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Selecting an Overall Herblore Training Approach Choosing Cost-Effective Potions for Training

Since potions are such a big part of what the Herblore skill is about, it is natural that most players turn to potion-making as a way of training. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my discussion of the economics of Herblore, nearly every potion you make is worth less than the materials that go into it. This means that making potions is, strictly speaking, a money-losing endeavor, and that can make training difficult.

Most players choose to deal with this problem by getting at least some of their own herbs and secondary ingredients, effectively financing Herblore via another skill. This is a very good approach, some prefer faster training by buying the necessary ingredients and absorbing a loss of money in order to gain Herblore XP. The goal then becomes to find ways of doing this that maximize XP gained and minimize expense, while supplementing with alternative methods that give slower XP without costing an arm and a leg.

In this section I explore the best methods for training with potions, focusing on ways to make as much XP as possible, while losing only as much money as necessary. I begin by showing you how I evaluate the training potential of potions, and which ones are most worth considering. I take a look at the impact of buying grimy herbs to make into potions, and analyze the process of combining three-dose potions into four-dose vials. Then I share with you my research on four alternative potions and potion types that may represent good opportunities for you to train Herblore efficiently: super weapon poison, Serum 207, unfinished Guthix balance potions and barbarian mix potions. I show you how to make each one, and how each compares to making regular potions.

There are also methods that give free XP while gathering herbs. I consider this more a function of herb collecting than a training method per se, so it’s discussed in the section on getting herbs.

Selecting an Overall Herblore Training Approach Choosing Cost-Effective Potions for Training