Mastering Wealthy Citizens in Old School RuneScape

Jan-07-2026 PST

Old School RuneScape offers a wide variety of activities for players, and one of the more lucrative yet straightforward methods for earning coins is by targeting the Wealthy Citizens in Varrock. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from requirements and gear setups to pickpocketing strategies and house burglaries, so you can maximize your profits efficiently or even supplement your earnings if you choose to buy OSRS gold.


Requirements and Preparation

Before you can access the Wealthy Citizens, there are a few prerequisites to meet. First, you must complete the Children of the Sun quest to gain access to Varlemore, the city where these wealthy NPCs reside. In addition, you’ll need at least level 50 Thieving.

If you’re starting from scratch, the progression is simple. Begin by pickpocketing men from level 1, then move on to Ardougne cake stalls at level 5. By level 25, you can steal from hideous fruit stalls, continuing until level 50. An alternative route involves stopping at level 42.5, completing the Feud quest to reach level 45, and then blackjacking your way to level 50.


Gear and Inventory Setup

Having the right gear and inventory items can greatly improve your efficiency. For pickpocketing, the Rogue’s Outfit is highly recommended if you have access. This outfit, which requires 50 Thieving and Agility to wear, doubles both the GP and the keys obtained from Wealthy Citizens, making it an excellent investment.

A Staff of Fire is useful for alching extra jewelry collected during house burglaries, although it’s not necessary for the pickpocketing phase itself. A Ring of Dueling can provide a quick escape route when needed but is optional.

Your inventory should include:

· Stacks of coins and keys to store loot

· Nature runes for alching jewelry

· Blessed bone shards and a chisel to break down statuettes

These items ensure you can handle both the pickpocketing and house burglary aspects without interruption.


Traveling to Varlemore

The most efficient route to Varlemore is by heading east in Verarac and taking the kettle transportation system. Alternatively, if you’ve unlocked the Civotus Iloportis teleport or have a kettle whistle, those can be used for faster access. Once you arrive, head southwest to reach the main area where the Wealthy Citizens congregate.


Pickpocketing Wealthy Citizens

The actual pickpocketing is surprisingly simple. During the event, children distract the Wealthy Citizens, giving you a roughly 20-second window to steal uninterrupted. While other NPCs in the area can be pickpocketed, their success rates are lower, so it’s recommended to focus only on the Wealthy Citizens during these distractions.

Open coin pouches and collect house keys as you go. The keys will later allow you to break into the citizens’ houses to steal additional valuables.


House Burglaries

Varlemore features multiple houses, but only three are relevant for burglary. At any time, one of the Wealthy Citizens will be away, leaving a house unoccupied. Use your house key to enter and steal from wardrobes, chests, or other containers. Keep an eye on the chat box for notifications, such as shiny objects appearing or alerts that the house owner is returning. Reacting quickly allows you to maximize loot and avoid getting caught.

Once a house is cleared or the owner is returning, exit via the nearest window and move on to another unoccupied house. Remember, the same house will not be unoccupied consecutively, so check the other two houses if nothing is happening.


Selling Valuables

After collecting valuables, head to the West Bank in Civotus. There, a specific NPC will buy your stolen goods for 55 coins each. This completes the wealth cycle, turning your thieving and burglary efforts into profit.


Conclusion

With the right preparation, gear, and strategy, handling Wealthy Citizens in Old School RuneScape can be both easy and profitable. Focus on using distractions for pickpocketing, manage your inventory efficiently, and take advantage of unoccupied houses to maximize your gains. By following these methods, you’ll quickly accumulate wealth while refining your Thieving skills, making Varlemore an essential stop for any aspiring thief in Gielinor and a reliable way to earn cheap RS gold.