Big Changes for the Classic MMORPG
Developer Jagex is rolling out significant combat improvements to its long-running MMORPG RuneScape. The UK-based studio developed the latest update in collaboration with the game’s community. In an official statement, it says the update “kickstarts a community-focused and more accessible chapter of the fantasy MMO.”
Jagex detailed the changes in its press release and a video on RuneScape’s official YouTube channel. Changes include major improvements to Hit Chance, Damage Potential, Crit Strikes, and Damage Caps. The studio also revamped melee combat to be more accessible “while still maintaining the heat of the action.” The update also gives RuneScape a new Channel Bar, tooltip updates, and other miscellaneous improvements.
One of the most significant changes is that abilities no longer have a chance to miss. Instead, abilities in RuneScape now have a system called Damage Potential. Instead of a percent chance to hit, abilities will do a percentage of their maximum damage based on their Damage Potential.
Additionally, Jagex simplified the game’s critical hits down to just two stats: Critical Strike Chance and Critical Strike Damage. Critical strike damage determines how much extra damage a player deals on critical hits. A Critical Strike Damage of 50% means an attack that would usually deal 1000 damage instead deals 1,500 on a crit.
Finally, the third core change to RuneScape’s combat is significantly narrowing damage ranges while increasing the damage cap to 30,000. The latter change was heavily influenced by the recent addition of necromancy. It will allow players to get the full benefits from a broader range of character builds.
RuneScape is free-to-play on PC, Android, and iOS. Check back later for futre updates, or check out our Hardcre Droid review.
