Complete 1-99 Thieving Guide for Old School RuneScape (OSRS) – Updated May 2025

Thieving in Old School RuneScape has entered a golden age.

With sweeping 2024–2025 buffs to fail rates, a dramatic overhaul of stall and chest XP, Varlamore’s game-changing AFK house robbing, and the rise of Rogues’ Chests as a top-tier money and XP maker, there’s never been an easier, faster, or more rewarding time to train Thieving—all the way to level 99.

This comprehensive and up-to-date guide will walk you through every step, from humble beginnings to the flashiest 99, tailored to both regular and Ironman accounts.

Whether you’re racing XP, min-maxing profit, seeking simple AFK gains, or planning the self-sufficient Ironman path, we cover the modern meta, optimal gear, plugin tips, and method breakdowns you need for 2025.

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Essential Updates, Unlocks, and Gear for 2025 Thieving

Before you begin, it’s vital to understand the game-changing 2024–2025 updates that have redefined OSRS Thieving:

Major Thieving Updates Since May 2024

• Fail Rate Reductions: Core NPCs (Paladins, Heroes, Gnomes, Tzhaar-Hur, etc.) now have much lower fail rates, improving XP significantly—especially for Paladins and Ardougne Knights (up to 211k/hr at 99 with diary rewards).
• Stall and Chest XP Buffs: All stalls (especially Gem, Silver, and Crafting) offer far higher XP/hr—some over quadrupled—while Rogues’ Chests now offer up to 300k XP/hr and massive GP.
• Varlamore Expansion: Introduced Citizen Pickpocketing and House Robbing, the most AFK thieving to date (up to 110k XP/hr, minimal click effort).
• Wilderness Rogues' Chests: Now among the top for fastest XP and GP/hr with 2.2m+ GP/hr and up to 300k XP/hr—if you can manage the PKer risk.

Must-Have Unlocks for Modern Thieving

Unlocking these early on will dramatically increase your XP, profits, and quality of life:

• Ardougne Diary (Medium/Hard): +10% pickpocket success (medium for Ardy, hard for everywhere).

Critical for Knights, Master Farmers, Vyres, and Elves.

The bonus is always active—no need to equip the cloak.

• Rogues' Outfit: Full set guarantees double loot from pickpocketing—indispensable for profitable methods (Vyres, Elves, Master Farmers, Ardy Knights).
• Dodgy Necklace: 25% chance to avoid stun and damage when pickpocketing—absolutely essential; chains with Shadow Veil for 36.25% immunity.
• Shadow Veil (Arceuus Spellbook): 15% stun/damage avoidance, stacks multiplicatively with Dodgy for 36.25%—great for high-tier pickpocketing.
• Gloves of Silence: +5% pickpocket success, best used before diary completion (requires 54 Hunter).

Does not stack with diary bonuses.

Understanding these updates and stacking every available benefit (gear, spellbook, plugins, diaries) is key to dominating the new Thieving meta.

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Pathways to 99: Fastest, Recommended, Profitable, and AFK Methods

Choose your path—a hybrid approach is common, but each route excels in specific areas:

Fastest XP: Blackjacking → Rogues’ Castle Chests

• Blackjacking (45–91+): Requires active play and perfect timing.

Bandits & Menaphite Thugs in Pollnivneach; highest XP to 91.

• 45: ~100k XP/hr
• 65: ~200k XP/hr
• 99: ~265k XP/hr
• Rogues' Castle Chests (84+): Deep Wilderness, top XP at 270–300k XP/hr and up to 2.2m+ GP/hr—high risk of PKers.

Recommended/Chill XP: Ardougne Knights & Pyramid Plunder

• Ardougne Knights (55+): Semi-AFK, scalable XP (85k at 55, up to 250k/hr at 97+ with optimal setup).

Requires Knight trapping/splashing in a closed space.

• Pyramid Plunder (71+/91+): Lower click-rate, lively minigame—competitive with Knights at 91+, up to 270k XP/hr.

Profitable Methods: Vyres, Elves, Master Farmers

• Vyres (82+): Best GP and elite clues—2.5–4m GP/hr, 140–250k XP/hr.

Blood shards are rare jackpot drops.

• Elves (85+): 1.8–2.8m GP/hr, enhanced crystal teleport seeds (value doubled with Rogue's set).
• Master Farmers (94+): Up to 1.6m/hr at 85 Farming, excellent for Ironmen seeking seeds and consistent XP/GP.

AFK/Low-Effort: House Robbing in Varlamore (50+)

• Varlamore House Robbing: Introduced in 2024, now the most AFK method—up to 110k XP/hr, true one-click-per-minute Thieving, ~130–140 hours for 99 from level 50.

Risk Overview:

• Most methods (Knights, Pyramid Plunder, Vyres, Elves, Varlamore): Very low risk
• Rogues’ Chests: High risk (Wilderness PKing)

Gear & Unlocks (as above) are required for optimal results.

*Most players blend these approaches—spiking XP with blackjacking/chests, relaxing with Knights/Plunder, and chasing profit with Vyres/Elves.

Always factor risk, patience, and diary/gear progress.*

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Level-by-Level Training (1-99): Detailed Methods and Key Milestones

Follow these step-by-step strategies, optimized for XP, profit, and convenience:

Level 1-42: Light-Speed Early Gains

• Questing: Complete Fight Arena, Biohazard, Hazeel Cult, Tower of Life, Tribal Totem for up to level 42 instantly.
• Chambers of Xeric Thieving Room: For early alts (30-50k XP/hr at level 1).
• Manual Pickpocketing: Men/Women: 5-6k XP/hr if quest skips unavailable.

Levels 5-25: Stalls for XP and Early Resources

• Bakery Stall (Ardy/Varrock): 13–19k XP/hr.

Cakes are free, endless healing for Ironmen or cash for mains.

• Silk Stall (20+): 15k XP/hr, sell silk for GP (Ironmen especially).

Levels 25-45: Fruit Stall Powerleveling

• Fruit Stalls (Hosidius): 34–43k XP/hr running between two stalls; no longer requires favour (as of 2024).

Drop fruit for speed, keep strange fruit.

The Feud Quest: XP Leap

• Complete The Feud: 15,000 XP, direct path to blackjacking.

Near level 45 by the quest’s end.

Levels 45–91: Blackjacking (Fastest XP Route)

• 45-55: Bearded Bandits (~100–130k XP/hr)
• 55-65: Non-bearded Bandits (~140–150k XP/hr)
• 65–91/99: Menaphite Thugs (200–265k XP/hr high-level)
• Expert tips: Lure into small house, alternate knock-outs and double loots, stash food, use Gloves of Silence or diary boosts.

Optional: Stealing Artefacts (Lv 49+)

• Less click-heavy, up to 261k XP/hr if optimized (Piscarilius).

Required: lockpick, stamina pots, knowledge of guard patterns.

Levels 55–99: Ardougne Knights (Semi-AFK, Chill)

• Trap or “splash” Ardougne Knight: AFK-friendly, excellent coin yield with full Rogue’s set.
• XP: 85k/hr (55), up to 250k/hr (97+) with diary & boosts; no fails above 95 with Medium Diary.
• Setup: Runelite’s Menu Entry Swapper, spam left-click, use “splash world” for best uptime.

Levels 71–99: Pyramid Plunder (Engaging, Low Burnout)

• Minigame in Sophanem: At 91+, up to 270k XP/hr with low click stress.

Bring Sceptre (for teleports), stamina, antipoison, bank via Contact! quest, and stick to urns/last-door chests for fastest XP.

• Official world 493 has fastest doors and best community.

Levels 82+/85+: Pickpocketing Vyres & Elves (High Profit)

• Vyres (82+): 2.5–4m GP/hr, 140–250k XP/hr, insane profit via blood shards; max out with full Rogue’s, diary, Shadow Veil, and Dodgy Necklace.
• Elves (85+): 1.8–2.8m GP/hr, enhanced seeds, 140–210k XP/hr.

Set up in elf house, use all boosts.

Levels 84–99: Rogues’ Castle Chests (Peak XP, Max Danger)

• Wildy chests: 270–300k XP/hr, 2.2m GP/hr; bring minimal valuables, locator orb for 1 HP trick, PK avoidance is crucial. ~34 hours 84–99 with no PK deaths.

Levels 50–99: Varlamore House Robbery (AFK Route)

• AFK house robbing: True AFK training up to 110k XP/hr, ~140 hours 50–99.
• Method: Gather keys from citizens, loot houses, rest during AFK windows—perfect for mobile or busy play.

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Maximizing Profits: Best Money-Making Methods (2025 Edition)

Thieving is now one of OSRS’s most lucrative skills.

Here are the standout moneymakers as of 2025:

1.

Master Farmers

• Level 38+, best at 94 Thieving with Hard Ardy Diary
• Profit: 250k–680k GP/hr; XP: 50–130k/hr
• Best for: Ironmen seeking seeds; mains for consistent mid-level GP
• Tips: Stack all boosts (rogue outfit, diary, shadow veil/dodgy necklace)

2.

Vyres (Pickpocketing, 82+)

• Unlocks: Sins of the Father, full Rogue’s, diary and spellbook
• Profit: 2.5–4m+ GP/hr (230m+ 82–99).

XP: 140–250k/hr

• Notable loot: Blood shards (6–8m each)
• Tip: Use Redemption for healing, maximize click efficiency with plugins

3.

Elves (85+)

• Unlocks: Song of the Elves, full Rogue’s, diary, spellbook
• Profit: 1.8–2.8m GP/hr (up to 125m 85–99); XP: 140–210k/hr
• Special drop: Enhanced crystal teleport seeds (~1.7m each, doubled by Rogue’s set)

4.

Rogues’ Castle Chests (84+)

• Profit: 2–2.2m GP/hr; XP: 250–350k/hr (fastest in-game), but high PvP risk
• Requirements: 43+ Prayer, lockpick, diary, locator orb (for safe 1 HP), Runelite Wildy plugins
• Method: Cycle all three chests, bank often, watch for PKers

5.

Supporting/High-Level Methods

• Stealing Artefacts: 130–260k XP/hr, less click-intensive
• Ardy Knights: 85–240k XP/hr and solid coins
• Pyramid Plunder: 120–270k XP/hr, rare Pharaoh’s Sceptre drops
• Dorgesh-Kaan Chests: 300k GP/hr (great for ironmen), 220k XP/hr
• Varlamore House Robbing: Up to 110k XP/hr AFK, low GP

Gear, Plugins, and Optimization

Always aim for: Ardy Hard Diary, Rogue’s set, dodgy necklaces, Shadow Veil, gloves of silence (pre-diary), and optimized Runelite plugins (Menu Entry Swapper, Wildy player detector, House Thieving Varlamore plugin).

Profit Summary Table

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Ironman & AFK-Specific Strategies

Ironmen require unique routes focused on resource gathering, self-sufficiency, and minimal reliance on the economy.

Recent updates have expanded their toolkit considerably:

Early-Game Foundations

• Cakes/Bakery Stalls: Reliable, infinite food early on.

Steal several hundred cakes—sets you up for all early-game content.

• Silk Stalls: Quick starting cash (sell to Silk Merchant after timer expires).
• Fruit Stalls: Good XP, strange fruit for run energy.

Key Ironman Methods

• HAM Store Rooms: Early jewelry (for enchanting/teleports), alchables, and clue scrolls.

Rogue’s Outfit doubles loot.

• Master Farmers: Vital for seeds for Farming and Herblore. 94 Thieving + Rogue’s + Hard Diary brings near 100% pickpocket success—a must for mid/late game.
• Stone Chests (64+): Farm Xeric's Talisman, gems, crafting XP, and clue scrolls efficiently, crucial for early teleports and supplies.
• Gem Stalls (75+): High XP/gems for Crafting in Varlamore—use a gem bag to streamline.
• Pyramid Plunder: Sceptre drops (essential for HOUSE, ToA, clues) and strong XP at high levels.

Stay until you’ve grabbed your Sceptres.

• TzHaar-Hur: Steal gems for passive Crafting XP after 90, though ice gloves are needed.

Ironman AFK & Modern Strategies

• Varlamore House Robbery: Just as AFK and efficient for Ironmen as for mains; can be hybridized with Master Farmers or other grinds for nearly hands-off levels 50–99.
• Plugin Usage: House Thieving Varlamore, Watchdog, and Runelite’s AFK timers increase efficiency with minimal input.

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Conclusion

Thieving in OSRS has been irrevocably transformed by the 2024–2025 updates.

It’s now a skill where the fastest, most profitable, and most AFK-friendly methods all compete for your attention.

Whether you’re an efficient main, a profit-hunting specialist, a relaxed mobile player, or an Ironman forging your path, unlocking the full Rogues’ set, Ardougne diaries, Shadow Veil, and using the right plugins will rocket you to 99 at unprecedented speed and profit.

Choose the optimal path for your playstyle:

• Speed demons: Blackjacking & Rogues’ Chests
• Profit-maxers: Vyres & Elves with Rogue’s Set
• Chill & semi-AFK: Ardy Knights, Pyramid Plunder
• True AFK: Varlamore House Robbing
• Ironmen: All of the above, with added focus on resource runs

With so many accessible and rewarding options, there’s never been a more satisfying time to pull off the sneakiest 99 in Old School RuneScape.

Be bold, be methodical, and enjoy the climb—the rewards have never been greater.

Good luck on your journey to 99 Thieving!

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Sources: Theoatrix, OSRS Wiki, RSOrder, RPGStash, OSRSGuide, and extensive game update notes from 2024–2025.