Great Blue Heron OSRS A Deep Dive into the Iconic Fishing Pet

In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), skilling pets are a badge of honor, showcasing dedication and a sprinkle of luck. Among these, the Great Blue Heron stands out as a majestic variant of the Heron pet, obtained through fishing. This blog post explores everything you need to know about the Great Blue Heron in OSRS, from how to unlock it to its quirky dialogue and cultural references. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious adventurer, let’s dive into the details of this feathered companion.

The Heron is a members-only skilling pet that players can obtain while training the Fishing skill. Its drop rate depends on the player’s Fishing level and the time taken to gather resources, making it a coveted reward for dedicated fishers. The Great Blue Heron is a recolored version of the standard Heron, introduced with the Tempoross update on March 24, 2021, adding a vibrant blue hue to the pet’s appearance.

How to Obtain the Heron Pet

The Heron pet has a base drop rate that scales with your Fishing level, calculated as approximately 1 in [Base Chance – (Fishing Level * 25)]. For example, at level 99 Fishing, the drop rate for catching karambwans is around 1 in 170,874. Here are some key methods to increase your chances:

• Two-tick Fishing: Catching tuna and swordfish using the two-tick method is the fastest way to roll for the Heron pet.
• Karambwans: Fishing karambwans offers a solid chance, especially with a fish barrel for AFK efficiency.
• Fishing Trawler: This minigame provides a 1/5,000 chance per successful trip (scaling to 1/2,500 with full contribution), regardless of Fishing level. OSRS Wiki

Note that the Heron cannot be obtained from Tempoross or drift net fishing, so focus on traditional fishing methods for the best results.

Transforming the Heron into the Great Blue Heron

Once you’ve secured the Heron pet, you can transform it into the Great Blue Heron by feeding it 3,000 spirit flakes, which are earned from the Tempoross boss. This recoloring is reversible—feed the Great Blue Heron any raw fish to revert it to the standard white Heron, or use a single spirit flake to turn it back to blue. This flexibility allows players to switch between the two forms based on preference or aesthetic.

Action	Requirement	Result
Transform to Great Blue Heron	3,000 Spirit Flakes	Heron turns royal blue
Revert to Standard Heron	Any Raw Fish	Great Blue Heron turns white
Reapply Blue Color	1 Spirit Flake	White Heron turns blue again

The Great Blue Heron’s Unique Dialogue

One of the most charming aspects of the Great Blue Heron is its dialogue, which is packed with humor and pop culture references. When you interact with the pet or offer it various items, it responds with witty lines that add personality to your fishing companion. There’s a 10% chance to trigger Great Blue Heron-specific dialogue if the metamorphosis is unlocked, making these interactions even more special. OSRS Wiki

Pop Culture References in Dialogue

The Great Blue Heron’s dialogue is a treasure trove of Easter eggs, referencing popular media and OSRS lore. Here are some standout examples:

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day: The Heron’s line, “Come with me if you want to live!” mirrors Sarah Connor’s iconic quote. OSRS Wiki
• Rick and Morty: When offered eel sushi, the Heron quips about “bird culture,” referencing the show’s “In bird culture, this is considered a dick move.” Reddit
• Gordon Ramsay: If you offer burnt fish, the Heron calls you a “dancing donkey,” combining a nod to Ramsay’s insults with the Dancing Donkey Inn from OSRS lore. Reddit
• Avatar: The Last Airbender: When rejecting a delicacy, the Heron’s line, “How could a member of my own house say something so horrible?” echoes Uncle Iroh’s reaction to Zuko’s tea critique. Reddit
• Evil Bob and ScapeRune: Offering cooked fish prompts the Heron to demand you “uncook” it, referencing the cat Evil Bob, who mastered uncooking in the ScapeRune realm. OSRS Wiki

These references make interacting with the Great Blue Heron a delightful experience, rewarding players who catch the nods to both OSRS and broader pop culture.

Funny Interactions with Fish

The Great Blue Heron is picky about its food, and offering different items triggers unique responses:

• Burnt Fish: “It’s burnt, you dancing donkey!” The Heron scoffs, poking fun at the niche community of burnt fish collectors in OSRS.
• Cooked Fish: “You’ve ruined a fine delicacy, now go and uncook it!” The Heron’s demand highlights its preference for raw fish.
• Spirit Flakes: “Those look tasty. But I’m looking for a proper feast. Come back to me with 3000 of them,” the Heron says, setting the stage for its transformation.
• No Fish: “Where’s the fish? You don’t have any!” The Heron’s frustration is palpable if you approach empty-handed.

Experimenting with different fish types can unlock new dialogue, encouraging players to engage with their pet in creative ways.

Strategies for Farming Spirit Flakes

To unlock the Great Blue Heron, you’ll need to defeat Tempoross, the fishing skill boss, to collect spirit flakes. Tempoross is located in the Ruins of Unkah in the Kharidian Desert, accessible via Ferryman Sathwood south of Al Kharid bank. Here’s how to maximize your spirit flake haul:

Tempoross Fight Basics

Tempoross is a skilling boss that requires teamwork and fishing prowess. Players weaken Tempoross by catching spirit fish and loading them into cannons while managing hazards like waves and fires. The fight rewards spirit flakes, which are used to unlock the Great Blue Heron and other rewards like the Tome of Water.

Tips for Efficient Spirit Flake Farming

• Use High Fishing Levels: Higher Fishing levels increase your catch rate for spirit fish, speeding up the fight and boosting rewards.
• Bring the Right Gear: Equip the Angler’s Outfit for bonus Fishing XP and use a dragon or crystal harpoon for faster catches.
• Optimize Inventory: Bring ropes and buckets to tether masts and douse fires, ensuring you contribute fully to the fight.
• Join Active Worlds: Worlds with many players (e.g., World 302) often have faster clears, maximizing spirit flake drops per hour.

On average, players can earn 100–200 spirit flakes per Tempoross kill, meaning 15–30 successful runs are needed to reach 3,000 flakes. RuneScape News

Community Reactions to the Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron has sparked varied reactions in the OSRS community. While some players love its vibrant color and humorous dialogue, others feel the recolor was underwhelming compared to other skilling pet variants like Tangleroot’s multiple forms.

Reddit Discussions and Suggestions

On Reddit, players have voiced both praise and criticism. One user lamented, “The heron is one of the most iconic pets in RuneScape, but they did it dirty with the recolour,” suggesting a system where feeding different fish could transform the Heron into various seabirds. Reddit Others proposed unique transmogs, like turning the Heron into a puffin, penguin, or even a pterodactyl via rare boss drops. Reddit

Despite the mixed feedback, the Great Blue Heron remains a fan favorite for its accessibility and charm, especially for players who enjoy Tempoross.

Why the Great Blue Heron Matters

The Great Blue Heron is more than just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a symbol of perseverance in OSRS’s fishing grind. Its dialogue adds a layer of personality that connects players to the game’s community and culture. Whether you’re chasing the pet for bragging rights or simply want a stylish companion, the Great Blue Heron enhances the fishing experience.

Tips for Showcasing Your Great Blue Heron

• Pair with Fishing Skill Cape: The blue hue of the Great Blue Heron complements the Fishing Skill Cape, creating a cohesive look. Devtrackers
• Share on Social Media: Post screenshots of your Heron’s dialogue on Reddit or Twitter to join the community’s Easter egg hunt.
• Experiment with Dialogue: Try offering obscure fish like eel sushi to uncover rare lines and share your findings.

By embracing the Great Blue Heron, you’re not just showing off a pet—you’re celebrating the quirky, community-driven spirit of OSRS.

Ready to chase the Great Blue Heron? Grab your fishing rod, head to Tempoross, and let this feathered friend join your adventures. Have you already unlocked the Great Blue Heron? Share your favorite dialogue or fishing tips in the comments below!