OSRS Magic Training: Bursting Slayer vs High Alch vs Plank Make to 99

Game screenshots and facts are cited from the Old School RuneScape Wiki (strategy, equipment, drops, and related pages). Writing is original editorial, not a copy of the wiki article.

Magic is one of Old School RuneScape's most flexible skills. You can train it while questing, while watching a movie, or while shredding Slayer tasks with ancient spells. But when the goal is 99, three methods dominate every serious discussion: bursting or barraging Slayer tasks, high alchemy, and Plank Make. Each route has a different mix of speed, profit, attention, and account requirements, and the best choice depends on how you play.

This guide breaks down what actually gets you to 99 Magic. We'll cover the requirements and unlocks for each method, the supplies you'll need, realistic time-to-goal estimates, and when buying gold or a training service is the honest shortcut rather than a cheat.

The Three Routes at a Glance

Before we dig into details, here is a side-by-side look at the three main training strategies. Keep in mind that actual XP per hour and profit depend on current Grand Exchange prices, your Magic level, gear, and how efficiently you click. Always use the wiki's calculators before committing to a long grind.

Each method has tradeoffs. Bursting is the fastest by far, but it demands your full attention and can be expensive. High alching is the classic second-screen activity, but its XP rate is limited. Plank Make sits in the middle, turning a profit if you watch plank prices, but it requires high Magic and quests first.

Requirements and Unlocks You Should Know

Before you choose a method, make sure your account has the necessary unlocks. Here is what each route demands:

If you're missing quest requirements, knock them out first. Desert Treasure is non-negotiable for bursting, and Lunar Diplomacy plus Dream Mentor is required for Plank Make. High Alchemy has no quest requirements, which is why it remains the most accessible high-level training option.

Bursting Slayer: The Fastest Route for Active Players

Bursting and barraging use multi-target Ancient Magicks to hit several monsters at once. The most efficient way to use this is on Slayer tasks, because you train Magic and Slayer simultaneously. The wiki specifically highlights dust devils and Greater Nechryael as prime bursting targets. You'll find them in multi-combat areas like the Catacombs of Kourend, where you can stack them using corners and then unleash AoE spells.

Supplies for a typical bursting session include a stack of blood, death, water, and other runes depending on the spell, prayer potions if using overheads, food for emergencies, and magic-boosting gear. Attention is high: you need to pull monsters into a stack, manage prayer, and re-stack when spawns spread out. It's not AFK, but the XP per hour is dramatically higher than alching or plank making. Many players report breaking even or profiting on tasks because dust devils and nechryael drop alchables and other valuable loot, but rune costs can fluctuate. Always check current rune prices and expected drops on the wiki before committing.

Bursting requires a high initial investment in runes and possibly gear, but it cuts the time to 99 Magic dramatically. If you're willing to pay attention and have the Slayer level for good tasks, this is the fastest practical route.

High Alchemy: The Semi-AFK Clicking Method

High Level Alchemy unlocks at 55 Magic and has been the bread-and-butter Magic training method for years. You cast it on noted items or stacks of items, turning them into coins for 65 XP per cast. The spell has a short cooldown, so with good rhythm you can cast roughly every 2-3 seconds. That translates to around 70-80k Magic XP per hour for most players, though perfect 3-tick clicking can push it higher. Compared to Low Alchemy's 60k per hour, High Alchemy is a solid step up.

The real draw is that High Alchemy can be cast while moving, running, or doing other low-attention activities. Many players alch while training Agility, completing quests, or watching shows. You'll need a fire staff to save fire runes, a large stack of nature runes, and a stash of items whose High Alchemy value exceeds their purchase price plus the nature rune cost. That profit margin is the key: use an alchemy calculator to find items that break even or profit. Common choices include certain dragonhide bodies, battlestaves, or rune items bought below alch value, but margins shift constantly.

High Alchemy is not the fastest method, but it's the most forgiving. It requires no quests, no special gear, and can be done almost anywhere. For players who want to train Magic while doing something else, it remains the default choice.

Plank Make: Turning Logs into Profit

Plank Make is a Lunar spell unlocked at 86 Magic after completing Lunar Diplomacy and Dream Mentor. It converts one log into a plank for a rune and coin cost, and each cast gives a chunk of Magic XP. The spell is particularly attractive for its profit potential: when plank prices are high relative to log prices, you can make money while training. Mahogany planks are the classic choice because of their strong demand for Construction training.

Unlike High Alchemy, Plank Make requires you to have logs in your inventory, not noted. You'll cast the spell on each log, then bank the planks when your inventory is full. This makes the method more inventory-management heavy than alching. Attention is moderate: you're actively clicking through logs, but there's no need to stack monsters or manage prayer. The profit per cast depends on the difference between the plank's market price and the combined cost of the log, runes, and coins the spell consumes. Check current prices on the wiki before buying logs in bulk.

Plank Make is a strong middle ground. It's faster than High Alchemy for most players and can be profitable, but it requires a high Magic level and two quests. If you already have those unlocks, it's worth considering as a money-making training method.

Early and Mid-Game Magic: Questing, Enchanting Bolts, and the Mage Training Arena

Before you can burst, alch, or plank make, you need to get through the early levels. Questing is the fastest way to skip the low-level grind. Completing Witch's Potion and Imp Catcher gives 1,200 Magic XP, taking you from level 1 to 10 with almost no effort. For a bigger jump, finish Fairytale I - Growing Pains or The Grand Tree, then Watchtower, and the Lumbridge Guide subquest of Recipe for Disaster to reach level 34 purely from quest rewards.

From level 4 onward, you can enchant gem-tipped bolts with Enchant Crossbow Bolt for very fast XP, but it's expensive. Low Level Alchemy at 21 is cheaper and can also be cast while running. Both methods can be done in the Mage Training Arena, which provides pizazz points for unique rewards. The Arena has four rooms — Telekinetic Theatre, Creature Graveyard, Enchanting Chamber, and Alchemist's Playground — and you need level 33 Magic to use all of them. The rewards include Infinity robes, the mage's book, and the Bones to Peaches spell, which is incredibly useful for Slayer and other PvM. Earning points takes time, but it's a structured alternative to simply alching at a bank.

For most players, the early game is about efficiency: quest to 10 or 34, then decide whether to power through with enchanted bolts or settle into a cheaper rhythm with Low Alchemy or the Arena. Once you hit 55, High Alchemy opens the door to the long grind ahead.

Time, Cost, and Effort Tradeoffs: What Actually Gets You to 99

Let's be realistic about time commitment. Bursting Slayer can push 200k+ Magic XP per hour on the right tasks, meaning the 55–99 grind is possible in a couple dozen hours of active play if you have the gear and tasks. High Alchemy, at 70-80k XP per hour, turns that same stretch into over 100 hours of clicking. Plank Make typically lands between the two, with the added benefit of profit. These are rough estimates because your actual rates depend on market prices, task selection, and how efficiently you play. Always verify current rates on the wiki.

Cost is another factor. Bursting consumes expensive runes but may return a profit from drops. High Alchemy can be break-even or profitable with careful item selection, but most players accept a small loss for the convenience. Plank Make is often genuinely profitable, but it requires a higher upfront account build. If you value your time highly, buying OSRS gold to fund runes or even a Magic training service can turn a 100-hour grind into a few hours of waiting. That's not cheating — it's an honest trade of money for time, and many players choose it.

Think about your own playstyle. If you can actively play for hours and enjoy Slayer, bursting is the obvious winner. If you need a second-screen activity while working or studying, High Alchemy fits. If you have the Lunar quests done and want to profit, Plank Make is the smart money choice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Alching items without checking margins. A nature rune costs money; if the item's alch value minus its purchase price is less than that, you're paying to train. Use the wiki calculator.
• Forgetting an elemental staff. A fire staff saves a fire rune on every alch, and an earth staff helps with Plank Make. These savings add up over tens of thousands of casts.
• Bursting without the right quests. You can't use Ancient Magicks without Desert Treasure. Finish it before buying burst runes.
• Ignoring Slayer unlocks. Bursting tasks in the Catacombs of Kourend often require certain Slayer levels. Raise Slayer alongside Magic to unlock the best targets.
• Not using the Mage Training Arena early. The rewards, especially Bones to Peaches, are useful for Slayer and bossing, and the XP isn't bad while you're below 55.
• Trying Plank Make without the Lunar quests. The spell is locked behind Lunar Diplomacy and Dream Mentor. Don't buy astral runes until you've done them.
• Overpaying for runes by buying small amounts. Bulk buys from the Grand Exchange usually get better prices, and you'll need tens of thousands of nature runes for alching.

When Buying Gold or a Magic Training Service Is the Honest Shortcut

Time is the real currency in OSRS. If you have more gold than free time, purchasing OSRS gold to fund your runes, gear, or even a full Magic training service can be the most efficient move. For example, buying gold to afford better bursting gear and a large rune stack can cut hours off your grind. Alternatively, a reputable training service can handle the repetitive clicking while you focus on life. This isn't about breaking rules — it's about making an informed decision about how you spend your time.

Before you buy, verify current prices and make sure you're using a trusted marketplace. Check our live rates below to see what gold costs today and whether a shortcut makes sense for your account goals.

View live gold rates

Sources

• Pay-to-play Magic training
• Mage Training Arena