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[CENTER][IMG]http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6448/fmsymbol.png[/IMG][B][SIZE="4"]How to train Firemaking[/SIZE][/B][IMG]http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6448/fmsymbol.png[/IMG][/CENTER]


[B][SIZE="4"]Introduction to firemaking[/SIZE][/B]
Firemaking is one of the most limited skills in RuneScape. While training it can be considered fun by some, for the most part, it is just a waste of resources in nearly every sense, that takes a lot of effort to do. While there is small extensions of the firemaking skill, none of them are really an effecient way to train firemaking consistently, and so firemaking is the sole act of burning logs, turning them into nothing (besides ash, once the fire has gone out nothing is produced. Having a high firemaking has very little use besides a few quest requirements. However, with all that said firemaking can be a fun skill for people looking to achieve a fast 99 (or high level) in the smallest time possible, or someone with many millions looking for a "buyable" 99, for those people, this guide exists.

[B][SIZE="4"]What this guide contains:[/SIZE][/B]
This guide will show you the logs you should burn for certain levels, the best ways to "buy" the skill by emptying large reserves of money into it, alternate ways of training (such as the daily evil tree's) fun things to keep you occupied while firemaking, the best locations to firemake at, and of course, the rewards and benefits of firemaking

[SIZE="4"][B]Getting started in firemaking: The basics (level 1-20)[/B][/SIZE]
As you start of with level 1 firemaking, the possibilities at this point are pretty limited, as your only real training method available is regular logs, obtained from normal tree's. There is two ways to go about this, buy the logs from the grand exchange, or another player or similar, or go woodcutting and burn the logs you chop, instead of banking them. While the first method is far more efficient, it will save you about 30k (300 or so logs) to chop the tree's yourself, which, while not significant at all compared to the cost for higher levels, is still a nice amount to save, considering you get exp in 2 skills by woodcutting the tree's yourself. If you choose the buying method, skip to the next method and burn away, or if you want to chop the tree's yourself, here are a few recommended locations (you'll need both a tinderbox and an axe for this):
Around the corners of the grand exchange, there is many tree's here
Just south of the grand exchange
Lumbridge, anywhere

[B][SIZE="4"]Firemaking locations[/SIZE][/B]
[I]If you are going to be chopping and burning tree's all the way to 99, skip this section, as you will probably find it useless[/I]
If you choose to buy the logs which you are going to burn, you will get the best exp in firemaking possible, so this next section is here to help you improve your efficiency even further by giving you the best locations to light fires at, with an explanation
[IMG]http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1919/24066599.png[/IMG]
[I]The grand exchange is great for firemaking, as you can buy logs immediately after you run out. However, on the downside many other players use this spot as well, and it may get crowded. Also is not recommended for laggy connections due to the large amount of players nearby[/I]

[IMG]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8694/varrock.png[/IMG]
[I]The Varrock banks are also close to the grand exchange, but less crowded and laggy. Due to the long path connecting the two banks, you can burn all 27 logs without having to move up or down a square[/I]

[IMG]http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7281/fistguthix.png[/IMG]
[I]The fist of guthix location (in a non fist of guthix world) is a good place because of its ease of access with a games necklace, however not many people know about it so it is a good place for solitary firemakers. However, the tinderbox not allowed message at the bottom may put off some players.[/I]

Choosing an empty world also contributes towards efficiency as you are less likely to have other fire makers in your path, slowing down the number of fires you can make, and therefore your exp per hour

[B][SIZE="4"]Burning oaks (level 20-35)[/SIZE][/B]
Even though you are able to start burning oaks at level 15 it is a much better strategy to wait until level 20, or higher as you will spend a lot of time not burning logs, but instead trying to kindle it, at level 15. Oaks are around about the same price as normal logs, but give more experience, so here may be a good point to switch to buy and burn (buying logs) if you were chopping the tree's yourself before. However, if your dedicated to the chop and burn method, here is probably the best place to do it: (just west of Varrock palace, very close to the grand exchange)
[IMG]http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/711/oaklocation.png[/IMG]
[I]3 oak tree's aligned perfectly for firemaking[/I]
If this spot is crowded for you, or you don't like it, or any other reason, then anywhere where there is an oak tree will do.

[SIZE="4"][B]Willow logs (level 35-50/99)[/B][/SIZE]
If you want to achieve a high woodcutting level for a low price, willows are the way to go. Costing just 15gp per log these logs provide a mild amount of speed for those buying their way through the levels. At this point, chopping and burning becomes pointless, as it will just slow down both skills. Going for a 99 is hard enough without having to go for 2 simultaneous 99's. Anyway, this step of the firemaking process should take you to level 50, or if you have a very small am mount of money you can do it all the way to 99, at the cost of exp.

[SIZE="4"][B]Maple logs (level 50-60/99)[/B][/SIZE]
Maple logs are the ultimate compromise for the average runescape player. If you are to use maple logs all the way to 99 firemaking, it will take two thirds of the time it would doing willows, for just 2-3million gp more. Unless you have 80million gp or more to spend on firemaking, these logs will be the ones you do all the way to 99, whereas if you are not these logs will only take you to 60 firemaking, at which point you will switch to eucalyptus or yew logs.

[B][SIZE="4"]Eucalyptus or Yew logs (level 60-80)[/SIZE][/B]
Once you reach level 60 (or 58 for eucalyptus logs) you can start burning yew and eucalyptus logs. Deciding which one is a variable which changes all the time, and therefore can not be written in a guide without following the updates every single day, which is far to large a task for something which can be easily done yourself. If a 2 million coin saving in exchange for 5% less experience isn't worth it for you, then proceed straight to yews, which cost around 500gp each. If you do not, then take a brief break from training, and go to the grand exchange. Check the price of yew logs, and the price of eucalyptus logs. Work out the difference between the two, if the difference is above 80-100gp (assuming the eucalyptus logs are cheaper) then you can make a considerable saving by giving up less than 5% of the exp, as the price of eucalyptus logs goes well below the price of yews at many points, and shoots up afterwards as people buy thousands of them at cheap prices. If the price of eucalyptus logs is within 80gp of yew logs, buy yew logs and use them for 99, and the saving will be negligible.

This guide is continued in my follow up blog, how to train firemaking part 2