OSRS Barrows Guide – Is It Worth Doing?

The Barrows minigame in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most iconic and rewarding pieces of content in the game. Introduced in 2005, it offers players a chance to battle six powerful Barrows Brothers in a cryptic dungeon crawl. In return, players can earn valuable Barrows gear and other loot. But is Barrows still worth doing today, especially with so many newer money-making methods available? This guide will explore the mechanics of Barrows, strategies for success, and its overall value in 2024.

What Is Barrows?

Barrows is a combat-based minigame located east of Mort'ton, in the Morytania region. It involves battling the six Barrows Brothers, each of whom represents a specific combat style. The objective is to defeat all six brothers and navigate the crypt to open a treasure chest. The loot can include Barrows equipment, runes, OSRS gold, and other valuable rewards.

The Barrows Brothers

Each of the six Barrows Brothers has unique strengths, weaknesses, and a specialized combat style. Here's a quick overview:

Ahrim the Blighted:

Combat Style: Magic

Weakness: Ranged

Dharok the Wretched:

Combat Style: Melee (high damage with low HP)

Weakness: Magic

Guthan the Infested:

Combat Style: Melee (heals when hitting you)

Weakness: Magic

Karil the Tainted:

Combat Style: Ranged

Weakness: Melee

Torag the Corrupted:


Combat Style: Melee (drains run energy)

Weakness: Magic

Verac the Defiled:

Combat Style: Melee (can hit through prayer)

Weakness: Magic

How to Get to Barrows

Barrows is located in Morytania, which requires partial completion of the Priest in Peril quest to access. There are several ways to travel there:

Barrows Teleport Tab: Requires a house with a lectern to create.

Fairy Ring (BKR): Use the Fairy Ring system, then run northeast.

Mort'ton Minigame Teleport: Requires the Mort'ton teleport scroll or access to the minigame group finder.

Ectophial: Teleport to the Ectofuntus and run southwest.

Required Gear and Stats for Barrows

Recommended Stats

Combat Level: At least 75+

Magic: 50+ (for spells like Iban Blast or Trident of the Swamp)

Ranged: 60+ (for Ahrim)

Prayer: 43+ (for Protect from Melee, Magic, and Ranged)

Suggested Gear

Your gear will depend on your budget and combat style. Here's a general recommendation:

Budget Setup:

Magic Weapon: Iban Staff (for Iban Blast)

Armor: Rune Platebody, Mystic Robes, or Monk's Robes

Ranged Weapon: Magic Shortbow or Rune Crossbow

Melee Weapon: Dragon Scimitar

Mid-Level Setup:

Magic Weapon: Trident of the Seas or Slayer's Staff

Armor: Mystic Robes or Void Knight Gear

Ranged Weapon: Karil's Crossbow or Armadyl Crossbow

Melee Weapon: Abyssal Whip or Dragon Scimitar

High-Level Setup:

Magic Weapon: Trident of the Swamp or Sanguinesti Staff

Armor: Ancestral Robes or Ahrim's Robes

Ranged Weapon: Blowpipe or Twisted Bow

Melee Weapon: Abyssal Tentacle

Inventory Setup

Spade: Required to dig into the Barrows crypts.

Prayer Potions: 2-3 doses for prayer protection.

Food: Sharks or higher-tier food.

Runes: For Magic attacks (e.g., Fire Runes for Iban Blast).

Teleport: A method to quickly leave (e.g., Barrows Teleport Tab, Ectophial).

The Barrows Strategy

To succeed at Barrows, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Activate the Mounds

Each Barrows Brother rests in a burial mound. Use a spade on the mound to descend into their crypt and fight them. After defeating a brother, you'll return to the surface. Repeat this for all six mounds.

Step 2: Prayer Management

Use Protect from Melee for Dharok, Guthan, Torag, and Verac.

Use Protect from Magic for Ahrim.

Use Protect from Missiles for Karil.

Prayer potions will help you sustain your prayer points throughout the fight.

Step 3: Solve the Puzzle

After defeating the six brothers, you'll encounter a crypt puzzle to access the chest room. The puzzles involve simple logic questions, such as matching symbols or identifying patterns.

Step 4: Loot the Chest

Once you reach the treasure room, open the chest to claim your rewards. The loot is randomized but influenced by your kill count (the number of creatures defeated in the tunnels).

Is Barrows Profitable?

Average Loot

The primary attraction of Barrows is the chance to obtain Barrows gear, which consists of powerful armor and weapons used by the Barrows Brothers. Each piece has a high value on the Grand Exchange. Additionally, players can expect to receive:

Death Runes and Blood Runes

Bolt Racks

Coins or other rare items

Profitability Breakdown

Average Chest Value: 100k–2M GP per run (depending on RNG).

Barrows Item Drop Rate: ~1/17 chance to receive a Barrows item.

Hourly Gold: Experienced players can earn 1–2M GP/hour.

While Barrows remains profitable, RNG plays a significant role in determining your earnings. Some runs may yield only runes, while others can reward you with a valuable item like Dharok's Platebody.

Is Barrows Worth Doing?

The value of Barrows depends on your goals, skill level, and enjoyment of the content. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros

Low Entry Requirements: Barrows is accessible to mid-level players with decent combat stats.

Valuable Rewards: Barrows items remain in demand, ensuring consistent profits.

Combat Practice: It's a great way to improve PvM (Player vs Monster) skills.

Efficient Training: The combination of combat and prayer training adds to the value.

Cons

RNG-Dependent: Your profitability relies on luck with loot.

Repetitive Gameplay: The process can feel monotonous after several runs.

Time-Consuming Travel: Getting to Barrows without teleports can be tedious.

Alternatives to Barrows

If Barrows doesn't align with your playstyle or goals, consider these alternatives:

Slayer Bossing: Monsters like Kraken and Abyssal Sire can offer steady profits.

Vorkath: A high-tier boss with consistent drops.

Zulrah: Known for its massive gold-per-hour potential.

Farming Herbs: Low-risk and reliable money-making method.

Conclusion

Barrows remains a worthwhile activity in 2024 for both mid-level and high-level players. It offers a unique blend of challenge, nostalgia, and potential for profit. While the RNG factor can be frustrating, the thrill of earning a rare Barrows item keeps players coming back. Whether you're looking to make gold, test your combat skills, or simply enjoy one of OSRS's most iconic pieces of content, Barrows is undoubtedly a valuable addition to your buy RuneScape gold journey.

By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can maximize your efficiency, minimize risks, and make the most of your trips to the crypts.