Ultimate Guide to Herblore Skill Cape in Old School RuneScape
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Herblore Skill Cape stands as a symbol of mastery for players who’ve reached level 99 in one of the game’s most challenging and rewarding skills. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about the Herblore Skill Cape, from its acquisition to its perks, benefits, and tips for achieving it. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your Herblore journey, this post will help you understand why this cape is worth the grind.
The Herblore Skill Cape, also known as the Skillcape of Herblore, is a Cape of Accomplishment awarded to players who achieve level 99 in the Herblore skill. It’s a prestigious item that showcases your dedication to mastering potion-making, herb cleaning, and other Herblore-related tasks in OSRS. The cape comes with a unique emote and practical perks, making it both a status symbol and a functional tool.
Appearance and Variants
The Herblore Skill Cape is dark green with a yellow-gold trim for players with multiple 99s, giving it a striking look. If you have only one 99, the untrimmed version is plain dark green. When you hit 99 in another skill, the cape automatically upgrades to the trimmed version, adding that coveted gold trim. There’s also a hooded version, created by combining the cape with the Herblore hood, perfect for players chasing that classic Runescape aesthetic.
Where to Get It
You can purchase the Herblore Skill Cape from Kaqemeex, a druid located in the druid circle of Taverley, just north of the Witch’s House. It costs 99,000 coins, and you’ll receive both the cape and the matching hood upon payment. Make sure you’ve hit level 99 Herblore before heading to Kaqemeex, as he won’t sell it otherwise.
Perks and Benefits of the Herblore Skill Cape
The Herblore Skill Cape isn’t just about bragging rights—it comes with practical benefits that make your gameplay more efficient, especially for Herblore-related tasks. Let’s break down its perks and how they can enhance your OSRS experience.
Core Perks
- Grimy Herb Cleaning: When equipped, the cape allows you to use grimy herbs directly to create unfinished potions, automatically cleaning them in the process. You still gain the experience for cleaning the herb, making this a time-saver for large-scale potion crafting.
- Pestle and Mortar Access: Search the cape to retrieve a pestle and mortar, a handy tool for grinding ingredients. This saves inventory space during Herblore training or other tasks.
- Zahur’s Discount: With the cape equipped, Zahur in Nardah will create unfinished potions for 200 coins each, matching the perk from completing the Hard Desert Diary. This is great for players who want to outsource some of the grunt work.
Stat Bonuses
Like all skillcapes, the Herblore Skill Cape offers solid defensive stats:
| Stat | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Stab Defence | +9 |
| Slash Defence | +9 |
| Crush Defence | +9 |
| Magic Defence | +9 |
| Range Defence | +9 |
| Prayer Bonus | +4 (trimmed only) |
These bonuses make it a decent choice for general use, though most players wear it for its perks or cosmetic appeal rather than combat utility.
The Herblore Cape Emote
Performing the Herblore Skill Cape emote is a fun way to show off your achievement. The animation features your character mixing a potion with flair, complete with a puff of smoke. It’s a subtle flex that screams, “I’ve conquered Herblore!” To trigger it, simply equip the cape and select the emote from the emotes tab.
How to Achieve Level 99 Herblore
Reaching level 99 Herblore is no small feat, as it’s one of the most expensive and time-consuming skills in OSRS. However, with the right strategy, you can make the grind more manageable. Here’s a roadmap to help you hit that max level.
Starting Out: Druidic Ritual and Early Levels
You can’t train Herblore until you complete the Druidic Ritual quest, which unlocks the skill and grants you level 3 Herblore. From there, focus on low-level potions like Attack Potions (level 3) or Strength Potions (level 12) to build experience. Early quests like Jungle Potion and Recruitment Drive also provide Herblore XP, helping you reach level 19 quickly.
Mid-Level Training (Levels 20–50)
Once you’re past the beginner stage, potions like Energy Potions (level 26) and Prayer Potions (level 38) become your go-to options. These are relatively affordable and offer decent XP. For Ironman accounts, herb runs are essential to gather ingredients like Guam, Marrentill, and Harralander. If you’re a main account, buying herbs and secondaries from the Grand Exchange will speed things up.
High-Level Training (Levels 50–99)
At higher levels, the grind gets costly but rewarding. Here are some of the best potions to make for XP:
- Super Attack (level 45): Affordable and decent XP.
- Super Restore (level 63): Great balance of cost and experience.
- Saradomin Brew (level 81): High XP but requires expensive ingredients like toadflax.
- Super Combat Potion (level 90): Excellent XP for endgame training.
For maximum efficiency, use an Amulet of Chemistry to occasionally create 4-dose potions, saving resources. The fastest method involves banking after each inventory to make around 2,500 potions per hour, though this requires focus and a decent bankroll.
Cost-Saving Tips
Herblore can burn through millions of GP, so consider these strategies to save money:
- Herb Runs: Farm your own herbs to cut costs, especially for Ironmen.
- Scroll of Cleansing: This item gives a chance to save herbs, stretching your supplies.
- Portable Wells: Use these during community events for a 10% XP boost and a chance to save ingredients.
Why the Herblore Skill Cape Is Worth It
Despite the high cost and effort, the Herblore Skill Cape offers unique advantages that make it a worthwhile goal. Beyond the satisfaction of hitting 99, here’s why it’s a game-changer.
Practical Utility for All Playstyles
Whether you’re a PvM enthusiast, a skiller, or an Ironman, the cape’s perks streamline Herblore tasks. The ability to clean herbs instantly saves time, and the pestle and mortar access is a small but appreciated convenience. For players who frequently craft potions, these features add up to significant efficiency gains.
Status and Prestige
As of April 2025, only about 131,248 players have achieved 99 Herblore in OSRS, making it one of the less common skillcapes due to its expense. Wearing the Herblore Skill Cape signals to others that you’ve overcome one of the game’s toughest challenges, earning respect in the community.
Integration with Other Capes
If you’re chasing a Max Cape or Completionist Cape, the Herblore Skill Cape’s perks can be added to these higher-tier capes. This lets you carry its herb-cleaning ability alongside other skillcape perks, creating a versatile loadout for endgame content.
Tips and Tricks for Herblore Mastery
To wrap up, here are some advanced tips to help you on your Herblore journey and make the most of your Skill Cape once you’ve earned it.
Optimize Your Training
Use bank presets to speed up potion-making cycles. With practice, you can clean and craft thousands of potions per hour, maximizing XP rates. If you’re on a budget, focus on potions with high XP-to-cost ratios, like Super Restores, and avoid overpriced options unless you’re flush with GP.
Leverage Minigames and Events
The Mastering Mixology minigame on Aldarin (requires level 60 Herblore) is a fun way to train while earning rewards like potion storage upgrades. Also, keep an eye out for double XP weekends or community events with Portable Wells to stretch your resources further.
Plan for Ironman Mode
Ironmen should prioritize herb runs and quests early on to stockpile herbs. Completing the Hard Desert Diary unlocks Zahur’s noted herb cleaning, which pairs perfectly with the Herblore Cape’s perks for faster training.
Show It Off
Once you’ve got the cape, don’t be shy—wear it proudly! Pair it with a stylish outfit for FashionScape points, or perform the emote at the Grand Exchange to celebrate your achievement. You’ve earned it.
The Herblore Skill Cape is more than just a reward—it’s a testament to your perseverance in one of OSRS’s most demanding skills. From its time-saving perks to its iconic design, it’s a must-have for any serious player. Start your grind today, and soon you’ll be sporting that dark green cape with pride!