Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is no stranger to updates and balance changes. However, the recently announced Project Rebalance has fans buzzing with anticipation and speculation. This sweeping update aims to address various aspects of the game, from magic gear to weapon adjustments. Let’s dive into the details of what’s changing and what it means for players.
The Key Changes at a Glance
Before delving into the specifics, here’s a quick summary of the major changes:
• Magic Gear Rebalance: The Occult Necklace’s magic damage bonus is being reduced, while buffs are being distributed to other gear like the Ancestral and Veras sets.
• Weapon Adjustments: Several weapons, including the Soul Reaper Axe and Elder Maul, are receiving buffs. Conversely, the Void Waker and Ancient Godsword are being nerfed.
• Drop Rates: Items like the Dragon Warhammer and Inquisitor’s gear are becoming more common.
• Early Game Adjustments: Changes to minimum hit mechanics and prayer drain rates are being introduced.
• Miscellaneous Changes: AutoCast delay is being removed, and the Path of Apin and Baba in the third raid are receiving significant updates.
Magic Gear Rebalance: The Occult Necklace and Beyond
One of the most anticipated changes is the rebalancing of late-game magic gear. The Occult Necklace, known for its significant 10% magic damage boost, is being nerfed to a 4% bonus. This change has been met with mixed reactions, but the rationale is clear: the Occult was considered overpowered, making other high-tier magic gear less relevant.
Example: Comparing the effectiveness of a player using only the Occult Necklace versus one equipped with full Ancestral gear, a Zenite, Eternal Boots, and an Ahrim's set reveals the disparity. The player with the Occult Necklace alone could defeat Barrows Brothers faster due to the higher magic damage, demonstrating the imbalance that the update seeks to correct.
To compensate, several items are being buffed:
• Ancestral Robe Set: The magic damage bonus is increasing from 2% per piece to 4%, effectively doubling the set’s bonus. Given that the full Ancestral set costs around 400 million osrs gold, this buff aims to maintain its status as a top-tier magic gear choice.
• Veras Rope Set: The bonus is increasing from 1% to 2%, providing a noticeable improvement for mid-tier magic setups.
• Infinity and Dagai Sets: Both are receiving a 1% magic damage bonus, enhancing their utility for players in mid-game stages.
• Third Age Mage Armor: This set is also getting a 1% boost per piece, likely to make it more appealing to those who value its aesthetic and historical significance.
However, the Eternal Boots, often seen as underwhelming, are not receiving any changes. This oversight might leave some players disappointed, especially those who view the boots as lacking in comparison to other items.
Augury Buff: The Augury prayer’s magic damage bonus is increasing from 0% to 4%, making it a more substantial option in magic setups. This change, while significant, will not affect the Tumkin Shadow, which remains unaffected by Augury’s magic damage bonus.
Weapon Adjustments: Buffs and Nerfs
Several key weapons are seeing adjustments, both buffs and nerfs:
• Soul Reaper Axe: This weapon is receiving a quality-of-life improvement. Previously, switching weapons would cause the Soul Reaper’s stacks to disappear instantly. With the update, players will have 20 ticks (around 12 seconds) before these stacks start to decay, making the Soul Reaper more viable for various PvM encounters.
• Elder Maul: The Elder Maul is getting a significant buff. Instead of merely being a strong crush weapon, its special attack will now reduce the target’s defense by 35%, up from the Dragon Warhammer’s 30%. This makes the Elder Maul a more competitive option for defense reduction.
• Inquisitor’s Gear: The Inquisitor’s Mace and armor set are getting a substantial boost. The damage and accuracy bonus for the set are tripling when using the mace, improving its position between the Abyssal Bludgeon and the Scythe of Vitur.
Conversely, the Void Waker is being nerfed. The special attack will no longer ignore accuracy entirely but will roll with a 200% increased accuracy against the target’s lowest defense. This change retains the thematic strength of the Void Waker while addressing its overwhelming power.
Ancient Godsword: This weapon’s blood sacrifice special effect is being nerfed for PvP, reducing its healing effect to 50% of the target’s max HP, with a cap of 25 HP. This change aims to balance the Ancient Godsword in PvP scenarios without significantly impacting its PvM performance.
Changes to Drop Rates and Rare Items
Several rare items are becoming more accessible:
• Dragon Warhammer: The drop rate is increasing from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 3,000, making it significantly easier to obtain. This change reflects the growing number of late-game defense-reducing items available in the game.
• Nightmare and Fan’s Nightmare Items: Drop rates for these items are also being adjusted. For instance, Inquisitor’s items are dropping more frequently, with rates improving from 1 in 120 to 1 in 90, and the Orblute table’s drop rate increasing from 1 in 600 to 1 in 450. This should alleviate some of the frustration associated with acquiring these rare items.
Early Game Adjustments: Combat Prayers and Minimum Hit
Several changes are being made to early game mechanics:
• Combat Prayers: Early game prayers like Thick Skin, Burst of Strength, Clarity of Thought, Sharp Eye, and Mystic Will are having their prayer drain rates reduced from five points per minute to one point per minute. This adjustment makes these prayers more usable, especially for new players.
• Minimum Hit Adjustment: The minimum hit mechanics are being modified. Instead of rolling a zero or one, players will now roll between one and their current max hit minus one. This change aims to improve early game DPS while keeping late-game DPS relatively balanced.
Miscellaneous Changes: AutoCast and Raids
• AutoCast Delay: The one-tick delay associated with AutoCast options for staves is being removed. This change should make gear switching and AutoCast operations smoother and more efficient.
• Path of Apin and Baba Raid Changes: The enemies in the monkey room of the third raid will now always take maximum damage when attacked with opposing combat styles, ensuring consistency in hits. Additionally, Baba’s damage output through prayer has been reduced by about 24%, making the raid encounter a bit easier.
Conclusion
The Project Rebalance update brings significant changes to OSRS, affecting everything from magic gear to weapon efficiency and drop rates. While some players might be disappointed by the nerfs, others will welcome the increased accessibility to rare items and the improved quality of life adjustments. As always, these changes aim to balance the game and keep it engaging for both new and veteran players. What are your thoughts on these updates? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
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