Old School RuneScape (OSRS) has long been celebrated for its traditional mechanics, expansive world, and deliberate pacing. Travelling across Gielinor has always required thoughtful preparation, whether through teleportation spells, enchanted jewelry, or good old-fashioned walking. However, as the game has evolved and new players continue to join, the demand for improved travel convenience grew louder.

 

Responding to this, Jagex introduced the Waystone System - a network of teleportation nodes scattered throughout the world, providing a structured and accessible form of fast travel. In this guide, we'll break down everything about the Waystone System, including its purpose, how it works, where to find Waystones, and the impact it has on the OSRS experience.

 

What is the Waystone System in OSRS?

The Waystone System in Old School RuneScape is a form of fast-travel network that allows players to teleport between unlocked waypoints. This system is designed to reduce tedious travel times across Gielinor while preserving OSRS's core values of exploration and progression.

 

Key Features:

Manual Unlocking: Players must physically travel to each Waystone to activate it.

 

No Skill Requirement: Unlike traditional teleportation spells, there are no level or quest prerequisites to use Waystones.

 

Balanced Convenience: The system is integrated with limitations to ensure it doesn't trivialize existing travel methods or game balance.

 

The Waystone System serves both new players, who often struggle with movement restrictions, and veterans, who seek more efficient routing for daily tasks, questing, and skilling.

 

How to Unlock and Use Waystones

Step 1: Find a Waystone

Waystones are fixed objects located at significant cities, towns, and strategic spots across Gielinor. A player must visit and interact with a Waystone to unlock it.

 

Step 2: Activate the Waystone

Clicking on the Waystone initiates an unlocking sequence, permanently adding that Waystone to your teleportation network. From then on, it becomes a selectable destination from any other Waystone.

 

Step 3: Teleport Between Waystones

Once unlocked, players can teleport between Waystones by:

 

Visiting any activated Waystone.

 

Opening the teleportation interface.

 

Selecting a desired destination from the list of unlocked Waystones.

 

 

Full List of Known Waystone Locations

Waystones are strategically placed to facilitate access to all major parts of the map. Below is a list of confirmed Waystone locations:

 

Major Cities and Towns

Lumbridge: Near the castle entrance.

 

Varrock: At the city's central square by the fountain.

 

Falador: Close to Falador Park.

 

Ardougne: East Ardougne market area.

 

Catherby: Near fishing spots on the beach.

 

Rellekka: By the Fremennik hall.

 

Taverley: Near the Herblore shop.

 

Shilo Village: Center of the village (requires Shilo Village quest).

 

Canifis: Outside the pub in Morytania.

 

Prifddinas: Near the central plaza (requires Song of the Elves).

 

Kourend and Kebos Lowlands

Great Kourend: Each of the five houses, such as Hosidius and Shayzien, have a Waystone nearby.

 

Mount Quidamortem: Near the Chambers of Xeric entry point.

 

Lizardman Canyon: For Slayer and combat-related activities.

 

Other Notable Spots

Entrana: Upon arrival by boat.

 

Barrows: Outside the crypt area.

 

Port Phasmatys: Near the dock.

 

Mort'ton: Close to the Barrows teleport zone.

 

This comprehensive coverage ensures that players can access nearly all significant game areas once they've manually unlocked these points.

 

Benefits of Using Waystones

1. Streamlined Travel

Traveling from one corner of Gielinor to another traditionally required multiple teleport methods, running long distances, or using transportation networks like charter ships. Waystones drastically reduce this time sink.

 

2. Accessibility for All Players

New Players: Often lack access to teleport spells, jewelry, or quest completions. Waystones provide a straightforward alternative.

 

Skillers and Pures: These accounts usually restrict themselves in combat or Magic training. The Waystone System sidesteps these limitations.

 

3. Enhanced Gameplay Flow

Daily and routine activities such as:

 

Slayer tasks

 

Clue scroll hunts

 

OSRS gold gathering

 

Questing

become less time-consuming, allowing more time for engaging content.

 

4. Encourages Exploration

Because players must physically unlock each Waystone, the system subtly encourages exploration. As players seek out these stones, they often discover new locations, skilling opportunities, and quest hooks.

 

Balancing Concerns and Community Feedback

When first announced, some players expressed concern that the Waystone System might make OSRS too easy or undermine the nostalgia of traditional RuneScape travel. However, the implemented limitations, such as the cooldown timer and combat restrictions, alleviated most of these fears.

 

Community feedback has since been largely positive, with many players praising the system as:

 

A quality-of-life improvement.

 

A time-saving mechanic that does not harm the game's integrity.

 

An incentive for map exploration. And have more time to buy OSRS gold.

 

Some players have even suggested optional upgrades, such as:

 

A Waystone Mastery Achievement that grants a cosmetic reward for unlocking all Waystones.

 

The introduction of Wilderness-exclusive Waystones with risk-reward dynamics.

 

Strategies for Efficient Waystone Unlocking

To maximize the Waystone network early:

 

Integrate Unlocking into Questing: Many major quests lead players close to Waystones - take minor detours to activate them.

 

Combine with Skilling Runs: For example, while gathering in Catherby, activate the Waystone for future convenience.

 

Utilize Teleport Combos: Use accessible teleport spells or jewelry to reach areas faster, then unlock their Waystones.

 

Make a Completionist Trip: Once mid-game is reached, plan a dedicated route to unlock any missed Waystones, ensuring smooth access moving forward.

 

The Future of Waystones in OSRS

While the current system is already expansive, there is room for future development:

 

Expansion to More Remote Areas: Dungeons like the TzHaar Fight Cave or isolated quest areas could benefit from nearby Waystones.

 

Customizable Teleport Tokens: Future updates might introduce tokens for temporary teleports directly to Waystones from anywhere, albeit with restrictions.

 

Integration with Minigames: Minigames could offer Waystone activations as rewards, further incentivizing participation.

 

Conclusion

The Waystone System in Old School RuneScape is a well-executed, balanced addition that enhances the player experience without compromising the game's core values. It serves as a modern convenience that respects the spirit of exploration and discovery that OSRS is beloved for.

 

Whether you're a fresh-faced adventurer in Lumbridge or a battle-hardened veteran scouring the Wilderness, the Waystone network stands as a vital tool in your travels. By unlocking these nodes early and planning your routes wisely, you'll significantly cut down on travel time and open new avenues for adventure.

 

With OSRS's ever-evolving world, the Waystone System is just one example of how the game continues to adapt while staying true to its nostalgic roots - offering both efficiency and immersion in the iconic lands of Gielinor.