Combat is essential in RuneScape gold OSRS, especially for Ironmen who can't rely on other players for protection or boss kills. The early game is your chance to build up a reliable combat base.
Recommended Low-Level Combat Targets:

Chickens & Cows: Chickens drop feathers and bones, and cows give hides for Crafting. Bury bones to train Prayer.

Goblins: Easy XP and the occasional armor or coin drop. Located conveniently near Lumbridge.

Stronghold of Security: A must-do for Ironmen. Offers free 10,000 coins, combat training, and access to decent food drops.

Make sure to rotate between Melee, Ranged, and Magic to keep your stats balanced. For Magic, create your own runes through Runecrafting or loot them from early-game monsters.

Prayer Training: Don't Waste Bones

Prayer is one of the most impactful combat skills in the game, especially for Ironmen. Early access to Protect from Melee and Range can make a huge difference in boss fights and Slayer tasks.
Efficient Prayer Training Tips:

Always bury bones from the monsters you kill.

Save big bones for use on a Gilded Altar (if you have POH access later).

Use Ectofuntus as an alternative for better XP rates if you have access.

Getting Prayer to at least level 43 early will drastically increase your survivability.

Efficient Skill Training Routes

Maximizing your time is essential in RS gold Ironman mode. Plan out training methods that let you work on multiple goals at once.