Making potions in Old School RuneScape is a popular way to train Herblore while creating powerful items for combat and training. Each potion requires the right secondary ingredients, vials, and level to craft, and mixing them correctly can save you time and gold.
Use this guide to learn efficient potion making techniques, key materials, and money-saving tips so you can level faster and profit from high-demand potions.
| Potion Type | Required Level | Primary Secondary Ingredients | Vial Used | Experience per Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack Potion | 1 Herblore | Guam leaf | Unfinished potion | 25 |
| Strength Potion | 5 Herblore | Marrentill | Unfinished potion | 63 |
| Prayer Potion | 38 Herblore | Ranarr weed | Prayer potion (4) | 144 |
| Super Restore | 63 Herblore | Lantadyme | Super restore potion (4) | 226 |
| Overload | 78 Herblore | Snapdragon | Overload potion | 360 |
Essential Materials and Tools for Potion Making
To start making potions, you need secondary ingredients, vials filled with water, and a clean tool kit. Some materials are gathered from farming, monster drops, and shops, while others must be made using other skills.
Beginners should focus on cheap, easy-to-use ingredients like Guam, Marrentill, and Tarromin before progressing to high-level materials such as Snapdragon and Lantadyme. Always check Grand Exchange prices to avoid overpaying.
Having a portable potion-making setup, such as a tool kit and a Herblore cape, reduces wasted time and increases profitability per hour during training sessions.
Level Requirements and Step by Step Crafting Process
Each potion has a specific Herblore level requirement, and skipping steps will result in failed mixtures or wasted materials. Follow a consistent routine to craft quickly and accurately.
How to Make a Basic Potion
First, use a vial of water on a water source to create an unfinished potion. Then, add the correct secondary ingredient at your current level to complete the process and gain Herblore experience.
Optimizing Inventory Space
Use Beast of Burden familiars like the Pack Yak or use a Potion pouch to carry more ingredients. Bank frequently if you are working with expensive materials to reduce loss on death.
Money Making Strategies and Profit Optimization
Smart potion crafting involves choosing high-margin items and minimizing expenses on wasted materials and travel time. Use the Grand Exchange to buy materials in bulk when prices are low and sell completed potions when demand is high.
Consider making potions that are always in demand, such as Prayer potions, Super restores, and Overloads, especially around boss fights and clan events. Tracking real-time price trends can help you time your buys and sells for maximum profit.
Combining Herblore with Fletching and Cooking can create even more profit as you craft your own ranging potions and food supplies for sale on the market.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
New players often craft potions without checking current market prices, leading to losses or low returns. Always compare buying versus gathering secondary ingredients before starting a batch.
Accidental clicks and slow movement between banks can waste hours of training time, especially when using higher-level materials. Setting up a quick teleport network to your nearest bank and using the auto-fill option in the Herblore interface can speed up production significantly.
FAQ
Reader questions
What is the most profitable potion to make for Herblore training?
Profit varies by market conditions, but Prayer potions and Super restore potions usually offer a strong balance of experience and gold per hour for mid-level crafters.
How can I reduce the cost of making high level potions?
Buy secondary ingredients during off-peak hours, grow your own herbs using Farming, and use the Potion pouch to save inventory space and transport costs.
Is it better to make or buy potions for boss fights?
Making your own potions is often cheaper, but if you are short on time, buying in bulk during stable price periods can be a good alternative.
What level of Herblore do I need to make Overloads regularly?
You need level 78 Herblore to craft Overloads, which are highly effective for bossing but require expensive Snapdragon ingredients.