OSRS Herblore Training Guide for Ironman: Best Methods to 99

OSRS Herblore Training Guide for Ironman: Best Methods to 99


Training Herblore as an Ironman in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique challenge. Unlike regular accounts that can buy supplies from the Grand Exchange, Ironmen must gather every herb, secondary ingredient, and vial themselves. This makes Herblore one of the slowest and most resource-intensive skills to train. However, with the right strategies, you can efficiently reach level 99 and unlock powerful potions to aid your Ironman journey. In this guide, we’ll explore the best methods, tips, and tricks for OSRS Herblore training as an Ironman, optimized for both efficiency and enjoyment.

Herblore is a cornerstone skill for Ironmen. Potions like Super Combat, Prayer Restore, and Antifire are essential for tackling high-level PvM content, such as bosses and raids. Without access to trading, crafting these potions yourself is the only way to stay competitive. Plus, reaching higher Herblore levels opens up boosts that make skilling and combat far more manageable. While it’s a grind, the payoff is worth it for any serious Ironman.

Key Benefits of Herblore for Ironmen

  • Potion Power: Boost combat stats, restore prayer, or protect against dragonfire.
  • Self-Sufficiency: No reliance on other players for supplies.
  • Endgame Prep: High-level potions are critical for Chambers of Xeric and Theatre of Blood.

Getting Started: Early Herblore Levels (1-26)

Starting Herblore as an Ironman requires completing the Druidic Ritual quest, which unlocks the skill and grants enough XP to hit level 3. From there, early training focuses on low-level potions using easily obtainable ingredients.

Questing for a Head Start

Quests are a fantastic way to skip the tedious early levels. Here’s a list of quests that reward Herblore XP:

Completing these quests can boost you to around level 26, letting you skip making basic Attack Potions and move straight to Energy Potions.

Early Potion Training

If you need to bridge the gap, focus on these potions:

  • Attack Potions (Level 3): Guam Leaf + Eye of Newt. Buy Eye of Newt packs from shops like Taverley’s Herblore store and gather Guam from low-level monsters or early herb runs.
  • Strength Potions (Level 12): Tarromin + Limpwurt Root. Limpwurt Roots drop from Hill Giants or can be farmed in flower patches.

Core Training Methods (26-99)

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to scale up. Ironman Herblore training revolves around gathering herbs and secondaries efficiently while maximizing XP from each resource.

Herb Runs: Your Bread and Butter

Farming herb runs are the backbone of Ironman Herblore. With multiple patches across Gielinor, you can harvest dozens of herbs per run. Prioritize these steps:

  • Unlock Patches: Use Catherby, Ardougne, Trollheim, and Hosidius patches. Complete My Arm’s Big Adventure for the Trollheim patch.
  • Disease Protection: Gain 50% Hosidius favor for disease-free patches and use ultracompost to boost yields.
  • Seed Sources: Pickpocket Master Farmers or slay monsters like Nechryaels for herb seeds.

Aim to do herb runs every 80 minutes for a steady supply of Guam, Tarromin, Harralander, and later high-level herbs like Ranarr and Snapdragon.

Mastering Mixology Minigame

Introduced with the Varlamore update, the Mastering Mixology minigame at the Alchemical Society offers a game-changing method for Ironman Herblore training. Here’s why it’s great:

  • No Secondaries Needed: Just bring clean herbs.
  • High XP Rates: Up to 4x more XP per herb compared to traditional potions (e.g., 50,000-60,000 XP/hour at level 70).
  • Rewards: Earn resins for bonus items like the Alchemist’s Amulet.

Downside: It’s click-intensive, so it requires focus. Use this method when you have excess herbs and want to stretch their XP value.

Traditional Potion Making

For a more relaxed approach, craft potions as you gather materials. Here’s a level-by-level breakdown:

Level Potion Ingredients XP Each Source
26 Energy Potion Harralander + Chocolate Dust 67.5 Grind chocolate bars (buyable or from Culinaromancer’s Chest)
38 Prayer Potion Ranarr + Snape Grass 87.5 Snape Grass from Waterbirth Island or farming
45 Super Attack Irit + Eye of Newt 100 Eye of Newt from shops
55 Super Strength Kwuarm + Limpwurt Root 125 Limpwurt from Slayer or farming
66 Super Defence Cadantine + White Berries 150 White Berries from Wilderness or farming
72 Ranging Potion Dwarf Weed + Wine of Zamorak 162.5 Wine from Zamorak monks or Tithe Farm

Tip: After completing the Hard Desert Diary, pay Zahur in Nardah 200 coins per potion to turn herbs into unfinished potions, saving time.

Gathering Resources Efficiently

Since Ironmen can’t buy supplies, resource collection is critical. Here’s how to stockpile herbs and secondaries effectively.

Herb Sources Beyond Farming

  • Managing Miscellania: After Throne of Miscellania, assign workers to herbs for a passive daily supply (up to 50+ herbs/day with high approval).
  • Slayer Drops: Nechryaels, Aberrant Spectres, and Kurasks drop herbs and seeds in bulk.
  • Herbiboar (Level 80 Hunter): On Fossil Island, yields herbs and minor Herblore XP.
  • Chambers of Xeric: High-level Ironmen can farm herbs and secondaries from raids.

Secondary Ingredient Hotspots

Secondaries can be the bottleneck. Target these:

  • Snape Grass: Waterbirth Island spawns or farm in allotments.
  • Limpwurt Root: Hill Giants, Slayer tasks, or flower patches.
  • Red Spiders’ Eggs: Sarachnis boss or Edgeville Dungeon spawns.
  • Wine of Zamorak: Zamorak monks in Asgarnia or Tithe Farm rewards.

Tips and Tricks for Ironman Herblore Success

Maximize your efficiency with these pro tips tailored for Ironmen.

Boosting and Milestones

Some potions require levels you haven’t hit yet. Use these boosts:

  • Spicy Stew (Greenman’s Ale): +1 to +5 boost, random but cheap.
  • Botanical Pie: +4 boost, reliable if you’ve got Farming levels.

Milestones: Aim for level 38 (Prayer Potions) early, 70 (Stamina Potions) for skilling, and 89 (Super Combat) for endgame PvM.

Inventory Management

Space is tight for Ultimate Ironmen especially. Try this:

  • Craft potions near banks (e.g., Grand Exchange southwest corner).
  • Use noted herbs and secondaries from PvM drops when possible.
  • Drop low-value potions after making them to free up space.

XP Lamp Strategy

Herblore is slow, so dump every XP lamp and book of knowledge into it. By the time you finish all Hard Diaries, you could be at level 67-69 just from lamps and quest rewards.

Final Push to 99

Reaching 99 Herblore as an Ironman is a marathon, not a sprint. Combine herb runs, Mastering Mixology, and potion crafting based on your resources. For the final stretch (90-99), focus on high-XP potions like:

By this point, your herb stockpile from farming and PvM should carry you across the finish line.

Conclusion: Herblore training as an Ironman in OSRS is a test of patience and planning. Whether you lean on herb runs, Mastering Mixology, or a mix of both, the key is consistency. Start small, build your resource base, and soon you’ll be brewing potions like a pro. Happy training, Ironman!