Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is renowned for its rich questing experience, and Grandmaster quests stand as the pinnacle of that challenge. These quests demand high skill levels, strategic thinking, and mastery of the game's mechanics-separating casual players from true adventurers of Gielinor. While all Grandmaster quests test your limits, some rise above the rest in difficulty, blending brutal boss fights, complex puzzles, and stringent prerequisites.

Below, we rank OSRS's five core Grandmaster quests from easiest to hardest, breaking down what makes each a test of skill, patience, and perseverance. This ranking considers skill requirements, boss complexity, puzzle difficulty, and overall quest length-factors that define just how tough each journey truly is. These tasks can also reward you with OSRS gold and other rewards.

1. Monkey Madness II (Easiest Grandmaster Quest)

As OSRS's first original Grandmaster quest (released in May 2016), Monkey Madness II sets the bar for the tier but remains the most accessible of the five. Its difficulty stems more from length and occasional annoyance than sheer challenge, making it the perfect introduction to Grandmaster content.

The quest follows your journey to free Ape Atoll from the tyrannical King Awowogei, blending combat, stealth, and puzzle-solving. Its skill requirements are the lowest among Grandmaster quests, totaling 369-including 70 Agility, 70 Strength, and 60 Slayer.

The most frustrating sections are the stealth segments on the ship and the trap-filled caves, which can take time to navigate but rarely result in catastrophic failure. The final boss, Glough (in his corrupted form), is manageable with basic high-tier gear, and most players complete this quest without multiple attempts. For seasoned players, Monkey Madness II is a manageable challenge-hard enough to feel rewarding, but not punishing.

2. Dragon Slayer II

Dragon Slayer II is a massive step up from Monkey Madness II, thanks to its brutal boss fights and higher skill ceiling. As a sequel to the iconic Dragon Slayer quest, it lives up to its legacy, tasking you with defeating Galvek-the game's highest-level quest boss at the time of its release, with a combat level of 608.

With total skill requirements of 427, including 75 Attack, 75 Strength, 70 Magic, and 70 Ranged, Dragon Slayer II demands a well-rounded, high-level account. The quest's mid-game challenges, like the Dragon Gauntlet (where you navigate unstable planks while dodging dragonfire), test both your reflexes and resource management.

The final fight against Galvek is the true highlight-and challenge. Galvek uses multiple attack styles, including one-shotting moves if you're not prepared, and requires constant gear and prayer switches. Most players need several attempts to master his patterns, but the reward (access to Vorkath and powerful dragon gear) makes the struggle worthwhile. Dragon Slayer II is tough, but its clear progression and fair difficulty curve keep it from being overwhelming.

3. While Guthix Sleeps

While Guthix Sleeps was initially mocked as "Grandmaster in name only" upon its release in July 2024, a day-one balance patch transformed it into one of OSRS's most challenging quests. Backported from RuneScape 3, this quest was buffed significantly, turning what seemed like a straightforward journey into a strategic nightmare.

With total skill requirements of 437, it sits just above Dragon Slayer II in terms of prerequisites-but its boss fights are far more complex. The two Tormented Demons early in the quest are manageable, but the fight against the Balance Elemental (buffed in every aspect post-release) demands intense focus and constant adaptation.

The real challenge, however, is the fight against Surok Magis. This boss features three unique special attacks: summoning warriors that require specific spells to defeat, throwing explosive items that must be telegrabbed and alchemized, and elemental surges that need countering with opposite elements. Unlike Galvek, Surok tests your problem-solving skills as much as your combat ability-one wrong move can lead to instant death.

While Guthix Sleeps is a masterclass in quest design, its sudden difficulty spikes and unforgiving boss fights make it harder than Dragon Slayer II. It rewards patience and preparation, but even seasoned players will struggle with its most intense sections.

4. Desert Treasure II: The Fallen Empire

Desert Treasure II: The Fallen Empire is a modern Grandmaster quest that cranks up the difficulty with relentless boss fights, complex puzzles, and sky-high skill requirements. With total skill requirements of 470-including 80 Attack, 80 Strength, 80 Magic, 80 Ranged, and 75 Prayer-it demands a maxed or near-maxed account to complete comfortably.

The quest's core challenge lies in its four demi-bosses, each guarding a fragment of the Fallen Empire. These bosses (Scabaras, Amascut, Tumeken, and Elidinis) each have unique mechanics that force you to adapt your playstyle-from Scabaras's swarming minions to Amascut's life-draining attacks. None of these fights are easy, and each requires specific gear and strategies to defeat.

The final boss, Fareed, is a multi-phase nightmare that combines all the worst aspects of the demi-bosses. He switches attack styles constantly, summons powerful minions, and uses one-shot moves if you fail to react quickly. Even with BiS (Best in Slot) gear, Fareed can take dozens of attempts to defeat, and many players spend hours perfecting their strategy.

Desert Treasure II is not just hard-it's punishing. Its length (easily 6+ hours for most players) and unforgiving difficulty make it a true test of endurance. Only the most prepared and skilled players will complete it without throwing in the towel.

5. Song of the Elves (Hardest Grandmaster Quest)

Song of the Elves is, without a doubt, OSRS's hardest Grandmaster quest-and one of the toughest quests in the game's history. It has the highest total skill requirements of any Grandmaster quest (560), including 80 Agility, 80 Crafting, 80 Mining, 80 Smithing, and 75 Herblore, making it inaccessible to all but the most dedicated players.

But skill requirements are just the start. Song of the Elves is a marathon of complexity, blending intricate puzzles, brutal boss fights, and a massive open world to explore (Tirannwn, the elven lands). The quest's puzzles are some of the most challenging in OSRS-including the Crystal Chest puzzle, which requires precise timing and pattern recognition, and the Gauntlet of Seren, a multi-stage challenge that tests every skill you have.

The boss fights are equally punishing. Iorwerth, the quest's final boss, is a multi-phase nightmare with over 1,000 health. He uses a combination of melee, magic, and ranged attacks, summons powerful elven warriors, and can heal himself if you're not careful. Even with BiS gear and max stats, Iorwerth can take 50+ attempts to defeat-many players spend days mastering his mechanics.

What truly sets Song of the Elves apart is its lack of mercy. There are no checkpoints in the hardest sections, meaning one mistake can send you back hours. The quest's length (10+ hours for most players) and constant pressure make it a test of patience as much as skill.

Completing Song of the Elves is a badge of honor in OSRS. It's a quest that separates casual players from legends, and only those with unwavering dedication will ever see the end.

Final Thoughts: The Pinnacle of OSRS Questing

OSRS's Grandmaster quests are more than just content-they're a rite of passage. From the accessible (but still challenging) Monkey Madness II to the brutal Song of the Elves, each quest offers a unique test of skill, strategy, and perseverance.

Whether you're a mid-level player looking to tackle your first Grandmaster quest or a maxed player chasing the quest cape, these five quests will push you to your limits. They reward preparation, patience, and adaptability-and the sense of accomplishment when you finally complete them is unlike anything else in Gielinor. To complete the tasks faster, you can prepare enough cheap RuneScape gold before you start to help you along the way.

So grab your gear, stock up on supplies, and prepare for the fight of your life. These Grandmaster quests are waiting-and only the bravest will conquer them all.