Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game that rewards dedication, exploration, and engagement with its rich world. Among its unique progression systems, Kudos stands out as a symbol of contribution-earned by aiding the Varrock Museum and completing specific in-game tasks. Unlike OSRS gold or experience points, Kudos cannot be spent; instead, they unlock valuable content, quests, and bragging rights. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer, mastering how to earn Kudos is key to unlocking some of OSRS’s most rewarding features. This guide breaks down the most effective methods to accumulate Kudos, step by step.
What Are Kudos, and Why Do They Matter?
Kudos are a form of recognition in OSRS, primarily awarded for supporting the Varrock Museum’s mission to preserve Gielinor’s history. They serve as a measure of your contributions to archaeological research, quest completion, and museum activities.
While Kudos are not a currency, they are essential for progression. They unlock access to Fossil Island (via the Bone Voyage quest), high-level quests like The Temple at Senntisten, and experience rewards in skills like Mining, Crafting, and Smithing. For completionist players, Kudos are also a requirement for mastering quest capes and achieving 100% game completion.
Checking your Kudos is simple: right-click the information booth on the first floor (US) of the Varrock Museum to view your current total and a list of available tasks to earn more.
Method 1: Clean Archaeological Finds (50 Kudos)
Cleaning uncleaned finds is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to earn Kudos, especially for new players. This task requires completing the Dig Site quest first, which unlocks access to the museum’s artifact-processing area.
Once you’ve completed the quest, head to the southern part of the Varrock Museum’s first floor. Here, you’ll find a tool rack with all the supplies you need: leather boots, gloves, a trowel, rock pick, and specimen brush. Equip the boots and gloves, and take these tools into your inventory.
Next, collect uncleaned finds from the specimen rock pile-you can take as many as you want. Use the finds on an empty specimen table to clean them. Most cleaned items are useless to the museum and can be kept, but five unique artifacts will earn you Kudos when shown to the archaeologists in the room.
You’ll earn 50 Kudos total by finding all five unique artifacts. On average, this takes about 30 minutes and 100 cleans, but it can be faster with a bit of luck. This method is available to both members and free-to-play players, though free-to-play users are limited to this and one other task.
Method 2: Complete the Natural History Quiz (28 Kudos)
Testing your knowledge of Gielinor’s creatures is another straightforward way to earn Kudos. Speak to Orlando Smith (or Mark Brodie after completingThe World Wakes) in the Varrock Museum to start the natural history quiz.
The quiz consists of questions about OSRS’s animals, monsters, and wildlife. Most questions are basic and can be answered with a little familiarity with the game’s world-if you get stuck, a quick check of the OSRS Wiki will help. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so you can retry until you get them right.
Successfully answering all questions correctly grants 28 Kudos. This task takes only 5–10 minutes and is a great way to earn Kudos without any grinding or skill requirements.
Method 3: Report Completed Quests to Historian Minas (Up to 95 Kudos)
Many OSRS quests tie into the Varrock Museum’s research, and reporting their completion to Historian Minas (on the second floor, US, of the museum) earns you Kudos. This is one of the most substantial sources of Kudos, with a total of 95 available from this method alone.
Quests that grant Kudos when reported include Defender of Varrock, Priest in Peril, Shield of Arrav, Temple of Ikov, and What Lies Below, among others. Each quest awards 5–10 Kudos, depending on its complexity.
To maximize Kudos from this method, focus on completing quests that align with the museum’s focus on history and archaeology. After finishing a qualifying quest, simply speak to Minas and tell him about your adventure-he’ll reward you with Kudos on the spot.
Method 4: Complete Fossil Exhibits (Up to 72 Kudos)
For members, completing fossil exhibits in the Varrock Museum is a great way to earn additional Kudos. This method requires access to Fossil Island, which itself requires 100 Kudos and completing the Bone Voyage quest.
On Fossil Island, you’ll collect fossils by mining or fishing, then clean and reconstruct them. Once reconstructed, these fossils can be donated to the museum to complete exhibits. Each completed exhibit grants Kudos, with a total of 72 Kudos available from this activity alone.
This method combines skilling (mining, fishing) with Kudos earning, making it a great option for players looking to progress their skills while working toward Kudos goals. It also unlocks additional rewards, such as the Fossil Island Dig Site and unique skilling areas.
Method 5: Other Miscellaneous Kudos Sources
There are a few other small ways to earn Kudos, perfect for topping up your total. Completing the Dahmaroc Statue for the first time grants 10 Kudos, while reporting details of A Tail of Two Cats and Ritual of the Mahjarrat to Mr. Mordaut (in the museum’s basement) earns 15 Kudos total.
Free-to-play players have limited options beyond cleaning finds and donating ancient relics (which grants 5 Kudos total). Ancient relics are found by mining barronite deposits in Camdozaal (unlocked after Below Ice Mountain) and donating them to Curator Haig Halen.
Tips for Efficient Kudos Farming
To earn Kudos quickly, prioritize the easiest methods first: start with the natural history quiz (28 Kudos in 10 minutes), then move to cleaning finds (50 Kudos in 30 minutes). This will get you to 78 Kudos in under an hour, putting you close to the 100 Kudos needed for Fossil Island.
For members, once you unlock Fossil Island, combine fossil exhibit completion with skilling to earn Kudos while progressing your account. Report quest completions to Minas whenever you finish a qualifying quest-don’t let those Kudos go unclaimed.
Remember, Kudos are permanent-once earned, they never disappear. Take your time, focus on one method at a time, and you’ll soon unlock all the rewards Kudos has to offer.
Final Thoughts
Earning Kudos in OSRS is a rewarding journey that connects you to the game’s rich lore and unlocks some of its most exciting content. Whether you’re a free-to-play player looking to earn a few Kudos or a member aiming for 198 Kudos (the maximum), the methods outlined in this guide will help you reach your goal. If you want to acquire more resources, you can also choose to purchase cheap RuneScape gold to obtain them quickly.
Kudos are more than just a number-they’re a testament to your exploration, dedication, and contribution to Gielinor’s history. So grab your trowel, brush up on your natural history, and start earning Kudos today.
