Solo Tempos in Old School RuneScape: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Jan-16-2026 PST

Soloing Tempos in Old School RuneScape is a relaxing and rewarding activity for players looking to gain Fishing experience and accumulate points. While the method may initially seem daunting, with the right preparation and a step-by-step approach, it’s surprisingly straightforward. For players who want to get started more quickly or save time on supplies, you can even choose to buy OSRS gold to help streamline your setup. This guide will walk you through the requirements, recommended gear and inventory setup, and the precise method to tackle Tempos solo efficiently.


Requirements

The only real requirement for soloing Tempos is a Fishing level of 35. Players with Fishing closer to 35 rather than higher levels may encounter some initial difficulty completing the first wave, as it requires catching enough fish in time. There’s a small chance, roughly 5–10%, that you might fail the first round due to insufficient fish, but this does not prevent you from progressing.

To reach the necessary level, it’s recommended to complete the Sea Slug Quest, which requires only level 30 Firemaking and grants Fishing experience up to level 24. Afterward, the Fishing Contest Quest can take you from level 24 to 27. From there, simply fishing salmon and trout in Barbarian Village will get you to the required 35 Fishing level with ease.


Gear and Inventory Setup

A proper setup will make the process smoother and more efficient. Equip either a Barbtail Harpoon or a Dragon Harpoon for optimal fishing speed. Your inventory should include the following:

· Seven buckets

· One hammer

· One rope

Placing these items in specific inventory slots can improve your efficiency during the encounter, as you’ll often need to interact quickly with them while managing the fish supply and other tasks.


Step-by-Step Method

1. Initial Fishing: After disembarking from the boat, catch fish until you have seven or eight in your inventory. This initial stock ensures you’re ready for the first wave of Tempos’ attacks.

2. Cooking and Double Spots: Head to the cooking shrine and cook your fish until a double fishing spot appears. Double spots are crucial because they allow you to catch fish more quickly, which is especially helpful during waves. Continue fishing from the double spot until your inventory is full or the first wave begins. The first wave is one of only two special attacks you’ll encounter, so pay attention during this stage.

3. Preparing the Fish: After the first wave, return to the cooking shrine and cook exactly 16 fish for timing purposes. Then, run to the boat, avoiding any fires caused by storm clouds. Load your 16 cooked fish onto the boat, ensuring no raw fish interferes with the timing.

4. Fishing and Cooking the Rest: Once the initial fish are loaded, return to shore to put out any fires. Then, fish and cook the remainder of your inventory, totaling 19 fish. Keep an eye on double fishing spots and cook whenever they are not active.

5. Loading and Spirit Pool Attack: Load all 19 cooked fish onto the boat and head to the spirit pool. At this stage, Tempos will no longer perform special attacks, making it a relatively straightforward process. Attack the spirit pool until you have reduced Tempos’ essence to around 10–30%, depending on how the rounds have progressed.

6. Adjusting Fish Loads: If Tempos has less than 20% essence, you can catch a full inventory of fish to gain extra permits. If the essence is closer to 30%, maintain your usual 19 fish load. For 35–40% essence, reduce your load slightly to 15–16 fish to ensure timing safety. Load your fish, attack the spirit pool, and continue until Tempos’ essence reaches zero.


Conclusion

By following these steps, soloing Tempos becomes a highly manageable and even relaxing activity. Once the first round is complete, subsequent rounds are mostly AFK, focusing on fishing and cooking while watching for double spots. With patience and proper preparation, you can gain excellent experience and accumulate valuable points for fish barrels, the Tome of Water, or other rewards. For players looking to save time on supplies or speed up progress, obtaining cheap OSRS gold can be a helpful option. Solo Tempos in Old School RuneScape offers both a rewarding grind and a chill gameplay experience for players of all skill levels.