Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game filled with countless ways to earn OSRS gold, whether through grinding skills, combat, or flipping items on the Grand Exchange. One of the most exciting and rewarding ways to make money in OSRS is through Hard Clue Scrolls. These treasure trails are known for their complexity and difficulty, but they also offer some of the most lucrative rewards in the game, making them a favorite for players who want to get rich.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Hard Clue Scrolls in OSRS, including how to obtain them, the steps involved, and most importantly, how to maximize your profit from completing them. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to clue scrolls, this guide will give you all the information you need to start making serious gold through Hard Clues!
What Are Hard Clue Scrolls?
Hard Clue Scrolls are one of the three main types of clue scrolls in OSRS, with the other two being Easy and Medium clues. Hard Clues are the most difficult and offer the best rewards, requiring players to complete a series of tasks that involve combat, puzzles, and various skills. Some of the steps in Hard Clues are more complex than others, and the process can take a significant amount of time and effort. However, the rewards often make it all worth it.
To begin a Hard Clue Scroll, players must first obtain a Hard Clue Scroll drop. These can be acquired from various sources, including monster drops, treasure trails, and other high-level activities like slayer tasks or God Wars Dungeon bosses. Once you have the scroll, you will follow a series of clues that lead you to different parts of Gielinor, where you’ll solve puzzles, complete challenges, and fight bosses.
When you finish the final clue, you are rewarded with a treasure chest, and this is where the real fun begins. The contents of the chest often include valuable items that can be sold on the Grand Exchange for significant amounts of gold.
How to Get Hard Clue Scrolls
There are several ways to obtain Hard Clue Scrolls in OSRS, and some methods are more efficient than others, depending on your playstyle. Below are the main methods for obtaining Hard Clue Scrolls:
Killing Monsters: Many monsters in OSRS drop Hard Clue Scrolls, especially high-level creatures. Some notable examples include:
Wildy Wyrms
Vorkath
Blue Dragons
ZGS (ZGS God Wars Dungeon Bosses)
Treasure Trails: Completing a lower-level clue scroll (Easy or Medium) can sometimes reward you with a Hard Clue Scroll. This is random, but if you’re already doing lower-level clues, there’s a chance you’ll get a harder one.
Elite and Master Clue Scrolls: Occasionally, players will find Elite or Master Clue Scrolls while completing Hard Clue Scrolls. These higher-tier scrolls often contain even greater rewards, but they require higher levels and more preparation.
Certain Quests: Completing certain quests can also unlock Hard Clue Scrolls. For example, completing the Desert Treasure quest can help unlock these scrolls.
What You’ll Need to Complete a Hard Clue Scroll
Before you start completing Hard Clue Scrolls, it’s important to be prepared. Hard Clue Scrolls require players to have a range of skills, gear, and strategies in place. Here are some essentials:
Skills
Agility: Some clue steps require specific agility courses, and a higher agility level will help with the speed of completing these.
Crafting: Some clues require players to craft certain items, like jewelry or enchanted items.
Combat: Many Hard Clue Scrolls will require you to kill high-level monsters, including bosses.
Hunter: Certain clues require hunting for specific items or creatures.
Thieving: Some clue steps involve stealing items from NPCs or chests.
Gear
High-Level Combat Gear: Depending on the combat level of the clue, you may need to wear Barrows gear, God Wars Dungeon items, or Void Knight gear.
Teleportation Items: Having items like Teleport Tablets, Teleport Runes, or a House Tab can save time and make the clue-solving process much faster.
Item-Specific Gear: Some clues require unique items, such as a spade, pickaxe, or Rope, depending on the puzzle.
Money and Time: Completing Hard Clue Scrolls can take a significant amount of time and investment, especially if you need to buy specific items, gear, or teleportation methods. Be prepared to invest both money and time in order to maximize your profits.
The Steps Involved in Completing a Hard Clue Scroll
Completing a Hard Clue Scroll involves several steps, each with its own unique challenge. Here is a general overview of the process:
Obtain the Clue Scroll: Whether you kill a monster or find a treasure trail, the first step is to acquire the scroll.
Solve the Riddle or Puzzle: Each clue scroll contains a riddle or puzzle, sometimes requiring specific items, a location, or a combination of skills to solve.
Travel to Locations: Many Hard Clues will take you to different parts of the map, such as the Wilderness, the Desert, the Karamja Volcano, or various dungeons. These can sometimes involve dangerous monsters or traps.
Complete Boss Fights: Some steps require you to defeat powerful bosses such as Vorago, Armadyl, or ZGS. Boss fights can be difficult, so make sure you’re well-prepared.
Open the Chest: After completing the final step of the treasure trail, you open the chest and receive your reward.
Rewards from Hard Clue Scrolls
The rewards from Hard Clue Scrolls are where things get really interesting. The final chest can contain a variety of high-value items, many of which are sought after by players looking to make money. Some of the most valuable rewards include:
Third Age Equipment: This is the holy grail of Hard Clue rewards. Third Age gear is some of the rarest and most valuable items in OSRS, including:
Third Age Bow
Third Age Melee Equipment
Third Age Mage Gear
Armadyl and Bandos Items: If you’re lucky, you might receive items from the Armadyl or Bandos sets, which are highly valuable and frequently traded in the Grand Exchange.
Rare Cosmetics: Many players desire the rare and aesthetically pleasing cosmetics obtained from Hard Clue Scrolls, such as:
Ranger Boots
Robin Hood Hat
Ancestral Gear
High-Level Weapons and Armor: You can also find valuable weapons like the God Wars Dungeon armor and Barrows Gear. These are highly desirable and often in demand.
Currency: If you’re lucky, your chest might simply contain valuable tradeable items like coins, runes, or high-value consumables, which can be sold quickly for profit.
How to Maximize Your Profit from Hard Clue Scrolls
Now that you understand the basics of Hard Clue Scrolls, let’s discuss how you can maximize your profit:
Focus on Efficient Methods: The faster and more efficiently you complete the clues, the more money you’ll make per hour. This means knowing where to go, having the right gear, and being prepared for boss fights or mini-games.
High-Level Bosses: Take advantage of clues that require you to kill high-level bosses, as they can drop additional rare items. Boss drops such as ZGS, Armadyll, and Bandos can sell for significant amounts of buy RuneScape gold.
Selling Rare Items: Be sure to check the Grand Exchange for the prices of rare drops like Third Age Gear, Ranger Boots, and other high-value items. If the price is high, sell them immediately for maximum profit.
Group Your Clues: If you plan to do Hard Clues over time, consider grouping them together. By stacking multiple Hard Clues, you can maximize your efficiency and reduce the overall time it takes to complete the scrolls.
Know the Market: Always be aware of the current market trends in OSRS. Prices can fluctuate, so knowing when to sell your loot is crucial to maximizing your gold per clue.
Conclusion
Hard Clue Scrolls in OSRS are one of the most exciting ways to make money in the game. With the potential to earn rare and valuable items, they’re an activity that rewards perseverance, skill, and a bit of luck. By following the tips in this guide, you can significantly increase your chances of getting rich from Hard Clue Scrolls and make your mark in Gielinor.
Remember, the key to profiting from Hard Clue Scrolls is to stay efficient, stay prepared, and make smart decisions about when to sell your loot. Whether you’re hunting for Third Age gear or just looking for a fun and rewarding challenge, Hard Clue Scrolls offer one of the most exciting paths to wealth in OSRS. Happy clue hunting!
