Old School RuneScape (OSRS), released on February 22, 2013, has always been a game where players chase after the rarest and most valuable items. The pursuit of the most expensive item has been a significant part of the game's economy and culture since its inception. As the game evolved, so too did the value and prestige of its rarest items. In this article, we'll explore the history of the most expensive item in OSRS and how it has changed over the past decade.
The Early Days: 2013-2014
When OSRS first launched, the game was in its infancy, and the economy was relatively fresh. OSRS Gold was scarce, and thus, no single item commanded a high price. The most valuable items were still emerging as players began to accumulate wealth and establish market norms.
In the early days, the Dragon Full Helm was one of the most expensive items, with some rumored to sell for 300 to 400 million gold coins. The Dragon Full Helm was notable for its high defensive stats and its status as a symbol of wealth and achievement. However, this price was relatively modest compared to future values.
Another early contender was the Third Age Mage Robe Top and the Third Age Kite Shield, both of which commanded prices of around 250 to 300 million gold coins. These items were valuable due to their rarity and the fact that they were among the few high-value items available in the game at that time.
The Rise of Treasure Trails: 2014-2015
June 2014 marked a significant change in OSRS's economy with the introduction of Elite Clue Scrolls. This update introduced some of the most coveted items in the game: the Third Age Longsword, Third Age Wand, and Third Age Bow. These items quickly became the most prestigious and expensive, with prices reaching hundreds of millions of gold coins.
By October 2014, the Elysian Spirit Shield was introduced. Unlike the purely cosmetic Third Age items, the Elysian Spirit Shield was a powerful PvM (Player vs. Monster) item, adding both rarity and utility to its high price tag. The Elysian Spirit Shield rapidly rose to become the most expensive item in the game, reaching around 800 million gold coins.
The Boom and Bust of Third Age: 2015-2016
The period between 2015 and 2016 saw dramatic fluctuations in the prices of rare items. A player known as Wilson began buying out Third Age items, particularly the Third Age Longsword, which saw its price skyrocket to 4 billion gold coins by December 2015. This surge in prices extended to other Third Age items, with the Third Age Bow and Wand also reaching impressive values.
July 6, 2016, introduced Master Clue Scrolls, adding the Third Age Axe and Third Age Pickaxe to the game. These items quickly became the rarest in OSRS due to their exclusive drop rate from Master Clue Scrolls, which were notoriously difficult to obtain. Despite their rarity, the prices for these items remained relatively modest initially, hovering around 300 to 500 million gold coins.
The Emergence of PvM Items: 2017-2018
The release of the Twisted Bow on January 5, 2017, marked a new era in OSRS. The Twisted Bow was not only the most powerful PvM item in the game but also quickly became the most expensive. Its initial sale for Max Cash (2.1 billion gold coins) established it as the most coveted item for a considerable period.
This period saw a relationship between the release of powerful PvM items and the decline in the prices of cosmetic rares like the Third Age. When new, desirable items like the Twisted Bow or the Scythe of Vitur from the Theater of Blood raid were introduced, they often overshadowed existing items, causing their prices to drop.
The Scythe of Vitur, released on June 7, 2018, was initially sold for around 5 billion gold coins, making it the most expensive item at the time. However, it did not retain its value as well as the Twisted Bow, falling below 1 billion gold coins by the summer of 2019.
The Era of Third Age Resurgence: 2019-2020
April 2019 saw the introduction of new Third Age items from Master Clue Scrolls, including the Third Age Druidic Top, Bottom, and Cloak. These items quickly became the most expensive in the game, routinely reaching Max Cash or even exceeding it.
The release of the Harmonized Orb in February 2020 briefly stirred the market, but it quickly fell out of favor, with prices declining rapidly. Despite this, the Third Age Pickaxe continued to rise in value, hitting the maximum cash value of 2.1 billion gold coins and maintaining its position as a top contender for the most expensive item.
The Modern Era: 2021-Present
As of September 2023, the Third Age Pickaxe is rumored to be valued between 6 to 8 billion gold coins, making it the most expensive item in OSRS history. Its price has been driven up by its rarity, utility, and limited number of sales. The Third Age Pickaxe stands as a symbol of the extreme wealth and dedication of OSRS players.
In August 2022, the release of the Tunic and Shadow from the third raid also sold for Max Cash but did not surpass the Third Age Pickaxe in value. The Soul Reaper Axe, released in July 2023, briefly reached prices above Max Cash but remains less expensive compared to the Third Age Pickaxe.
Conclusion
The journey of the most expensive item in Old School RuneScape reflects the game's evolving economy and player priorities. From the Dragon Full Helm and Third Age items of the early years to the dominance of the Twisted Bow and the rise of the Third Age Pickaxe, each era has brought new changes to the hierarchy of wealth and value in the game.
The Third Age Pickaxe’s unprecedented price illustrates not only its rarity but also the ongoing fascination with obtaining the most coveted items in OSRS. As the game continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how the value of rare RuneScape items shifts and what new contenders might emerge in the future.
Thanks for joining us on this historical journey through OSRS’s most expensive items. Whether you're a veteran player or new to the game, understanding the evolution of these rare items adds a rich layer to the game's history. Stay tuned for more insights and updates on Old School RuneScape!
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