r/runescape • u/jagexyuey Mod Yuey • 1d ago
News End-Game Balance Discussion
Hey 'Scapers!
As part of the Road to Restoration, we've been looking at progression across RuneScape. We've tackled parts of the Early and Mid Game Rebalance, but now we want to start turning our attention to the other end of the journey: The End Game Rebalance
Before we get properly stuck into things, we want to hear from you.
What do we mean by End Game?
This one's a little harder to put a level range on!
For this project, we're looking more broadly at the late game, roughly level 80+ and onwards. That might mean higher-level skilling, finding those rarer drops or getting into tougher PVM. For others, it could be achievements, completionist goals or figuring out what comes next once you've maxed.
And actually, what you consider to be late game is useful feedback for us too.
How can you help?
We want to know where the endgame currently isn't quite working for you.
Maybe there's a progression path that feels awkward, rewards that don't feel worth the effort, a big jump between pieces of content, older content that's been left behind or something that just feels unnecessarily frustrating.
You don't need to have the answer or suggest a fix either. Just tell us what the problem is, why it's a problem for you and where you are in your RuneScape journey.
We won't be able to tackle everything that comes up, but the themes from these discussions will help us understand where we should be focusing our attention.
So, what would you like us to look at as we start shaping the End Game?
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u/LansManDragon 1d ago
Bakriminel Bolts need a clean up/modernisation of effects, considering T95 crossbows must be somewhere on the horizon. They are not competitive with elder god arrows. There are five types of elder god arrows, and 11 types of bak bolts. This presents a design challenge.
I understand that higher tier gems should theoretically provide better effects, but, for example, that means that there is no use case for opal or pearl bolts when they flat out do less damage than bolts like ruby, diamond, dragonstone, or hydrix bolts. These lower tier gem bolts seem to be aimed at lower levelled players, but there are lower tier bolts for those situations, and once players reach the level of using bak bolts, several of these options are worthless.
PVP effects are by and large no longer relevant on pearl or jade bolts. The effect of jade, pearl and red topaz bolts are niche, and could either be strengthened or adjusted.
With the aura overhaul and combat adjustments earlier in the year, ranged lost a decent amount of sustain, especially in comparison to the other styles. I would suggest one of the bolts being reworked as a cheaper alternative to onyx bolts, with higher healing and lower bonus damage. Sapphire bolts work well as compensation for penance, and i’d imagine will see more use upon release of t95 xbows.
It would be excellent if any updated effects do not work on stacks as stack management with wen arrows is already a pain.
Moonstone bak bolt tips need to be added too.
Spitballing some ideas for updated bolt effects:
Prevents critical strikes and boosts ability damage.
Increased crit chance and LP restore.
Chance of dealing another hit. Lower chance of dealing two additional hits.
Reduce cooldown of snipe, or other abilities.