### Analysis of the Inverted Strength Skillcape (120) **Summary and Release Date**: The Inverted Strength Skillcape (120) is part of the "inverted skillcapes" series initially obtainable during the Fresh Start Worlds event on **September 22, 2022**. Players earned the inverted variants by achieving 120 Strength in these worlds and transferring their account back to the main game. Its unique color inversion design distinguishes it from the traditional 120 Strength cape, making it appealing to collectors and cape enthusiasts. **Rarity**: The Inverted Strength Skillcape (120) is exceptionally rare for a few reasons: 1. **Limited-Time Event**: Fresh Start Worlds had a fixed duration, so only players active during this time could earn it. 2. **Effort Barrier**: Achieving 120 Strength during Fresh Start Worlds was labor-intensive, especially given restricted access to pre-existing items and efficiencies. 3. **High Demand**: As a cosmetic-only item, its appeal stems from its exclusivity, prestige, and aesthetic value. It is uncontested among PVMers aiming to display their 120 Strength achievements stylishly. --- ### Price Predictions Over the Next Few Months Analyzing historical price trends and game events reveals these key insights: 1. **Historical Trends**: - **Early Volatility**: Initial prices were erratic (e.g., 450M to 600M immediately post-event). This is typical for newly introduced collectibles—early adopters speculate heavily until market supply finds stability. - **Drop-Off Around December 2022**: Prices dipped to a low of 250M in December 2022, likely due to Natural Market Decline as more players liquidated following Fresh Start Worlds' conclusion. - **Surge in 2023**: By February 2023, prices spiked again to 600M, coinciding with the **Scrimshaw Dupe (January 29, 2023)** that injected trillions of GP into the economy, inflating demand for high-ticket items. 2. **Correlation With Upcoming Events**: - **Post-Combat Update Volatility (March 2024)**: Highly prestigious items such as the Inverted Strength skillcape often experience heightened demand when new combat changes drive interest. New ranks and milestones (e.g., max level 152 Necromancy) could spur additional purchases, particularly among PVMers wanting to showcase their achievements. - **GP Sink Mechanics (May 2024)**: The **Max Cash Update Exploit** and its fallout could strengthen GP-rich collectors' appetite for exclusivity while Jagex implements gold sinks. Treasure Hunter updates and potential bans post-exploit might also drive inflation further. 3. **Medium-Term Prediction**: From March through August 2024: - Steady increases from combat-focused updates will maintain upward price momentum. - Expect **650M–700M** in June 2024, driven by general inflation and sustained collector demand. - Prices could plateau or even spike to **750M+ in Q3 2024** following additional dupes or GP influx events. --- ### Flipping Margins - **Typical Margins**: When flipping niche, scarce items like the Inverted Strength Skillcape (120), common margins range from **20M–35M** per trade but can expand during volatility peaks. - **Optimal Flipping Strategy**: 1. **Target Low Players**: Seek out desperate liquidators looking to cash out for PVM upgrades or failed Treasure Hunter investments. 2. **Sell Post-Updates**: Post-update enthusiasm leads to price upticks as wealthy players speculate or reward themselves with rare items. 3. **Use “Waiting Trades”**: Leverage buy offers during economic crashes (e.g., GP exploits unveiled in May 2024) to snap up undervalued skillcapes when supply temporarily increases. --- ### Similar Items to Consider 1. **Other Inverted Skillcapes**: Capes with similar rarity and aesthetic appeal also follow demand spikes. Focus on popular combat skillcapes like Attack, Defence, or Constitution. - These capes generally follow a tiering hierarchy (Strength remains one of the most revered). - Price trends of Inverted Attack or Constitution Skillcape could serve as benchmarks for Inverted Strength's future trajectory. 2. **Seasonal Options**: - **Black Santa Hat (BSH)**: Comparably rare, limited-event cosmetic with high prestige and tradability. - **Purple Halloween Mask**: Often speculated upon when market uncertainty arises. - **Gilded Masterwork Armour**: Luxurious among high-level PVMers, frequently inflated during major PVM content updates (e.g., August Necromancy rework). --- ### Seasonal Outcomes for Similar Items - **Positive Pricing Seasons**: - **March–May (Post-Combat Updates)**: High interest as PVMers re-engage; aesthetics like skillcapes serve as visible status indicators. - **October–December (Holiday Item Hype)**: Cosmetics peak in popularity around event-driven holiday seasons. - **Negative Pricing Seasons**: - **May–July (Dupes or GP Influxes)**: While intuitively these seem like profit moments, the immediate availability of mass GP often causes fire-sale inventory. Buy cautiously during these windows at the lowest price point. - **Post-Rework Fatigue (Q3 2024)**: Item prices sometimes stabilize as interest wanes for older metas or new players lack immediate access. --- ### Final Insights The Inverted Strength Skillcape (120) is both a financial asset and a vanity item with one of the steadiest trajectories for collectibles within RuneScape lore. Its price hinges on several macroeconomic factors, including dupes, gold inflation, and the prestige economy backing rare items. For savvy traders, its medium-term viability remains sound (with value projected at **650–750M in Q3 2024**). Prepare for active flipping or long-term investment alongside a diversified approach with other inverted capes or prestigious party hats.