OSRS Bastion Potion vs Ranging Potion Which Is Better for You

OSRS Bastion Potion vs Ranging Potion Which Is Better for You

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right potion can make or break your combat strategy. Two popular options for ranged combat are the Bastion Potion and the Ranging Potion. Both boost your Ranged level, but they cater to different playstyles and scenarios. This blog post dives deep into their differences, benefits, and best use cases to help you decide which potion suits your needs. Whether you’re fighting bosses like Vorkath or Zulrah, engaging in PvP, or training Slayer, we’ve got you covered.

Before comparing the two, let’s understand what each potion does and how it’s made. Both are designed to enhance your performance in ranged combat, but their additional effects and costs set them apart.

Bastion Potion Overview

The Bastion Potion is a hybrid potion introduced in 2018, combining the effects of a Ranging Potion and a Super Defence Potion. It’s a favorite among players who want to boost both offense and defense simultaneously.

  • Ranged Boost: Increases Ranged level by 4 + 10% of your current level (rounded down).
  • Defence Boost: Increases Defence level by 5 + 15% of your current level (rounded down).
  • Herblore Requirement: Level 80 to craft using a cadantine, vial of blood, and wine of Zamorak (155 Herblore XP).
  • Duration: Boosts decay by 1 level per minute (90 seconds with Preserve prayer).

Ranging Potion Overview

The Ranging Potion is a straightforward option that focuses solely on improving your Ranged stat. It’s been a staple in OSRS since 2002 and is more accessible for lower-level players.

  • Ranged Boost: Increases Ranged level by 4 + 10% of your current level (rounded down), identical to the Bastion Potion’s Ranged effect.
  • Herblore Requirement: Level 72 to craft using a dwarf weed and wine of Zamorak (162.5 Herblore XP).
  • Duration: Same decay rate as the Bastion Potion (1 level per minute, or 90 seconds with Preserve).

Divine Variants

Both potions have divine versions (Divine Bastion and Divine Ranging), which maintain the boosted stats for 5 minutes without decay but deal 10 Hitpoints damage per dose. These require higher Herblore levels (86 for Divine Bastion, 74 for Divine Ranging) and crystal dust. For simplicity, this post focuses on the standard versions, but divine variants follow similar logic with added consistency.

Stat Boost Comparison

OSRS The 10 Best Potions Ranked Gaming Gorilla

At first glance, both potions seem similar since they provide the same Ranged boost. However, the Bastion Potion’s Defence boost adds a layer of complexity. Let’s break it down.

Ranged Boost Breakdown

The Ranged boost for both potions is calculated as 4 + 10% of your Ranged level, rounded down. Here’s how it scales:

Ranged Level Boost Amount Boosted Level
70 4 + 7 = 11 81
80 4 + 8 = 12 92
90 4 + 9 = 13 103
99 4 + 9 = 13 112

Since the Ranged boost is identical, your choice depends on whether the Bastion Potion’s Defence boost is worth the extra cost and inventory space.

Defence Boost Value

The Bastion Potion’s Defence boost (5 + 15% of your Defence level) can be significant, especially at higher levels:

  • Level 70 Defence: 5 + 10 = 15 (Boosted to 85).
  • Level 80 Defence: 5 + 12 = 17 (Boosted to 97).
  • Level 99 Defence: 5 + 14 = 19 (Boosted to 118).

This makes the Bastion Potion ideal for scenarios where you’re taking hits, as higher Defence reduces damage from melee, ranged, and partially magic attacks (magic defence is 30% Defence level, 70% Magic level).

Cost and Accessibility

Price and availability are critical factors in OSRS, especially for Ironmen or players on a budget. Let’s compare the two potions based on their in-game economy and crafting requirements.

Market Prices

As of April 2025, prices fluctuate, but here’s a typical breakdown based on the Grand Exchange:

  • Bastion Potion (4): ~25,000–30,000 GP.
  • Ranging Potion (4): ~2,000–3,000 GP.

The Bastion Potion is significantly more expensive—often 10–15 times the cost of a Ranging Potion. This is due to its rarer ingredients (vial of blood) and higher Herblore requirement. For players farming bosses like Vorkath, the extra cost may be negligible if it saves food or extends trips, but for budget-conscious players, the Ranging Potion is far more affordable.

Crafting and Ironman Considerations

For Ironmen or players crafting their own potions:

  • Bastion Potion: Requires cadantine (grown via Farming or dropped by monsters like Aberrant Spectres), vials of blood (Theatre of Blood or purchased), and wine of Zamorak (dropped by Zamorak followers or telegrabbed in the Wilderness). The level 80 Herblore barrier is steep.
  • Ranging Potion: Needs dwarf weed (Farming or drops like Chaos Druids) and wine of Zamorak. Level 72 Herblore is more accessible, and ingredients are easier to gather.

Ranging Potions are simpler to craft and source, making them a go-to for early-to-mid-game accounts or those avoiding high-level content like Theatre of Blood.

Best Use Cases for Each Potion

Your choice between Bastion and Ranging Potions depends on your activity, gear, and goals. Here’s when each shines.

When to Use Bastion Potions

The Bastion Potion’s dual boost makes it superior in scenarios where survivability matters alongside ranged damage:

  • Boss Fights with Mixed Damage: At Zulrah, the Defence boost reduces damage during melee and ranged phases, potentially saving food. For Vorkath, it’s less critical if praying Protect from Range, but it helps against magic damage when using a blowpipe and Protect from Magic.
  • PvP Scenarios: In PvP, the Defence boost can mitigate damage from melee or ranged attacks, giving you an edge in prolonged fights, especially in deep Wilderness or PvP worlds.
  • Low-Defence Builds: If your Defence level is low (e.g., pures or zerks), the Bastion Potion’s Defence boost is more impactful, helping you tank hits better.
  • Extended Trips: For Slayer or bossing, the reduced damage taken can mean fewer food supplies, allowing longer trips without banking.

When to Use Ranging Potions

Ranging Potions are best when you need a cost-effective Ranged boost without the extra Defence:

  • Safe Bossing: At Vorkath with a dragon hunter crossbow and Protect from Range, the Defence boost from Bastion Potions offers minimal benefit since you’re mitigating most damage already. Ranging Potions are cheaper and just as effective.
  • Training Ranged: For Chinning or cannoning Slayer tasks, you only need the Ranged boost to maximize XP rates. The Defence boost is unnecessary in safe environments.
  • Budget Runs: If you’re grinding low-profit content or saving GP, Ranging Potions deliver the same Ranged accuracy and damage at a fraction of the cost.
  • High-Defence Gear: If you’re using high-defence gear like Justiciar or Barrows, the Bastion Potion’s Defence boost may be overkill, making Ranging Potions more efficient.

Strategic Considerations and Tips

To maximize your potion usage, consider these factors and strategies when deciding between Bastion and Ranging Potions.

Inventory Management

Both potions take one inventory slot, but Bastion Potions reduce the need for separate Defence potions (e.g., Super Defence). If you’re already bringing brews or combo foods, the Defence boost may be redundant, favoring Ranging Potions for simplicity.

Playstyle and Goals

Are you optimizing for profit, XP, or survivability? For speedrunning bosses like Theatre of Blood, Bastion Potions can help you survive tough rooms. For AFK training or casual play, Ranging Potions keep costs low without sacrificing damage output.

Combining with Other Boosts

Both potions stack with prayers like Rigour and gear bonuses. For Bastion Potions, pairing with high-defence setups (e.g., Armadyl with a Dragonfire Ward) maximizes survivability. Ranging Potions work well with glass-cannon setups focused on DPS, like Toxic Blowpipe with Void armor.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Reddit discussions suggest Bastion Potions can save 3–5 food per Zulrah trip or add an extra Vorkath kill every few trips, potentially justifying their cost. However, for crossbow users at Vorkath, the Defence boost reduces damage by only ~0.2 per attack, making Ranging Potions more cost-effective unless you’re using a blowpipe.

Final Tips:

  • Test both potions in your setup to see what feels better.
  • Check Grand Exchange prices regularly, as potion costs fluctuate.
  • For Ironmen, prioritize Ranging Potions until you can farm Theatre of Blood for vials of blood.
  • Use divine variants for high-stakes content if you can afford the Hitpoints cost.

In conclusion, Ranging Potions are the budget-friendly, versatile choice for most ranged activities, especially safe bossing and training. Bastion Potions shine in high-damage environments like Zulrah, PvP, or low-Defence builds where survivability is key. Weigh your budget, goals, and combat scenario to pick the right potion—and happy ‘Scaping!