OSRS Ironman Herblore Guide 1-99: Potions Worth Making

Herblore is non-negotiable for ironmen. You can’t buy potions, so you make them yourself. Here’s how to train efficiently with 2026’s new methods.

At a glance:

• Best new method: Mastering Mixology (60+) - 105k XP/hr, no secondaries needed
• Essential potions: Prayer (38), stamina (77), Sara brews (81), super combat (90)
• Key unlocks: Prescription goggles (10% secondary save), potion storage (248 bank spaces)
• Fastest method: Extended super antifire 1-ticking (98+) - 800k XP/hr

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Why Herblore Matters

Unique requirement:

• Only skill in the game requiring a quest to start (Druidic Ritual)
• Cannot be trained until quest completion

Essential for ironmen:

• Prayer potions (PvM survival)
• Stamina potions (everything)
• Combat potions (DPS)
• Saradomin brews (high-level bossing)
• Anti-venoms (Zulrah, raids)

Quest/Diary requirements:

• 70 Herblore for Song of the Elves (cannot boost)
• 90 for Elite Varrock diary (can boost with +5 spicy stew)
• 78 for raids overload potions

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Mastering Mixology (2024 Update) - THE GAME-CHANGER

The biggest herblore update for ironmen ever. This Varlamore minigame completely changes the meta.

What Is It?

Herblore minigame in Aldarin, Varlamore

• 105-110k XP/hr at efficient levels
• 3-4x more XP per herb than traditional potion-making
• No secondaries required - the minigame provides everything
• Rewards are essential for all ironmen

Requirements:

• 60 Herblore (not boostable)
• Completion of Children of the Sun quest
• All recipes unlocked at 81 Herblore

Location:

• Aldarin island, Varlamore
• Fairy ring code: CKQ
• Or charter ship from Varlamore

How It Works

You fill potion orders using three reagents: Mox (purple), Aga (red), and Lye (green).

Process:

1. Add clean herbs or unfinished potions to the refiner → Get paste (Mox/Aga/Lye)
2. Deposit up to 3,000 of each paste type in the hopper
3. Check potion orders (top-left corner) - shows which potions to make
4. Pull three levers to select paste combination (order doesn’t matter)
5. Click beaker to create potion
6. Process potions at machines (agitator/crystallizer/concentrator)
7. Submit completed potions on conveyor belt → Big XP drop!

Machine types:

• Agitator (V icon): Click once, click again when sparkles appear
• Crystallizer (beaker icon): Click, wait for 5 pumps, click again (listen for sound)
• Concentrator (cauldron icon): Spam click - no timing needed

The Digweed:

• Purple plant spawns randomly in corners
• Pick it immediately (despawns after ~10 seconds)
• Add to any potion before/after processing
• Doubles XP and points for that potion

Which Herbs to Use (Strategic Guide)

The golden rule: Use herbs where you have excess compared to secondaries. Don’t waste valuable herbs you need for important potions.

Mox (Purple Paste)

Best herbs:

• Harralander (recommended) - You’ll get tons from Moons of Peril
• Guam, Marrentill, Tarromin - Any low-level herbs you have excess of

Why: Low-level herbs have limited uses and you’ll accumulate far more than you need. Harralander is perfect because Moons of Peril gives you hundreds.

Aga (Red Paste)

Best herbs:

• Irit (recommended) - Excess from Moons of Peril, but eyes of newt are free so keep some for potions
• Dwarf weed (excellent choice) - Zammy wines are dreadful to get until later content
• Cadantine, Lantadyme - If you have excess compared to secondaries

Why: Dwarf weed is the standout here because Zammy wines require either Zamorak GWD or slow wine-making. Most ironmen have far more dwarf weed than wines. Irit is good if you have excess from Moons.

Lye (Green Paste)

Best herbs:

• Avantoe (top choice) - Only used for stamina potions, which are limited by amylase crystals, not avantoes
• Kwuarm - Good secondary choice if you have excess

Avoid for Lye:

• ❌ Ranarr - Need for prayer potions (essential!)
• ❌ Snapdragon - Need for super restores (expensive!)
• ❌ Toadflax - Need for Saradomin brews (raids essential!)
• ❌ Torstol - Need for super combats (very expensive!)

Why: Avantoe is the ironman meta for Lye. You’ll always have more avantoes than amylase crystals, making them perfect for Mixology. Kwuarm is decent if you have extras beyond what you need for super strengths.

Full refiner chart: See OSRS Wiki - Refiner for complete herb-to-paste mappings.

Strategic summary:

1. Mox: Harralander (from Moons)
2. Aga: Dwarf weed (Zammy wines are painful)
3. Lye: Avantoe (limited by amylase, not herbs)

This keeps your valuable herbs (Ranarr, Snapdragon, Toadflax, Torstol) for actual potion-making where they’re irreplaceable.

Essential Rewards (Must-Haves!)

Reward	Cost (Mox/Aga/Lye)	Why You Need It
Prescription Goggles	8,600 / 7,000 / 9,350	10% chance to save secondaries - massive long-term savings
Alchemist’s Amulet	6,900 / 5,650 / 7,400	Stores 5,000 charges, 15% chance for 4-dose potions
Potion Storage	17,250 / 14,000 / 18,600	Saves 248 bank spaces for potions/unfinished potions
Reagent Pouch	10,350 / 8,400 / 11,160	Stores 26 of each secondary in 1 inventory space
Chugging Barrel	20,700 / 16,800 / 22,320	Drink up to 5 potions simultaneously when banking
Alchinium	690 / 565 / 740 each	Secondary for gout tuber + prayer regen potions

Priority order for ironmen:

1. Prescription Goggles (10% secondary save is huge)
2. Alchemist’s Amulet (15% 4-dose chance)
3. Potion Storage (bank space)
4. Reagent Pouch (convenience)
5. Chugging Barrel (PvM QoL)

When to Use Mixology

Use Mixology when:

• You have lots of herbs but no secondaries
• You want pure XP for level goals
• You need Mixology reward currency
• Training 60-81 for recipe unlocks

Use traditional potion-making when:

• You need specific potions for PvM (prayer pots, staminas, brews)
• You have both herbs and secondaries available
• You’re making immediately useful potions

Ironman strategy:

• Get Mixology rewards first (goggles + amulet)
• Use Mixology for herbs where secondaries are hard to obtain
• Make traditional potions for useful ones (prayer, stamina, combat)

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Quest XP Rewards (1-26 Free!)

Skip the early grind entirely with quests. Total: 9,350 Herblore XP (levels 1 → 26)

Quest	Herblore XP	Requirements	Notes
Druidic Ritual	250	None	Unlocks Herblore skill (1→3)
Recruitment Drive	1,000	Black Knights’ Fortress	3→10
The Dig Site	2,000	10 Agility, 25 Thieving	10→17
Jungle Potion	775	None	17→19
Eadgar’s Ruse	11,000	31 Herblore	31→36 (do later)
My Arm’s Big Adventure	10,000	Eadgar’s Ruse, Feud, more	Disease-free herb patch!
Grim Tales	15,000	Witches’ House, more	Huge XP reward

Also use Achievement Diary lamps on Herblore - it’s slow to train early on.

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Herb Gathering (Critical for Ironmen)

Herblore is only as fast as your herb supply. Here’s how to get them:

1. Farming (Primary Method) - DO HERB RUNS EVERY 80 MINUTES

This is your main herb source. Consistent runs = consistent XP.

Disease-Free Patches (prioritise these!):

1. Troll Stronghold - My Arm’s Big Adventure quest
2. Weiss - Making Friends with My Arm quest
3. Hosidius - 75% Hosidius favour
4. Varlamore - NEW! 16,000 Colosseum glory (Champion rank)

Other patches:

• Falador Park
• Ardougne (north of zoo)
• Catherby (near bank)
• Port Phasmatys
• Farming Guild (85 Farming)
• Harmony Island (elite Morytania diary)
• Troll Stronghold protected

Total: 10+ patches available

Efficient Herb Run Strategy:

Inventory:

• Magic secateurs (equipped or inventory) - +10% herb yield
• Ultracompost (apply to every patch)
• Herb seeds (highest level you can afford)
• Teleports (Ectophial, Ardougne cloak, Explorer’s ring, etc.)
• Seed dibber, spade
• Herb sack (if you have it from Tithe Farm)

Ultracompost creation:

• Buy pineapples from charter ships → Compost bin
• OR harvest watermelons → Compost bin
• Add 25 volcanic ash (from Fossil Island) to turn super → ultra
• Alternative: Use Compost potion (22 Herblore) on compost bin

What herbs to plant:

Early game (low Farming):

• Whatever seeds you get from contracts/master farmers
• Focus on Ranarr for prayer potions

Mid game (65+ Farming):

• Ranarr (prayer potions - priority #1!)
• Toadflax (Sara brews later, cheap)
• Avantoe (super energy → stamina potions)

Late game (75+ Farming):

• Ranarr (always useful)
• Snapdragon (super restores, expensive)
• Torstol (super combat, highest level)

Time investment:

• 5-10 minutes per run
• Every 80 minutes (herb growth time)
• ~6-8 runs per day if efficient

2. Farming Contracts (Best Seed Source!)

Available at Farming Guild (45+ Farming required)

Currently the best way to obtain herb and tree seeds for ironmen.

Contract tiers:

• Easy (45 Farming)
• Medium (65 Farming)
• Hard (85 Farming)

Strategy:

• Complete contracts for seed packs containing herb seeds
• Pre-plant certain crops to complete multiple contracts quickly
• Don’t harvest pre-grown crops - wait for contract assignment
• Replace contracts as you complete them for maximum efficiency

This is how you get Ranarr, Snapdragon, and Torstol seeds consistently.

3. Kingdom of Miscellania (Passive Income)

Essential for ironmen - set this up ASAP!

Requirements:

• Completion of Throne of Miscellania
• Royal Trouble quest unlocks more workers

Optimal setup:

• Maximum GP in coffer (750k+ recommended)
• 10 workers on Maple Logs
• 5 workers on Herbs (for endgame potion supply)
• Keep approval rating at 100% (check every few days)

Maintaining approval:

• Talk to Advisor Ghrim to check rating
• Help citizens with skilling tasks until they say “Thanks!”
• Rating falls 2.5% daily (1% with Royal Trouble)

Yields:

• 50+ herbs daily at high approval
• Passive, efficient long-term strategy
• Set it and forget it (check weekly)

4. Master Farmer Pickpocketing (Ranarr Seeds)

Fastest method for Ranarr seeds specifically.

Requirements:

• 38 Thieving minimum
• 85 Thieving for better seed rates (Snapdragon, Torstol)
• 94 Thieving + Hard Ardougne Diary = stop failing
• 99 Thieving + Thieving cape = never fail

Strategy:

• Focus on this specifically for Ranarr seeds
• Yields various herb, allotment, and flower seeds
• Can be tedious but very effective
• Master Farmers in Draynor Village, Hosidius, Farming Guild

5. Slayer Drops (Passive Collection)

Best monsters for herb drops:

• Aberrant Spectres - Good herb drops
• Nechryaels - Bulk herb/seed drops when bursting
• Kurasks - Consistent herb drops
• Chaos Druids (early game) - Level 13 combat, common herbs
  • Locations: Edgeville Dungeon, Taverley Dungeon
  • Drop expensive herbs: Lantadyme, Avantoe, Dwarf Weed, Ranarr
• Spitting Wyverns - 4-dose prayer potions, ranarr seeds/weeds

6. Herbiboar Hunting (Hybrid Method)

Requirements:

• 80 Hunter
• 31 Herblore minimum (higher = better herbs)
• Stamina potions + Herb sack recommended

XP rates:

• 115-130k Hunter XP/hr
• Passive Herblore resource gathering

Herb quality:

• Determined by your Herblore level
• Low-level herbs disappear from drop table at certain levels
• Recommended: 80+ Herblore for high-quality herbs only

Is it worth it?

• YES if you need herbs and can support it with staminas
• Excellent alternative to chinchompas
• Good for alching/making broad arrows while hunting
• Equip or carry Magic Secateurs for extra herb per harvest

7. Other Sources

• Zulrah - Snape grass, herbs, scales (all useful!)
• Vorkath - Blue dragon scales
• Chambers of Xeric - Herb drops from rooms

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Secondary Ingredient Sources

You need secondaries to make potions. Here’s where to get each one:

Snape Grass (Prayer Potions - Level 38)

Best Method: Farming

• Level 61 Farming with snape grass seeds
• Grown in allotment patches
• Can be noted at Tool Leprechaun
• ~30-40 per patch with ultracompost

Alternative: Zulrah drops

Red Spider Eggs (Super Restores - Level 63)

Best Method: Spidines

• Requires Tower of Life quest + Medium Ardougne Diary
• Spidines drop 3-6 noted eggs per kill
• Much faster than collecting spawns

Alternative: Various spider locations (Varrock sewers, etc.)

Limpwurt Roots (Super Strength - Level 55)

Best Method: Farming

• Level 26 Farming
• Grown in flower patches
• Only 20 minutes to grow - very fast!
• Can obtain large quantities quickly
• Plant during herb runs

Dragon Scales (Antifire, Anti-venom)

Best Method: Blue Dragons

• Myth’s Guild: 950-1,000 scales/hr
• Taverley Dungeon: 850-950/hr
• Only collect when you need antifires - otherwise use potato cactus

Alternative: Vorkath for blue dragon scale drops

Potato Cactus (Magic Potions)

Best Methods:

1. Farming (Level 64 Farming)

• Potato cactus seeds
• ~70 minutes to grow
• Protect with 8 snape grass
• Farm at Farming Guild

2. Kalphite Lair Spawns

• 10 total spawns (3 in SW room with Kalphite Soldiers)
• Collect and world hop

3. Al Kharid

• Harvest and wait for respawn

Other Important Secondaries

Secondary	Source	Used For
Eyes of Newt	Buy in packs of 100 from Betty’s Magic Emporium (Port Sarim)	Attack potions
Chocolate Dust	Buy chocolate bars, use pestle & mortar OR use NPC (Hard Desert diary)	Energy potions
Mort Myre Fungi	Nature Spirit quest area	Prayer restores
Crushed Nests	Bird nests from Kingdom, Woodcutting (use pestle & mortar)	Sara brews
Zulrah’s Scales	Kill Zulrah	Anti-venom
Unicorn Horn Dust	Kill unicorns, use pestle & mortar	Antipoison
Amylase Crystals	Rooftop Agility courses	Stamina potions
Demonic Tallow	Demonic creatures (NEW 2024)	Surge potions

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Training Methods by Level

Early Game (1-50)

Levels 1-19: QUESTS

• See quest section above
• Druidic Ritual → Recruitment Drive → Dig Site → Jungle Potion
• Free 9,350 XP

Levels 19-26: Strength Potions

• Tarromin + Limpwurt root
• 95 potions needed
• Limpwurts farm fast (20 mins)

Levels 26-38: Energy Potions

• Harralander + Chocolate dust
• 322 potions needed
• Buy chocolate bars from charter ships

Level 38-50: PRAYER POTIONS

• Ranarr + Snape grass
• Most important potion for ironmen
• Extremely useful forever
• Focus herb runs on Ranarr seeds

XP rates:

• Making potions: 50-100k XP/hr
• Cleaning herbs: 60-88k XP/hr (auto-clean update helps)

Key Milestone: Level 38 unlocks Prayer Potions!

Mid Game (50-77)

Level 45-50: Super Attack

• Irit leaf + Eyes of newt
• Required for super combat potions later

Level 55: Super Strength

• Kwuarm + Limpwurt roots
• Required for super combat potions

Level 60: MASTERING MIXOLOGY UNLOCKS!

• 105-110k XP/hr
• No herbs/secondaries needed
• Get rewards ASAP (goggles + amulet)

Level 63: Super Restore

• Snapdragon + Red spiders’ eggs
• Very useful for PvM

Level 66-77: Mixed Training

• Continue Mixology for XP
• Make prayer potions as you get herbs
• Make super restores for PvM
• Stockpile for next milestone

XP rates:

• Standard potions: 80-120k XP/hr
• Mastering Mixology: 105-110k XP/hr

Key Milestones:

• 60 = Mastering Mixology
• 63 = Super Restores
• 77 = Stamina Potions (huge!)

Late Game (77-99)

Level 77: STAMINA POTIONS - MAJOR MILESTONE

• Super energy + Amylase crystals
• 160k+ XP/hr
• 25.5 XP per dose, requires 1 amylase crystal
• Essential for all content
• Get amylase from Rooftop Agility

Level 81: Saradomin Brews

• Toadflax + Crushed nest
• Essential for high-level PvM
• Raises Hitpoints +15% +2, Defence +20% +2
• Stockpile for raids

Level 81: SURGE POTIONS (NEW 2024!)

• Torstol (unf) + Demonic tallow
• 185 XP per potion
• Restores 25% spec attack (5 min cooldown)
• Essential for PvM/PvP
• Untradeable - must make yourself

Level 87: Anti-venom

• Zulrah’s scales + Antidote++
• Cures venom/poison instantly
• Immunity: 12 min poison, 36-54 sec venom

Level 90: SUPER COMBAT POTIONS

• Torstol + Super attack/str/def (4 dose each)
• 150 XP per potion
• 320-500k XP/hr (very expensive!)
• Best combat boost in game
• Costs 200-300M+ GP to 99 (main account method)

Level 97: Divine Super Combat

• Crystal dust + Super combat
• Boosts Attack/Str/Def by 5 + 15% for 5 minutes
• Stats don’t drain during duration

Level 98: Extended Super Antifire (1-Ticking)

• 800k XP/hr (fastest in game!)
• Very click-intensive
• Hold space bar + click each potion
• Low cost, insane XP
• Final push to 99

XP rates:

• Stamina potions (77+): 160k XP/hr
• Sara brews: 150-200k XP/hr
• Super combat (90+): 320-500k XP/hr
• Extended super antifire (98+): 800k XP/hr (1-ticking)
• Mastering Mixology: 105-110k XP/hr (still viable!)

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Advanced Methods (Faster XP)

1-Tick Method (Stackable Ingredients)

Certain potions have stackable secondaries, letting you abuse game mechanics for insane XP rates.

How it works:

1. Put a large stack of secondary in inventory (e.g., 10,000 amylase crystals)
2. Take 27 potions needed (e.g., super energy for staminas)
3. Hold SPACE BAR on keyboard
4. Click secondary on each potion rapidly
5. You’ll make 1 potion per tick = insane XP/hr

Stackable ingredient potions:

• Stamina potions (77): ~530k XP/hr
• Anti-venom (87): ~600k XP/hr
• Extended super antifire (98): ~800k XP/hr

Downsides:

• Extremely click-intensive
• Only works for specific potions
• Can be expensive

Cleaning Herbs (AFK Profit)

Auto-cleaning (very AFK):

• Put grimy herbs in inventory
• Click one herb
• Character auto-cleans slowly
• 60-70k XP/hr

Manual cleaning:

• Click each herb as fast as you can
• 80-88k XP/hr
• More profit than auto-clean

“Grime” Spell (Arceuus Spellbook):

• 70 Magic required
• A Kingdom Divided quest
• Full inventory of grimy herbs
• Cast spell → cleans all at once
• Best profit per hour for cleaning
• Very click-intensive

Is cleaning worth it?

• Good for ironmen with excess herbs and no secondaries
• Profitable (clean herbs > grimy herbs)
• Can do while AFKing other activities

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Important Potion Unlocks

Level	Potion	Ingredients	Why Important
38	Prayer Potion	Ranarr + Snape grass	Essential for all PvM
45	Super Attack	Irit + Eyes of newt	Needed for super combat
55	Super Strength	Kwuarm + Limpwurt	Needed for super combat
63	Super Restore	Snapdragon + Red spiders’ eggs	Restores prayer + stats
77	Stamina Potion	Super energy + Amylase	Essential for everything
81	Saradomin Brew	Toadflax + Crushed nest	High-level PvM, raids
81	Surge Potion	Torstol (unf) + Demonic tallow	Spec attack restore (NEW 2024)
87	Anti-venom	Zulrah’s scales + Antidote++	Venom immunity
90	Super Combat	Torstol + Super att/str/def	Best combat boost
97	Divine Super Combat	Crystal dust + Super combat	Extended boosted stats

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Recommended Training Path (1-99)

Phase 1: Quest Rush (1→26)

• Complete all Herblore quest XP rewards
• Use Achievement Diary lamps on Herblore
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Result: Level 26+

Phase 2: Early Potions (26→38)

• Clean herbs from farming
• Make Attack potions, Energy potions
• Set up Kingdom of Miscellania (5 workers on herbs)
• Start herb runs every 80 minutes
• Time: 5-10 hours
• Result: Level 38

Phase 3: Prayer Potions (38→60)

• Farm Ranarr seeds (Master Farmers + Farming Contracts)
• Farm Snape grass (61 Farming)
• Make LOTS of prayer potions (you’ll use them forever)
• Time: 20-30 hours
• Result: Level 60

Phase 4: Mastering Mixology (60→77)

• Complete Children of the Sun quest
• Start Mastering Mixology
• Earn Prescription Goggles + Alchemist’s Amulet FIRST
• Mix Mixology with traditional potion-making
• Make Super Attacks, Super Strength (for future super combats)
• Time: 20-30 hours
• Result: Level 77

Phase 5: Stamina Potions (77→81)

• Make Stamina potions as you get amylase (from Rooftop Agility)
• Continue Mixology for pure XP
• Make useful potions as needed
• Time: 10-15 hours
• Result: Level 81

Phase 6: High-Level Potions (81→90)

• Make Saradomin Brews (stockpile for raids)
• Make Surge Potions (spec attack restore)
• Continue Mixology
• Make Super Restores, Anti-venoms as needed
• Time: 15-20 hours
• Result: Level 90

Phase 7: Endgame Push (90→99)

Option A (Balanced for Ironmen):

• Mix of Mixology + useful potions
• 105-160k XP/hr
• ~25-35 hours
• Make super combats as you get supplies

Option B (Speed - Main Accounts):

• Make Super Combat potions
• Need LOTS of Super Attack/Strength/Defence + Torstol
• 320-500k XP/hr
• ~15-20 hours
• Very expensive (200-300M GP)

Option C (Final Push at 98):

• Extended Super Antifire (1-ticking)
• 800k XP/hr
• Very click-intensive
• ~5-10 hours from 98→99

Total Realistic Time for Ironman 1-99:

• Efficient route: 80-100 hours
• Casual route: 100-150 hours
• Ultra-efficient (late-game resources): 60-80 hours

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Bank Space Management

Herblore takes MASSIVE bank space! Here’s how to manage:

Must-Have Solutions:

1. Potion Storage (from Mixology)

• Extra bank area for unfinished/finished potions
• Saves up to 248 bank spaces!
• Absolute must-have for ironmen

2. Reagent Pouch (from Mixology)

• Stores 26 of EACH secondary in 1 inventory space
• Massive bank space saver
• Can make 26 potions per inventory instead of 14

3. Seed Vault (Farming Guild)

• Stores all seeds without using bank space
• Free up bank for herbs/secondaries

Organisation Tips:

• Dedicated Herblore bank tab
• Decide: clean herbs immediately or store grimy?
• Keep specific spots for secondaries
• Decant potions to 4-dose for space (use Bob Barter in GE)
• Use POH storage units for specific items

Storage Priority:

1. Get Seed Vault ASAP (45 Farming)
2. Get Potion Storage from Mixology (essential!)
3. Get Reagent Pouch from Mixology
4. Organise dedicated herb/secondary tab

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When to Make Potions vs Stockpile

Ironman philosophy:

Make useful potions immediately:

• Prayer potions - always needed
• Stamina potions - make as you get amylase
• Combat potions - make as needed for bossing
• Saradomin brews - stockpile for raids

Stockpile herbs you can’t process:

• No secondaries available yet
• Waiting for higher Herblore level

Don’t grind specifically for herbs:

• Gather passively through slayer, farming, bossing
• Let Kingdom of Miscellania accumulate
• Do consistent herb runs (main source)

When to use Mastering Mixology:

• Lots of herbs but no secondaries
• Want pure XP for level goals
• Need Mixology reward currency

When to make traditional potions:

• Need specific potions for PvM
• Have both herbs and secondaries available
• Want immediately useful items

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Achievement Diary Requirements

Diary	Tier	Level	Reward/Notes
Varrock	Medium	10	Easy requirement
Varrock	Elite	90	High requirement (can boost +5)
Western Provinces	Hard	81	Unlocks elite void
Karamja	Elite	90	High requirement
Desert	Elite	84	High requirement
Ardougne	Elite	10	Surprisingly low

Useful Diary Rewards:

• Hard Ardougne Diary: Stop failing Master Farmers at 94 Thieving, better Spidine drops
• Hard Desert Diary: Zahur makes unfinished potions (200 coins), Wesley crushes items (50 coins)

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XP Rate Comparison (2026 Meta)

Method	Level Req	XP/Hour	Cost/Notes
Cleaning herbs	1+	60-88k	Profit, very AFK
Making basic potions	Varies	50-120k	Depends on potion
Mastering Mixology	60	105-110k	Profit possible, best for irons
Stamina potions	77	160k+	Need amylase from agility
Sara brews	81	150-200k	Moderate cost
Super combat	90	320-500k	Very expensive (200M+ to 99)
Extended super antifire (1-tick)	98	800k	Low cost, very intensive

Total Time to 99:

• Fastest route (1-ticking): ~35 hours (exhausting!)
• Main account route (super combats): 50-60 hours, 200M+ GP
• Ironman realistic: 80-120 hours depending on herb supply

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2024-2026 Meta Summary

What’s New:

1. Mastering Mixology is the META for ironman herblore

   • 3-4x more XP per herb than traditional methods
   • Essential rewards (goggles save millions long-term)
   • No secondaries required

2. Surge Potions (2024) add new endgame content

   • 25% spec attack restore (5-min cooldown)
   • Essential for PvM strategies
   • Untradeable - must make yourself

3. Varlamore herb patch adds disease-free farming location

   • Requires 16k Colosseum glory
   • Optimises herb run efficiency

4. Quality of Life improvements:

   • Auto-clean herbs update (faster cleaning)
   • Prescription goggles (10% secondary save)
   • Alchemist’s amulet (15% 4-dose chance)
   • Potion storage (248 bank spaces saved)
   • Reagent pouch (26 of each secondary in 1 slot)

Current Recommended Approach:

1. Quest to 26 (free!)
2. Traditional potions to 60 (focus on prayer potions)
3. Mastering Mixology 60+ for rewards + XP
4. Mix Mixology with useful potion-making
5. Stamina potions at 77 (as you get amylase)
6. Sara brews + Surge potions at 81
7. Super combats at 90 (if you have resources)
8. Extended super antifire at 98 for final push (optional)

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Common Mistakes

• Not doing herb runs - Consistency is key. Even 2-3 runs per day adds up.
• Skipping Mastering Mixology rewards - Goggles + amulet save millions long-term
• Not using ultracompost - Massive yield difference on expensive herbs
• Forgetting disease-free patches - Use these for Ranarr/Snapdragon/Torstol
• Not setting up Kingdom of Miscellania - Free passive herbs
• Making useless potions - Focus on prayer, stamina, combat, brews
• Ignoring Magic Secateurs - +10% herb yield is huge
• Not farming limpwurts - They grow in 20 mins! Easy super strength secondaries
• Hoarding too many herbs - Bank space nightmare. Make potions or use Mixology.

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FAQ

What’s the fastest way to 99 Herblore?

Extended super antifire 1-ticking (98-99) at 800k XP/hr. But realistically: mix of super combats (90+) and Mixology. For ironmen, 80-120 hours total depending on herb supply.

Is Mastering Mixology worth it?

Absolutely YES for ironmen. Get the rewards first (especially goggles + amulet), then decide how to train. 3-4x more XP per herb than traditional methods, and rewards save millions long-term.

How many herb runs should I do per day?

Minimum 2-3 per day (morning/evening). Ideal is every 80 minutes during active play time. Consistency > quantity. Even casual runs add up to thousands of herbs over weeks.

What herbs should I prioritise farming?

Ranarr (prayer potions - priority #1), Toadflax (Sara brews, cheap), Snapdragon (super restores, expensive), Torstol (super combat, highest level). Focus on what you need most.

Should I clean herbs or leave them grimy?

Clean immediately to save bank space. Grimy herbs take twice as much space and cleaning is fast (auto-clean update). Exception: if you want AFK XP later, stockpile grimy.

When should I start making stamina potions?

As soon as you hit 77 Herblore and have amylase crystals from Rooftop Agility. Don’t wait - you’ll use staminas forever. Make them as you get amylase.

Are surge potions worth making?

YES - essential for PvM meta. 25% spec attack restore is huge for bossing. Demonic tallow is rare though, so stockpile it and make surge potions in batches.

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Related Guides

• Farming Guide - Herb runs, contracts, Kingdom of Miscellania
• Slayer Guide - Herb drops from monsters
• Secondaries Guide - All secondary ingredient sources
• Varlamore Guide - Mastering Mixology location and access
• Hunter Rumours Guide - Passive herb seeds and secondaries from rumour loot
• Miscellania Guide - Optimal worker allocation for passive herb collection