Why doesn't anyone ever use rune equipment while maging? I did some research for some common mage alternatives.

 

 

 

Note that I'm talking mostly about Soloing.

 

 

 

Underline = cost

 

Bold = magic attack bonus

 

Italic = defense (+stab +slash +crush +range)

 

 

 

Please note that calculations are not 100% accurate. The inaccuracy, however, is neglible (+/- 5)

 

 

 

Here is the typical magic set.

 

Helm: Farseer helm

 

Body: Mystic top

 

Legs: Mystic bottom

 

Gloves: Rune gloves (usu. mystic, but rune gloves are better)

 

Boots: Mystic boots

 

Shield: Zammy book

 

Weapon: Ancient's staff

 

Amulet: Magic amulet (+6 +6 +6 +6 is not worth 60k (for glory))

 

Cape: God cape

 

 

 

400K (+zam book cost) / +91 / +16 +18 +20 +8

 

 

 

Alternative 1)

 

Using a rune kite instead of zammy book:

 

 

 

450K / +73 / +60 +66 +66 +54

 

 

 

Notes: Decent protection against Melee and Range. Melee you shouldn't worry about though, as you just entangle. Range is mage's biggest problem, and +54 is definitely going to be helpful PKing. Downside is the -17 mage attack compared to the typical set, but I would sacrifice this small bonus for the large +54 range.

 

 

 

Alternative 2)

 

Using a rune medium instead of farseer:

 

 

 

400K (+zam book cost) / +84 / +30 +31 +29 +22

 

 

 

Notes: Your mage attack bonus remains basically untouched, and you still have some (albeit small) defense against Range. You will also look like a noob.

 

 

 

Alternative 3)

 

Using rune chain instead of mystic top:

 

 

 

350K (+zam book cost) / +56 / +79 +90 +98 +73

 

 

 

Notes: I would say this is one of the best sets for mages to PK in. Your +73 Range defense is QUITE a substantial bonus. Your magic attack bonus still remains relatively high (you will still own rune full any day, and will still have the same troubles against dragonhide).

 

 

 

Alternative 4)

 

Using rune kite and rune medium instead of zammy book and farseer:

 

 

 

400K / +66 / +72 +79 +75 +76

 

 

 

Notes: Basically same as Alt 3). You get -10 magic attack, but +7 +11 +23 +3 defense. In addition, it's roughly 50K cheaper.

 

 

 

Sets 1) and 2): No longer defenseless!

 

The small difference in mage attack bonus is definitely worth the extra Range defense while PKing. I hope to see this kind of thing more often!

 

 

 

Sets 3) and 4): Comparison to Ahrim

 

I think I could say that these sets hold their own against Ahrim, while PKing. For one thing, Ahrim is 1.5M+, and losing it easily dents almost any bank. Secondly, Ahrim's defenses are geared towards Melee. And Melee defense, as I mentioned before, isn't nearly as useful as Range. You can freeze/entangle meleers, and, as you should know by heart, Range is Mage's weakness. This ~+75 range defense bonus could quite easily be the difference between life and death. Basically, the only clear advantage of Ahrim is the large magic attack bonus, and I doubt that this bonus outweighs the Range defense and the cost difference.

 

 

 

Good luck :D

Why not use a Zammy Book? It is replacable on death...

When using mage in a tight situation with melee, such as at the ice diamond in desert treasure, i wear blk drag top and bottom and farseer, glory, guthix book, guthix cape, magic boots, magic gloves, and end up with a +21 magic bonus somehow and reasonable magic and melee defence

Interesting. 9/10

400K (+zam book cost) / +91 / +16 +18 +20 +8

 

 

 

Alternative 1)

 

Using a rune kite instead of zammy book:

 

 

 

450K / +73 / +60 +66 +66 +54

 

 

 

Notes: Decent protection against Melee and Range. Melee you shouldn't worry about though, as you just entangle. Range is mage's biggest problem, and +54 is definitely going to be helpful PKing. Downside is the -17 mage attack compared to the typical set, but I would sacrifice this small bonus for the large +54 range.

 

 

 

Isn't it a -18 difference?

 

 

 

Great guide!

Interesting to consider, it would be nice to revive the magic tanks of olde 8-)

Interesting. 9/10

 

 

 

late bump of the week :wall:

Interesting. 9/10

 

 

 

late bump of the week :wall:

 

 

 

Hell yeah :wall: