### **Overview of Torva Platebody** The Torva platebody is a Tier 80 Melee power armor introduced into RuneScape 3 on **September 27, 2011**, alongside the release of the Nex boss as part of the God Wars Dungeon 2 update. The Torva set is a high-demand item owing to its niche as one of the best armor choices for melee players who require power-tier bonuses. Its historical significance stems from its association with exclusive Nex loot, though it faced competition with the later release of T90 armor like Malevolent and T92 options such as Masterwork. The Torva platebody is ultra-rare since it is locked behind elite PvM (Nex) drops. However, over the years, its supply has gradually increased, partly due to the accessibility of Nex via group and solo modes, degrading some of its rarity mystique. Its repair costs require Ancient Armor Repairs, increasing its operational expense but maintaining its premium status among mid-tier players. --- ### **Release Date and Price Trends** The Torva platebody’s price history reveals a **cyclical market pattern**, influenced by high-end PvM meta shifts, cash influx events, and updates introducing competing gear. Below is a condensed summary of price data and highlights: 1. **Early 2023**: Prices began at high levels, peaking around **180M GP**, primarily due to cash injections following dupes such as the Scrimshaw glitch in January (700B+/hr GP injection). 2. **March-May 2023**: The item sharply declined with uneven PvM gear demand (~140M by May 2023). 3. **July-August 2023**: A spike occurred to **88M-149M GP**, coinciding with the **Necromancy skill max combat level increase** to 152, generating PvM excitement and supply chain disruptions at Nex. 4. **Post-August 2023**: Since October 2023, significant item devaluation occurred due to Treasure Hunter inflation (1B GP injects, Hero Pass backlash, and dupe-related GP injections). By April 2024, the Torva platebody returned to **64M GP**. --- ### **Analysis of Price Movements** Looking at the past data and external influences: 1. **August 2023 Spike (88M):** Driven largely by Necromancy hype increasing demand for melee setups, combined with disruptions like partyhat lures and Max Combat Level 152 releases. 2. **April 2024 Decline (~64M):** Caused by back-to-back GP inflation updates, including Treasure Hunter rewards that flooded the economy with gold coins (10B GP daily giveaways). This diluted the spending power and vastly weakened mid-tier items like the Torva platebody. Duped cosmetics overshadowed PvM gear. --- ### **Prediction Over the Next Few Months (Mid-2024)** 1. **Short-Term (May-July 2024):** Prices could **decline further below 60M GP** as the **Max Cash exploit (May 2024)**, ongoing bond updates, and additional GP giveaways continue to devalue most mid-tier gear. 2. **Post-July-August Pivot:** The release of the **Sanctum of Rebirth** and the **Mining and Smithing reworks (August 2024)** could stabilize the market slightly and even drive a medium-sized upward surge if PvM drops are adjusted to justify high GP sinks. 3. **End of 2024:** Heading into November 2024, the **GIM bank bug (Nov 2024)** could re-introduce volatility, but failing further economic shocks, expect **65M-75M GP prices**, driven by seasonal PvM demand increases around Christmas and end-year boss farming. --- ### **Flipping Margins** Given its moderate volume and current price of **64M GP**: - **Daily Spread:** ~1-2M GP depending on GE activity. - **PvM Release Days:** Selling margins rise to **3-5M GP**, as spikes in demand attract whales and short-term flippers. - **Days with GP Injection Updates:** Buy orders often succeed at **1.5-2.5M GP below GE median**, especially during Treasure Hunter promotions. To maximize returns, target **Thursday evenings to Saturday evenings**, as these hold the highest player activity times. --- ### **Similar Items for Portfolio Diversification** If investing in Torva platebody flipping or holding, consider: 1. **Malevolent Cuirass:** Another T90 melee power body armor with degradability, similar flipping patterns arise around PvM-heavy events like combat updates. 2. **Custom-fit Trimmed Masterwork Platebody:** Although T92 and repairable, periodic PvM buffs tend to raise demand for high-accuracy melee gear. 3. **Shadow-Dyed Armor (e.g., Serenic or Sirenic):** Top-tier dyed gear trades horizontally alongside items like Torva for high-tier PvM players. 4. **Drygore or ZGS Offhands:** PvP-related Melee or hybrid utility items that rise in tandem with armor demand. --- ### **Seasonal Outcomes Analysis** **Positive Price Outcomes:** - **December-January (Holiday Rush):** High PvM participation raises demand ahead of flagship bossing updates. - **Summer Spikes (June-August):** Historically marks increased playerbase activity due to summer events, skill reworks, or bug fixes. **Negative Price Outcomes:** - **Post-bug Exploit Fallout:** GP injections or repeated dupes, often timed around April-July economic shocks, crush mid-tier PvM gear prices. - **Treasure Hunter Storms (Random):** Trust-heavy gold sink disruptions cripple scaling on non-endgame PvM items. By understanding these patterns, you can optimize both speculative investments and flipping strategies around Torva armor and complementary items.