OSRS Jar of Smoke: Everything You Need to Know for Old School RuneScape Success

OSRS Jar of Smoke: Everything You Need to Know for Old School RuneScape Success


In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Jar of Smoke stands out as a quirky, rare item that captures the imagination of players. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a curious newbie, understanding this item can enhance your gameplay and even give you bragging rights among your peers. Dropped by the formidable Vorkath, the Jar of Smoke isn’t just a collectible—it’s a symbol of prestige and a testament to your dragon-slaying prowess. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into what the Jar of Smoke is, how to obtain it, its uses, and why it matters in the OSRS universe. Let’s light up the details and explore this smoky treasure!

The Jar of Smoke is a unique, untradeable item in OSRS that players can obtain as a rare drop from Vorkath, one of the game’s most challenging bosses. Introduced with the Dragon Slayer II quest update in January 2018, this item resembles a small glass jar filled with swirling smoke. It’s part of a series of collectible jars dropped by various bosses, each with its own distinct flair. While it doesn’t offer practical combat benefits or utility, its rarity and aesthetic appeal make it a coveted trophy for collectors and completionists.

Origins of the Jar of Smoke

The Jar of Smoke ties directly to Vorkath, a draconic boss residing on Ungael. After completing Dragon Slayer II, players unlock the ability to fight Vorkath, who drops this item with a drop rate of approximately 1/3,000. This rarity places it among the elite tier of OSRS drops, similar to other jars like the Jar of Souls or Jar of Sand.

Appearance and Lore

Visually, the Jar of Smoke is a small, transparent jar containing a mysterious grayish smoke that swirls endlessly inside. Lore-wise, it’s speculated to be a fragment of Vorkath’s essence or a byproduct of its fiery, poisonous breath—an eerie keepsake from a beast born of necromantic magic and dragonfire.

How to Obtain the Jar of Smoke

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Getting your hands on a Jar of Smoke requires preparation, skill, and a bit of luck. Since it’s exclusively dropped by Vorkath, you’ll need to take on this undead dragon repeatedly to have a shot at this rare prize. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Prerequisites for Facing Vorkath

  • Complete Dragon Slayer II: This grandmaster quest unlocks access to Vorkath’s lair on Ungael.
  • High Combat Stats: Recommended levels include 90+ Attack, Strength, Defence, and Ranged, with 85+ Hitpoints and Prayer.
  • Gear Setup: Bring top-tier equipment like a Dragon Hunter Crossbow, Void Knight armor, or Bandos gear, depending on your combat style.
  • Supplies: Stock up on prayer potions, food (sharks or better), and an antipoison for Vorkath’s venomous attacks.

Defeating Vorkath: Tips and Strategies

Vorkath is no pushover, with a max hit of 35 and special attacks like poison pools and dragonfire barrages. To maximize your chances:

  • Use the Salve Amulet (e) for boosted damage against undead foes.
  • Switch to Protect from Magic during its poison phase and Protect from Missiles during its standard attacks.
  • Dodge the insta-kill dragonfire by moving quickly when Vorkath summons a zombified spawn.

With a kill time averaging 2-3 minutes for skilled players, you’ll need to grind hundreds—or even thousands—of kills to snag that elusive Jar of Smoke.

Drop Rate and Rarity

The Jar of Smoke has a drop rate of 1/3,000, making it one of Vorkath’s rarest drops alongside the Draconic Visage and Skeletal Visage. Patience is key, as even with perfect kills, RNG dictates your success. Some players report going dry for over 5,000 kills, while others strike gold within a few hundred attempts.

Uses and Value of the Jar of Smoke

Unlike weapons or armor, the Jar of Smoke doesn’t serve a functional purpose in combat or skilling. Its value lies in its exclusivity and display potential, appealing to collectors and those looking to flex their achievements.

Displaying the Jar of Smoke

Players with a Player-Owned House (POH) can use the Jar of Smoke to create a mounted display. By adding it to a Display Case (requires 80 Construction or assistance via the Construction cape), you can showcase it in your Achievement Gallery. This turns the jar into a permanent fixture, visible to visitors and a badge of honor for your Vorkath-slaying efforts.

Economic and Social Value

Since the Jar of Smoke is untradeable, it has no direct Grand Exchange value. However, its rarity boosts its prestige in the OSRS community. Owning one signals dedication and luck, often sparking envy or admiration in clan chats and forums. For Ironmen, it’s an even bigger flex, as they must earn it solo without trading assistance.

Why the Jar of Smoke Matters in OSRS

Beyond its tangible uses, the Jar of Smoke holds a deeper significance in OSRS. It’s a piece of the game’s evolving culture, where rare drops fuel player motivation and storytelling. Let’s explore why it resonates with the community.

A Symbol of Achievement

In a game with endless grinding opportunities, rare items like the Jar of Smoke mark milestones. Defeating Vorkath hundreds of times isn’t just about loot—it’s about mastering a challenge and earning a tangible reward that few possess.

Community and Bragging Rights

OSRS thrives on shared experiences. Posting a screenshot of your Jar of Smoke drop on Reddit or Discord often garners upvotes, congratulations, and the occasional jealous “still dry at 4k kills” comment. It’s a social currency that connects players through triumph and RNG woes.

Comparison to Other Jars

The Jar of Smoke isn’t alone—other bosses drop similar jars, each with unique themes:

Jar Boss Drop Rate
Jar of Souls Cerberus 1/3,000
Jar of Sand Kalphite Queen 1/3,000
Jar of Smoke Vorkath 1/3,000
Jar of Darkness Skotizo 1/2,000

While all share similar rarity, the Jar of Smoke’s association with Vorkath—a boss tied to a beloved quest—gives it a special place in players’ hearts.

Tips for Farming the Jar of Smoke

Ready to chase this smoky prize? Here are some expert tips to optimize your Vorkath grind and improve your odds of seeing that jar appear in your loot pile.

Optimize Your Gear and Inventory

Maximize efficiency with this sample setup:

  • Weapon: Dragon Hunter Crossbow or Blowpipe
  • Armor: Elite Void or Armadyl
  • Ammo: Diamond Bolts (e) or Amethyst Darts
  • Inventory: 1 Super Antifire, 1 Antivenom+, 6-8 Prayer Potions, rest high-healing food (Manta Rays or Karambwans)

This balances damage output with survivability, letting you chain kills without frequent banking.

Boosting Kill Speed

Time is everything when farming rare drops. Use these tricks:

  • Train Slayer for the Slayer Helm (i) if on task (requires a Vorkath head).
  • Bring a House Teleport for quick banking via your POH portal.
  • Practice the “woox walk” technique to avoid damage during the poison phase.

Managing Expectations and RNG

With a 1/3,000 drop rate, going dry is normal. Track your kills with a notepad or the in-game boss log to stay motivated. Celebrate smaller wins like Vorkath’s head (1/50) or Dragonbone Necklaces (1/1,000) to keep morale high. The Jar of Smoke is a marathon, not a sprint.

In conclusion, the Jar of Smoke is more than just a trinket—it’s a testament to perseverance, skill, and a little luck in OSRS. Whether you’re displaying it in your POH or flaunting it to friends, this item encapsulates the thrill of the grind that defines Old School RuneScape. So, gear up, face Vorkath, and may the RNG gods favor you with that swirling smoke someday soon!