Runescape Runecrafting Guide

You may have heard the term "air running" (or "essence running") many times during your RuneScape playing, but you never took the time to figure out or ask what it was. Well, if this sounds like you then look no further. I was once a player like this until I found out how beneficial it can be for not only yourself, but for other players as well. With regular Runecrafting, it requires that you carry a full bag of 28 Rune Essence to an alter (in this case the Air Alter), craft the Air Runes, then run back to the nearest bank. In other words, it takes ages to level up after about 40 Runecrafting.

Occasionally, you may read somewhere that someone is hiring several air runners to help level up their Runecrafting skill. This method allows the Runecrafter to stay in the Air Temple and craft Rune Essence provided by their runners without having to make trips to the bank themselves; thus, allowing the Runecrafter to gain experience super-fast. This may seem like the runners get nothing out of this deal, but that's definitely not the case. With each trip, the Runecrafter pays the runner a minimum of 2k (2,000 coins) plus they give back the amount of Rune Essence (in notes) that you banked for them (which is always 25 Rune Essence per trip). Sound confusing? If so, allow me to give you an example of how this transaction works.

Before we begin (whether you plan to be the runner or the Runecrafter), you must complete the Rune Mysteries quest on the free version of the game. The quest is incredibly easy and requires no combat what-so-ever, so you shouldn't have any problem completing it. Upon finishing this quest, you'll now have the ability to mine Rune Essence and work on the Runecrafting skill itself. Granted you're not actually gaining Runecrafting experience if you play the role as the runner, but you need to complete this quest in order to have access to the Rune Essence mine.

Once you're at this point, you must decide if you want to run Rune Essence strictly for money, or if you'd like to stay in the Air Temple and craft the Rune Essence provided by other runners for quick Runecrafting experience. Keep in mind that if you wish to craft the Rune Essence given to you by the runners, the process will go much faster and you'll see results much quicker if you have a lot of money.

I would recommend going in with about 300k-500k so that you can stay awhile. You'll also want to go in with a hefty amount of noted Rune Essence to trade back. So anyway, if you plan on being the runner, read through the next section. If you're going to be the player to craft the Air runes, skip ahead to "The Role of the Runecrafter".

The Role of the Runner

Buy yourself a pickaxe and speak with either Aubury in Varrock (shopkeeper at the Runes store behind the east bank) or Wizard Sedridor at the Wizard's Tower located south of Draynor. Ask to be teleported and you'll find yourself amongst the Rune Essence mines. Mine exactly 25 Rune Essence and teleport back to the main world via the portal. Make sure you bring either an Air Talisman or preferably an Air Tiara (since they can be worn) and then log onto World 16.

World 16 is considered the "official" world of Air Running simply because you'll always find people using this method here. And best of all, it's a F2P (free-to-play) world, meaning you don't have to be a member in order to log on there. Now you're about ready to begin!

Make a trek to Falador (or just teleport there if your Magic level is high enough) and stop at the east bank. The only thing you need in your bag is the 25 Rune Essence (un-noted). If you're using an Air Talisman make sure you have that, but I'm assuming you're wearing an Air Tiara so you shouldn't have anything else.

Walk to the Air Alter located southwest of Falador's east bank. Just follow the path south until you pass the guards and then begin walking southwest. You'll know if you're going the right way because everyone and their mother will probably be doing the exact same thing. When you reach the Air Alter, just click it to enter and you'll find yourself amongst a giant crowd of people. The only people you need to pay attention to are the ones who are saying something along the lines of: "Open 2k and ess back!"