Profit/hr | XP/hr | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vyres | 82+ | 1.5-2.5M | High | Early endgame profit |
| Elves | 85+ | 1.5-3M | High | Peak profit (99 = 3M/hr) |
| Ardy Knights | 55+ | 60-300k | 86-280k | AFK + balance |
Strategy: Many Ironmen do Ardy Knights 55-99 (AFK + money), then occasionally grind Vyres/Elves for additional profit when they need bulk money.
Complete Thieving Progression Table (All Methods)
This table shows the fastest way to achieve each goal:
| Goal | Level Range | Method | XP/hr | Time | Money/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure XP | 1-18 | Quests | - | 0.5 hrs | 0 |
| Pure XP | 18-38 | Tea/Fruit Stalls | 40-42k | 3-4 hrs | 0 |
| Herb Seeds | 38-50+ | Master Farmers | 50-150k | 12+ hrs | 50k |
| Balanced | 50-55 | Master Farmers (part-time) + Ardy Knights | 80-100k | 5-10 hrs | 100k |
| Fast XP | 45-91 | Blackjacking | 200-260k | 30-35 hrs | 0 |
| Balanced | 55-99 | Ardy Knights | 86-280k | 50-70 hrs | 60-300k |
| Profit Focus | 82-99 | Vyres/Elves | 300k XP | 40+ hrs | 2.5-3M |
Common Mistakes & Solutions
| Mistake | Cost | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping Master Farmers | Herblore bottlenecked 30+ hours | Commit 12+ hours to Master Farmers 38-50 |
| Delaying Rogue Outfit | Lose 2-3x profit for 40+ hours | Get 50 Agility early, spend 1-2 hours |
| Not doing Achievement Diaries | Deal with 30-50% failure rate | Medium Diary by 70, Hard Diary by 90 |
| Abandoning Ardy Knights for profit | Slow money generation | Do Ardy Knights 55-99 for steady 15M coins |
| Choosing Blackjacking over balance | Fast but exhausting | Choose Ardy Knights for sustainable grind |
Recommended Ironman Path (Complete)
Phase 1: Foundation (1-38, ~4 Hours)
- Quest speedrun 1-18 (0.5 hours)
- Tea or Fruit stalls 18-38 (3-4 hours)
Phase 2: Herblore Unlock (38-55, ~15 Hours)
- Master Farmers 38-55 (12-15 hours, build 1000+ herb seeds)
- Reach 50 Agility (should be done by now)
Phase 3: Rogue Outfit & Money (50-55, ~2 Hours)
- Rogues’ Den platforming (1-2 hours)
- Complete Medium Ardougne Diary (during this phase)
Phase 4: Main Grind (55-99, ~50-70 Hours)
- Ardy Knights exclusively (best balance of XP, money, AFK)
- Level 55-75: 20 hours, 2-3M coins
- Level 75-94: 25 hours, 5-8M coins, complete Hard Diary
- Level 94-99: 5-8 hours, 2-4M coins (true AFK)
- Total coins: 9-15M for rest of mid-game
Optional Phase: Endgame Profit (82-99 parallel)
- Occasional Vyres/Elves for additional 50M+ (optional)
- Best done while taking breaks from Ardy Knights
Total Time to 99: 70-90 hours depending on route Total Money Generated: 15M+ (funds entire mid-game) Total Herb Seeds: 1000-2000+ (sustains Herblore 30-99)
Related Guides
- Agility Guide - Get 50 Agility for Rogue outfit
- Herblore Training - Use your Master Farmer seeds here
- Food Guide - Make potions with your herb seeds
- Early Money Making - Thieving generates 15M+ coins
- Slayer Guide - Use poison/antidotes from thieving drops