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How to Train Herblore in OSRS – Ultimate Guide to Level 99

Herblore in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a members-only skill that lets you craft potions to boost combat, restore stats, or protect against dangers. It’s essential for high-level content like raids and bossing, but it can be expensive and repetitive. This guide covers the best methods to train Herblore from level 1 to 99, balancing speed, cost, and efficiency, with tips for regular players and Ironmen. Let’s dive into how to master this skill and unlock its rewards.
Before you can train Herblore, you need to unlock the skill by completing the Druidic Ritual quest. This short quest has no requirements and grants 250 Herblore XP, boosting you to level 3. Speak to Kaqemeex in Taverley’s stone circle to start, then follow the steps to enchant meats for Sanfew. Once done, you’re ready to make potions.
Why Train Herblore?
Herblore is a game-changer for PvM, PvP, and questing. Here’s why it’s worth the grind:
- Combat Boosts: Potions like Super Combat and Saradomin Brews enhance your stats for tough fights.
- Quest Requirements: Quests like Song of the Elves (level 70) and Fairy Tale Part II (level 57) need Herblore.
- Ironman Necessity: Ironmen must craft potions themselves, making Herblore critical for end-game content.
- Profit Potential: Cleaning herbs or selling potions can offset training costs.
Fastest Herblore Training Methods
The quickest way to level Herblore is by making potions, but it’s costly. Buy ingredients from the Grand Exchange (GE) and use a bank to churn out potions efficiently. Below is a level-by-level breakdown of the best potions to make, assuming fast banking (around 2,500 potions per hour).
Level 3-15: Attack Potions
Start by crafting Attack Potions using Guam Leaf and Eye of Newt in a vial of water. Each potion gives 25 XP, and you’ll need 87 potions to reach level 15.
- Ingredients: Guam Leaf (clean), Eye of Newt, Vial of Water
- XP per Potion: 25
- Cost: Check GE prices; expect a small loss per potion.
Level 15-26: Strength Potions
Switch to Strength Potions, made with Tarromin and Limpwurt Root. You’ll need 127 potions for 50 XP each to hit level 26.
- Ingredients: Tarromin (clean), Limpwurt Root, Vial of Water
- XP per Potion: 50
- Tip: Buy Eye of Newt in bulk from Betty’s Magic Emporium in Port Sarim for efficiency.
Level 26-38: Energy Potions
Energy Potions require Harralander and Chocolate Dust, granting 67.5 XP each. Craft 322 potions to reach level 38.
- Ingredients: Harralander (clean), Chocolate Dust, Vial of Water
- XP per Potion: 67.5
- Cost-Saving: Crush chocolate bars yourself or collect dust at the Gnome Stronghold.
Level 38-45: Prayer Potions
Prayer Potions are made with Ranarr Weed and Snape Grass, offering 87.5 XP each. You’ll need 294 potions to reach level 45.
- Ingredients: Ranarr Weed (clean), Snape Grass, Vial of Water
- XP per Potion: 87.5
- Tip: Use an Amulet of Chemistry for a 5% chance to make 4-dose potions, saving costs.
Level 45-99: Super Attack and Beyond
From level 45, Super Attack Potions (Irit Leaf + Eye of Newt, 100 XP each) are efficient until level 55 (1,052 potions). Then, consider high-XP potions like Super Strength (level 55, Kwuarm + Limpwurt Root, 125 XP) or Saradomin Brews (level 81, Toadflax + Crushed Nest, 180 XP). To reach level 99, you’ll need around 40,718 potions total from level 3, costing 100-150M GP depending on GE prices.
Level | Potion | Ingredients | XP per Potion | Potions Needed |
---|---|---|---|---|
3-15 | Attack | Guam Leaf, Eye of Newt | 25 | 87 |
15-26 | Strength | Tarromin, Limpwurt Root | 50 | 127 |
26-38 | Energy | Harralander, Chocolate Dust | 67.5 | 322 |
38-45 | Prayer | Ranarr Weed, Snape Grass | 87.5 | 294 |
45-55 | Super Attack | Irit Leaf, Eye of Newt | 100 | 1,052 |
Budget Herblore Training Options
If the cost of potion-making is too high, try these cheaper alternatives. They’re slower but save GP or even turn a profit.
Cleaning Grimy Herbs
Cleaning grimy herbs is click-intensive but often profitable, as clean herbs sell for more on the GE. Since a 2020 update, herbs auto-clean per inventory, boosting efficiency to around 5,000 herbs per hour (up to 150k XP/hour for high-level herbs like Torstol).
- Profit Tip: Check GE margins (grimy vs. clean herb prices) to maximize gains.
- XP Rates: Vary by herb (e.g., 2.5 XP for Guam, 14.8 XP for Torstol).
- Requirements: Level 3+ (higher for specific herbs).
Making Tarromin Tar
At level 39, make Tarromin Tar using Tarromin and 15 Swamp Tar with a Pestle and Mortar. It yields 105k XP/hour but is less click-intensive than potion-making.
- Ingredients: Tarromin (clean), Swamp Tar (x15), Pestle and Mortar
- XP per Action: 55
- Downside: Tarromin Tar rarely sells, so expect losses. Stockpile Swamp Tar due to its 13,000 buy limit.
Questing for Herblore XP
Quests are a low-cost way to gain early Herblore levels, especially for budget players or Ironmen. These quests offer XP with minimal skill requirements:
- Jungle Potion: 775 XP (level 3, reaches level 9)
- Recruitment Drive: 1,000 XP (level 3, 12 Quest Points)
- The Dig Site: 2,000 XP (level 10, 10 Agility, 25 Thieving)
- Zogre Flesh Eaters: 2,000 XP (level 8, 4 Smithing, 30 Ranged)
- Shades of Mort’ton: 2,000 XP (level 15, 20 Crafting, 5 Firemaking)
Completing these gets you to level 19, saving time and GP. Check the OSRS Wiki for full quest guides.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Training
Maximize your Herblore grind with these strategies to save time, GP, or sanity:
Use Helpful Items
- Amulet of Chemistry: 5% chance for 4-dose potions, saving millions on expensive potions. Costs ~1,000 GP with 5 charges.
- Reagents Pouch: From Mastering Mixology (level 60), holds 26 secondaries, doubling AFK time per inventory.
- Herb Sack: Stores grimy herbs (level 58, 750 Slayer Points or 250 Tithe Farm Points), ideal for farming runs.
- Botanical Pie: Boosts Herblore by +4 (level 52 Cooking), useful for early milestones.
Banking and Interface Tips
Speed up potion-making with these setup tricks:
- Bank Quantity: Set to 14 in bank settings to split inventories evenly between unfinished potions and secondaries.
- Keybinds: Set Escape to close interfaces for faster banking.
- Bank Tabs: Use separate tabs for herbs, secondaries, and vials to stay organized.
Ironman Strategies
Ironmen can’t rely on the GE, so focus on gathering:
- Herb Runs: Farm herbs like Ranarr or Toadflax in herb patches (level 9+ Farming).
- Monster Drops: Kill Chaos Druids or Aberrant Spectres for grimy herbs.
- Zahur in Nardah: Pay 200 GP per herb to make unfinished potions (requires Desert Hard Diary).
Mastering Mixology Minigame
At level 60, try the Varlamore minigame Mastering Mixology for up to 80k XP/hour. It’s slower than potion-making but offers unique rewards like the Reagents Pouch and Prescription Goggles (10% chance to save secondaries).
Herblore is a grind, but with the right methods, you can hit level 99 efficiently. Whether you’re splashing cash for speed or cleaning herbs for profit, this guide has you covered. Check GE prices regularly, use calculators like OldSchool.tools, and enjoy brewing your way to mastery!