What’s up, thrillseekers? This week we’ve got a veritable Morrisane’s cave full of exciting updates, from a sneak preview of tomorrow’s Weapon Diversity and Bank betas to the long-awaited return of the Mahjarrat Aura. Plus, there’s something sinister – uh, I mean, something spectacular - going on at the Lumbridge Crater!
Spectacular Summer Skill Off
It’s summer, it’s spectacular, so let’s have a skill off!
… a what now?!
The Spectacular Summer Skill off is RuneScape’s hottest new game show, where you – yes YOU – will decide which skill is the audience’s favourite!
Six different skills have been nominated:
- Agility
- Dungeoneering
- Hunter
- Runecrafting
- Herblore
- Cooking
While you're busy with your usual tasks around the world and participating in the skilling games in the Lumbridge Crater, you'll be gathering skill tokens which can be used at a Skilling Booth at the Skill-Off-Event.
You'll get some additional XP when you hand in your tokens - remember, your tokens are your vote, so be sure to hand in your tokens at the Skilling Booth for your favourite skill! The least popular skill trained during the day is ELIMINATED, but the remaining skills will get their base XP rates increased by 10% for every day they stay in the competition.
Morn, your “charming” and “perfectly normal” host, is a "nice" guy, so he’ll still allow you to train at the eliminated booths, with a couple of caveats. You won't be able to hand in skill tokens at an eliminated Skilling Booth, but while training there you'll still get the increased XP rates from before it was eliminated. To really take advantage of the event, we recommend handing in your tokens as soon as possible - if you don't, your chosen skill might be bumped out of the competition!
There's a 10% XP buff in the crater area, so don't forget to bring your portables!
Which skill will be crowned the SKILL OFF CHAMPION? And more importantly… what’s in it for you?
We’re glad you asked. Alongside an assortment of mystery boxes, you can unlock the following prizes:
Behind door number one, it’s the SNACK YAK! Yep – it’s a yak covered in food. Behind door number two – the Blightreaver 2H Sword Override! There’s something sinister about this sword. Perhaps there’s more to it than meets the eye?
Weapon Diversity and Bank Improvements Beta
Here’s a heads up: tomorrow we’ll be launching betas for not one, but TWO pieces of upcoming content!
You’re already familiar with the Weapon Diversity beta, but proper combat enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that we’re adding more weapon types to the mix. Here's a sneak preview of some of the new effects that will feature in the beta tomorrow:
- Hasta – allows two-handed weapon abilities while equipped.
- Javelin – hits all targets between the player and the target.
- Staff – means your ultimate abilities can no longer miss, and you gain +5% accuracy for 20 seconds after you use an ultimate.
The Bank Placeholders and Improvements beta is a very different beast: far from the excitement of the battlefield, we’ll be asking you about your thoughts on bank tabs, placeholders, and a host of other miscellaneous improvements.
For information on how to join the betas and submit your feedback, please read tomorrow’s dedicated beta post.
Mahjarrat Aura obtainable
As of today, the Mahjarrat aura will be obtainable by all players – including Ironmen!
As stated in the previous announcement blog, players will be able to purchase the Mahjarrat aura for 1,000 Reaper points from Death’s Store. No Reaper points? No worries! The Mahjarrat aura is also on sale for 3 RuneScape Bonds via the bonds interface.
It should also go without saying that if you signed up for Premier Club in 2016, the Mahjarrat aura is already unlocked on your account and available to use.
Umbral Chest Package
From 12:00 UTC on July 25th to 12:00 UTC on August 22nd, anyone who buys the 450 Treasure Hunter key package will also get a free Umbral Chest. Each chest contains a guaranteed purple prize.
Furthermore, we've made some changes to the purple prizes available: the lucky Barrows equipment pieces have been removed, and the sunglasses and gold cane cosmetic items have been added. We've also added some extra coin prizes!
RuneFest Merch
The Official RuneFest 2019 Tees and Hoodies are now available for pre-order! Check out the Eventbrite page to see how you can get hold of one for yourself.
This year’s explosive design is inspired by the majestic volcano that can be found on both Fossil Island and the Land Out of Time. It’s the perfect thing to wear while you’re roaming the prehistoric jungle and excavating fossils at RuneFest– or while you’re hacking through the weeds in your own back garden. We don’t judge.
By popular demand, you can once again personalise your tee with your in-game name when you pre-order. Why would you do this? We have a few compelling reasons:
Be found by your in-game friends among the massive crowds at RuneFest 2019! Own proof of your attendance at the biggest and best RuneScape Fan Event! Strangers can look you up on the hi-scores and be consumed with envy! You will also be saving £5 on hoodies and £2 on non-personalised tees when you pre-order.
Remember, pre-ordering is the only way to guarantee that you’ll get merch in your size. The XXS, XS, 2XL, and 3XL tees are only available via pre-order, and we’ll only have limited stock in other sizes available to buy on the day.
If you’ve already bought your ticket for RuneFest 2019, simply login to EventBrite and purchase your merch by amending your order. If you haven’t bought your RuneFest ticket yet, you’ll be able to add your chosen items to your order before checkout.
Pre-order closes at 24:00 GMT on Sunday, August 18th.
Premier Club Cosmetic Token
Premier club members will now be able to redeem their Premier Club cosmetic tokens for the Shadow Reef Diver outfit, which will be available after this update.
Patch Notes
Hold on, there’s something left over here at the back. Oh! It’s this week’s patch notes, bringing you all the latest information about the changes and fixes we’ve made this week. Happy reading!