Old School RuneScape: Interaction between pickaxe speed bonus and capped XP rates?

2007wiki provides the following comparison of Oldschool RuneScape Mining experience rates for iron powermining at various levels, assuming a dragon pickaxe is used:

Level | Iron exp/h (dragon pickaxe)
61 49,350
75 52,290
85 52,290
99 52,290

2007wiki mentions that a dragon pick is "15% faster" than a rune pick.

In the case of iron ore, where the XP rate hits a cap at a certain level, does the dragon pickaxe's 15% advantage affect:

• A: the value of the capped exp rate, or
• B: just the level at which one reaches this rate?

If A is true, the exp per hour vs level relationship for mining iron with rune pickaxe would look something like:

Level | Dragon exp/h | Rune exp/h
61 49,350 42,900
75 52,290 45,400
85 52,290 45,400
99 52,290 45,400

with dragon pickaxe exp rates always 15% higher than rune.

If B is true, the exp-level relationship for rune pickaxe would instead be something like:

Level | Dragon exp/h | Rune exp/h
61 49,350 42,900
75 52,290 45,400
85 52,290 48,000
99 52,290 52,290

with dragon pickaxe exp rates 15% higher until reaching a cap, then rune gradually catching up to the cap.

2

1 Answer

Yes mining would be slower with a rune pick opposed to dragon.

Every pickaxe level comes with a 15% efficiency increase. So by using a rune pickaxe you will be mining at a constant rate 15% lower than if you were to mine with a dragon pickaxe. This would effect your experience rate drastically over a long period of time.

2