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How to Get Swamp Paste in OSRS A Complete Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), swamp paste is a versatile item used in various quests and minigames, such as Sea Slug, Shades of Mort’ton, and Fishing Trawler. Whether you’re repairing boats or rebuilding temples, knowing how to obtain swamp paste efficiently can save you time and effort. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about getting swamp paste, including crafting it from scratch, buying it, and optimizing your gathering process. Let’s dive into the sticky world of swamp paste!
Swamp paste is a stackable item made by combining swamp tar with flour and cooking the mixture on a fire. It’s primarily used for repair tasks in OSRS, making it essential for specific quests and activities. Understanding its uses helps you prioritize how much you need and the best method to acquire it.
Key Uses of Swamp Paste
- Quests: Required in Sea Slug, Cabin Fever, In Aid of the Myreque, Slug Menace, and Dragon Slayer II for tasks like boat repairs and gluing pages.
- Minigames: Essential for patching leaks in the Fishing Trawler minigame and repairing the temple in Shades of Mort’ton.
- Miscellaneous: Used as a potential junk item in Mourning’s End Part II and for tasks for the Wise Old Man.
How to Craft Swamp Paste
Crafting swamp paste is the most hands-on method and ideal for Ironman accounts or players looking to save coins. The process involves gathering materials, combining them, and cooking the mixture. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.
Step 1: Gather Materials
To make swamp paste, you need two main ingredients: swamp tar and flour. Optionally, you’ll need pots to hold the flour and a fire or tinderbox to cook the mixture.
- Swamp Tar: Found in Lumbridge Swamp and Mort Myre Swamp. You can collect it directly from spawns or obtain it as a drop from monsters like Cave Slimes (requires 17 Slayer).
- Flour: Obtained by grinding wheat at a windmill (e.g., Lumbridge or Sinclair Mansion) and collecting it in a pot. Pots can be found at spawns like Gordon and Mary’s farm.
Step 2: Create Raw Swamp Paste
Combine one pot of flour with one swamp tar to create raw swamp paste. This process gives 1 Cooking experience but must be done one at a time, which can be tedious for large quantities. To streamline this:
- Use a barrel of flour at Sinclair Mansion or Gordon and Mary’s farm to fill multiple pots quickly.
- Bring 26 pots and as much swamp tar as needed to minimize trips.
Step 3: Cook the Raw Swamp Paste
Cook the raw swamp paste on a fire (not a range) to produce swamp paste, yielding 2 Cooking experience per paste. Be cautious, as it’s possible to burn the paste, though burnt tar is automatically discarded. For efficiency:
- Use a permanent fire, such as the one at the base of Mount Karuulm near a fairy ring, to avoid relighting fires.
- Cook one paste at a time, as the process isn’t bulk-automated, making it time-consuming for large amounts.
Pro Tip: For Ironmen, collect swamp tar while training Slayer in Lumbridge Swamp to multitask resource gathering.
Where to Buy Swamp Paste
If crafting isn’t your style, you can purchase swamp paste directly from various vendors or the Grand Exchange. Buying is often faster and more cost-effective for non-Ironman accounts.
Purchasing from NPC Vendors
Several NPCs sell swamp paste at reasonable prices. Here’s a table of the best vendors:
Vendor | Location | Price (Coins) | Stock |
---|---|---|---|
Rasolo | West of Fishing Guild | 31 | 10 |
Port Khazard General Store | South of Ardougne | 31 | 1,000 |
Razmire Builders’ Merchants | Mort’ton (after/during Shades of Mort’ton) | 31 | 1,000 |
Trader Crewmembers | Ports like Catherby | 31 | Varies |
Note: Port Khazard General Store and Razmire’s shop are the best for bulk purchases due to their high stock.
Buying from the Grand Exchange
The Grand Exchange is the cheapest and most convenient option for most players. As of May 2025, swamp paste typically costs around 50–100 coins each, though prices fluctuate. Check GE Tracker for real-time pricing. Buying here saves time compared to crafting, especially for large quantities needed in minigames like Fishing Trawler.
Obtaining Swamp Paste Through Minigames
Participating in the Shades of Mort’ton minigame is another way to get swamp paste without crafting or buying. This method is ideal for players already engaging in the minigame for other rewards.
Shades of Mort’ton Chests
Unlocking chests in the Shades of Mort’ton minigame often rewards swamp paste in abundance. You’ll need to burn shades, collect their remains, and use keys to open chests. This method is less predictable but can yield significant amounts alongside other loot.
Tips for Efficient Chest Rewards
- Complete the Quest: Finish Shades of Mort’ton to access the minigame fully.
- Team Up: Work with other players to burn shades faster and secure more keys.
- Prioritize Chests: Focus on higher-tier chests for better chances at swamp paste.
Tips for Efficient Swamp Paste Gathering
Whether you’re crafting, buying, or looting swamp paste, these tips will help you optimize your efforts and save time.
Optimizing Crafting for Large Quantities
Crafting hundreds of swamp paste can be cumbersome due to the one-at-a-time process. Here’s how to make it less painful:
- Use a Barrel of Flour: Fill pots at Sinclair Mansion or Gordon’s farm to speed up flour collection.
- Bank Nearby: Use a bank close to a permanent fire, like the one near Mount Karuulm, to minimize travel time.
- Multitask: Collect swamp tar while training Slayer or completing quests in Lumbridge or Mort Myre Swamp.
Best Locations for Swamp Tar
Swamp tar is the bottleneck for crafting, so knowing the best spots is crucial:
- Lumbridge Swamp: Multiple spawns make it accessible for early-game players.
- Mort Myre Swamp: Higher spawn density but requires access to Morytania.
- Lady Zay Barrels: After starting Lunar Diplomacy, collect swamp tar from barrels on the Lady Zay ship.
Recommendations for Ironman Accounts
Ironmen often need to craft their own swamp paste, especially for Fishing Trawler. Here’s a tailored approach:
- Stock Up Early: Gather swamp tar during Slayer tasks or while questing in Morytania.
- Minimize Purchases: If buying, use Port Khazard’s General Store for small amounts (e.g., 150–200 for Fishing Trawler).
- Leverage Minigames: Participate in Shades of Mort’ton for a chance at swamp paste while earning other rewards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Getting swamp paste can be straightforward, but players often make these mistakes:
- Cooking on a Range: Raw swamp paste can only be cooked on a fire, not a range.
- Ignoring Bulk Buying: Crafting large amounts is tedious; buy from the Grand Exchange or vendors for efficiency.
- Overcollecting Tar: Estimate your needs (e.g., 150 for a few Fishing Trawler runs) to avoid wasting time.
- Not Using Permanent Fires: Relighting fires slows you down; use permanent fires like Mount Karuulm’s.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to gather swamp paste efficiently for any OSRS task. Whether you craft it, buy it, or loot it, choose the method that suits your playstyle and account type. Happy adventuring in Gielinor!