Deadman Mode in Old School RuneScape is a high-stakes, adrenaline-filled game mode where efficiency and preparation can make all the difference. For new or returning players, getting off to a strong start is key to leveling quickly, earning valuable points, and setting yourself up for success in the first bracket. This guide will walk you through a reliable starting route, including XP strategies, key quests, and early money-making methods that will help you hit the ground running. Sufficient RuneScape gold can also be very helpful to you.

Objective of the Starting Route

The primary goal in Deadman Mode’s opening stages is simple: maximize your XP and points while preparing for early PvM content and resource collection. By following this guide, you’ll have high enough stats, sigils, and resources to tackle Barrows and other profitable activities within the first couple of hours of the server opening. While this route focuses on a fast and efficient start, it can be adjusted to suit your personal goals, such as prioritizing quest points, gathering early loot, or joining a clan for support.

Step 1: Early XP and Questing in Verarac

Your adventure begins in Verarac. Immediately open Thelia’s store to gather your starting items, then head east to the bank and pick up the meticulous mage relic. Next, visit the museum and speak to the historian upstairs to claim two 10,000 XP lamps, which can be allocated to the skills of your choice. While in town, speak with the clerk in the corner to gain mining XP, and attack some rats along the way to accumulate initial combat XP.

This early combination of questing, XP lamps, and low-risk combat ensures you’re gaining points while preparing for more significant activities like dragon hunting. By the end of this phase, your account should be strong enough to continue with resource collection and low-level PvM tasks.

Step 2: Dragon Bones for Prayer XP

Once you reach Farox, your next priority is leveling Prayer. Safe spot and defeat at least six green dragons to obtain dragon bones. These bones can be used at the altar to quickly increase Prayer, targeting around 43 Prayer as a baseline. The extra dragon will also provide a small amount of GP, which can be sold on the Grand Exchange for early funds. If you prefer, you can engage the crazy archaeologist for additional points, though this step is optional.

Step 3: Abyss Mini-Quest and Early Resource Gathering

After obtaining dragon bones, speak to the Zamorak mage to start the Abyss mini-quest. Then, visit the Edge General Store to buy a jug; if funds are low, pickpocketing is an alternative. Sell any excess dragon bones and begin preparing for the first major crafting or questing objectives, such as chopping trees for Monk’s Friend or completing the Fight Arena quest. Along the way, utilize fairy rings and shortcuts to maximize efficiency.

Step 4: Crafting and Thieving for Early Gains

Crafting early glass items and using the XP lamp to reach 30 Firemaking is a simple but efficient way to boost early levels. Meanwhile, thieving tasks—like stealing cakes at the Ardy center and completing the Sea Slug quest—quickly raise your Thieving to around 55. Completing minor diary tasks along the way ensures you’re collecting points while remaining competitive for early brackets.

Step 5: Preparing for Barrows

The Barrows run is the first major milestone of this route. Before heading to Barrows, ensure your inventory includes:

Priest top and bottom for prayer bonus

An air staff and sufficient chaos runes

Prayer potions (minimum one, ideally several)

The meticulous mage relic to save runes

A skull or other minor utilities for combat

Safe spot the melee brothers around the sarcophagi if your Prayer levels are low. For higher-level players, tanking them directly with prayer potions is also viable. Completing Barrows will provide you with valuable rune drops such as death runes, blood runes, and chaos runes, which can either be sold or used to bolster your account’s combat capabilities.

Step 6: Post-Barrows XP and Points Optimization

After your initial Barrows run, turn in items to the strange old man to claim a 20,000 Prayer XP lamp, which is doubled in Deadman Mode, granting 200,000 XP. This leap in Prayer ensures you can handle more challenging PvM content and earn points quickly. Repeat Barrows runs as necessary to accumulate loot and experience, while balancing resource collection for future breaching events.

Step 7: Adapt and Refine Your Route

While this guide provides a solid framework for your initial Deadman Mode progression, flexibility is key. The in-game economy, PvM competition, and random spawn events may require adjustments. Consider joining a clan, such as Gratz, for support and shared resources. Additionally, you can modify this route for personal preference, whether prioritizing combat, quest points, or rare drops.

Conclusion

This starting route for Deadman Mode in OSRS provides a balanced combination of XP, points, and early-game resources. By following these steps, you can maximize your account’s potential within the first few hours of server launch, positioning yourself for early dominance in PvM content and competitive events. Keep your inventory prepared, monitor safe spots, and take advantage of shortcuts to optimize your efficiency. With these strategies, your Deadman Mode experience will start strong and give you a solid edge over other players. A large amount of cheap Runescape gold can also help you a great deal.