### **Zaros Godsword - Summary, Rarity, and Release Overview** The Zaros Godsword is a Tier 92, two-handed melee weapon introduced to RuneScape 3 as a part of the Elder God Wars Dungeon content. Specifically, it was released on **September 27, 2021**, alongside the **Croesus front**. This weapon is highly coveted for both its immense power and its unique special attack, **Blackhole**, which creates a source of damage around the player. It has key utility in PvM scenarios and has remained one of the best-in-slot options for melee DPS builds, rivaling other high-end two-handed melee weapons like the Inquisitor's Greatsword. The Zaros Godsword is classified as **rare drop content** due to its assembly from fragments: the **Dormant Anima Core sword** and the **Zarosian Essence**, acquired from Elder God Wars bosses. While not excessively rare in its drop mechanics, its price trajectory reflects its utility and desirability, making it historically subject to high market activity on the Grand Exchange. --- ### **Price Analysis and Rarity Trends** Looking at historical price data, the Zaros Godsword has experienced **significant volatility since its release in September 2021**. Key price fluctuations correlate strongly with game updates, economic factors, and broader market dynamics. Some critical observations: #### **Key Price Events:** 1. **Initial Release (09/27/2021):** The initial market value hovered around **750m-1.1b** GP due to demand for the weapon and limited initial supply. 2. **January Rollbacks/Dupes (2021 & 2023):** Various duplication exploits injected trillions of GP into the economy, causing sharp spikes like in **June 2021** (983m peak). This inflationary trend elevated most high-tier combat gear, including the Zaros Godsword, but gradually stabilized. 3. **Croesus Opening and PvM Popularity (Q3 2021):** Prices remained strong after its release at **~750-800m**, as players sought best-in-slot upgrades for new content. 4. **PvP Mechanics Removed (10/17/2022):** The Wilderness PvP removal dampened overall weapon demand, leading to a noticeable price drop (~384m by 09/22/2022). 5. **Necromancy Skill (08/07/2023):** The introduction of Necromancy increased demand for magic weapons, reducing demand and leading to dips in melee weapon prices (down to **~249m by Q3 2023**). 6. **Combat Update (03/04/2024):** New melee balancing updates temporarily spiked interest, lifting the price momentarily to **~319m**, before subsequent Treasure Hunter gold inflation and dupes diminished value to **~196m (12/10/2024)**. #### **Current Rarity Assessment & Supply Factors:** The Zaros Godsword remains relatively **common compared to other Tier 92 weapons**, as its components are tied to cooperative PvM instead of ultra-rare raid drops. Repeated Elder God Wars content revisits have sustained supply. However, its diminishing price reflects an oversaturated market, relative devaluation through subsequent powercreep, and GP inflation undermining overall weapon affordability. --- ### **Price Prediction Over the Coming Months** Given trends in RuneScape’s economic history, along with recent updates, we can extrapolate Zaros Godsword price movements in early 2025. Key influencing factors include: 1. **Treasury GP Injection (04/10/2024):** Recent GP influx persists in devaluing high-cost gear. 2. **Mining and Smithing Rework (08/12/2024):** Possible introduction of competitive Tier 90-95 melee weapons may further marginalize Zaros Godsword demand. 3. **Future Boss/Content Releases:** Anticipated updates for 2025 could rejuvenate PvM engagement, possibly increasing demand again. **Predicted Price Trajectory:** - **Q1 2025:** Likely stabilization around **180m-200m**, as current inflationary forces slow. - **Q2 2025:** If no major melee-specific updates occur, prices may descend slightly further to **~150m** as demand diminishes, especially with PvM meta shifts toward ranged and magic. --- ### **Flipping Margins and Trading Insights** #### Typical Flipping Margins: - **Low Volatility (Q3-Q4 2023):** Margins hovered around **5-15m GP** as daily buy/sell volume stabilized (~245m-260m price points). - **High Volatility (Q1-Q3 2024):** Event-driven fluctuations (e.g., combat update) opened larger margins reaching **~20-40m gains per trade** when buying during rapid drops and selling during rebounds. #### Expert Flipping Advice: 1. **Time Your Purchases:** Invest during off-peak hours or during post-update dumps where price undercuts temporarily fall (e.g., recent treasure hunter events). 2. **Target Marginal Scenarios:** Aim for 5-10m minimum margins per flip for consistent profit. Avoid flipping during highly unstable dupe exploits or GP floods, as the market reacts unpredictably. --- ### **Similar Items and Strategic Pairings** To diversify and optimize your portfolio: 1. **Elder God Wars Weapons:** Consider flipping **Fractured Staff of Armadyl** or **Shadow Spike components**, as spell casters tend to alternate focus with melee weapons during meta shifts. 2. **Hydrix Jewelry:** Items like the **Reaver’s Ring** often complement Zaros builds, experiencing similar price trends with melee-centric updates. 3. **Inquisitor's Greatsword:** The closest competitor in Tier 92 melee offers correlated pricing trends but fluctuates less drastically due to niche PvM usage. --- ### **Seasonal Market Behavior** #### Positive Price Movements: - **Spring-Summer (March-June):** Major combat updates and boss releases drive PvM resurgence, increasing weapon demand (e.g., March 2024 combat update). - **Holiday Events:** Christmas and Easter often yield bonus GP opportunities, but melee demand lags as magic/ranged meta dominates holiday PvM preferences. #### Negative Price Movements: - **After Treasure Hunter GP Events:** Massive influxes of in-game GP (like April 2024) consistently drop high-ticket items as buying power erodes. - **Post-Meta Updates:** When Necromancy or alternative weapon types are buffed, melee weapons like the Zaros Godsword experience sharp demand declines. --- ### **Conclusion** The Zaros Godsword remains a cornerstone of high-tier melee PvM despite its waning dominance in recent meta shifts. While its price has declined significantly since release, future flips present lucrative opportunities with careful market timing. By monitoring PvM content updates and RuneScape's evolving economy, players can profit by trading it alongside complementary Tier 92 gear or hedging with consumables and utility gear in adjacent seasons.