Guardians of the Rift is one of the most popular RuneCrafting training methods in Old School RuneScape. It strikes a balance between experience, profit, and engaging gameplay, making it a favorite for both casual and competitive players. While many adventurers prefer to earn their wealth directly through the activity, others choose to buy OSRS gold to speed up their progress. This guide covers the requirements, XP and profit rates, rewards, and a step-by-step explanation of how to play the minigame efficiently.

XP and Profit Rates

At level 27 RuneCrafting-the minimum to start-you can expect around 20,000 XP per hour. With higher levels, XP scales significantly, reaching up to 70,000 XP per hour at level 99.

On top of RuneCrafting XP, Guardians of the Rift offers secondary experience: about 6,000 Crafting XP and 3,000 Mining XP per hour. This makes it an excellent multi-skill activity compared to methods that provide only RuneCrafting XP.

Profit depends on the types of runes you focus on. Players can make 400,000–800,000 GP per hour, especially when prioritizing high-value runes such as Blood, Death, or Nature. This makes it not just a training method but also a solid moneymaker.

Rewards

One of the main incentives is the Raiments of the Eye robe set, purchased with pearls earned through the minigame. Wearing the full set provides a 60% bonus to runes crafted, massively increasing long-term profitability.

Another notable reward is the Abyssal Needle, used to create the Colossal Pouch. This pouch combines all other pouches and provides additional capacity, scaling with RuneCrafting level from +8 essence at level 25 to +40 at level 85+. The Colossal Pouch is essential for maximizing efficiency across all RuneCrafting methods.

Other rewards include essence pouches, the Abyssal Lantern (with log-based bonuses), and valuable runes.

Requirements

To access Guardians of the Rift, you must complete the Temple of the Eye quest, which requires level 10 RuneCrafting. The quest itself boosts you to level 27, so you can begin training immediately afterward.

Additional helpful levels include:

· 56 Agility: grants access to the faster eastern mining rock.

· 67 Magic with Lunar Diplomacy: allows use of NPC Contact to repair pouches remotely.

· Mining boosts: Items such as Varrock armour or the Celestial Ring increase your fragment yield.

How the Minigame Works

Guardians of the Rift is a non-combat RuneCrafting minigame where players assist the Great Guardian in sealing an abyssal rift. The core gameplay loop involves gathering essence, crafting runes, and reinforcing the Guardian until the rift closes.

You earn two types of reward points:

· Elemental points from crafting elemental runes.

· Catalytic points from crafting catalytic runes.

You need one of each to roll for a reward at the end of a game. Crafting combination runes with the Magic Imbue spell and Binding Necklaces increases efficiency, providing three elemental points per essence instead of two.

Items Needed

The absolute minimum requirement is a pickaxe. However, efficiency improves dramatically with essence pouches, which increase inventory size. These can be obtained in two ways:

1. Abyss monsters (such as leeches), unlocked after Rune Mysteries and Enter the Abyss.

2. Guardians of the Rift rewards, which allow you to progress RuneCrafting while unlocking pouches.

3. Pouches degrade with use, but the Dark Mage in the Abyss can repair them. With NPC Contact, you can repair them without leaving the game.

If you plan to craft combination runes, bring Binding Necklaces and Earth Runes. Players with an Abyssal Lantern should use U logs for a point-boosting effect.

Step-by-Step Game Walkthrough

1. Preparation: Start by taking 10 uncharged cells near the entrance. Summon a weak guardian and reinforce it with a barrier.

2. Mining: Move to the large guardian remains (east if you have 56 Agility, otherwise the closer rocks). Mine until you have about 150 fragments.

3. Crafting Essence: At the workbench, chisel fragments into essence. Fill your pouches as you go.

4. Crafting Runes: Enter an active altar, ideally one tied to strong or overcharged cells (Fire, Death, Blood, Nature, or Law). Craft runes and empty pouches.

5. Deposit Stones: Return to the Great Guardian and deposit your crafted stones. Use charged cells to reinforce barriers.

6. Yellow Portal Phase: When the yellow portal appears, mine essence there, fill pouches, and craft more runes.

7. Repeat: Continue alternating between chiseling essence, crafting at altars, and reinforcing the Guardian until the rift is sealed.

With one or two pouches, you can typically complete two inventories before the next portal phase.

Final Thoughts

Guardians of the Rift is more than just a RuneCrafting training method-it’s a rewarding and profitable minigame that keeps players engaged. Whether you’re chasing level 99, farming profit, or unlocking the Raiments of the Eye, this activity offers long-term value. Some players even choose to buy RS gold to supplement their progress, but by learning the mechanics, using essence pouches efficiently, and focusing on valuable runes, you’ll maximize both your XP and GP gains.