Alright, so I’ve been grinding OSRS for like 8 years now, and let me tell you – Herblore used to be the bane of my existence. I’d sit there with a calculator, notepad, and three different websites open just trying to figure out what methods wouldn’t completely bankrupt me. Then I found this calculator at osrsmoneymaking.guide and honestly? Game changer.
I still remember my first attempt at training Herblore back in 2017. Blew through 15M making Saradomin brews without checking if they were even profitable. Spoiler alert: they weren’t. Lost about 8M in that disaster and rage-quit for two weeks. If only I’d had this tool back then!
Why This Calculator Beats Everything Else
Most calculators just throw XP rates at you. Big whoop. This one actually tells you what matters – am I gonna go broke doing this? Like, Stamina Mix shows +377 gp profit per potion. That’s real money! Meanwhile Extended Super Antifire Mix will cost you 5,974 gp each. Ouch.
The interface is pretty straightforward too. You type in your levels, pick your target, and boom – every method from level 3 to 99 laid out with exact costs. No guessing, no outdated forum posts from 2015, just current data.
What really got me hooked was seeing methods I’d never even heard of. Prayer Mix making 121 gp each? Who knew barbarian herblore could actually be profitable? I’d been ignoring those methods for years.
How I Actually Use This Thing
My training routine now goes something like this: check the calculator, see what’s profitable at my level, stock up on ingredients, then alternate between money-making methods and XP grinding.
Take my recent 87-92 push. I’d spend Monday through Wednesday making Stamina Mix for profit, then blow those earnings on Super Combat Potions over the weekend when I could focus properly. Made the whole grind way less painful.
The calculator lets you plan this stuff perfectly. You can see exactly when new profitable methods unlock and how much cash you’ll need for the expensive power-training options.
My go-to strategy:
- Check calculator for current profitable methods
- Stock ingredients during low-demand hours (usually early morning)
- Grind profitable methods until I hit my gold target
- Switch to expensive fast methods for quick levels
- Rinse and repeat
The Profit Numbers Tell a Story
Those profit margins aren’t random – they show you what the market actually wants. Prayer Mix at +121 gp? That’s because most players skip barbarian herblore, so there’s less competition. Defence Potion at -7,066 gp? Everyone makes those, so ingredients stay expensive while finished products are cheap.
I learned this lesson the expensive way. Bought 500 Ranarr seeds thinking I’d corner the Prayer Potion market. Turns out everyone and their mother was making those. Lost about 3M on that brilliant idea. This calculator would’ve shown me that Defence Potions were a terrible choice.
Features That Actually Matter
The “Items Used” column is clutch for banking efficiency. Harralander tar needs 15 swamp tar per action, so I know exactly how many inventory slots to reserve. Sounds minor, but it adds up over long training sessions.
Those membership icons matter too. F2P Herblore is honestly pretty terrible – most decent methods need membership. If you’re thinking about upgrading, Herblore training alone justifies the cost.
Hidden gem: The XP numbers let you calculate realistic hourly rates. I can consistently make 170-180 potions per hour, so I multiply the per-potion XP by 175 to get my actual training speed. Way more accurate than the inflated rates you see in guides.
Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Never trust Grand Exchange guide prices completely. They’re usually close, but expensive ingredients can vary wildly. I once bought 200 Crushed Superior Dragon Bones at guide price, only to find out they were selling for 30% less. Oops.
Market timing is huge too. Potion prices spike during PvP events and crash during slow periods. The calculator gives you the data, but you gotta act on it. I made 4M profit during last year’s Deadman tournament just by timing my sales right.
Biggest mistake: Chasing maximum XP rates without considering cost. Sometimes a method with slightly lower XP but much better profit margins is the smarter play. Patience pays off in Herblore.
Different Approaches for Different Goals
When I was rushing Quest Cape requirements (needed 70 Herblore), I focused purely on cheap methods. Later, pushing for 99, I mixed profitable training with expensive power-leveling sessions.
Budget player approach: Stick to herb cleaning and profitable mixes Balanced approach: Mix money-making methods with moderate-cost training Rich player approach: Go for maximum XP regardless of cost
The calculator works for all these strategies. You just filter by what matters most – cost efficiency, XP rates, or profit potential.
Real Talk About Barbarian Herblore
Most players completely ignore barbarian herblore, but some of these methods are goldmines. Stamina Mix consistently profits, Prayer Mix makes decent money, and the XP rates aren’t terrible either.
You need to complete Barbarian Training first, which takes maybe an hour. Totally worth it for the extra training options. I probably made 10M+ profit from barbarian methods that other players were ignoring.
Quick FAQ from My Experience
How accurate are the prices? Pretty good, but always double-check expensive ingredients. I’ve seen 20-30% price differences during volatile market periods.
Worth it for ironmen? Absolutely. Even though profit doesn’t matter, the ingredient lists and XP data are invaluable for planning your resource collection.
Best methods for beginners? Start with herb cleaning for cheap XP, then move to profitable mixes once you unlock them. Avoid expensive methods until you understand the market better.
How often should I check the calculator? I check it every few days to see if any new profitable methods have opened up. Prices change constantly in OSRS.
Final Thoughts
This calculator single-handedly made Herblore enjoyable for me. Instead of dreading the skill, I actually look forward to training sessions because I know exactly what I’m getting into financially.
The combination of current pricing data, profit calculations, and comprehensive method lists makes this tool essential for anyone serious about Herblore training. Whether you’re going for 99 or just want to make your own potions for PvM, this calculator will save you time, money, and frustration.
After 8 years of playing and multiple accounts, I can honestly say this is the best Herblore resource available. Bookmark it, use it religiously, and watch your bank account thank you later!