OSRS Herblore Guide 1-99: Training Methods & Essential Potions

Q: Is Herblore an expensive skill to train in OSRS?

Yes, Herblore is traditionally considered one of the most expensive "buyable" skills in OSRS. You need to acquire herbs and secondary ingredients, which often cost more than the finished potions sell for on the Grand Exchange (unless making specific high-demand potions). However, Ironman accounts must gather all supplies themselves (Ironman Herblore Guide), making it time-consuming rather than expensive. Some methods like Herb Tar are cheaper XP but much slower. Fastest buyables guide here.

Q: What are the most important potions to unlock with Herblore?

Several potions are crucial for PvM and general gameplay: * Prayer Potions (Lvl 38): Essential for almost all combat. * Super Restores (Lvl 63): Restore Prayer and stats drained by Saradomin Brews. Vital for bossing. Learn more here. * Saradomin Brews (Lvl 81): The best high-healing food source for intense PvM. * Super Combat Potions (Lvl 90): Combines Super Attack and Strength boosts. * Ranging Potions (Lvl 72) / Bastion Potions (Lvl 80 Ranged+Defence): Essential ranged boosts. * Anti-venom+ (Lvl 94): Complete venom immunity, important for bosses like Zulrah. Check our list of most useful potions.

Q: What's the absolute fastest way to train Herblore?

Generally, making the highest-level potions you can access that offer good XP per potion (like Saradomin Brews, Extended Antifires, or high-level combination potions) provides the fastest experience per hour if you have the ingredients and GP. This often requires buying supplies from the GE. Utilizing bank presets and efficient clicking drastically speeds up the process. Using services is also an option for speed; see skilling services here.

Complete OSRS Herblore training guide. Covers efficient methods from level 1-99, important potions to make (Brews, Super Restores), cost-saving tips, and Herblore benefits.

Published on: May 12, 2025 by Tons of XP Team

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1-99 guide

OSRS Herblore Guide 1-99: Methods & Key Potions

Herblore is a vital skill in Old School RuneScape, allowing players to create potions that provide temporary skill boosts, restore stats, cure ailments, and offer crucial advantages in combat and skilling. While often expensive to train for main accounts, the benefits unlocked at higher levels – particularly essential PvM potions – make it a worthwhile investment. Ironman accounts face a different challenge, needing to gather all supplies manually (Ironman Herblore Guide). This guide covers efficient training methods from levels 1-99 and highlights key potion unlocks.

Need herbs? Consider our Herb Run Guide.

Why Train Herblore? The Benefits

Access to Powerful Potions: This is the main reason. Brews, Restores, Super Combats, Ranging Potions, Antifires, and Anti-venoms are game-changers for high-level PvM (Bossing Setups). See our guide on the Most Useful OSRS Potions.
Achievement Diary Requirements: Many diaries require high Herblore levels for specific tasks (e.g., making Stamina potions). Check our Diary Guide Overview.
Profit Potential (Limited): While generally a loss, making certain high-demand potions can sometimes be profitable, especially with efficient methods.
Completionist Goals: Needed for Quest Cape (Quest Cape), Max Cape (Time to Max Guide), and diaries.

Training Methods: 1-99 Overview

Herblore training primarily involves two steps: cleaning grimy herbs and mixing potions. You gain XP for both actions. The general strategy is to make the highest-level potion available that offers decent XP per potion made, balancing cost vs. XP rate. Referencing the Potion Making Guide can be useful.

(Note: XP rates vary greatly based on speed, banking methods, and focus. Always check current GE prices for cost/profit calculations).

Levels 1-26 (Early Quests & Attack Potions):
- Complete Druidic Ritual quest (mandatory to unlock Herblore).
- Complete Jungle Potion and potentially Recruitment Drive for early XP boosts.
- Make Attack Potions (Guam + Eye of Newt). Requires Level 3 Herblore.
Levels 26-38 (Energy/Super Energy Potions):
- Make Energy Potions (Harralander + Chocolate Dust). Requires Level 26.
- Switch to Super Energy Potions (Avantoe + Mort Myre Fungi) if affordable. Requires Level 52 (can make earlier, gain less XP). Mort Myre Fungi can be gathered in Morytania (Morytania Guide).
Levels 38-63 (Prayer Potions / Super Restore Focus):
- Prayer Potions (Ranarr + Snape Grass): ESSENTIAL potion unlock at Level 38. Good XP and often break-even or slightly profitable. Snape Grass found water-side or farmed. Ranarr herbs are valuable.
- Super Strength Potions (Kwuarm + Limpwurt Root): Unlock at Level 55. Often a good balance of cost and XP if Prayer Potions are too expensive.
- Super Restore Potions (Snapdragon + Red Spiders' Eggs): Unlock at Level 63. Required for Brew usage. Excellent XP, but Snapdragons are expensive. Vital unlock Super Restore Importance.
Levels 63-81 (Super Restores / Combat Potions / Early Brews):
- Continue with Super Restores if affordable.
- Super Defence Potions (Cadantine + White Berries) unlock at Level 66. Decent XP.
- Ranging Potions (Dwarf Weed + Wine of Zamorak) unlock at Level 72. Often costly but useful.
- Start making Saradomin Brews (Toadflax + Crushed Nest) as early as Level 81. Excellent XP, core PvM potion. Crushed Bird Nests obtained from Bird House Runs or GE.
Levels 81-90+ (High Tier Potions):
- Saradomin Brews: Remain one of the best XP methods all the way to 99 due to high XP drops per potion.
- Super Combat Potions (Torstol + Super Att/Str/Def): Unlock at Level 90. Decent XP, highly useful potion saving inventory space. Costly due to Torstol price.
- Anti-venom+ (Antidote++ (Coconut Milk) + Torstol): Unlock at Level 94. Best anti-venom, essential for Zulrah (Zulrah Guide) etc. Good XP.
- Extended Antifire / Extended Super Antifire: High level, good XP, niche but useful potions.
Alternative - Herb Tar (Slow & Cheaper): Mix swamp tar with low-level herbs (Guam, Marrentill, Tarromin). Very low cost per XP but significantly slower XP rates than potion making. Requires Pestle and Mortar.

Tips for Efficient Training

Use Amulet of Chemistry (Optional): Provides a chance to make 4-dose potions instead of 3-dose, slightly saving resources over many potions (minimal impact on pure XP speed).
Bank Presets: Use RuneLite bank tag layouts (RuneLite Plugins Guide) to quickly withdraw herbs/secondaries/vials.
Location: Train near a bank with a water source or well if using Vials of Water. Grand Exchange is popular.
Cleaning Herbs: You can clean herbs for small XP gains, often done passively while doing other activities or bought pre-cleaned.

Conclusion: A Vital, Though Costly, Skill

Herblore provides access to potions that are essential for efficient PvM, Slayer, and even some skilling activities. While training can be expensive for main accounts relying on the GE, the strategic advantages offered by high-level potions make it a crucial skill to level. Ironman players face a time grind instead, requiring dedicated gathering for ingredients. Choose your training path based on your budget, goals, and patience!

Struggling with the GP cost of Herblore training? Or dreading the gathering grind on your Ironman? Tons of XP offers solutions!

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Frequently Asked Questions

+Is Herblore an expensive skill to train in OSRS?

Yes, Herblore is traditionally considered one of the most expensive "buyable" skills in OSRS. You need to acquire herbs and secondary ingredients, which often cost more than the finished potions sell for on the Grand Exchange (unless making specific high-demand potions). However, Ironman accounts must gather all supplies themselves (Ironman Herblore Guide), making it time-consuming rather than expensive. Some methods like Herb Tar are cheaper XP but much slower. Fastest buyables guide here.

+What are the most important potions to unlock with Herblore?

Several potions are crucial for PvM and general gameplay: * Prayer Potions (Lvl 38): Essential for almost all combat. * Super Restores (Lvl 63): Restore Prayer and stats drained by Saradomin Brews. Vital for bossing. Learn more here. * Saradomin Brews (Lvl 81): The best high-healing food source for intense PvM. * Super Combat Potions (Lvl 90): Combines Super Attack and Strength boosts. * Ranging Potions (Lvl 72) / Bastion Potions (Lvl 80 - Ranged+Defence): Essential ranged boosts. * Anti-venom+ (Lvl 94): Complete venom immunity, important for bosses like Zulrah. Check our list of most useful potions.

+What's the absolute fastest way to train Herblore?

Generally, making the highest-level potions you can access that offer good XP per potion (like Saradomin Brews, Extended Antifires, or high-level combination potions) provides the fastest experience per hour if you have the ingredients and GP. This often requires buying supplies from the GE. Utilizing bank presets and efficient clicking drastically speeds up the process. Using services is also an option for speed; see skilling services here.

OSRS Herblore Guide 1-99: Training Methods & Essential Potions

OSRS Herblore Guide 1-99: Methods & Key Potions

Why Train Herblore? The Benefits

Training Methods: 1-99 Overview

Tips for Efficient Training

Conclusion: A Vital, Though Costly, Skill

Frequently Asked Questions

Accepted Payment Methods