2025 Strategy Guide for OSRS: Shield of Arrav – F2P Quest Walkthrough (May 2025 Edition)

Welcome, adventurers, to another comprehensive Lumbridge Knight quest guide for Old School RuneScape! For new players, seasoned veterans returning after a break, nimble ironmen, or anyone seeking the smoothest partner setup, this May 2025 walkthrough for the classic quest Shield of Arrav in F2P will ensure you secure that legendary shield certificate with efficiency and ease.

We'll break down every step of both gang routes, the easiest methods for finding a trustworthy partner (or soloing with alts), and offer best-in-class advice on certificate trading, hand-ins, and ironman mechanics.

Let’s dive into the depths of Varrock’s underworld, team up (or multi-log!), and claim your hard-earned quest point and coin reward—with all 2025 updates in mind.

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Quest Overview & Prerequisites (May 2025 Update)

Shield of Arrav holds a unique place in OSRS as the only free-to-play quest requiring a partner, reinforcing OSRS’s tradition of community and cooperation.

While the quest’s mechanics remain nearly unchanged since its 2001 debut, updated trade systems, chat channels, and multi-instance setups have modernized the experience—especially for ironmen and alternate accounts.

Requirements & Minimal Stats

• No formal combat/skill requirements, but you’ll need to:
  • Defeat either Jonny the Beard (level 2, Phoenix Gang) or
  • Weaponsmaster (level 23, Black Arm Gang)
• Recommended: Level 10+ combat, especially on the Black Arm route.
• Items Needed:
  • Phoenix Gang route: 20 coins (for Baraek’s bribe)
  • Black Arm Gang route: Nothing upfront (you’ll need to help collect two Phoenix Crossbows with your partner later)
• Partner:
  • One player joins each gang.

Completing alone is only possible via multi-logging on two accounts—now a standard option for ironmen.

• Other essentials: Weapon/armor for safety; stamina potions optional for speed.

Modern Partner-Finding Methods (2025)

• Official Chat Channel: The "OSRS SOA" clan chat is the recommended, active hub for quest partners, per the OSRS Wiki and every major modern guide.
• Other Options:
  • Use OSRS Discords or Forums
  • Create a second account and run multi-instance (especially for ironmen/HCI)

Tip: Be wary of possible scams or “service” fees when finding partners in public channels—certificate trading updates have solved most trust issues, but caution is wise.

Shield of Arrav in 2025: Quick Facts

Why the Quest Stands Out

Shield of Arrav’s dedication to partner-based gameplay—bolstered by trade, community chat, and ironman workarounds—cements it as a standout F2P right of passage and a compelling introduction to OSRS questing teamwork.

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Phoenix Gang Route: Steps & Key Actions

The Phoenix Gang is often favored for newer or lower-level players.

Here’s your efficient step-by-step run:

1.

Universal Start: Seeking the Quest

• Go to Varrock Palace Library and speak to Reldo.
• Find the “Shield of Arrav” book: Top shelf, east-facing, shortest middle-row bookcase.
• Talk to Reldo again. He refers you to Baraek in Varrock Square.

2.

Joining the Phoenix Gang

• Find Baraek (fur trader, Varrock Square).

Ask about the Phoenix Gang.

• Bribe him 20 coins for information (OSRS, not RS3).

• Head southeast Varrock (just south of the rune shop, between the two bars).

• Look for the red ‘!’ minimap symbol, climb down into the Phoenix Gang Hideout.

• Talk to Straven: Say “I know who you are.”
  Straven demands you kill Jonny the Beard at the Blue Moon Inn (Varrock south entrance).

• Go to Blue Moon Inn. Defeat Jonny the Beard (level 2), collect the Intel Report.

• Return to Straven, present the report to join the Phoenix Gang.

  He gives you the essential Weapon Store Key.

3.

Getting Your Shield Half

• Inside the hideout, proceed southwest.
  Search the chest for the Phoenix Gang’s Broken Shield half (Left Half). Note: You can only hold one shield half before completion.

4.

Trading the Weapon Store Key (for Black Arm Partner)

• Give the Weapon Store Key to your Black Arm partner:
  • Regular accounts: Trade window.
  • Ironmen: Use 'item on player' to bypass trade restrictions.
• Your partner will need this to:
  • Enter the upstairs weapon store (just above the hideout).
  • Defeat the Weaponsmaster (23)
  • Collect two Phoenix Crossbows for their initiation.

5.

Ironman and Alt Account Guidance (2025)

• Ironmen: Cannot use standard trade.
  • For the weapon key and certificate halves, both partners use the 'use' option on the item with the other player.

6.

Completing Your Side

• After both players have their respective shield halves:
  • Go to the Varrock Museum; talk to Curator Haig Halen.
  • Each half is exchanged for two identical certificate halves (left for Phoenix, right for Black Arm).
  • Exchange certificate halves with your partner (regular: trade, ironman: ‘use’ on player) to form the full certificate.
  • Take the certificate to King Roald in Varrock Palace for your reward!

Key Reminders

• The Phoenix Gang route is ideal for low-level combat accounts.
• Use the OSRS SOA chat to coordinate partnerships quickly.
• Ironmen: All quest item exchanges must use “item on player.”
• Rewards: 1 Quest Point, 600 coins, necessary for Varrock Kudos, Heroes’ Quest, and more.

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Black Arm Gang Route: Steps & Key Actions

The Black Arm Gang route is slightly more challenging, making it ideal for the player with higher combat stats or the “main” in a multi-account setup.

1.

Joining the Black Arm Gang

• Speak to Charlie the Tramp (outside the southern Varrock gates, west side of Blue Moon Inn).
  • Ask about the Black Arm Gang.
• Pass through the western door, and talk to Katrine inside the Black Arm Gang HQ.
  • Convince her you want in ("I may be interested").
  • She instructs you to steal two Phoenix Crossbows from the Phoenix Gang's weapon store.

2.

Stealing the Phoenix Crossbows (with Partner's Help)

• Coordinate: Your Phoenix Gang partner delivers the Weapon Store Key.
  • (Either regular trade or 'use item on player' for ironman accounts)
• Take the key, and go to the upstairs of Phoenix Gang hideout (building just east of the HQ, across the lane).
• Unlock the weapon room upstairs (Weapon Store Key).
• Defeat the Weaponsmaster (level 23)
  • For low combat/Ironmen: Use food, gear, or ask your partner to “tag” the boss, as you only need to grab the two Phoenix Crossbows.
  • It is possible for both players to be in the room; only crossbows must end in the Black Arm player's inventory.
• Pick up and keep two Phoenix Crossbows.

3.

Earning Your Black Arm Shield Half

• Take the two crossbows back to Katrine for your Black Arm initiation.
• She grants you access to the Black Arm Gang HQ.
• Collect your Shield half: Search the cupboard inside for the Black Arm’s Broken Shield half (Right Half).

4.

Ironman and Low Combat Workarounds

• Ironmen: Must use 'use item on player' for all exchanges (key, shield, certificate).
• For underleveled accounts: Safe spot or bring higher-level help (where allowed), focus on grabbing the crossbows quickly.

5.

Sync Up & Certificate Process

• Follow the certificate process described below to coordinate trade and turn-ins with your partner.

Key Reminders

• Black Arm Gang is harder; coordinate with your partner if you're not confident in mid-level combat.
• Don't forget to hand in the crossbows before attempting to retrieve your shield half.
• All certificate trading later uses the same ‘trade’ (or ‘use item on player’ for ironmen/HCIM).

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Certificate, Trade, and Quest Hand-In (Cross-Gang Coordination)

This part of the quest requires precise coordination, especially for ironmen and solo multi-loggers.

Here’s how to ensure both accounts finish together, maximizing efficiency and rewards:

Step-by-Step Certificate Process

1. Each player delivers their shield half to Curator Haig Halen (Varrock Museum):

   • Phoenix Gang: 2 Left certificate halves
   • Black Arm Gang: 2 Right certificate halves

2. Exchange certificate halves across accounts:

   • Standard accounts: Use the trade interface.
   • Ironmen: Both players stand together and use their certificate half on the other, triggering the combine dialogue (“use item on player”).
   • Result: Both players now have a full Shield of Arrav certificate in their inventory.

3. Final Hand-in for Rewards:

   • Go to King Roald in Varrock Palace (throne room, north end, ground floor).
   • Present the completed certificate for 1 Quest Point and 600 coins.
   • Optional: Visit the Varrock Museum afterward for Kudos if you’re a member.

Additional Tips & Efficiency Notes

• Synchronize Progress: Make sure both players are ready before exchanging or handing in certificates—this avoids repeat trips or desync.
• Bank Before Completion: Certificate halves can be banked and retrieved at any time before quest completion (useful for duoing with an alternate account).
• Ironman & Alt Accounts: All quest item exchanges (Weapon Store Key and certificate halves) require the ‘use item on player’ mechanic, bypassing trade blocks.
• Extra Rewards: Members can return to the museum for 5 Kudos and an XP lamp.

Modern Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not destroy or lose your shield/certificate halves!
• Certificate hand-in at King Roald is one-time only for the reward.

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Conclusion

Completing Shield of Arrav is more than earning a quest point or 600 coins—it remains a classic test of trust, teamwork, and coordination in the OSRS free-to-play world, even in 2025.

Modern updates and the thriving “OSRS SOA” chat mean finding a partner, completing the requirements as an Ironman or alt, and navigating trade restrictions has never been easier.

Whether you’re tackling the quest with a friend, a second account, or a new ally found via chat, follow these updated steps to breeze through both gang routes and complete every trade with confidence.

Share your feedback, help fellow adventurers, and remember: teamwork is the greatest treasure in RuneScape.

The Lumbridge Knight thanks you for reading—onward to your next quest!

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