### Summary of the Zigzag Easter Egg The **Zigzag Easter Egg** is a cosmetic holiday item first introduced during a seasonal Easter event in RuneScape 3. Like other Easter eggs, it was available through event-related activities such as skilling or Treasure Hunter promotions, often as a rare drop or reward. Its distinctive zigzag pattern and whimsical novelty make it a collectible for holiday-theme enthusiasts, though it carries little utility beyond its cosmetic appeal. - **Release Date**: Likely tied to an Easter event (specific original release date unclear), with potential re-releases on Treasure Hunter following subsequent springs. - **Overall Rarity**: While not inherently ultra-rare due to event distribution, its price spikes since release suggest limited supply on the Grand Exchange and strong demand from collectors. Re-releases (e.g., during Treasure Hunter promos) dilute its rarity, temporarily depressing prices. --- ### Price Analysis Based on Data #### **Historical Trends** 1. **Initial Hype Phase** *(April 2023)*: The item peaked at **225,000 GP** on April 3, 2023, likely due to its newness, collector demand, and event-limited availability. Prices steadily declined after players liquidated their stock, with a sharp dip to **60,000 GP** a few days later (April 5-7). This suggests the typical post-event dump by casual players. 2. **Stabilization and Speculation Phase** *(Mid-2023)*: By summer 2023, the Zigzag Easter Egg saw consistent but declining prices around **30,000-16,100 GP**, likely as speculative buyers held the item for potential future gains. However, a Treasure Hunter promo in December 2023 brought a significant influx, temporarily dropping prices to as low as **100 GP** following the Black Partyhat release. This extreme crash was brief, with rebounds to **60,000 GP**, signaling opportunistic flippers buying out undervalued stock. 3. **Event-Linked Volatility** *(2024)*: The item's price dipped to **11,000-18,000 GP** in early 2024, likely due to overspills from duplicate Easter pets and Gummy rewards in April. Additionally, economic inflation from Treasure Hunter GP rewards and the Max Cash exploit later that year led to diminished real GP value, potentially stalling the item's recovery. More recent resurgences towards **18,000 GP** suggest moderate demand recovery. --- #### **Price Prediction for Late 2024-Early 2025** Using historical data and factoring in economic conditions: - **Short-Term (<3 months)**: Prices likely to stabilize around **18,000-22,000 GP** in the absence of holiday events or extreme economic disruptions. - **Mid-Term (3-6 months)**: Anticipate a price increase to **30,000-40,000 GP** by early spring 2025 if Jagex reintroduces Easter-themed Treasure Hunter or events. This growth will stem from increased player nostalgia and collectors vying for items in preparation for another Easter season. - **Key Risks**: A re-release in early 2025 (e.g., during an Easter event) could drop prices sharply, potentially returning them to the **10,000 GP** range. However, the long-term GP inflation trend ensures relative price floor stability. --- ### Flipping Margins - **Typical Margins**: Flipping the Zigzag Easter Egg offers small margins during off-seasons (5-10%). For example, low liquidity at **18,000-20,000 GP** gives modest buy-sell profit windows of around **2,000-4,000 GP per flip**. - **High-Opportunity Windows**: - During Treasure Hunter dumps (e.g., when items are mass-released): Buy immediately after influx and hold for post-event rebounds. - Pre-Easter hype (February-March): Predictable price spikes tied to seasonal demand make for lucrative holds and flips. --- ### Related Items to Buy 1. **Similar Event Rarities**: - **Chocolate Dust Bunny (Easter)**: Another seasonal cosmetic prone to similar price movements. - **Christmas Party Hats or Crowns**: Comparable holiday-themed cosmetics that follow predictable cycles of post-event dumps and pre-seasonal recoveries. 2. **Other Long-Term Speculations**: - **Treasure Hunter-Exclusive Skilling Items**: Items released during niche promos tend to have higher uptrends after their promo ends. - **Rare Gimmick Items**: Items like the Ugly Sweater or Cosmetic Scythes typically benefit from sentimental player interest. --- ### Seasonal Impacts on Pricing 1. **Positive Price Trends**: - **February-April (Pre-Easter Hype)**: Speculative demand ahead of holiday promotions pushes prices up. - **November-December**: Preparation for gift-giving or party item collection leads to end-of-year price increases. 2. **Negative Price Trends**: - **Immediately After Re-Releases**: As seen after April 2024’s event-related duplication, prices dip due to oversupply. - **High-Economy Inflation Periods**: Major gold injection events (e.g., Treasure Hunter GP rewards or Max Cash exploits) reduce buying power, stalling cosmetic demand. --- ### Conclusion The Zigzag Easter Egg is a low-risk investment for holiday-item speculators with a mid-level capital base. Anticipate slow but steady returns if held until seasonal booms, but watch for re-release events to time purchases during dips. Use this item as part of a broader portfolio of seasonal cosmetics for diversification and leverage RuneScape's predictable holiday cycles.