Fletching Guide – By Snowfox
// Intro \\
Welcome to Fletching, a very popular and useful skill. Now you probably want to know “How to I get up to high levels quickly?” I’ll tell you how to get there the fastest way. I’m guessing your minimum goal is to get to level 70 so that you can make Yew Longbows. That’s really the only reason to even start the Fletching skill besides for the total experience.
// Recommended Skills \\
60+ Woodcutting
15+ Crafting
Highest possible agility level (Agility just makes everything faster)
1) Level – 1 (Required Levels/Items: Hatchet [Rune+], Level 1 Woodcutting, Level 1 Fletching, knife)
Now I know you want to make money, who doesn’t? But for now, you need to wait. Go pretty much anywhere that has normal trees. They can be found all over Runescape but the places I suggest is the forest in Draynor Manor or Seers village. Make sure you have a knife! Stand by a group of trees, cut about 4-5. Then use your knife on any of the logs. A menu should show up asking you whether or not you would like to cut “15 arrow shafts, Short bows, or Longbows. For now right click 15 arrow shafts and press “Make x” Choose some random number larger than the amount you have. This will make sure you cut all the logs. Your character will now proceed in cutting arrow shafts. Arrow shafts are stackable so you shouldn’t need to go to the bank.
Making Arrows (Required Levels/Items: Level 1 Woodcutting, Level 1 Fletching, Level 1 + Mining, Level 1+ Smithing, Pickaxe [Rune]
1a) If you want to make arrows, this is how you do it. I do not suggest doing this as a way of getting fast experience, because it’s a slow, painful process. After you have all the arrow shafts cut that you want, go to Lumbridge and kill chickens. Pick up their feathers until you have the same amount (give or take) of arrow shafts and feathers. Next, with both the arrow shafts and the feathers in you inventory, use the feathers on the arrow shafts and your character will attach the two. The next step is to mine the type or arrow you want. Here is a table of the Fletching level you will need to attach the type of arrow to the feathered shaft.
Level Needed to Attach Arrow Heads
Level 1 – Bronze heads
Level 15 – Iron heads
Level 30 – Steel heads
Level 45 – Mithril heads
Level 60 – Adamant heads
Level 75 Rune heads
Level Needed to Smith the Arrow Heads
Level 5 – Bronze Heads
Level 20 – Iron Heads
Level 35 – Steel Heads
Level 55 – Mithril Heads
Level 75 – Adamant Heads
Level 90 – Rune Heads
Like I said, making arrows in not generally a good way to get quick XP, but if you want to make money from Fletching early on, go that route.
2) Level 5 – 20 (Required Levels/Items: 1 Woodcutting, 1 Fletching, hatchet [Rune+], knife)
Ok, so you’ve made lots of arrow shafts, unless you want to use them later on, just drop them. They can’t really be sold, though you may get lucky. Now, do the same thing as in section 1). I suggest the Seers village. Cut the normal trees right outside the bank. When you are full, right click Short bows this time and select “Make x” Type in some random number again and you’ll make Short bows. Once your character is finished cutting the logs, bank the bows and repeat the process until level 20.
Bowstrings (Required Levels/Items: 15 Crafting, A good agility level [Optional])
2a) Another way to add a little XP to those bows is to string them. You need level 15 Crafting. To do this, go to the Seers village, and from the bank, head south east until you see a little patch of bluish looking flowers. Pick as many as you can hold by clicking on them. Then head a little ways northwest (the building to the north of the Yew trees) and climb the ladder. You’ll see a spinning wheel. Click the wheel and right click on Flax. Choose “Make x” Type in 30 and wait for your character to finish. Next, go to your bank and deposit all the Bowstrings. Withdrawl 14 of the bow of your choice and 14 bowstrings. Use the bowstrings on the bows and you’ll string them and get a small amount of XP. Repeat this process until complete.
Note: There’s not much of a use for bowstrings until you’re higher up in the levels (besides for XP). Bowstrings are a slow, tedious chore and really don’t need to be wasted on low level bows.
3) Level 20 – 25 (Required Level/Items: 10 Woodcutting, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
Now that you’ve reached level 20, it’s time to make the type of bows that all Fletchers love: Longbows. These are just as fast to make as Short bows but they give much more XP. Generally about double the amount. You’ll be doing the same method as in step 1). Stand by the trees, cut, and bank.
4) Level 25 – 33 (Required Levels/Items: 10 Woodcutting, 25 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
This is where things change a little. Now, instead of cutting logs and Fletching them right away, since it’s possible to get more than one log from a single tree, now what you want to do is stand by the Oak trees in from of the Seers Village bank and cut logs. Cut until your inventory is full, and then bank the logs. I’d say cut about 1,000 Oak logs to be safe till level 33. I highly doubt you’ll need this many. You don’t need to do this method. I suggest getting at least 500 however. They may come in use later too. Once you have X amount of Oak logs in the bank, stand by an open bank booth with your knife and withdrawl all the Oak logs you can at once (should be 27, unless you’re carrying something else, which I advise against). Repeat this process until you reach level 33 Fletching.
5) Level 33 – 35 (Required Levels/Items: Level 10 Woodcutting, Level 33 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
This is where the extra Oak logs could come in handy. Now you need to get a few more level to get to the next roster of bows. Willow bows. But before you can do that, you have to get more levels. Stand by the bank and cut Oak long bows.
5) Level 35 – 40 (Required Levels/Items: Level 35 Woodcutting, Level 35 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
Now we get a little change of scenery. What you want to do now is teleport to Draynor Village using either the Glory Amulets charge, or teleport to Falador and head south (Refer to the official world map if you need help finding the village). Now you have another choice. Most people don’t generally sell the logs you were cutting before since they don’t have much use, but now you need Willow logs. These logs are very popular in Free to Play since they give you good, fast experience in Woodcutting and Firemaking. Here are your options.
a) Go to a populated Free to Play world (i.e. World 1) and buy Willow logs for 100 gp each. No higher or you’re getting ripped off. I say buy about 1,000 Willow logs.
b) Basically, cut your own. Cut about 1,000. (35 Woodcutting required)
Once you have around 1,000 Willow logs, do the same as you always do. Stand by an open bank booth and cut Willow Short bows.
6) Level 40 – 50 (Required Levels/Items: Level 35 Woodcutting, Level 40 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
Alrighty, so here you are level 40. Getting up there huh? You should have some Willow logs left (not 100% sure, but I’m guessing you will). Finish those up. You’re going to need to buy or cut more Willows though. Cut as many as you think you’ll need and cut Willow Long bows. Not much will change at these levels.
7) Level 50 – 55 (Required Levels/Items: Level 45 Woodcutting, Level 50 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
It’s time for Maples logs. This is where things get a little more complicated. It would help to have money now (100k+). If you want to do this the fast way, buy 1,000 Maples at about 150 – 200 each at Seers Village (yes you’re back there again). Stand by an open bank booth and cut the logs into Maple Short bows. If you want to do it the less expensive way, cut your own Maple logs. They’re located just behind the Seers Village bank.
8 ) Level 55 – 65 (Required Levels/Items: Level 45 Woodcutting, Level 55 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife)
Alright, this is it. The final run to Yew bows. Do what you have learned through your entire Fletching experience. Buy Maple logs or cut your own. I know by now you’re just going to want to get to level 65.
9) Level 65 – 70 (Required Levels/Items: Level 60 Woodcutting, Level 65 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife, Bowstrings [Optional])
Congratulations! You have reached Yew bows. This is generally the goal of most beginning Fletchers. Now it’s possible to reap in some profits. Generally Yew Short bows don’t sell as often, but it’s possible.
What you want to do now is either buy Yew Logs or cut them your self. This will seem long and expensive but once you reach level 70 there’s a free, faster method of gaining levels. Yes I said free. For now, just buy or cut yew logs and Fletch them into Yew Short bows.
Note: If you want, now you can start stringing your bows because these bows actually sell. When a bow is strung it generally sells/alchs for more money
10) Level 70 – 80 (Required Levels/Items: Level 60 Woodcutting, Level 70 Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+], knife, Bowstrings [Highly recommended])
Well guess what? Now you can make quick, easy cash. You can make one of the number one selling items in Runescape. The Yew Long bow. Use the same method as always. Cut/Buy as many Yew Logs as you need and bank them. Once that’s done, stand by an open bank booth. I highly suggest you string the bows now, as they make much more profit than if they are unstrung. You can either buy the Bowstrings at 150 – 200 each, or you can pick Flax and string them until you have the right amount. Now, there are two methods of getting higher levels now. Method A) You make money by getting all the raw materials (Yew logs and Flax) yourself, or B) You let other people get the raw materials for you and you bring in the levels in twice the time it would take to get than in method A). If you want to get to level 99, I suggest method B ), if you want money, try method A). Here’s how to do it.
A) Make money, slow levels. (Items/Levels/Quests required: Rune Mysteries Quest, Shilo Village, Level 60+ Woodcutting, 44 Runecrafting, 70+ Fletching. Hatchet [Suggested: Rune+], Pure rune essence, Pickaxe [Suggested: Rune])
What you want to do here is cut as many Yew logs as you want or as your patience will let you. I generally cut in packs of 1,000. Next what you want to do is pick the same number of Flax as you did logs. Go up to the spinning wheel I talked about earlier and make them into Flax. This will give you crafting experience. Next you need to have the same number of Pure rune essence as Yew logs and Flax. To get Pure essence, you need to be on a Member’s server and have finished the Rune Mysteries quest. Go to the Magic Shop behind the bank in East Varrok. Right click the man and select “Teleport” Make sure you have your pickaxes with you. You will be teleport to a giant white rock. Click on it to get Pure essence. Once full, click on the Portal near the rock to go back to the Magic Shop. Bank and repeat.
Once you have the same amount of Pure Essence as your other materials, you need to craft them into Nature Runes. Sail or Teleport to Brimhaven. There will be man near the docks. Make sure you have around 1,000 gp to cover expenses. Ask him if he can take you to Shilo village. He will say yes, for a price. Pay him and he will take you to the village. Once there, get anything you need to Runecraft Nature runes. Go out the gate to the North West side of the city, beware the Zombies. Open the gate and search the cart. You’ll be put on the other side of the cart. Refer to this map to tell you where to go.
Go the same way to return.
B) Very fast levels, no profit. (Items/Levels required/Suggested: Level 60+ Woodcutting, 70+ Fletching, Hatchet [Rune+])
This method is very simple and is used a lot. Either buy or make 1,000 Yew Logs and 1,000 Bowstrings (Approximately 520k MAX). Fletch them into Yew Long bows. Next, go to the main Runescape website at
Http://www.Runescape.com and click “Forums” Log in, it should be the same as your in game Username and Password (this is secure). Go to the “Fletching” forum. Select “Create a new Topic” In the title, type something like “Trading Yew Longs for Supplies” (without the parenthesis). Type in a message stating exactly where you are in Runescape and what world. Now wait for someone to respond. Generally it doesn’t take very long. Meet them in-game and trade them all your strung Yew Long bows. You should get this:
i.e. You trade 1,000 Yew long bows, you should get 1,000 Yew Logs and 1,000 bowstrings in return. Fletch these and repeat all the way to 99.
Once you get level 80 refer to the next guide.
11) Level 80 – 85 (Required Levels/Items: Level 60 Woodcutting (Level 75 Woodcutting for Magic Logs [Not Recommended], Level 70 Fletching [Level 80 Fletching for Magic Logs [Not Recommended], Hatchet [Rune+], knife, Bowstrings [Highly Recommended])
Wow, congratulations. You are now one hardcore Fletcher. Even though that’s kind of an oxymoron it’s still a level to brag about. You can now Fletch Magic Short bows. These bows are very popular to Rangers as it’s a strong bow and it’s special shoot two arrows at once. I don’t suggest you Fletch ANY magic bows if you want fast levels however. They are very slow to cut. Sometimes taking up to 30 minutes to cut one load (28 ) of the magic logs. Only do this if you want money, as they reap a nice reward. Use the same trick with trading in your Yew Long bows as you did in levels 70 – 80. This is the fastest way to get levels.
12) Levels 85 – 99 (Required Levels/Items: Level 60 Woodcutting (Level 75 Woodcutting for Magic Logs [Not Recommended], Level 70 Fletching [Level 80 Fletching for Magic Logs [Not Recommended], Hatchet [Rune+], knife, Bowstrings [Highly Recommended])
Well, you basically reached the end of the line in Fletching once you reach this level. After level 85 there’s nothing more you can really do, you won’t Fletch faster, the only thing to look forward to now is the Fletching Cape (which by the way, looks very good). Use the same method as always. Trade in your Yew Long bows and receive supplies. It’s still going to be a long road from 85 to 99 Fletching (Over 120,000 Yew Long bows to fletch) but with the knowledge you know now, it’s nice to know you can do it for free huh? There’s nothing more I can teach you here. Good luck and happy Fletching.
Other Items You Can Craft
Bolts
2 Opal Tipped Bolts – Fletching Level 17
2 Pearl Tipped Bolts – Fletching Level 33
30 Barbed Tipped Bolts – Fletching Level 51
Darts
Bronze Darts – Fletching Level 1 [Smithing Level – 4]
Iron Darts – Fletching Level 22 [Smithing Level -19]
Steel Darts – Fletching Level 37 [Smithing Level – 34]
Mithril Darts – Fletching Level 52 [Smithing Level – 54]
Adament Darts – Fletching Level 67 [Smithing Level – 74]
Rune Darts – Fletching Level 81 [Smithing Level – 89]
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Adding Picture when I get home.
