RuneScape is free to play, and as a free player you are allowed to access Free to Play (F2P) worlds, and can max out all of the skills that are open to free players. There's no limit on the level you can get in those skills. However, free players are restricted in terms of the quests that they can do, the areas they have access to, and the list of skills that they can train for, as well as the items that they can equip. They are also not permitted to log on to the Pay to Play (P2P) worlds. There's still a lot to do in the F2P worlds, and it would take a long time to exhaust all of the content available to F2P members, but the breadth and depth of content available to paying members is even bigger.

The F2P worlds tend to have more botters (people who use computer programs to automate the process of gaining experience and earning money) and real money traders (people who sell RuneScape gold for real life money), as the players responsible are able to create new accounts for free whenever the old ones get banned. If you want to play in a controlled environment, with a more exclusive community, then paying the membership fee is a good idea. You can purchase time cards for RuneScape from most major game retailers, or you can pay through runescape gold using a credit or debit card or a Paypal account. At the time of writing, a one month Runescape subscription cost £4.95 (or $7.95) per month, with three months available for £13.75 ($21.95), and six months for £24.95 ($39.95).

Free to play members get access to the following skills:

Skill

Description

Attackï

A basic combat skill used to determine your ability in melee combat, and the type of weapons you may use.

Strengthï

A basic combat skill used to determine your ability in melee combat and the type of weapons you may use.

Defenseï

A basic combat skill used to determine how easy you are to hit, and what types of armour you may wear.

Dungeoneeringï

This skill is used to access dungeons in Runescape. The higher your dungeoneering skill, the more dungeons you may access.

Rangedï

A basic combat skill that determines your ability to use ranged weapons.

Prayerï

The prayer skill gives you access to a range of useful buffs that can give you an advantage in combat.

Magicï

The Magic skill gives you access to a range of useful spells including damaging spells, that can hit multiple targets, teleport abilities, and more. Magic spells consume runes when they are cast.

Runecraftingï

Runecrafting allows players to make runes that are used in the casting of magic spells.

Constitutionï

This is a basic ability that determines the number of life points a player has.

Craftingï

Skill at making a range of useful items including staves, amulets, pots, and jewellery.

Miningï

Skill at mining ores. Higher skills allow you to mine more precious ores.

Smithingï

Skill at working with ores to produce a range of items, including some used by other tradeskills.

Fishingï

Skill at catching fish for use in cooking. Higher skill allows you to catch a wider range of fish.

Cookingï

Skill at cooking foods. Higher skill unlocks a wider range of recipes.