Summoning in RuneScape 3isn't merely another skill to level; it's a profound enhancement to nearly every facet of your gameplay. From boosting combat prowess and extending trips with a beast of burden to improving skilling efficiency with specialized familiars, mastering Summoning unlocks unparalleled utility.
Yet, many adventurers are daunted by the perceived complexity and cost of training. The truth is, achieving high Summoning levels doesn't have to be an arduous or bank-breaking endeavor. It's about smart strategy, understanding core mechanics, and leveraging the diverse, efficient methods available.
This comprehensive guide cuts through the noise, offering an expert-level breakdown of Summoning training in RS3. We'll explore the most efficient, cost-effective, and strategic pathways to 99, and even 120, empowering you to command the full potential of this vital skill.
From the fundamental principles of charm acquisition and the strategic use of experience-boosting items to advanced pouch creation techniques, prepare to transform your Summoning journey from a chore into a triumph.
Efficient Summoning training hinges on maximizing experience gains per charm and per hour. Several key items and buffs are paramount to achieving this.
Acquired through the Familiarization Distraction & Diversion, this five-piece skilling outfit provides a flat 6% experience boost when training Summoning (1% per piece + 1% set bonus).
Crucially, the Modified Shaman's Headwear (obtained by combining the headdress with an add-on) offers free daily spirit shards (up to 500 with the full set) and a 5% chance to save a charm, making it a long-term investment.
This highly valuable item provides an extra 20% Summoning experience when making pouches at an obelisk. Consumed with each pouch, it offers a substantial multiplicative boost. You will need 1 focus for each pouch made, so it's a significant but worthwhile investment for fastest rates.
These gems offer a chance to save charms when creating pouches. While they have a lower priority than other charm-saving effects, they stack with the Shaman's Outfit's saving chance.
This potent item provides a 60% chance to save a charm when creating a pouch, consuming charges. It's a significant investment but offers substantial cost savings over time, especially when training with high-tier charms.
These deployable skilling stations are game-changers for Summoning. They offer a 10% chance to save secondary ingredients (spirit shards and charms) and provide a 10% bonus experience boost. Always seek out portable crafters (often found in dedicated "Portable FCs" or Friends Chats like "Portables") or deploy your own.
Torstol Incense Sticks:These provide an additional passive experience boost when active.
Dungeoneering Scroll of Cleansing:Offers a chance to save secondary ingredients, including spirit shards.
Clan Avatar Buff:If your clan has an active avatar at the Clan Citadel, you can gain a 3-6% experience boost.
Refer-a-Friend (RAF) XP Boost: If linked to an active RAF account, you can benefit from a significant XP boost.
Augmented Crystal Hatchet with Wise 4 and Mobile perks:While primarily a Woodcutting item, the Wise 4 perk provides a flat experience boost in any skill, which can passively aid in charm gathering activities (e.g., killing treants) while Mobile speeds up movement.
Ring of Whispers, Necklace of Shadows, and Combined Catalyst Fragment:While not direct Summoning XP boosts for pouch creation, wearing this set can provide daily experience lamps in your current skill, indirectly contributing to your overall XP gains. The Necklace of Shadows also prevents Summoning points from draining, a quality-of-life benefit when usingfamiliars.
This is arguably the most consistent and profitable method for acquiring a diverse range of charms, especially Crimson and Blue. Monsters like Hellhounds (Gold charms) and Waterfiends (excellent for Green charms) are notable.
General high-level Slayer, particularly against boss monsters or high-density areas (e.g., Abyssal Demons), yields strong charm rates.
Elite Dungeons (ED1, ED2, ED3):
Running these dungeons, particularly "trash runs" (clearing non-boss enemies quickly), offers an incredible influx of charms, especially higher tiers. Arch-Glacor is specifically noted for its high Blue and Crimson charm drops.
Bossing:
Many bosses across Gielinor drop significant quantities of charms alongside valuable loot. God Wars Dungeon bosses, Glacors, Ripper Demons, King Black Dragon, and Kalphite Queen/Exiled Kalphite Queen are all excellent choices.
Familiarization Distraction & Diversion (Weekly):
This D&D is a non-negotiable weekly activity. You'll enter the Spirit Plane and gain the ability to collect triple charm drops from specific monsters for 40 minutes, scaled to your Summoning level. It's a massive, virtually free, charm injection that should be prioritized.
Player-Owned Dungeon:
Setting up your dungeon with charm-dropping monsters (e.g., Black demons, Exiled kalphite guardians) can provide a consistent, passive income of charms over time.
Charming Imp:
This Invention device is a game-changer. It automatically collects charms dropped by monsters and can even convert specific charm types into Summoning experience, saving inventory space and ensuring you never miss a drop.
Alternative Charm Sources (Less Common but Viable):
F2P Options: Troll brutes and Troll chuckers can drop charms, providing a very limited Free-to-Play option.
Thieving (Elves in Prifddinas):Can sometimes yield charms, particularly from higher-level elves.
Hunter (Charm Sprites):A Hunter activity that yields charms.
Purchasing from Summoning Shops:The primary method. Shops in Taverley (Pikkupstix's shop) and Prifddinas are ideal due to proximity to obelisks. Buying in bulk is efficient.
Converting Spirit Gems:If you have an abundance of spirit gems from mining, combat, or other activities, they can be converted into spirit shards.
Modified Shaman's Headwear:As mentioned, this provides a handy daily injection of spirit shards.
With charms and shards in hand, it's time to transform them into invaluable experience. Your primary goal is to craft the highest-level pouch possible with your available charms to maximize your experience per charm.
Always prioritize making the highest-level pouch you can. Crimson and Blue charms offer the most experience, so save them for higher levels when their XP yield truly shines.
Don't forget to consider the cost and availability of tertiary ingredients, as these can significantly influence your choice.
For precise planning and to calculate exact charm and shard requirements, an online Summoning calculator is highly recommended.
Levels 1-16: The Basics (Spirit & Gold Charms)
Level 1-4:Spirit Wolf (Spirit Charm): Your starting point, often gained from the Wolf Whistle quest.
Level 4-16: Dreadfowl (Gold Charm): A simple, efficient early-level pouch. Use these to clear out excess Gold charms.
Levels 16-52: Mid-Game Efficiency (Gold & Green Charms, introducing Crimson)
Level 16-22:Granite Crab (Gold Charm): Offers better XP than Dreadfowls.
Level 22-33:Desert Wyrm or Compost Mound (Green Charm) / Spirit Tz-Kih (Crimson Charm): Start utilizing Green charms. If you have Crimson charms, Spirit Tz-Kih is an early option.
Level 33-41:Beaver (Green Charm) / Vampyre Bat or Honey Badger (Crimson Charm): Continue gathering Crimson charms for these efficient mid-level choices.
Level 41-52:Macaw or Magpie (Green Charm) / Pyrelord or Bloated Leech (Crimson Charm): Bloated Leech is particularly good if you have the Crimson charms.
Levels 52-79: Crimson Charm Domination (and early Blue Charm use)
Level 52-61:Bloated Leech (Crimson Charm): Prioritize these if you have Crimson. If you have a surplus of Gold, Spirit Terrorbird offers decent XP. For early Blue charms, consider Spirit Jelly or Steel Minotaur.
Level 61-69:Smoke Devil or Stranger Plant (Crimson Charm) / Mithril Minotaur (Blue Charm): These are strong options for their respective charm types.
Level 69-79:Granite Lobster (Crimson Charm) / Obsidian Golem (Blue Charm): Granite Lobster remains a very popular and efficient Crimson pouch. Use Obsidian Golem for Blue charms in this range.
Levels 79-99: High-Level Power Training (Crimson & Blue Charms)
Level 79-89:Fire Titan or Moss Titan (Crimson Charm) / Lava Titan or Rune Minotaur (Blue Charm): These are your primary choices.
Level 89-93:Geyser Titan (Crimson or Blue Charm): Geyser Titans become the top Crimson charm earner and are also an excellent Blue charm pouch.
Level 93-96:Abyssal Titan (Blue Charm) / Spirit Dagannoth (Crimson Charm): Abyssal Titans are a top-tier Blue charm option for pure experience.
Level 96-99:Pack Yak (Blue Charm) / Steel Titan (Crimson Charm): Pack Yaks offer high XP and are an incredibly useful Beast of Burden. Steel Titans are the best combat familiar and provide excellent Crimson charm XP.
Levels 99-120: Pushing for Mastery (Maximizing Efficiency)
Continue to prioritize Geyser Titans (Crimson) and Abyssal Titans / Pack Yaks / Nihils (Blue).
For the absolute fastest rates, focus on the Portable Deposit Box Method with high-tier pouches and all available XP boosts. This is where you can achieve millions of experience per hour.
Maximizing Summoning XP per hour comes down to two things: locationand method. Use weight-reducing gear for faster trips and follow these optimized setups:
Beyond the experience, Summoning unlocks a versatile array of familiars, each with unique abilities. Understanding these benefits can significantly enhance your gameplay in other areas.
Steel Titan (Level 99):Excellent for consistent single-target damage in various combat scenarios; often considered the best all-around combat familiar.
Ripper Demon (Level 96): Offers the highest single-target damage but is more fragile; ideal for high-enrage bossing or when maximum DPS is needed.
Nihil (Level 87):Provides a crucial 5% accuracy boost (Melee, Ranged, or Magic depending on variant) with its special attack, invaluable for precision in combat, especially against high-defence targets.
Kalgerion Demon (Level 80):Boosts critical hit chance.
Demon Deacon (Level 86): Deals significant AoE damage with its scrolls.
Metal Titans (Bronze-Elder Rune): Provide various combat boosts depending on tier.
Pack Yak (Level 96) / Mammoth (Level 99):The quintessential Beast of Burden, allowing you to carry extra items, essential for extended combat or skilling trips. Their scrolls can send items directly to the bank.
Lava Titan (Level 83):Provides a +10 invisible boost to Mining.
Granite Lobster (Level 33):Offers a +4 invisible boost to Fishing.
Beaver (Level 33):Provides a +4 invisible boost to Woodcutting.
Obsidian Golem (Level 73): Offers an invisible boost to Mining.
Fruit Bat (Level 57): Can generate papayas, useful for farming.
Abyssal Titan (Level 93): Useful for Runecrafting, offering a chance to save runes.
Waterfiend (Level 95): Can drop various raw materials, useful for gathering skills.
Magpie (Level 47):A Thieving familiar that can pickpocket.
Familiarization:As mentioned, this weekly D&D is a crucial source of charms.
Summoning Training Dummies:These rare items, often obtained from Treasure Hunter or events, provide a burst of Summoning experience when used. They are especially potent when used during Double XP Live events.
Several quests offer substantial Summoning experience rewards, providing a welcome boost without consuming charms or shards. The "Wolf Whistle" quest (F2P)serves as the introduction to the skill.
1. Wolf Whistle
Members:No (F2P)
XP Reward:276
Summoning Requirement:None
Other Requirements:None
2. Bringing Home the Bacon
Members:Yes
XP Reward:350
Summoning Requirement:14
Other Requirements:14 Farming, 14 Construction
3. A Fairy Tale III – Battle at Ork's Rift
Members:Yes
XP Reward:1,000
Summoning Requirement:None
Other Requirements:54 Farming, 51 Thieving, 36 Crafting
4. Spirit of Summer
Members:Yes
XP Reward:1,000
Summoning Requirement:19
Other Requirements:26 Farming, 35 Prayer, 40 Construction
Charm Generation is Paramount:Your primary focus will be on consistent combat for charm drops. High-level Slayer and Elite Dungeonsare even more critical for Ironmen to accumulate Crimson and Blue charms.
Spirit Shard Acquisition:Rely on purchasing from Summoning shops and diligently converting any spirit gems you acquire from mining, PvM, or other skilling activities.
Tertiary Ingredients:A Focused Grind: Many tertiary ingredients for pouches must be collected or crafted. Integrate these collections into your other skilling activities (e.g., farming raw meat for pouches while training combat, gathering herbs for Herblore that double as tertiary components).
Familiarization D&D:A Lifeline: This weekly activity is even more crucial for Ironmen, as it's a guaranteed source of accelerated charm collection.
Maximize All Free BXP:Clan Citadel capping and daily challenges become extremely valuable for Ironmen due to the resource scarcity.
Cost-Effective Pouch Choices:While high-tier pouches offer the best XP, Ironmen may need to rely on more readily available lower-tier charms (Gold and Green) for certain levels, especially early on. Prioritize pouches where the tertiary ingredient is easily farmable and less costly in terms of time investment. Bloated Leeches, Spirit Terrorbirds, and Bunyips are often more cost-effective options for Ironmen.
Charming Imp: A must-have for Ironmen to efficiently collect charms, saving precious inventory space and time.
Players must select the "Summon" option on a Summoning pouch in order to summon a familiar. It costs summoning points to summon familiars (again, similar to Prayer points). Similar to prayer, summoning points slowly deplete while a familiar is active until they reach zero.
You'll need to find the appropriate individual to level them up since you'll need the help of a Spirit Tuner to make it all happen. Meet Roderick at the Stormhill Shack in Limgrave, close to Stormveil Castle. You can receive the jellyfish ashes by speaking with her. After she has finished speaking, proceed to Roundtable Hold.
Players can build a summoning pouch by filling an empty pouch with a variety of other things. Additionally, summoning pouches can be bought on the General Exchange.
Yes. Ironmen should focus on farming charms through Slayer and EDs while gathering secondary ingredients through skilling and maximizing Familiarization for free XP.
Budget-friendly methods include using Bloated Leeches, Terrorbirds, or Bunyips with Green or Crimson charms, along with Spirit Gems and the Scroll of Cleansing to reduce material costs.
Summoning training in RuneScape 3, while initially daunting, is incredibly rewarding. By focusing on efficient charm acquisition, strategically utilizing bonus experience, and consistently crafting the highest-tier pouches you can, you'll find your path to 99, or even 120, becomes a manageable and even enjoyable endeavor.
Remember, patience and planning are your greatest assets. Embrace the grind, leverage every boost, and soon you'll wield the full power of Gielinor's mystical creatures.