Without protection prayers, it would be impossible to solo pk, or go to the wildy in small groups. I was in the wildy with some friends for a snowball fight, when along came a clan of mages with about 15 people. We ran, and got split up. I was insanely outnumbered, so I turned on protect from mage. I lived. My friend next to me got 2 hit. See what I mean? Without protection prayers, the wilderness would be useless if you don't have a large clan to pk with.