Earlier in March, Old School Runescape received its latest area expansion, Varlamore, and the hype isn’t over just yet!
Now that OSRS Varlamore’s had time to settle, the OSRS dev team has released an additional Varlamore Part II update, and this time they’re adding in the new Herblore activity for high-level Herblore skill players to jump into!
So we’re taking a look at the new Herblore Activity in Varlamore OSRS to figure out what players can hope to achieve with the latest content!
The New Herlbore Activity & How the Gameplay Works
The first thing you have to keep in mind is that this new Herblore Activity in Old School Runescape Varlamore isn’t meant to replace the original Herblore experience but is intended to focus on the ‘production’ of potions and the arts of alchemy rather than raw XP gains per hour.
What this translates to is this is not going to be ideal for Herblore aficionados who want to max out their XP gains. They’ve explicitly stated the new Herblore activity is not meant to have ‘high XP’ output per hour but will reward players in other ways.
Additionally, the new Herblore Activity is also a step into giving players an alternate method for training Herblore. This also means that the new activity is mainly catered to players who have a 70+ Herblore level, but don’t fret, lower Herblore level players can also lend a hand at the booming potions business!
Let’s take a look at the core gameplay loop of the new Herblore Activity, how it works, and what you can expect.
The Varlamore OSRS ‘Story’
The Alchemists in OSRS Varlamore are short-handed with the sudden influx of visitors to the region and need some help fulfilling the neverending backorder of their unique potions crafted and brewed with alchemy!
What this means for players is the gameplay loop will consist of players brewing and fulfilling orders of potions. But contrary to the usual Herblore brewing methods, Alchemists in Varlamore OSRS do things a little differently by isolating and using the herb’s base alchemical elements and composition.
The OSRS Varlamore Gameplay
First, players will have to complete a short quest that takes you through the basics of alchemy and brewing potions the OSRS Varlamore way after which you have free reign to complete orders as you go.
However, you’ll need to bring your own herbs and/or unfinished potions to complete the brew. And if you’re already a high-level Herblore brewer, you’ll notice that brewing potions with Alchemy don’t use secondary ingredients.
Instead, you’ll take herbs and process them into ‘basic elements’ from which you brew potions.
But before you go making these potions, you’ll need to check the order list on the overlay interface to see what potions need brewing and how much longer you have to fulfill the order.
The first step is processing your herbs in the ‘Refiner’ to break down your herbs and unfinished potions. Then plug it into the ‘Mixer’ which will give you ‘base elements’ with which to craft your potions.
There are three base elements you can get – Lye, Aga, or Mox (AKA LAM).
After you’ve got your LAM elements, use the levers next to the mixer and select the corresponding ‘combination’ of elements for the potion order you’re working on. Once that’s done, you’ll have a ‘base’ to work with.
Now you have to process it in the correct ‘processing machine’ to give it a ‘modifier’ according to the order. There are three machines to work with – Retort, Agitator, and Alembic which will process the potion into ‘Concentrated’, ‘Homogenous’, and ‘Crystalised’ modifiers.
Each machine has varying processing times so keep an eye out to see which need a little more time to brew and which machines give you the result instantly. Once that’s done, it’s ready to be sent out so go to the ‘Delivery Counter’ to complete the order!
Completing orders awards you ‘points’ which you can use to redeem several rewards.
OSRS Varlamore Herblore Activity Rewards
For now, there are 7 rewards you can redeem for your hard-earned points brewing potions. Check them out below to see what’s worth redeeming for you or whichever will net you the most OSRS Gold:
Potion Packs
This is the first reward you’ll earn in the new Herblore activity that gives you three different packs for each LAM element. You’ll find a plentiful selection of potions made from the herbs you used to break down into LAM components segmented into each pack!
Potion of Goading
The Potion of Goading is the latest reward added to the new Herblore Activity.
The potion will allow players to set aggro on non-aggressive enemies within a 9×9 radius! A great new potion that’ll be useful for farming enemies or tanking hits!
It doesn’t let you take aggro from other players, but you just need to ensure you’re the first one in to make it effective!
Reagents Pouch
The Reagents Pouch gives you space to store secondary ingredients, similar to the Herb Sack. With the Reagents Pouch, you can store up to 30 of all available secondary ingredients and you can use them directly from the pouch when brewing potions!
Alchemist’s Set
A fancy new Alchemist outfit that also gives you a 10% chance of retaining a secondary ingredient while creating Potions! A chance at saving your hard-earned ingredients? Yes, please!
Amulet of Chemistry (i)
An ‘imbued’ version of the original Amulet of Chemistry increases the chance to mix 4-dose potions up to 15%.
Pre-pot Device
A device that allows you to mix and drink up to 5 different potions simultaneously! A dangerous cocktail of Potions for maximum Potion drinking efficiency!
Potion Storage
The most important reward you can earn from the new Herblore Activity is the ‘Potion Storage’. Receiving this reward will unlock a new ‘element’ in your Bank that segments your Potion storage to free up your Bank Slots!
For Potion hoarders, this is the reward to take your Herblore game to the next level, giving you more space to store potions without taking up space while simultaneously making it easier to access and find specific potions and doses!
And that’s pretty much everything you need to know about the new Herblore Activity with the OSRS Varlamore Part II update! But to truly enjoy the new Herblore Activity, you’ll need a high-level Herblore account. So if you need to buy OSRS account, check out U7BUY to find a stacked selection of accounts to choose from!
