The lore connection is minor though ultimately irrelevant to gameplay mechanics. Just seems cool to attach these three combat support skills with each of the three gods. On you second point, I'd hoped that the idea of herblore being used in the combat formula would mean that untradeables are then allowed in all PvP situations including the wilderness. After all, the original "complaint" when overloads and extremes were first introduced was that guys got a big combat benefit without a change in the combat level. If Herblore affected the combat level, well, it stands to reason that extremes can once again be allowed in PvP. For the future of Runescape, it's obvious that more and more of the support skills give players a significant combat advantage. This is either indirectly via quest requirements or even directly such as herblore, dungeoneering, slayer. Later, it stands to reason that untradeable high level weapons and armor miade directly by players will enter the game. What should happen is removing the entire concept of the combat formula. It's never been about your base stats. More and more, it's about both the stats and the weapons, armor, food, potions, spells and scrolls. It'll only get worse. Just base combat levels on stats and inventory with minor checks and balances with concern of finding or dropping items. Even better, add a 3 second time delay in combat when switching out armor and weapons. At the current hitpoints/armour/weapons. Extremes and overloads will never see the wilderness. With extreme strength you can claw over 930 on another player in one spec. Not to mention the super accurate 530s with whip. And over 1100 with dharoks. And over 1000 with DDS. (Serious lol. Look it up.) Your formula idea is rediculous. That would basically equate to a level 90, risking his entire bank fighting a level 138 risking a dragon dagger. And the 138 would win every time. Easily. I don't care how many times you use the word balance, it's really impossible to do, and the whole idea punishes people for using good weapons and armour. "3 second delay in combat when switching out armor and weapons." Oh. I get it now. You've never pk'd before in your life. Not only would that be exploited to hell "He's about to deal finishing blow. *Take off armour*" people tend to use multiple armour set ups to pk. I'm not even talking about the hybrids that obviously do, even when you change your whip to DDS this timer would ruin the fight and give the opponent time to eat 600hp worth of food. Sorry, but overloads and extremes did see the wilderness on initial release so your theory falls apart there. If you meant "never again" then that can be argued, but I offered a counter. Even your complaints about max hits (more about a luck shot than tactics, but whatever) will lose strength with the implementation of life point boosting armor. As for your counter to people's combat stats and bonuses: A level 138 with only a dragon dagger versus a level 90 with I assume 70 tier armor and weapons (Vharrok and whip?). I don't think the 138 has a shot expecially if food is involved (less so if summoning can be used). Still, seems like an easy test to try out. Say 10 battles with 15 sharks and 4 dose prayer pot per battle. Not sure how you're responding to the idea of having a delay when equipping items during combat. I'm assuming you misread, given your contradictory example making it sound like combat between both players is delayed. A time delay is meant to discourage hybriding meaning you want to fight with what you're wearing. If it takes 3 seconds to remove a whip then another 3 second to arm a crossbow, you're likely just going to stick with a whip or run away. Now, if it's that you like the tactic of rapidly switching weapons and armor, then that's a different issue. I find it counter to the spirit of the combat triangle and not realistic to boot. Seriously, try something simple like jogging and changing shirts then multiply that difficulty with leather chaps and metal platelegs. No real reason about bringing up time delays by the way. Just seemed like something that'll balance combat. Admittedly, I kinda skimmed your post, but I did notice the bolded paragraph. I'd like to point out that it'd be unnecessary to test this, since it can be calculated fairly easily. I'd be more than happy to do it if there was enough interest.