### **Deep Analysis of Second Age Platelegs** **Summary & Rarity:** Second Age Platelegs are part of the highly sought-after Second Age cosmetic gear set, originally introduced via Treasure Hunter during the *Archaeology release celebration* in March 2020. Being a rare promotional item, these platelegs serve no combat function but hold immense value due to scarcity and prestige. Acquiring them as a Treasure Hunter drop today is extraordinarily difficult due to their rarity. Additionally, they carry appeal for collectors and cosmetic item investors looking to complete the Second Age set, which further drives demand. **Current Price Overview:** The most recent recorded price is 2.775B GP (September 2024), representing more than a threefold increase compared to mid-2023 prices of ~811M GP. This dramatic surge reflects their inherent rarity, cosmetic desirability, and increased gold injection into the economy following various exploits and updates. --- ### **Historical Price Trends and Drivers** The price history clearly reflects RuneScape’s economic turbulence over the years: 1. **Dupe Events & Exploits (2021-2024):** - Multiple dupes (Rollback dupe of 2021, Scrimshaw dupe of 2023, Easter Pet/Gummy dupe of 2024) caused inflation spikes due to large gold injections into the market. These inflations uniformly led to price climbs for discontinued or ultra-rare items like Second Age Platelegs, as wealthy players tried to "park" their cash in tangible assets. - The **Max Cash exploit (May 2024)** might have been an especially significant driver in pushing prices above 2B GP for the first time. 2. **Updates and Player Sentiment Impacts:** - The **Necromancy skill (August 2023)** increased wealth retention among PvMers, leading to opportunistic investments in high-value gear (like Second Age Platelegs) during the skill launch. - The **Hero Pass backlash (September 2023)** saw a brief dip in treasure-related items while players exited in frustration, followed by a recovery as long-term collectors and flippers returned. - **Wilderness and Duel Arena removal (2022)** reduced parts of the gambling economy that used items like Second Age gear as "collateral," which likely prevented sharper increases during those updates. 3. **Item Dupes and Event-Specific Fluctuations:** - Local spikes and dips (e.g., March 2024’s PvM combat changes) caused broader market uncertainty, which gradually stabilized into growing item valuations as confidence returned. 4. **Seasonality:** - Prices often spike during *Gold Rush* periods where new updates or massive gold influxes (duplication events or Treasure Hunter rewards) flood the game with wealthy players. Second Age Platelegs follow this closely since their market activity correlates with gold scarcity or abundance. --- ### **Price Prediction:** - **Short-Term (1-3 months):** Expect volatility as Jagex implements fixes for recent (November 2024) exploits. Prices could dip slightly during *stabilization periods* post-patch but will resume growth due to inflation and scarcity. Current pricing (2.775B GP) may correct slightly toward the **2.5B-2.6B range** before returning upward trajectory. - **Medium-Term (4-6 months):** If no major economy-changing updates surface (e.g., item releases/duplications), prices could steadily climb, breaching **3B GP by mid-2025**, fueled by collectors and rising general inflation trends. Conversely, unexpected gold drainage updates (e.g., new gold-sink mechanics) may temporarily suppress growth. --- ### **Flipping Margins and Profitability:** Second Age Platelegs yield excellent flipping margins due to their price tier and low trade frequency. Historically, margins range between 100M-250M GP on well-timed trades. However: - During volatile updates (e.g., Treasure Hunter promotions, Nekron boss releases), margins could spike to 300M+ as panic sellers and FOMO buyers act irrationally. - Bank on **2-3 select trades/month** for maximum profit; overexposure risks market price wars. --- ### **Complementary Items for Investment or Diversification:** Given the macroeconomic volatility outlined earlier, pairing Second Age Platelegs with other rare and high-tier collectibles protects against disproportionate losses. Key options include: 1. **Second Age Items:** - Helmets, gloves, boots, or other components of the set often follow correlated price trends, making these safer diversification bets. 2. **Discontinued Rares (Seasonally Timed):** - **Christmas Scythes, Halloween Masks,** and **rare partyhats** tend to shadow Second Age prices due to similar collector-driven demand patterns. - Focus on rares more likely to surge post-event/bug exploits (e.g., Black Partyhat after December marketing). 3. **RuneScape Bonds:** - With bonds rising in price (+12.5% between 2022 and 2024), flipping them alongside rares can hedge against slower rare item movement due to their liquid status. --- ### **Seasonality and Event Timing Insights:** 1. **Positive Seasonal Price Impact:** - Update Cycles with Wealth Expansion (*December-Holiday Events, Skill Launches*): During periods like *Necromancy’s release* or future Treasure Hunter-related content, gold circulation spikes drive up collector item prices rapidly. - Post-Patch Confidence Recovery: After exploit fixes, economic confidence among rich players quickly translates into investment-heavy activity for rare items. 2. **Negative Seasonal Impact:** - Treasure Hunter Promotions with Supply Consequences: If Jagex introduces new Second Age items into loot tables, expect temporary sharp de-valuations. Watch for announcements during Easter or the summer promotional window (June-August), as these periods risk destabilizing set rarity. --- ### **Conclusion:** Second Age Platelegs represent a cornerstone investment for speculators in RuneScape's rare market. Doubling its value in just over a year showcases its resilience to volatility, with collectible appeal almost immune to major market corrections. Prioritize flipping this item during highly liquid market sessions and pair it with non-duplicable rares or reliable bonds to maximize returns while mitigating risks. Expect long-term growth with minor interim corrections tied to player gold circulation stability.