### Ek-ZekKil (Zuk Sword) Analysis #### **Summary, Release Date, and Rarity** The **Ek-ZekKil**, better known as the Zuk Sword, is a high-tier melee weapon from the **TzKal-Zuk boss encounter (Elite Dungeon 4: The Infernal Source)**. Released on **October 31, 2021**, it's one of the most iconic Slayer and combat-focused weapons in the game, providing a massive power boost in both bossing and Slayer tasks where its special perks can be utilized. It is notable for its **Relentless 5 ability synergy**, augmenting its DPS capabilities significantly. Its rarity stems from **high PvM entry barriers**: not only is Zuk himself one of the toughest bosses in RuneScape, but the sword also requires luck to drop using loot rolls (not guaranteed even with max kill count efficiency). This rarity is compounded by high repair costs and augment degradation, making it a premium item for wealthy PvM players only. --- #### **Rarity Fluctuations:** 1. Post-launch in late 2021, prices peaked rapidly at **5.5 billion GP**, making it one of the most valuable weapons of all time. 2. Prices adjusted sharply after the **2021 dupe rollbacks** due to suppressed in-game wealth and drastically fell when Necromancy was released (August 2023), which introduced new meta weapons like **Necromancy Scythes and Wards**. 3. It experiences slight gains during seasonal events like bossing weekends or Slayer XP boosts due to intensified demand for high-end weapons. --- #### **Price Prediction (Next 3–6 Months)** ##### **Recent Historical Data Analysis:** - In mid-2023, its price suffered significantly due to **Necromancy overshadowing melee meta dominance**, trading down near 1.25 billion GP from ~1.6 billion earlier. - **Treasure Hunter GP inflationary events** (April 2024, May 2024 Max Cash exploit) injected trillions into the game economy, re-inflating high-value items temporarily (notably rising to ~1.57 billion in July 2024 pre-mining update). - The **Mining/Smithing Rework (August 2024)** caused a slump to 1 billion GP. This was due to the shift in demand towards new Smithing gear and destabilization of supply-demand ratios. ##### **Future Price Behavior Influencers**: 1. **Combat System Revisions (2024–2025)**: The upcoming changes (March 2024) signal rebalancing across combat styles. If melee gains buffs or synergy from new abilities or weapons, expect a price recovery to **1.5 billion+ GP**. 2. **Economic Trends**: - Seasonal GP sinks (e.g., Event Tokens, Bonds) may compress prices temporarily. - Treasure Hunter abusable mechanics and dupes inflate prices more long-term. 3. **Supply Side**: With active elite bossing players declining since Necromancy's surge, fewer Zuk kills will add more scarcity, potentially increasing demand for Ek-ZekKil as melee regains attractiveness. ##### **Prediction Summary (6 Months)**: - Expect short-term stabilization around **1.2–1.4 billion GP** in early 2024 due to the influence of Treasure Hunter inflation. - If melee combat styles recover to meta status post-2024 combat updates, prices could exceed **1.6 billion GP** by mid-2024. - Conversely, should Necromancy remain dominant and no melee buffs occur, the price may stagnate at or below **1 billion GP**. --- #### **Flipping Margins** **Typical Flipping Spread on GE**: - Historically, the **Ek-ZekKil flipping margins** fluctuate between **30–80 million GP** depending on market volatility events. During economic exploits (e.g., May 2024), margins widened as desperate sales arose to fund speculative investments in Necromancy. - Typical "safe flipping" margins: **2–5% of the current market price**. As of now (~1 billion GP range), you will often see **20–50 million GP hourly turnover** if managing buy/sell cycles actively. - High volatility around anticipated nerfs/buffs can widen margins further. --- #### **Complementary Investments** If you're flipping or holding Ek-ZekKil, diversifying into similar rare high-end PvM weapons is sound strategy: 1. **Fractured Staff of Armadyl (FSoA)**: - Closely tied to high-end PvM and meta shifts in combat. - Often shares demand cycles with melee gear, depending on the Magic-DPS viability. 2. **Dark Ice Slivers or Amulet of Souls**: - Common complementary gear for PvM setups that spikes and falls with melee prices. - Often the first pieces to recover when GP influx occurs. 3. **Cryptbloom Armor**: As melee thrives in PvM metas, Cryptbloom typically drops as fewer hybrid setups are needed, allowing you capital to reinvest earlier. --- #### **Seasonal Growth/Decline Trends** 1. **Positive Seasonal Indicators**: - Slayer Weekend (often Q1 – early Spring). - PvM Discounts or Elite Dungeon drops, increasing boss activity. - Wealth inflation events (TH promos, Bonds, GP spills). 2. **Negative Indicators**: - Combat reworks favoring newer styles like Necromancy (as seen post-August 2023). - Disruptive loot bugs or exploits flooding the market. - Summer lull (June–August), as hunting rare-trophy PvM weapons decreases amidst casual activity. --- In summary, the **Ek-ZekKil's role as a niche but elite melee weapon** ensures its market movement always reflects RuneScape's meta and economic conditions. Prepare to evaluate as melee’s relevance returns with the 2024 combat updates, and capitalize on volatility in both setups and flipping margins.