Does Kitten Following in OSRS Save Time? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether kitten following in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) saves time is a complex one, depending heavily on your definition of "saving time" and your specific in-game goals. While it doesn't directly speed up individual actions like chopping wood or mining, kitten following can indirectly contribute to increased efficiency and overall time saved in the long run. Let's delve into the nuances.
What is Kitten Following in OSRS?
For those unfamiliar, kitten following in OSRS refers to the practice of utilizing a familiar, specifically a kitten, to passively collect resources or items dropped during activities. Kittens, unlike other familiars, automatically pick up items within a certain radius, reducing the need for manual looting. This is especially advantageous for activities that generate a large volume of low-value drops.
Does Kitten Following Save Time on Individual Tasks?
No, kitten following doesn't directly accelerate individual actions. You'll still chop wood at the same speed, mine ore at the same rate, or fight monsters at the same pace. The time savings are indirect and accumulate over time.
Does Kitten Following Increase Overall Efficiency?
Yes, kitten following can significantly improve overall efficiency, especially for activities with numerous drops. By automating the looting process, you eliminate the time spent manually picking up items. This freed-up time allows you to focus solely on the primary activity, leading to a higher output per hour.
What Activities Benefit Most from Kitten Following?
Kitten following shines in activities with many low-value drops:
- Woodcutting: Picking up all the logs individually can be tedious. A kitten handles this automatically.
- Mining: Similar to woodcutting, gathering ore is quicker with a kitten collecting the drops.
- Slayer Tasks: Many slayer tasks produce numerous low-value drops that a kitten can efficiently gather.
- Certain Bosses: While not as effective for high-value drops, a kitten can still collect smaller items dropped by bosses.
How Much Time Does Kitten Following Actually Save?
The exact time saved is variable and depends on several factors:
- The activity itself: Activities with more frequent drops will see more significant time savings.
- Your looting speed: Players who loot quickly might see less of a benefit compared to those who loot slower.
- Your kitten's level: A higher-level kitten will have a larger collection radius.
Quantifying the exact time saved is difficult. Some players report a 5-10% increase in efficiency, while others might experience a more substantial improvement. However, even a small percentage increase translates to significant time savings over extended play sessions.
What are the Drawbacks of Kitten Following?
While generally beneficial, kitten following has some drawbacks:
- Requires a familiar: You need to have a familiar summoned and trained to the kitten stage. This requires some investment in time and resources.
- Not ideal for all activities: It's not suitable for activities with limited drops or where picking up items quickly is crucial for success.
- Potential for minor delays: In rare instances, the kitten might slightly delay your main activity while collecting drops.
Is Kitten Following Worth It?
For many players, yes, kitten following is a worthwhile strategy to increase overall efficiency and save time in the long run. The added convenience and slight boost in output often outweigh the minor drawbacks. Whether it's worth it for you will depend on your playstyle and preferences.
Conclusion:
While kitten following in OSRS doesn't magically speed up your actions, it provides a passive way to automate item collection, freeing up time and ultimately increasing your overall efficiency. Whether it's a significant time saver is subjective, but the increased productivity is undeniable for many players engaging in activities with numerous drops.
