Method Description, Instructions and Tips for Success

General Description

Water runes are always in very high demand; users of Ancient Magicks, in particular, can blow through thousands of them per hour. Yet they are not a type of rune that has traditionally been crafted, because they offer poor Runecrafting XP and the value of the runes was always low. This low price was a result of large quantities of the runes entering the game via magic shops. With the September 2009 update to remove infinite stocks from shops, the price of water runes has shot sky-high, as demand as remained high and supply has dried up. As long as water rune prices remain at high levels, it may actually be worthwhile for mid or high level players (who can make 3 to 6 water runes per essence) to actually craft these runes for resale. While multiple water runes may not be as valuable as a single nature or law rune, the ability to craft them using regular essence instead of pure essence is a big boost to profitability.

The traditional way to make water runes is to run to the water altar from Draynor Village, and despite attempting several other techniques, I found that this is still the fastest way to go. This does require you to have a way to recharge amulets of glory, and I recommend having several dozen amulets so you don’t need to recharge very often.

The November 2009 Runecrafting update means you now get a little more runes for each essence when between multiple rune "milestones", which is a nice bonus for waters, though it doesn't impact things too much.

As with all Runecrafting methods, once in a while you will need to make a trip to the Abyss or the Runecrafting Guild to repair your pouches, but you can still bring with ess and craft normally, so this doesn't cost you all that much. Note that if you want to "play it safe" you can actually repair pouches even if you leave them in your bank (as strange as that seems.)

Run energy is not an issue with this method thanks to the June 2009 run energy update.

Specific Method Details

At this level you can't use an abyssal familiar, though this doesn't cost you as much as you might think, because you save time by not needing to load it with essence. Instead, substitute a magpie, as its foragings will earn you extra money while you craft runes.

Teleport to Draynor Village and head to the bank there. Put on your water tiara, boots of lightness, spotted cape, Explorer's ring 3 and a charged amulet of glory. Take out your runecrafting pouches and a magpie pouch, and summon the familiar. Take out a full inventory of regular essence and fill your pouches, then take out more essence.

Run southeast out of Draynor Village and go a long distance towards the Lumbridge Swamp. You'll pass just north of the bridge that leads to the Wizards' Tower, and eventually see the entrance to the Lumbridge Swamp Caves. Continue east-southeast until you see the ruins; click them to enter. Go west a bit to the altar and click it to make your runes. Empty your pouches and then make runes again. Teleport to Draynor Village, bank and repeat.

Remember to replace your amulet every four runs. Also, you will need to restore run energy; every three runs or so, substitute a 4-dose regular energy potion for one essence and consume it while running.