### Summary of the Trimmed Masterwork Helm The **Trimmed Masterwork Helm**, introduced on **January 21, 2019** as part of the Smithing rework, is a high-end melee defensive item designed for players who consistently engage in elite PvM (Player vs Monster) content. As part of the **Trimmed Masterwork armor set**, it provides **tier 92 melee tank defense** and **tier 92 offensive accuracy** bonuses when combined with the full set. Crafted from standard Masterwork armor after an intricate trimming process requiring high-level Smithing, this helm epitomizes the endgame economy due to its untradeable crafting but tradeable status once completed. **Rarity**: While it is craftable, the lengthy production process requiring **Masterwork armor**, **Malevolent energy**, and **praesulic metals** ensures its continued rarity. Balancing demand from PvM players with supply bottlenecks from raw material acquisition restricts its wide availability despite being technically 'accessible.' ### Price Analysis and Historical Trends #### Recent Price Data (2022 - 2024): - **2022 Highs**: From September 2022, the helm's peak price hovered around **93-94M GP**, likely influenced by **Fresh Start Worlds** as new players sought resources and items flooded legacy servers, inflating prices. - **2023 Downward Trend**: By October 2023, it dipped to **35.5M GP**, correlating with post-Necromancy’s release (August 2023). The new combat skill introduced Necromancy-specific tank/damage options, temporarily reducing demand for Trimmed Masterwork in PvE. - **2024 Recovery**: More recent prices rebounded to **60M GP** as of February 2024. This aligns with the reworking of traditional melee combat stats (March 2024). The price increase reflects renewed melee interest in preparation for these upgrades and related meta shifts. #### Key Events Affecting Prices: 1. **09/22/2022 - Fresh Start Worlds**: Boosted prices by recruiting new players who contributed raw material shortages, inflating item costs. 2. **08/07/2023 - Necromancy Release**: Depressed helm demand in favor of Necromancy gear, triggering a price drop from ~50.9M to a low of 35.5M. 3. **03/04/2024 - Combat Update**: Speculated melee buffs led to speculative investment, pushing prices above 60M as players anticipate higher utility. 4. **06/25/2024 - Bond Inflation & Late Mining-Smithing Rework**: A dual influence. This update may inject excess Smithing materials via upgraded mining rates and Treasure Hunter, potentially lowering production costs by late 2024 while simultaneously increasing cash sinks via new bonds. ### Price Prediction - Short-term (**March to May 2024**): Anticipate a moderate rise to **65-70M GP** as melee setups regain viability after the **March 2024 combat update**. Speculative demand will remain high during the post-update meta shakeout. - Mid-term (**June to August 2024**): Following the bond GP sink and Mining-Smithing rework, expect dips back to **50-55M GP** as new material surpluses reduce production costs. - Long-term (**late 2024**): PvM meta evolution may ultimately stabilize prices in the **45-50M GP** range, depending on Jagex's focus on melee-centric mechanics in Sanctum of Rebirth updates or future boss content. ### Flipping Margins - **Current Average Margin**: Flipping margins for the Trimmed Masterwork Helm typically range from **4-7M GP per helm**, depending on supply fluctuations. Buying near the **58-60M GP mark** and selling during speculative upticks (**65M GP**+ in March post-combat buff release) represents a high-probability short-term strategy. - **Seasonal Margins**: During Treasure Hunter-related events that add raw materials (e.g., **April 10, 2024's GP injection or mining-related promo** days), buying helms during mass dumping periods could yield **8-10M margins** after volatility subsides. ### Comparative Purchases While flipping the Trimmed Masterwork Helm can be lucrative, diversifying into similar armor pieces with scaling demand or complementary utility is wise: 1. **Trimmed Masterwork Body/Legs**: The chest and legs from the same set. These are less volatile due to slightly higher constant demand from PvMers. 2. **Tectonic Armor Pieces**: Prices for **T80 magic tank armor** tend to correlate with melee trends; fluctuations in melee demand often lead to inversely related Tectonic movements. Watch for Necromancy hybrid gear spillover effects here. 3. **Praesul Wards/Melek’s Lesser Chest Components**: Tier 92 crafting reagents occasionally drop below intrinsic crafting value (e.g., **Malevolent energy**), providing flip potential during meta-weakening periods. ### Seasonal Price Behavior #### Positive Outcomes: - **Combat Overhauls**: Any combat or tank update favoring PvM melee (like March 2024) boosts demand significantly. Investing weeks before official announcements ensures optimal gains. - **Boss Releases**: Melee-heavy bosses (e.g., expected dungeons in **Sanctum of Rebirth**) push prices upward given demand for meta-performance gear. #### Negative Outcomes: - **Rework GP/Material Surplus**: The Mining-Smithing refinement in **August 2024** will likely reduce production costs for Trimmed Masterwork-related items, crashing prices temporarily. - **Treasure Hunter Overload**: Any reappearance of Treasure Hunter loot-box-style events creates temporary gold-injections, leading to dumping phases. ### Final Advice Invest aggressively ahead of expected melee adjustments in March 2024 for short-term flips. Diversify into related **materials** or **malevolent energy** speculations before Mining updates flood the market later in mid-2024. Monitor Jagex’s Treasure Hunter promo calendar to ride out low-buy seasons effectively.