OSRS Herblore Guide: Level 1-99 Training (Fastest & Cheapest Methods)

OSRS Herblore Guide: Level 1-99 Training (Fastest & Cheapest Methods)


Welcome to the ultimate guide for training Herblore from level 1 to 99 in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)! Whether you’re a new player looking to unlock powerful potions or a veteran aiming for that coveted Herblore cape, this guide has you covered. Herblore is a members-only skill that lets you craft potions using herbs and secondary ingredients, offering boosts for combat, skilling, and more. While it’s a fast skill to train, it can get pricey—so we’ll explore both the quickest and most budget-friendly methods to reach level 99. Let’s dive in!

Herblore is a game-changer in OSRS. From boosting your combat stats to surviving tough boss fights, potions are essential for endgame content like raids and PvP. Plus, a high Herblore level unlocks key quests (e.g., Song of the Elves) and achievement diary tasks. For Ironmen, it’s even more critical since you can’t trade for potions. Ready to start brewing? First, you’ll need to unlock the skill.

Getting Started: Druidic Ritual Quest

To begin training Herblore, complete the Druidic Ritual quest. This short quest has no requirements and rewards 250 XP, boosting you to level 3 instantly. Head to Taverley, speak to Kaqemeex in the stone circle, and follow the steps to deliver enchanted meats to Sanfew. Once done, you’re ready to start making potions!

Herblore Training Methods Overview

199 Quick Herblore Guide Old School RunescapeOSRS YouTube

There are several ways to train Herblore in OSRS, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick rundown of the main methods:

  • Cleaning Herbs: Slow but profitable; great for early levels or budget training.
  • Making Potions: The fastest way to 99, though costly unless you optimize.
  • Swamp Tar: Low-effort, decent XP, but requires preparation.
  • Mastering Mixology: A minigame option at level 60+ with unique rewards.

We’ll break down the best potions and strategies for each level range below.

Level 1-38: Early Herblore Training

The early levels are all about building a foundation. You’ll start with basic potions and quests to jumpstart your XP.

Quests for Quick XP (Level 3-19)

Before grinding potions, knock out these quests for free Herblore XP:

These quests get you to level 19 with minimal effort—perfect for beginners.

Best Potions for Levels 1-38

After quests, start making potions. Buy ingredients from the Grand Exchange (GE) for efficiency. Here’s a progression:

Level Potion Ingredients XP per Potion Total Needed to Next Milestone
3 Attack Potion Guam Leaf (unf) + Eye of Newt 25 144 to Level 12
12 Strength Potion Tarromin (unf) + Limpwurt Root 40 322 to Level 26
26 Energy Potion Harralander (unf) + Chocolate Dust 67.5 366 to Level 38

Tip: Use an Amulet of Chemistry (5% chance for an extra dose) to save on costs for potions worth over 200 GP per dose.

Level 38-81: Mid-Level Herblore Grind

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to ramp up. This range unlocks more useful potions and the Mastering Mixology minigame.

Budget Option: Cleaning Herbs

If you’re short on gold, cleaning grimy herbs is a slow but profitable method. Check GE prices to ensure profit (clean herbs usually sell higher). Here’s what you can clean:

  • Level 38: Grimy Ranarr Weed (37.5 XP)
  • Level 48: Grimy Irit Leaf (43.8 XP)
  • Level 54: Grimy Avantoe (50 XP)

Manual cleaning can net up to 150k XP/hour with high-level herbs like Torstol (75+), but it’s click-intensive.

Fast Method: Potion Making

For speed, stick to potions. Here’s a cost-effective path:

Level Potion Ingredients XP per Potion Total Needed
38 Prayer Potion Ranarr (unf) + Snape Grass 87.5 1,616 to Level 55
55 Super Strength Kwuarm (unf) + Limpwurt Root 125 2,102 to Level 63
63 Super Restore Snapdragon (unf) + Red Spiders’ Eggs 142.5 3,500 to Level 81

Pro Tip: Bank near a GE spot (like Varrock) and use presets to make 2,500+ potions/hour.

Mastering Mixology (Level 60+)

Unlocked after Children of the Sun, this minigame on Aldarin offers up to 105k XP/hour at level 81. You process herbs into pastes (Aga, Mox, Lye) to fulfill orders, earning resin for rewards like the Alchemist’s Amulet or Prescription Goggles (10% chance to save secondaries). It’s slower than potion-making but more herb-efficient and AFK-friendly.

Level 81-99: The Final Push

You’re in the home stretch! These levels unlock the best potions in OSRS, but they come with a hefty price tag.

Fastest Route: High-Level Potions

For maximum XP/hour (up to 450k+), focus on these potions:

Saradomin Brews are the meta choice—make around 60,232 from 81 to 99. Use crushed nests from managing your Kingdom (post-Throne of Miscellania) to cut costs.

Cheapest Route: Stamina Potions

From level 77, Stamina Potions (Super Energy (unf) + Amylase Crystals, 102 XP) are affordable and semi-AFK. With a Reagent Pouch (from Mastering Mixology), you can make 26 per inventory, doubling your AFK time. You’ll need about 113,323 to hit 99 from 77, costing less than high-end potions.

Ironman Tips

Ironmen should prioritize herb runs (Guam, Ranarr, Snapdragon) and stockpile secondaries via Slayer or PvM drops (e.g., Limpwurt Roots from Hill Giants). Mastering Mixology is also a lifesaver for herb efficiency.

Tips to Optimize Your Herblore Training

Here’s how to make your journey to 99 smoother and cheaper:

  • Use Helpful Items: Amulet of Chemistry, Prescription Goggles, and Reagent Pouch reduce costs and boost efficiency.
  • Check GE Prices: Potion prices fluctuate—use a GP/XP calculator to stay cost-effective.
  • Bank Efficiently: Stand near a bank chest and use keybinds (e.g., ESC to close interfaces) for speed.
  • Farm Herbs: Supplement costs with Farming runs if you’re on a budget.

With these tricks, you can hit 99 in as little as 35 hours using the fastest methods!

Cost Breakdown

Herblore’s price varies with GE trends, but here’s a rough estimate:

  • Fastest (Potions): 150-200M GP
  • Cheapest (Cleaning + Stamina): 50-70M GP
  • Ironman: Time-intensive but near-zero GP cost

Conclusion: Your Path to 99 Herblore

Reaching level 99 Herblore in OSRS is a rewarding grind, whether you’re splashing cash for speed or taking the scenic budget route. From Attack Potions at level 3 to Saradomin Brews at 81, every step brings you closer to potion mastery. Pick your method—fast, cheap, or Ironman—and start brewing today. Got questions or tips? Drop them below, and happy skilling!