Whether you’re an ironman needing self-sufficiency or a main account aiming to maximize profits and efficiency, this guide will walk you through leveling Herblore from 1 to 99. Herblore is primarily a production skill, letting you make potions for experience, and it’s essential for iron accounts who need their own supplies for PvM. Main accounts, on the other hand, only need it for quest requirements and certain diaries, although training Herblore can also be OSRS gold.
Starting Herblore: The Basics
Interestingly, Herblore is the only skill with a quest requirement to start training. To begin, complete the Druidic Ritual, which takes you from level 1 to 3 and unlocks the first low-level potion. For ironmen, this step is crucial, while main accounts can simply buy their starting herbs from the Grand Exchange if they prefer.
Key milestones to keep in mind:
- Level 70 Herblore: Required for many quests and diaries.
- Level 90 Herblore: Needed for the elite Arceuus diary.
- Level 70+: Needed for strong Bushu potions in raids, with 75 for regular overload potions.
Boosting Herblore temporarily is possible using botanical pies (+4) or spicy stews (+5).
Early Game: Quest-Based Training
For Ironmen, the early levels are best achieved through quests to avoid hunting herbs immediately:
- Druidic Ritual: Levels 1–3.
- Black Knight’s Fortress: Levels 3–10, prerequisite for Recruitment Drive.
- Recruitment Drive: Levels 10–17, also unlocking Bone Voyage for Fossil Island access.
- Jungle Potion Quest: Levels 17–19, useful for iron accounts needing every early level.
After these quests, ironmen should start farming herbs, while main accounts can choose based on cash availability and quest requirements.
Traditional Potion Making
To make potions, you need three things:
- Vial of water
- Clean herb
- Secondary ingredient
Process:
- Add the herb to the vial to create an unfinished potion (no XP gained yet).
- Add the secondary ingredient to make a three-dose potion, which grants experience.
For efficient training, check the Herblore XP table on the wiki. A key metric is GP per XP, showing how much money is spent per experience point. Choose potions with low GP per XP for cheap training, or high XP per hour for faster leveling.
Levels 19–60: Early Potions
- Strength potions: Level 19–26
- Energy potions: Level 26–38
- Prayer potions: Cheapest at ~4 GP per XP
- Super attack/energy potions: Level 45–55
- Super strength potions: Level 55–60
These levels give a balance between affordable training and preparation for mid-level Herblore.
Level 60+ and Mastering Mixology
Level 60 unlocks the Herblore mini-game “Mastering Mixology”. Here, you refine herbs into paste to craft potions more efficiently:
- Use the refiner to process herbs.
- Deposit paste in the hopper and interact with levers and machines to complete potion orders.
- Picking up Diged plants doubles XP and points, offering a small but valuable boost.
Important upgrades:
- Prescription Goggles: 10% chance to save secondary ingredients
- Alchemist Amulet: 15% chance for 4-dose potions
- Reagents Pouch & Potion Storage: Manage larger batches efficiently
- Chugging Barrel: Prep potions faster for PvM trips
High-Level Potions: Levels 63–99
- Super restore potions: Levels 63–66
- Super defense potions: Levels 66–90 (most XP per hour for cheap cost)
- Super combat potions: Levels 90–99, highly profitable with up to 28M GP potential
Alternative methods:
- AFK herb cleaning: Profit while getting slow XP
- Grime spell: Clean full inventory for faster XP and profit
- Stackable ingredients: Make multiple potions per inventory, achieving extremely high XP rates
For ironmen, stick to potion-making until level 70 for Song of the Elves and essential PvM potions. Main accounts can pursue maximum XP per hour or profit strategies.
Conclusion: Recommended Path
For unrestricted accounts:
- Complete initial quests
- Train potions: Strength → Energy → Prayer → Super Restore → Super Defense → Super Combat
For ironmen:
- Train whatever herbs and potions are available until level 70
- Focus on essential PvM potions
- Participate in Mastering Mixology for efficient XP
Herblore offers a versatile mix of profit, XP, and preparation for high-level PvM and questing. Whether you’re grinding for 99 or just meeting quest requirements, following these methods will maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
By following this 2025 guide, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step path from level 1 to 99 Herblore, making your journey through Gielinor smoother, more profitable, and far more fun!
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