Combat classes
The three combat classes of RuneScape are the warrior, ranger and mage though each of these also contain a number of subclasses. They are balanced so that each class is weak to one and strong against the other, in what is called the "combat triangle." A player's combat class is determined from that player's skills. A rough way to determine a player's combat class is to compare the following, and the highest number is your combat class:
- 1/3 of (your Attack level plus your Strength level) = Warrior
- 1/2 of your Ranged level = Ranger
- 1/2 of your Magic level = Mage
(If your level fits none of these classes, then you are either a hybrid or just too low-levelled for these patterns to apply.)
Your combat class also affects your combat level, because in addition to Defence, Constitution, Summoning, and Prayer, the skills listed above for your combat class also contribute to your combat level.
Combat class tactics are common in the Wilderness. However, for best offensive and defensive abilities, players generally favour hybrid combat styles.
Melee
A warrior uses the Melee combat style and is strong against rangers but weak against mages. Warriors generally wear heavy, metal armour that provides excellent defence against melee and ranged attacks, but inhibits the warrior's ability to perform ranged and magic attacks and it makes your characters run energy decrease faster.
The sub classes for the melee combat style are the berserker, tank, and tactician or warrior. The berserker focuses primarily on their Strength and Attack to deal massive damage at a fairly accurate rate. Tacticians try to maintain a balance between their Attack, Defence, and Strength, providing them with a good array of all-around combat capabilities. Tanks train their Defence primarily so that they are not hit. Tanks are often looked down upon, as many believe offensive capabilities are more important than defence: this, however, is arguable as Defence is often key to survival when facing tough opponents.
Warriors are generally better than mages or rangers in most minigames, as it does not require much long-distance fighting, and there is not very much cover for mages/rangers to hide behind.
Ranger
- For other uses, see Archer.
A ranger, sometimes called an archer (if using bow and arrows), uses the Ranged combat style and is strong against mages but weak against warriors. Rangers generally wear armour made from animal hide, and they use weapons that can hit from a distance. Updates to Ranged allow a ranger to also wear a Shield while attacking with a Crossbow, giving the ranger a potentially significant armour boost.
Subclasses include longbow, shortbow, and crossbow rangers, depending on whether the player wants distance, speed, or power, respectively. Beginning players often use slings, as they might be cheaper to train with because the player doesn't need to buy ammunition for the weapon. Others may choose to use a thrown weapon, like a throwing knife, dart, throwing axe or javelin.
Mage
A mage, or sorcerer, uses the Magic combat style and is strong against warriors but weak against rangers. Mages generally wear robes for armour and wield staves for weapons. However, robes and a staff aren't what make a mage powerful, rather their potent array of spells. To cast spells, mages use runes; stones that are magically-energised.
The mage combat class is further divided into two subclasses: the Ancient Mage, user of Ancient Magicks, and the Wizard, user of modern magics, for combat related activities. Lunar Mages also exist, utilising the Lunar Magicks; however, the Lunar spellbook, as detailed below, is oriented towards non-combat activities. Players using the modern magic spell book have general spells for reducing a foes combat skills, temporarily binding an opponent to a square, and doing damage and teleports. Players who use the ancient spells are looking to counter-act all players instincts to run. Note that you have to complete the Desert Treasure quest before you can use the Ancient Magicks spell book, and Lunar Diplomacy to use some Lunar Magicks. The others require the quest Dream Mentor to use.
Mages are considered the best class for the minigame Fist of Guthix, because they can bind the target, preventing them from escaping (the whole point of the minigame). Also, because stats are reduced, all attacks become slightly more potent, allowing mages to hit through armour like dragonhide which is usually spell-proof. All runes used in Fist of Guthix are provided inside the minigame.
Lunar Spells do not have any direct damage spells, but certain spells can be useful in combat. The cure spells instantly cure poison, and while they don't give a temporary immunity to poison like antipoison potions do, they are great if you've just beaten or ran away from a poisonous opponent. The heal spells are made for groups. Using heal spells, you can give a friend a lot of health without them having to eat food. Vengeance is a popular spell for combat, as it rebounds up to 75% of damage received in a hit onto an opponent, without interrupting a hit of the player with vengeance. If you have the Lunar Spellbook it is useful for Meleers and Rangers as you can heal and cure yourself and others useful for all combat classes. Magic can also be useful for other combat classes as with higher Magic levels you have more resistance to Magic damage.
Trivia
- In the early days of Runescape Classic, Magic was divided into Good and Evil Magic.
- In Runescape Classic, you could become a Necromancer instead of a Mage.
See also
- RuneScape Game Guide