Protean bars can be won on Treasure Hunter, and could be claimed via the 2016 Christmas Advent Calendar. They can be used on an anvil to do Protean smithing, which gives experience but no items. They were previously available to members only, but became available to free players on 24 April 2015.
You use up to 60 protean bars at once in the Make-X interface. Although the in-game timer shows a rate of 7 ticks (4.2 seconds), each one actually takes 8 ticks (4.8 seconds) to be smithed. At 750 bars per hour the experience is greater than other methods. The bars are stackable, subverting the need for banking. Additionally, it is completely free provided you have the protean bars, and requires almost no input – 60 bars take about five minutes to make. If you use a Portable forge while smithing the bar, the forge will occasionally save you one protean bar. If you attempt to boost your level from one range to the next (e.g., 14 to 15) you do not get the option to make the higher level protean smithing item.
The Varrock armour will allow for faster smithing.
Protean bars, as with all protean items, can be converted at a 3:2 ratio into other protean items.
Players are unable to use these bars within the Construction skill; only protean planks may be used.
Experience[]

The Make X interface while using Protean bars for smithing
Level | Metal | XP/Bar | XP/Hour |
---|---|---|---|
1–14 | Bronze | 75 | 56,250 |
15–29 | Iron | 150 | 112,500 |
30–49 | Steel | 225 | 168,750 |
50–69 | Mithril | 300 | 225,000 |
70–84 | Adamant | 375 | 281,250 |
85–99 | Rune | 450 | 337,500 |
Drop sources[]
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Source | Combat level | Quantity | Rarity |
---|---|---|---|
Sparkling four-leaf clover necklace | N/A | 500 | Common |
Sparkling three-leaf clover necklace | N/A | 500 | Common |
Sparkling two-leaf clover necklace | N/A | 500 | Common |
Protean chest | N/A | 40–120 | Unknown |
Umbral chest | N/A | 1000 | Unknown |
Normal | |
Dungeoneering |
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Elemental |
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Bane |
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Miscellaneous |
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Components | |
Packs |
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Special |
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