### **Item Overview: Undead Slayer Ability Codex** The **Undead Slayer Ability Codex** is a valuable unlock in RuneScape that grants players increased damage bonuses against undead mobs. It debuted alongside the **Necromancy combat style (08/07/2023)**, making it a pivotal utility item for Necromancy users. The codex has become crucial for maximizing DPS during boss encounters like Rasial, the First Necromancer, and certain Slayer tasks. It was added as a rare drop primarily from **Necromancy-related endgame bosses**, maintaining its rarity and prestige. #### Release Date: - Released: **August 7, 2023**, during Necromancy's release. - Primarily sourced from **Necromancy Boss loot**. #### Rarity: While not as rare as Sealed Clue Scroll drops or Combat Skill Pets, the codex remains a mid-level rare drop, with difficulty compounded by the competitive effort required to obtain it. Balancing its scarcity is its durability as a permanent upgrade for endgame PvM and Slayer. --- ### **Price Trends: Historical Analysis** Using the provided price data and historical events, the price movement of the **Undead Slayer Ability Codex** reflects both specific game updates and economic volatility: 1. **Initial Rise - 2023 August:** Post-launch, high demand for Necromancy gear, including the codex, pushed prices to **500M GP** by late August 2023. This was the peak of Necromancy hype due to the meta-shifting combat mechanic. 2. **Decline through Q4 2023:** Prices dropped steadily as more codices entered the market via dedicated Necromancy boss farming. The **Red Portal abuse (11/08/2023)** and **Black Partyhat release (12/01/2023)** led many players to liquidate assets, further softening the codex price to below **400M GP** by December. 3. **Spike around 2024 March-April:** Following the **combat updates of 03/04/2024**, buffs to Necromancy made the codex more desirable. However, a subsequent market glut caused by **Treasure Hunter GP injection (04/10/24)** paired with **item dupes** created surplus liquidity that temporarily dropped prices again. 4. **Q2-Q3 2024 Decline:** By mid-2024, the **Sanctum of Rebirth boss and Mining & Smithing rework** (July-August 2024) redirected some PvM focus away from Necromancy, reducing codex demand further. By December 2024, the codex touched one of its lowest points since its release at **151M GP** due to the **GIM Bank dupe (11/01/2024)** and persistent competition in the Necromancy item market. --- ### **Current Price and Prediction** #### Current Price: - **151M GP (December 2024)** #### Prediction for 2025 Q1-Q2: Based on historical oscillations and the macroeconomy: - **Bearish Short-Term (~100M-130M):** Prices could decline further in early 2025 if the influx of gold (from dupes or updates like new Treasure Hunter promotions) persists. PvM interest in Necromancy is also waning as combat meta diversity grows. - **Rebound Potential:** The codex remains a coveted utility, meaning it could stabilize or rise if Necromancy receives relevant updates, such as new bosses or Slayer expansions. Expect **150M-200M GP rebounds** if this occurs. **Causes of Spikes or Dips:** - **Spikes:** Combat updates (e.g., Necromancy buffs), high GP sinks (like account-related fees reducing GP supply), or new PvM rewards requiring undead killing. - **Dips:** Dupes (treasure exploits, GP floods), sudden boss farming ease, or economic inflation from Treasure Hunter events. --- ### **Flipping Margins** The **Undead Slayer Ability Codex** is *high-risk but rewarding* to flip: - **Typical Margins:** Expect **10-20M per flip** during high activity periods and **20-40M+ profit margins** following content droughts as prices stabilize. - **Liquidity:** Codices tend to have lower risk of stagnation compared to ultra-rare items like partyhats, but fast flips require large trade volumes and timing around shift periods (e.g., pre-update speculation). **Optimal Strategy:** Buy during post-update market dumps (e.g., after the 151M dip in Dec 2024), and hold for speculative PvM updates in Q1 2025. --- ### **Related Items to Watch** For portfolio diversification, consider flipping these items alongside the Undead Slayer Codex: 1. **Greater Ricochet Ability Codex:** PvM-focused ability in high demand, similar supply-demand volatility. 2. **Cryptbloom Armour:** Essential Necromancy DPS-boosting gear with comparable meta stability. 3. **Elder Rune Bars (post-Mining Update):** Used for crafting Necromantic supplies—indirectly linked to Necromancy gear stabilization. 4. **Deathspore Arrows:** Consumable item tied to Necromancy boss DPS setups. --- ### **Seasonal Trends** 1. **Seasonal Bull Runs (Price Uptick):** - **Winter Updates (Nov-Feb):** Content-heavy months attract returning players; wealth increases, raising item prices. - **Summer Peaks (July-August):** GP surges from Treasure Hunter or large updates like new bosses (e.g., **Sanctum of Rebirth**). 2. **Seasonal Bear Runs (Price Decline):** - **Post-Holiday Selloffs (Jan-March):** Players liquidate surplus loot post-update; prices tend to drop. - **Immediate Dupes/Bugs (April-Nov):** Critical exploits (e.g., **GIM Dupe**) impact GP value heavily. --- ### **Key Insights** - The **Necromancy connection** anchors the codex's long-term demand. However, rapid depreciation suggests high-altitude flipping opportunities rather than prolonged investments. - Seasonal volatility mirrors gold influx events more than specific content itself. - Cross-market flipping (Necromancy, DPS-related gear) is the best hedge against downturns in codex price movements.