Old School Runescape Leagues' regional restrictions have only fueled my love for Varlamore

Old School Runescape is absolutely massive nowadays, with Gielinor having gradually been expanded by an entire continent and, most recently, with the Sailing update, to the sea. There’s never been more content to clear, or regions to revel in. But, with the limited-time Leagues mode, the world has been sectioned off, and you can only unlock a select number of areas as you progress. Varlamore, OSRS’ newest landmass, serves as the starting point for your journey. Though I’ve dabbled in my fair share of Vale Totems and frog-based politics, this format has really made me appreciate just how complete the region is.

Old School Runescape Leagues is basically a supercharged version of Jagex’s iconic MMO, which grants you game-breaking Relics and a progressively meatier XP multiplier that basically lets you speedrun endgame content within a matter of weeks – or days if you’ve pulled a sicky from work. The sixth iteration, Demonic Pacts, has been live for nearly a couple of weeks now, and to put into perspective how quickly you can get through OSRS, one of my mates is already on his second account.

I, however, was a ‘late’ starter, and have so far only unlocked my fifth of eight Relic tiers – hello, Larcenist. I have opened up access to my second region, Karamja; however, I’m reticent to leave Varlamore because it’s been so good for my pursuits. The first part of Varlamore was launched in March 2024, but wasn’t completed until July last year, making this the first Leagues you can utilize it in its entirety. Leagues 6 also marks the first time Jagex has made Varlamore the starting zone, and it’s an excellent choice.

As noted, I’ve already done a decent amount of exploration on my main account since returning to OSRS last year, but it’s only now that I’m really seeing just how amazing the region is. There are myriad places throughout Gielinor to train your skills and gobble up loot, which can make choice paralysis a very real issue. Confining creativity, however, can help you make the most out of your available options, and that’s certainly been the case here.

Take Prayer, for example. Historically, I’ve defaulted to ol’ reliable: yoinking someone’s Gilded Altar and going to town. Now, I’m mining Blessed Bone Shards in Cam Torum before taking them to the Libation Bowl at The Teomat; two POIs I’ve never actually been to. While I’d typically level cooking at the range in Hosidius for the reduced chance of burning my Sharks, or down in the Rogues’ Den for banking convenience, I now find myself running back and forth between the Hunter’s Guild range and its nearby chest.

Speaking of Hunter, it’s long been the skill I’ve dreaded working on most on my main. I’ve mostly just been sneaking in the odd birdhouse run here and there, but I thoroughly enjoyed clearing rumors at the guild in return for the all-important Quetzal Whistle. It’s the first time I’ve actively interacted with Hunter, and I’m now more inclined to level it in earnest in OSRS proper when this round of Leagues concludes in June.

Indeed, should you be a newcomer to OSRS or even a returning vet, I can’t recommend giving Leagues a whirl enough. Through restriction, I’ve been opened up to entirely new ways of experiencing Gielinor, and I can’t wait to comb the regions I opt to unlock for even more exciting possibilities.