Old School RuneScape free-to-play in 2017 offered a wide range of practical gold-making paths for players who understood the markets and were willing to grind efficiently.
By focusing on reliable methods, tracking price trends, and managing risk, you could build wealth without spending real money on bonds.
| Method | Estimated Gold Per Hour | Required Combat Level | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cows near Lumbridge | 80k–120k | 15+ | Low |
| Smithing Mithril Platelegs | 70k–110k | 20+ | Medium (price volatility) |
| Fishing Shrimp at Lumbridge | 60k–90k | 15+ | Low |
| Mining Iron in Edgeville | 50k–80k | 15+ | Low to Medium (player killers) |
| Woodcutting Oak near Bank | 55k–85k | 15+ | Low |
Farming Free-to-Play Boss Drops for Profit
Why Boss Drops Mattered in 2017
Killing free-to-play bosses such as the Giant Mole and Dagannoth Kings rewarded items that consistently moved in the Grand Exchange, creating steady income if you tracked demand.
Efficient Routes and Banking
Using the quickest paths and depositing items at nearby banks reduced downtime and increased the number of kills you could complete per hour, improving overall profitability.
Smithing and Crafting for Consistent Gold
Platelegs and Bar Production
Smithing Mithril and Adamant platelegs turned ore into valuable armor, especially when you bought low and sold during peak market hours.
Crafting Jewelry and Runes
Crafting items like gold amulets and cutting gemstones provided reliable profit margins, as long as you watched material costs and avoided overstocking low-demand pieces.
Market Trading and Price Analysis
Reading the Grand Exchange Trends
Successful traders in 2017 monitored volume graphs, identified support and resistance levels, and used simple moving averages to spot buying opportunities before prices surged.
Buying Low, Selling High Safely
Limiting exposure to highly volatile items, using buy limits, and avoiding bond scams helped protect your capital while you built a diversified portfolio of tradeable goods.
Pure Skills Grind for Steady Income
Woodcutting, Mining, and Fishing
Focusing on high-yield spots for oak logs, iron ore, and shrimp allowed you to generate consistent coin per hour while training skills useful for other money-making methods.
Banking Optimization and Inventory Management
Using preset inventories and quick-deposit banking reduced trips between respawns and banks, increasing the number of profitable actions you could perform during a single session.
Optimizing Your Free-to-Play Gold Strategy in 2017
- Track price trends on the Grand Exchange before buying materials.
- Use the shortest banking routes to maximize kills and production per hour.
- Diversify across skilling and trading to smooth out income on volatile days.
- Set personal buy and sell limits to protect profits and avoid emotional trading.
- Prioritize methods that match your combat level and available playtime.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which free-to-play method gave the best gold per hour in 2017?
Boss drops and smithing platelegs typically offered the highest hourly returns once you optimized routes and understood market timing, though they required slightly higher combat levels and attention to price changes.
How much risk should I expect with free-to-play trading in 2017?
Risk ranged from low, with straightforward skilling, to medium, with trading items vulnerable to market crashes or occasional player killing in busy worlds.
Can I maintain these methods with limited playtime each day?
Yes, methods like fishing, woodcutting, and small-scale trading allowed you to bank materials during short sessions and process them later when markets were active.
What common mistakes should I avoid when trying to make gold in F2P in 2017?
Overpaying on bulk orders, ignoring volume data, and holding large stacks of low-demand items were frequent errors that reduced overall profitability.