Soul Wars OSRS Guide: How It Works and What You Earn
Soul Wars is a team game in Old School RuneScape. Most players call the game OSRS. Two teams fight on one map. Each team has a large boss called an Avatar.
Your team wins by killing the other Avatar more times. Yet the boss starts with full guard. Your team must first cut that guard down.
A match can last up to 15 minutes. It may end much sooner. This can happen if one team gets five Avatar kills.
Guard your Avatar. Fight for the Soul Obelisk. Take graveyards for respawn control.
How does Soul Wars work?
Soul Wars has three main map goals. Teams fight for the Soul Obelisk. They can also take two graveyards. Each side must guard its own Avatar.
The Obelisk sits near the map's center. Your team can take it by having more players near it. Control helps your team use soul fragments well.
Soul fragments come from foes on the map. Take them to the Obelisk. They cut the other Avatar's guard. This lets your team hurt that boss.
Bones help your own Avatar. Bury them at a graveyard. This can raise your Avatar's guard.
You can take the two graveyards near mid-map. A graveyard gives your team a closer place to spawn. It also makes bone use work better there.
This creates a clear flow:
- Take or hold key ground.
- Get and turn in soul fragments.
- Cut the other Avatar's guard.
- Hurt and kill that Avatar.
- Guard your own Avatar at the same time.
The right role can change fast. Watch the map and your team. Do the task that helps most now.
What do you need to play?
Soul Wars is for OSRS members. You need at least 500 total level. You also need combat level 40 or more.
Talk to Nomad when you first get there. You must do his short guide once. After that, you can join a team lobby.
You can reach the Isle of Souls in three main ways:
- Use the Soul Wars portal in Edgeville.
- Use the portal by Ferox Enclave.
- Use the minigame teleport.
Soul Wars can run on any world. A set Soul Wars world may have more players. Check the world list in game, since set worlds can change.
Is death safe in Soul Wars?
Soul Wars is a safe player fight. You keep your carried gear when you die in the game. You then spawn at a graveyard held by your team.
There is one key limit. Do not drop your own items on the floor. The OSRS Wiki warns that items dropped by hand can be lost.
Safe death does not mean you can stand still. You need to take part. The game has an activity bar. If it runs out, the game can kick you.
What can you earn?
Soul Wars gives Zeal Tokens. Zeal is the reward currency for this game. You earn it by taking part in useful team work.
You can spend Zeal at Nomad's shop. The shop has four broad reward types:
- Combat XP for set combat skills.
- Item imbues that add item perks.
- Blighted supplies and Spoils of War.
- Soul Wars items, such as the Soul cape and ectoplasmator.
Combat XP has one key rule. The skill must be level 30 or more. The shop has XP for Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Magic, Ranged, and Prayer.
The Soul cape costs 2,500 Zeal. The ectoplasmator costs 250 Zeal. One Spoils of War box costs 30 Zeal. These shop costs were checked on August 23, 2026.
The Lil' Creator pet can come from Spoils of War. The OSRS Wiki lists its chance as 1 in 400 per box. It can change form to Lil' Destructor.
That pet is based on chance. No set count of boxes will make it drop.
How much Zeal can you get?
Your Zeal is not a flat rate. It comes from your own work. Match length and the final score also matter.
In a public game, the top listed amounts are:
| Match result | Most Zeal per game |
|---|---|
| Loss | 40 |
| Draw | 50 |
| Win | 60 |
These are caps, not a promise. You may get less. A short game may also pay less.
Useful acts can add to your Zeal. They include:
- Turn in soul fragments.
- Take the Obelisk or a graveyard.
- Hurt the other Avatar.
- Kill opposing players.
- Bury bones.
- Heal your team.
Each kind of work has its own cap. Doing one act all game may waste work. Mix tasks when the match calls for it.
Your team result changes the final amount too. A win has the high cap. A loss has the low cap. Your own work still counts in each case.
This is why no honest guide can give one Zeal rate per hour. Teams, match time, score, and your acts all change the result.
Simple Soul Wars tips
Pick one first job
Start with a clear role. You can hunt fragments, take ground, guard, or hit the Avatar. A clear first job is better than a slow walk with no aim.
Keep the activity bar up
Do real work all match. Watch the bar. Do not wait in a safe spot for too long.
Use the map goal
Kills can help, but kills are not the whole game. The Obelisk opens the path to the Avatar. Graveyards help map flow and defence.
Change roles when needed
Do not farm fragments if the other Avatar has no guard. Do not rush the boss if its guard is still full. Help with the next goal instead.
Use team supplies
The base gives out bandages. They can heal you or a team mate. They also restore run energy and clear poison or venom.
Plan the reward first
Check Nomad's shop before a long grind. Note the cost of your goal. Then track your Zeal after each game.
Small Soul Wars glossary
Minigame: A game with its own map, rules, and rewards.
Avatar: The large boss that each team must guard.
Soul Obelisk: The point at the map's center. Teams fight to hold it.
Soul fragment: A game item from foes on the map. Turn it in at the Obelisk. This cuts the other Avatar's guard.
Graveyard: A place where your team can spawn. Teams can take the two sites near mid-map.
Zeal Token: The reward currency from Soul Wars. Spend it at Nomad's shop.
Imbue: A perk added to a set item. Zeal can buy some of these perks.
Spoils of War: A reward box bought with Zeal. Its loot is based on chance.
Soul Wars FAQ
Is Soul Wars free to play?
No. Soul Wars is for OSRS members.
Do I need a quest?
No quest is listed as an entry rule. You do need 500 total level and combat level 40. You must also do Nomad's guide once.
Can I lose my gear when I die?
Not from a normal death in the game. Soul Wars is safe player combat. Items you drop by hand can still be lost.
What are Zeal Tokens?
Zeal Tokens are the reward currency from Soul Wars. Spend them at Nomad's shop.
Does a win always give 60 Zeal?
No. Sixty is the public game cap for a win. Your work and match length still change what you get.
Can I buy combat XP with Zeal?
Yes. The shop has XP for seven combat skills. The skill must be at least level 30.
Can I get a pet from Soul Wars?
Yes. Lil' Creator can come from Spoils of War. The drop is based on chance. The pet can swap to the Lil' Destructor form.
Sources and update date
This guide was checked on August 23, 2026. Game rules can change. Check the linked sources before a long goal.
Check more OSRS guides
Read more clear game help on the OSRS Guides page.