This guide covers the fastest way to level Crafting to max. Crafting is closely tied to Woodcutting since you'll be chopping logs for most of the journey, so leveling both skills together is the most efficient approach.
Overview
The optimal Crafting training path revolves around two main products: Willow Staffs and Maple Planks. The general strategy is:
- Reach level 20 Crafting using early recipes (staffs, bows, arrow shafts).
- Craft Willow Staffs (528 XP each) while training Woodcutting to level 75.
- At 75 Woodcutting, switch to chopping Maple trees (better XP/tick than Willow) and turn the logs into Maple Planks (30 XP each) all the way to max.
Maple Planks also sell well on the Market, so this method earns good money while you train.
Phase 1: Levels 1-20
The goal here is to reach level 20 as quickly as possible so you can start crafting Willow Staffs. Use whatever logs and materials you have on hand.
| Level | Recommended Item | XP | Materials | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Staff | 120 | 24x Logs | Best XP per craft from regular Logs |
| 1 | Bow | 165 | 5x String, 30x Logs | Good if you have String available |
| 5 | Wooden Heart | 210 | 42x Logs | More XP per craft but log-heavy |
| 10 | Oak Staff | 240 | 24x Oak Logs | Switch to these once you can chop Oak |
| 10 | Oak Bow | 315 | 5x String, 30x Oak Logs | Best pre-20 option with String |
Tips for Phase 1:
- Staffs are the easiest option since they only require logs (no String needed).
- If you've been training Woodcutting already, use whatever logs you've stockpiled.
- Arrow Shafts (5 XP from Logs) are low XP individually, but you'll be making a lot of arrows over the span of your account, so any shafts you craft now won't go to waste.
Phase 2: Levels 20-70+ (Willow Staffs)
Once you hit level 20, start crafting Willow Staffs (528 XP, 24x Willow Logs). This is the core of the power-leveling strategy.
| Item | XP | Crafting Level | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Staff | 528 | 20 | 24x Willow Logs |
You'll be chopping Willow trees and crafting the logs into staffs. Keep doing this until your Woodcutting reaches level 75. That's the breakpoint where Maple trees become faster XP per tick than Willows.
Why Willow Staffs?
- 528 XP per craft is strong for a level 20 recipe.
- Willow Logs are easy to obtain in bulk.
- You're training both Woodcutting and Crafting simultaneously.
Other options during this phase:
| Item | XP | Crafting Level | Materials | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Bow | 675 | 20 | 5x String, 30x Willow Logs | More XP but requires String |
| Willow Heart | 924 | 30 | 42x Willow Logs | Unlocks at 30, higher XP per craft |
| Maple Staff | 720 | 30 | 24x Maple Logs | If you have Maple Logs already |
Phase 3: Level 75 Woodcutting+ (Maple Planks to Max)
Once your Woodcutting hits 75, switch to chopping Maple trees and turning the logs into Maple Planks.
| Item | XP | Crafting Level | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Planks | 30 | 30 | 1x Maple Logs |
The XP per plank is lower than Willow Staffs, but each plank only costs 1 log, so you get far more crafts per inventory of logs. Maple trees also give better Woodcutting XP per tick than Willows at level 75+, making the overall loop more efficient.
Why Maple Planks?
- 1 log = 1 plank, so you get 30 XP per log with no other materials needed.
- Maple trees are faster XP/tick than Willow at 75+ Woodcutting.
- Maple Planks sell well to the Shops, so you profit while leveling.
- Sustainable loop: chop, craft, sell, repeat.
Ride Maple Planks all the way to max Crafting.
Alternative: High-Level Options
If you're not in a rush and want to explore other crafting at higher levels:
| Level | Item | XP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Mangrove Bow / Mangrove Staff | 1,515 / 1,200 | Good XP if you have Mangrove Logs |
| 50 | Haunted Bow / Haunted Staff | 8,015 / 2,400 | Haunted Logs + Purple String needed |
| 50 | Silkfang Armour set | 1,348-2,725 each | Requires Silkfang hides from combat |
| 60 | Cactus Planks* | 250 | 1x Cactus Logs |
| 70 | Cactus Bow / Cactus Staff | 12,500 / 11,000 | Requires a Haunted weapon + Cactus Logs |
| 80 | Stardust x100 | 600 | 1x Magic Logs |
| 80 | Cactus Heart | 12,600 | 42x Cactus Logs |
*Note: Must have started the Volcanic Bridge quest for this recipe to unlock.
Summary
| Phase | Levels | What to Craft | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-20 | Staffs / Bows from Logs & Oak Logs | Basic log supply |
| 2 | 20-70+ | Willow Staffs (528 XP) | Willow Logs from Woodcutting |
| 3 | 70+ to Max | Maple Planks (30 XP per log) | 75 Woodcutting for Maple trees |
Bottom line: Get to 20, spam Willow Staffs until 75 Woodcutting, then Maple Planks to max. Simple, efficient, and profitable.
See Also
- Crafting - Full recipe tables
- Woodcutting - Gathering logs
- Woodcutting - Guide - Woodcutting leveling guide
- Forging - Smelting bars and arrowheads
