Ironman Varlamore Guide
Varlamore is a game-changer for ironmen. Hunter rumours provide food and prayer supplies from level 46, blessed bone shards make prayer training accessible without the Wilderness, and Moons of Peril offers mid-game gear that rivals Barrows.
Varlamore fundamentally changes ironman progression. What used to require Wilderness risk or high-level Slayer for prayer training is now accessible through the Hunter’s Guild and Teomat. Moons of Peril gives mid-game accounts gear that can carry them to endgame. If you’re starting a fresh ironman, Varlamore content should be on your radar early.
Hunter’s Guild
The Hunter’s Guild is arguably the most impactful Varlamore content for ironmen. Through Hunter rumours (starting at level 46), you get:
- Sunlight antelopes (72 Hunter) — raw meat and crafting materials
- Moonlight moths — used for mixes that restore prayer points
- Blessed bone shards — passive income for prayer training
- Hunters’ sunlight crossbow — best 3-tick ranged weapon in the game
- Loot sacks — generous bones, herbs, and supplies
Hunter Rumour Tiers
| Tier | Hunter Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | 46 | Starting tier |
| Adept | 57 | — |
| Expert | 72 | Unlocks sunlight antelopes |
| Master | 91 | Requires At First Light quest |
The rumour system has a pity mechanic — after enough catches without a rare part, you’re guaranteed one. Wearing the guild hunter outfit improves effective drop rates by ~15%.
Hunters’ Sunlight Crossbow
This is a significant early-mid game ranged upgrade that’s often overlooked.
Requirements:
- 72 Hunter (to catch sunlight antelopes)
- 74 Fletching (to craft the crossbow)
- 66 Ranged, 50 Hunter (to equip)
Stats: +79 ranged attack, 3-tick speed on rapid — matching shortbows for speed while rolling against ranged defence like a crossbow. Outclasses the magic shortbow significantly.
Sunlight antelopes are found in Avium Savannah (fairy ring AJP). The antlers always drop and combine with a hunters’ crossbow to make the upgraded version.
Why Hunter Rumours Beat Wintertodt Early
With the October 2024 Wintertodt update removing the low-HP advantage, there’s no longer a rush to grind Firemaking first. Hunter rumours are now a strong alternative:
- Hunter is a more useful skill long-term than Firemaking
- You’re banking food, prayer supplies, and crossbow parts while training
- The content is more varied and engaging
- You can start at 46 Hunter rather than needing no other progress
Prayer Training: Blessed Bone Shards
This is the big one. Varlamore makes prayer training significantly more accessible for ironmen.
The Old Way
- Grind Slayer for dragon bones
- Risk the Wilderness at the Chaos Altar
- Or use the slower Ectofuntus
The Varlamore Way
Combine blessed bone shards with blessed wine at the libation bowl at the Teomat for prayer XP — no Wilderness, no high combat requirements.
XP rates:
- 5 Prayer XP per shard with blessed wine
- 6 Prayer XP per shard with blessed sunfire wine
- Sacrifice up to 100 shards per action
- Requires 30 Prayer and 2 prayer points per action
Where to get blessed bone shards:
| Method | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter rumours | 46 Hunter | Passive while training |
| Calcified deposits | 41 Mining | AFK in Cam Torum, ~7.5 shards per deposit |
| Calcified rocks | 41 Mining | 1/75 drop rate for deposits |
| Breaking down bones | Chisel | Bless bones first at the exposed altar |
Where to get blessed wine:
- Bless jugs of wine at the exposed altar south of the Teomat (30 Prayer)
- One jug covers 400 shards
- Cannot be banked — bless as needed
Moons of Peril
Moons of Peril is a mid-game boss encounter that fills a gap ironmen have always struggled with — the awkward phase between quest gear and Barrows/Slayer drops.
Requirements
- 75+ Combat (Attack, Strength, Defence)
- 70+ Prayer recommended for Piety
- Completion of Perilous Moons quest (requires Twilight’s Promise)
Unique Drops
Three boss variants, each dropping a distinct armour set:
| Boss | Armour Set | Set Effect | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Moon | Bloodrager (melee) | Stepping stone to Bandos | Dual macuahuitl |
| Blue Moon | Frostweaver (magic) | Magic bonuses | Blue moon spear |
| Eclipse Moon | Eclipse (ranged) | Ranged bonuses | Eclipse atlatl |
Why It Matters for Ironmen
The content is designed as Barrows for the modern era — accessible mid-game gear with generous resource rewards. Like Barrows, rewards scale based on how many bosses you defeat.
Each Moon is weak to a specific melee style (stab, crush, or slash), so weapon diversity is rewarded. The unique three-hit attack pattern means defence bonuses are particularly valuable.
Mastering Mixology
Herblore training and useful unlocks in one package.
Requirements
- 60 Herblore (not boostable)
- Children of the Sun quest
- All recipes unlocked by 81 Herblore
XP Rates
- Passive play: ~45,000 XP/hour at 81 Herblore
- Active play: ~70,000 XP/hour at 81 Herblore
- Herb refining only: ~16,500 XP/hour
Rewards Worth Getting
| Reward | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription goggles | 10% chance to save secondary ingredients | High |
| Alchemist’s amulet | 15% chance for 4-dose potions (up from 5%) | High |
| Reagent pouch | Stores 26 of each secondary ingredient | Medium |
The goggles and amulet are meaningful upgrades for ironman herblore efficiency. Worth grinding out if you’re doing significant potion making.
Thieves’ Guild
Wealthy Citizens
A mid-tier thieving option with decent XP and GP.
Requirements: 50 Thieving
Rates:
- 96 XP per successful pickpocket
- 85 coins per pickpocket
- ~46.5% success rate at 50, ~78.5% at 99
Mechanic: Street urchins distract wealthy citizens every 84-99 seconds, giving a ~20 second window of 100% success rate. Time your pickpocketing around these windows for best results.
Drops house keys that can be used to loot nearby houses for additional rewards.
Hueycoatl
A group boss with some niche ironman-relevant drops.
Requirements
- 80+ Attack, 90+ Strength recommended
- 70+ Prayer for Piety
Unique Drops
- Dragon hunter wand (1/105)
- Tome of earth
- Hueycoatl hide
- Huasca seeds
Worth doing if you want the dragon hunter wand for Vorkath/dragons, but not essential progression content.
Fortis Colosseum
Late-game combat content with best-in-slot rewards.
Requirements
- Children of the Sun quest
- Recommended: 80+ Attack/Strength/Defence for early waves
- For completion (Wave 12): 95+ Attack/Strength, 90+ Defence, 94+ Magic
Unique Rewards
| Reward | Wave | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfire fanatic armour | 4+ | Helm, cuirass, chausses |
| Tonalztics of Ralos | 7+ | Thrown weapon |
| Dizana’s quiver | Completion | BIS ranged, guaranteed on first completion |
| Echo crystal | Completion | Combines with guardian boots |
| Sunfire splinters | Various | Crafting material |
This is true endgame content — don’t worry about it until you’re geared for raids.
When to Do Varlamore Content
| Account Stage | Priority Content | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Early game | Hunter rumours | 46 Hunter |
| Early-mid | Calcified deposits, start collecting shards | 41 Mining |
| Mid game | Prayer training via blessed shards | 30 Prayer |
| Mid game | Moons of Peril | 75+ Combat |
| Mid-late | Mastering Mixology rewards | 60+ Herblore |
| Late game | Colosseum | 80+ Combat stats |
| Late game | Hueycoatl (if you want dragon hunter wand) | 80+ melee |
Getting to Varlamore
- Quetzal Transport System — Ring of dueling to Ferox Enclave, then quetzal
- Hunter cape teleport — Direct to Hunter Guild
- Quetzal whistle — Unlocked through Hunter rumours
- Pendant of Ates — Teleport to Ralos’ Rise (near Teomat)