Early combat training sets the stage for RuneScape gold future PvE progression. Since you're crafting your own gear, it's important to optimize combat routes and focus on monsters that drop useful items.
Best Early Monsters

Chickens and Cows: Ideal for levels 1–10. Chickens drop feathers (useful for Fletching and Fishing), and cowhides are essential for Crafting.

Goblins: Provide low-tier armor and coins.

Stronghold of Security: A must-visit. Offers combat training, safe rooms to fight monsters, and a 10,000 coin reward. It also gives access to better gear from monster drops.

Training Prayer Early

Prayer is vital for survival, especially once you unlock Protect from Melee and Protect from Missiles.

Always collect and bury bones from early monsters.

Later, consider training with a Gilded Altar in a player-owned house for faster XP.

Unlocking Key Skilling Paths

Once your basics are established, begin developing non-combat skills that enhance your self-sufficiency.

Crafting

Use cowhides to craft leather gear—a critical resource in early combat. As your Crafting level increases, you can make amulets, tiaras, and bowstrings to support Magic and Fletching.

Fletching

Combine logs from Woodcutting with feathers and bowstrings to craft arrows and bows. This makes Ranged training much easier without relying on drops.
Runecrafting

Ironmen must craft their own runes for Magic training.

Complete Rune Mysteries to start.

Use the Abyss or nearby altars to craft elemental runes.

Later, aim to unlock Lava runes and Nature runes for buy Runescape gold efficient Magic and Alching.