Ironman Fletching Guide OSRS: Vale Totems Meta (2026)
Vale Totems is now the best method - 420k XP/hr for free using logs you already have. Get the Fletching Knife (350 points) early for a massive XP boost. Broad arrows still work if you're GP-rich, but most ironmen should use Vale Totems.
Fletching used to be a GP sink. Now it’s free — and faster than ever.
At a glance:
- Best method: Vale Totems (20+ Fletching, zero cost, up to 420k XP/hr)
- Alternative: Broad arrows (52+ Fletching, fast but costs ~77M GP for 99)
- Money making: Magic longbows → high alch (profitable AFK)
- Priority unlocks: Fletching Knife, Bow String Spool (both from Vale Totems)
Why Vale Totems Changed Everything
Before July 2025, ironmen had two choices:
- Broad arrows — Fast but costs ~77M GP for 99
- Maple longbows from Miscellania — Slow but free/profitable
Vale Totems flipped the script. Now you can get 420k XP/hr for free using logs you already have from Woodcutting.
| Method | XP/hr | GP Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vale Totems (magic logs) | 340-420k | Free | Best method now |
| Broad Arrows | 235-450k | ~77M for 99 | Still fast, but expensive |
| Maple Longbows | 100-150k | Free (profit) | AFK money maker |
Priority Unlocks
Get these from the Vale Research Exchange before grinding 99:
| Item | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fletching Knife | 350 research points | Reduces fletching actions by 1 tick — huge XP boost |
| Bow String Spool | 250 research points | Holds 250 bowstrings in one slot — doubles AFK time |
| Log Basket | Forestry shop | Carry more logs per trip at Vale Totems |
Early Game (1-52)
Wintertodt (1-20)
If you’re doing early Wintertodt for Firemaking, you’ll get passive Fletching XP from making bruma kindling. Not efficient on its own, but free XP while you’re there.
- XP scales with Fletching level (0.6 × level per kindling)
- ~4k XP/hr at 20 Fletching
Headless Arrows (1-52)
The classic method — make arrows while doing other activities:
- Buy feather packs (2 gp each) from fishing shops
- Buy arrow shafts (6 gp each) from Ranging Guild (requires 40 Ranged)
- Or cut arrow shafts from logs while Woodcutting
Best for: Training alongside Agility, Farming runs, questing, blood/soul runecrafting
Vale Totems (20-52)
You can start Vale Totems at level 20 with oak logs. XP isn’t amazing at low levels, but you’ll start earning research points toward unlocks:
| Log Type | Level | XP/hr (max efficiency) |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 20 | 29-36k |
| Willow | 35 | 71-89k |
| Maple | 50 | 120-150k |
Mid Game (52-80)
Vale Totems (Recommended)
By now you should have:
- Maple logs from Miscellania
- Possibly yew logs from birdhouse runs or Woodcutting
- Fletching Knife unlocked (or close to it)
| Log Type | Level | XP/hr (with knife) |
|---|---|---|
| Maple | 50 | 150k |
| Yew | 65 | 225-265k |
Broad Arrows (Alternative)
If you have GP to burn and want fast levels:
Requirements:
- 52 Fletching
- 300 Slayer reward points for Broader Fletching perk
- GP for supplies (~5.70 per XP)
Method:
- Buy broad arrowhead packs from any Slayer master
- Buy feather packs from Port Sarim or Fishing Guild
- Buy arrow shafts from Ranging Guild (or cut from logs)
- Make headless arrows → add broad arrowheads
XP rates:
- Adding broad arrowheads to headless arrows: ~450k XP/hr
- Making headless arrows + broad arrows: ~247k XP/hr
Late Game (80-99)
Vale Totems with Magic Logs
This is peak efficiency:
| Setup | XP/hr |
|---|---|
| Magic logs, standard | 265k |
| Magic logs + Log Basket | 340k |
| Magic logs + Log Basket + Bow String Spool | 420k |
How it works:
- Bank a stockpile of magic logs (from Woodcutting, PvM drops, or Miscellania)
- Bring Log Basket filled with logs
- Run the 8-totem loop in Auburn Valley
- Fletch and string bows while running between totems
- Collect offerings, bank, repeat
Redwood Shields (92+)
If you have excess redwood logs from 99 Woodcutting:
- 216 XP per shield (2 logs)
- ~150k+ XP/hr
- Very low attention
Method Comparison
| Method | Level | XP/hr | GP Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wintertodt | 1+ | 0.6-21k | Free | Passive XP while training Firemaking |
| Headless Arrows | 1+ | 45k | ~8 gp/arrow | Training alongside other skills |
| Vale Totems (oak) | 20 | 29-36k | Free | Early levels + unlock progress |
| Vale Totems (maple) | 50 | 120-150k | Free | Mid-game main training |
| Broad Arrows | 52 | 247-450k | ~5.70/XP | Fast levels if GP-rich |
| Vale Totems (yew) | 65 | 225-265k | Free | Late mid-game |
| Vale Totems (magic) | 80 | 340-420k | Free | Best method to 99 |
| Redwood Shields | 92 | 150k+ | Free | Using excess redwood logs |
| Magic Longbows (alch) | 85 | 100-150k | Profit | AFK money making |
Recommended Path
Based on the new meta:
| Stage | Do This | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1-20 | Wintertodt or Headless Arrows | Get to Vale Totems requirement |
| 20-35 | Vale Totems (oak) | Start earning research points |
| 35-50 | Vale Totems (willow) | Continue toward Fletching Knife |
| 50-65 | Vale Totems (maple) | Unlock Fletching Knife (~350 points) |
| 65-80 | Vale Totems (yew) | Unlock Bow String Spool (~250 points) |
| 80-99 | Vale Totems (magic) | 420k XP/hr to 99 |
Alternative path (if GP-rich):
- 1-52: Headless arrows while doing other content
- 52-99: Broad arrows (fast but ~77M GP)
Money Making with Fletching
Magic Longbows → High Alch
If you want to turn Fletching into profit:
- Get magic logs (Miscellania, Woodcutting, PvM)
- Fletch into magic longbow (u) — 91.5 XP
- String with bow strings — 91.5 XP (183 total)
- High alch for 1,536 GP each
Bow strings: Get flax from Zulrah or Temple Trekking, spin with Spin Flax spell (76 Magic, Lunar spellbook)
FAQ
Is Vale Totems better than broad arrows?
For most ironmen, yes. Vale Totems is free (vs ~77M GP for 99 with broads) and nearly as fast once you have the Fletching Knife. Broad arrows are only better if you’re extremely GP-rich and want to skip the unlock grind.
How long does it take to unlock the Fletching Knife?
Around 3-5 hours depending on your log type and efficiency. You’ll get ~70-100 research points per hour at maple logs. The knife costs 350 points, so factor that into your early training.
What logs should I use for Vale Totems?
Use the highest tier you have in bulk. Maple logs from Miscellania are the standard mid-game option. Magic logs are best for 80-99 but you need a good stockpile first.
Should I do Wintertodt before or after Vale Totems?
If you’re doing early Wintertodt (for the Firemaking cape or supplies), the passive Fletching XP is nice but minimal. Don’t delay Wintertodt just to unlock Vale Totems first — the Fletching XP from kindling is a bonus, not a training method.
Can I profit from Fletching?
Yes, by making magic longbows and high alching them. It’s slower than Vale Totems (~100-150k XP/hr) but generates GP. Good for AFK sessions or mobile play.
Common Mistakes
- Following outdated guides — Most pre-2025 guides recommend broad arrows. Vale Totems is now better.
- Skipping the Fletching Knife — The 1-tick reduction is massive. Get it early.
- Burning GP on broad arrows — Unless you’re swimming in cash, Vale Totems is free and nearly as fast.
- Not using Miscellania for logs — Set Kingdom to maple/mahogany for steady log supply.
- Forgetting the Log Basket — From Forestry shop, makes Vale Totems much more efficient.
Related Guides
- Woodcutting Guide — Source of logs for Vale Totems
- Early Money Guide — If you need GP for broad arrows