### Summary, Release, and Rarity of the Second Age Robe Top The Second Age Robe Top is an exceedingly rare and valuable piece of cosmetic armor that was introduced into RuneScape 3 through **Treasure Hunter** in August 2018 during the "Second Age Showcase" promotion. It represents the overarching aesthetic of the Second Age, a historically significant period in RuneScape lore associated with the Zarosian empire. The robe top is a highly sought-after piece in the Second Age outfit set due to its prestigious appearance and rarity, making it a status symbol among high-end collectors. Its rarity stems from the fact that Second Age items are no longer obtainable outside of very limited reappearances in Treasure Hunter promotions. These types of high-demand, low-supply discontinued items tend to experience stark price volatility over time tied to broader RuneScape economic changes. --- ### Historical and Current Price Analysis The Second Age Robe Top's price over time reveals several interesting trends: 1. **Initial Premium and Decline (2018-2021)**: After its introduction, it held a high value akin to other premium Treasure Hunter cosmetics. However, the 2021 **gold inflation** from the rollback dupe and other exploits caused a significant spike in game economy instability. As a cosmetic luxury, the robe top slightly underperformed compared to truly discontinued rares (e.g., partyhats) during this period. 2. **2022 Surge and Stabilization**: With Fresh Start Worlds (September 2022) injecting excitement into the game, rare item speculation caused a renaissance in price momentum. The Second Age Robe Top surged past **1.6B GP**, but inflation-adjusted spending, bond pricing hikes, and Treasure Hunter reward pool dilution caused the price to stabilize around **700-750M GP** heading into 2023. 3. **Recent Volatility (2023-2024)**: Many 2023 systemic disruptions, including the Red Portal bug (July 2023) and player account compromises, affected luxury markets temporarily. More recently, updates such as the **Necromancy skill (August 2023)** and **Sanctum of Rebirth release (July 2024)** caused speculative surges in the robe top's valuation above **900M GP**, followed by profit-taking dips back toward **700M GP**. --- ### Price Prediction for the Next Few Months Considering historical trends and current developments, several forces may shape the price trajectory of the Second Age Robe Top: 1. **Current Stabilization Zone (~700-850M GP)**: Prices are unlikely to dip far below 600-700M GP due to the item’s rarity and centrality in high-value collections. However, spikes beyond 1B GP could face resistance as GP sinks and new updates divert attention to other areas. 2. **Potential Influencers**: - **Treasure Hunter adjustments** or reruns of Second Age items could dilute rarity and reduce prices by ~5-15%. - **Black Partyhat trends and liquidity** from high-end markets will compete with the robe top's desirability. - Additional **bot bans or gold sinks** (e.g., Bonds or Treasure Hunter promotions) could help prices stabilize. 3. **Predicted Range (Q4 2024 - Q1 2025)**: **750M-850M GP**, barring severe manipulation or economy-breaking bugs. --- ### Flipping Margins The Second Age Robe Top is an ideal item for advanced flippers because of its consistent high-ticket trades and relatively tight spread during stable periods. Flipping margins vary widely depending on the following market conditions: 1. **During Stability (e.g., ~725M GP market)**: - Buy orders: ~715M GP. - Sell orders: ~735M GP. - Realistic profit per flip: ~20M GP per trade (3-5% margin). 2. **During Market Volatility (Spike e.g., ~885M GP)**: - Buying the panic dip: ~820M GP. - Selling post-spike rebound: ~880M GP. - Realistic flipping profit: ~60M GP+ per trade (7-9% margin). To optimize flipping of high-value items like this: - Use **trade tracking forums or Discord groups** for live buy/sell listings. - Be active during major Treasure Hunter promos or new content releases—these moments maximize irrational buy/sell decisions for flipping. --- ### Alternative Investment Options For diversification or parallel flipping opportunities, consider comparable items with strong cosmetic/collector appeal or those driven by similar speculative demand: 1. **Elite Skilling Outfits** (e.g., Master Camo, Divination, or Necromancy robes): Medium flipping margins (~10M-20M per trade). 2. **Discontinued rares** (e.g., H’ween Masks, Black Santa Hats): Longer-term investments with broader resilience during RuneScape economic upheavals. 3. **High-value gear cosmetics** (e.g., Custom Furies, T95 gear with dyes): Smaller profit margins but far higher liquidity compared to ultra-premium gear like Second Age. --- ### Seasonal Price Trends RuneScape prices often shift cyclically based on seasonal events or system updates: 1. **Positive Price Seasons**: - **December-January**: Holiday hype increases GP flow (e.g., rare cosmetics see surges). - **Major skill releases**: Players temporarily liquidate noncombat items, creating purchasing opportunities at lower prices. 2. **Negative Price Seasons**: - **May-August (Post-watch updates)**: The mid-year tends to host economic shocks or GP inflation risks (e.g., dupes, loot changes). Items like the Second Age Robe Top historically underperform. --- ### Final Takeaways The Second Age Robe Top remains a cornerstone for wealthy collectors and ultra-rare item traders. Its future value depends primarily on broader RuneScape market health and Jagex’s monetization practices. Stick to tight flipping opportunities during volatile updates or invest during short-term speculative dips to ride the long-term appreciation curve, especially during winter spikes.