A Flawed Solution
The deed is done. It took a month, but the much needed ammendments have been made to June's PvP update.
However, I am not particularly pleased with the changes and question their overall effectiveness in curbing the problem of inflation.
Jagex took a two-pronged offensive when they tripled the money players had to lose in order for their assailants to tap into their reserves of EP and obtain a good drop. The extra money required would be a turnoff for some PvP tricksters, and the change has the added bonus of creating a bigger money sink to relieve the Runescape economy of excess gp. The cash the deceased PvP partner carries does not always get recovered by the attacker, and is thus effectively wiped out from the game.
It should be noted, however, that this feature's capability of impeding inflation is limited. 75k, whether as a PvP tricking deterrent or money sinkhole, is almost negligible when compared with the high likelihood of picking up Ancient Artefacts which are vastly more vabluable. It should be remembered that their drop frequency has remained unchanged. Jagex had the insight to recognise this and introduced a second measure...
... Which was largely a disappointment. The Protect Item Prayer has been deactivated in PvP servers, and players are automatically branded with a Skull upon entry into any of these themed worlds. This heightened danger of EP gathering has undoubtedly discouraged PvP tricksters from resuming their unchecked harvest of Ancient Artefacts, but it also has come at a heavy cost for Pkers and Brawling Glove users.
The former would now have to think twice about arming themselves with a GS, Dragon Claws or any other expensive equipment as none of them can be kept upon death. The same applies to skillers who intend to use their Brawling Gloves for exp bonuses. The 4X exp rate was offset by the glove user's vulnerability against battle-ready Pkers, but it seems Jagex is apathetic about giving these skillers another disadvantage and upsetting an already well-balanced system.
The PvP gravy train has been derailed, but Jagex's success is naught but a Pyrrhic victory.
Stuff achieved today: Level 78 Runecrafting
However, I am not particularly pleased with the changes and question their overall effectiveness in curbing the problem of inflation.
Jagex took a two-pronged offensive when they tripled the money players had to lose in order for their assailants to tap into their reserves of EP and obtain a good drop. The extra money required would be a turnoff for some PvP tricksters, and the change has the added bonus of creating a bigger money sink to relieve the Runescape economy of excess gp. The cash the deceased PvP partner carries does not always get recovered by the attacker, and is thus effectively wiped out from the game.
It should be noted, however, that this feature's capability of impeding inflation is limited. 75k, whether as a PvP tricking deterrent or money sinkhole, is almost negligible when compared with the high likelihood of picking up Ancient Artefacts which are vastly more vabluable. It should be remembered that their drop frequency has remained unchanged. Jagex had the insight to recognise this and introduced a second measure...
... Which was largely a disappointment. The Protect Item Prayer has been deactivated in PvP servers, and players are automatically branded with a Skull upon entry into any of these themed worlds. This heightened danger of EP gathering has undoubtedly discouraged PvP tricksters from resuming their unchecked harvest of Ancient Artefacts, but it also has come at a heavy cost for Pkers and Brawling Glove users.
The former would now have to think twice about arming themselves with a GS, Dragon Claws or any other expensive equipment as none of them can be kept upon death. The same applies to skillers who intend to use their Brawling Gloves for exp bonuses. The 4X exp rate was offset by the glove user's vulnerability against battle-ready Pkers, but it seems Jagex is apathetic about giving these skillers another disadvantage and upsetting an already well-balanced system.
The PvP gravy train has been derailed, but Jagex's success is naught but a Pyrrhic victory.
Stuff achieved today: Level 78 Runecrafting
