OSRS Player Hits Level 99 Fishing Using Only Shrimp and Anchovies

An Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player has achieved the maximum level 99 in the Fishing skill by exclusively catching the game's lowest-tier prey. The feat, completed by a player known as Bosby on the account 'OnlyShrimp99,' represents a massive investment of time in one of the most inefficient leveling paths possible.

To reach the 13,034,431 experience points required for level 99, Bosby caught exactly 275,196 raw shrimp and 257,064 raw anchovies. The project spanned two years and three months, beginning on May 11, 2024, and concluding on August 7, 2026. In total, the player dedicated 4,304 hours of gameplay to the grind. Following a verification process by their data team, the official Old School RuneScape account recognized the achievement and gifted Bosby custom polygonal shrimp artwork.

The Path of Most Resistance

In the economy of Old School RuneScape, players typically prioritize efficiency to avoid the game's notorious "grind." Most players utilize methods such as fly fishing to maximize experience per hour and reach high levels quickly. Shrimp and anchovies, however, provide the lowest experience per catch in the game. By intentionally avoiding superior methods, Bosby turned a standard progression mechanic into a test of endurance.

Bosby noted that the account began as a "joke idea" within a friend group. "I started out thinking it would just be something funny to do, and ended up having the dedication to see it through," he said.

A Culture of Absurdity

This achievement highlights a broader trend within the MMO community where prestige is found not in efficiency, but in the completion of "absurd" or self-imposed challenges. By choosing the most tedious path to a goal, players create a unique form of status that separates them from the general population. The official acknowledgment from the game's developer, Jagex, underscores a corporate culture that celebrates these idiosyncratic milestones, acknowledging that the value of the game often lies in how players choose to break its intended flow.

What Comes Next

While the Fishing goal is complete, the community is watching to see if Bosby will apply the same logic to other skills. The player has mentioned the possibility of pursuing level 99 Smithing using only bronze daggers. If attempted, such a project would likely mirror the Fishing grind in its extreme inefficiency and duration, further cementing the 'OnlyShrimp99' legacy of digital masochism.