This guide will focus primarily on RuneScape gold standard Ironman mode, though some strategies will also benefit Hardcore and Ultimate players.

Early Game Survival: Your First Priorities

The opening hours of Ironman can feel overwhelming, especially when you're used to relying on the Grand Exchange. Here are the key things you should prioritize to survive and thrive:
Focus on Questing

Questing is your best path to fast skill experience and early-game progression. Many quests offer vital unlocks and chunk experience rewards that let you skip slow early training. Key quests to prioritize include:

Cook's Assistant: An Easy quest that introduces Cooking and basic mechanics.

Doric's Quest: Quick Mining experience and access to Doric's anvil.

The Restless Ghost: Huge Prayer XP boost—perfect for early levels.

Rune Mysteries: Unlocks Runecrafting, which is vital for Ironmen to make their own runes.

Imp Catcher: Grants early Magic XP and essential elemental runes.

Additionally, aim to complete quests like The Grand Tree and Tree Gnome Village early on to unlock transportation networks and helpful mid-game areas.
Establish Resource Self-Sufficiency

Without access to other players or the economy, you must gather everything yourself. Focus on training and gathering skills early to build a sustainable foundation:

Woodcutting: Essential for Firemaking, Fletching, and Construction. Start with regular logs and aim to progress to willows and yews.

Mining and Smithing: Start with copper and tin for bronze bars, then move to iron. Smithing your own weapons and armor is crucial.

Fishing and Cooking: Early food is critical for combat. Shrimp and anchovies are your starting point—work toward salmon and tuna for better healing.

Firemaking: Train alongside Woodcutting to save time and unlock quests like Wintertodt later.

Herblore: Once unlocked via Druidic Ritual, Herblore becomes essential for making combat potions. Save early herbs and secondaries as buy OSRS GP you collect them.