Combat Triangle

 

Introduction

Combat Triangle All combat in Runescape, both against other players and monsters, is governed at least in part by the 'combat triangle'. The combat triangle is a system of governing combat so that each class (either warrior, mage, or ranger) is very effective against one other class and weak against another. To the right you can see an image showing the combat triangle, where green arrows indicate which class is effective against the other.

  • Mages are effective against warriors and weak against rangers.
  • Rangers are effective against mages and weak against warriors.
  • Warriors are effective against rangers and weak against mages.

The reasons for this effectiveness lies in the armour each class wears while fighting. Warriors armour has high ranged defence, but conducts magic and has very low defence against it, while hitting well on rangers leather. Rangers leather armour has high magic defence, but fairly low defence against melee weapons, while hitting well on mages robes. Finally, mages have low defence to range, but are very effective against melee armour.

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Usage

You might ask, what does the combat triangle help you do? Well, since the combat triangle influences all combat activities in Runescape, making use of the combat triangle can help you win fights against other players and monsters all the easier.

In player vs. player combat, such as during Castle Wars or Clan Wars, each class has an advantage against one other. You can make use of this by making sure that when fighting a certain class, you will be of the combat type that has the advantage. For example, when fighting a ranger, you would prefer to be meleeing. But when fighting mages, ranging is preferable. Mages and rangers also have advantages against melee by being able to attack from a distance and use obstacles : use this to your advantage. In addition, mages can use holding spells such as Ice Spells from the Ancient Magic spellbook or binding spells to keep warriors away from them while still dealing damage. However, an advantage given to warriors is that their armour has the highest overall defence against melee and ranged, so they have the highest staying power of any of the classes. This is especially vital in large team formations.

Against monsters, the combat triangle is usually more simple. Inspecting your opponent will reveal its combat weakness. Choose your attack style and weapon accordingly.

  • Weakness against magic has spell types air, water, earth and fire.
  • Weakness against ranged has ammo types arrows, bolts and throwing weapons.
  • Weakness against melee has styles slashing, stabbing and crushing.

Some monsters are equally weak againt all attack styles. Those will show their weakness as 'None' on the combat interface.

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Hybrids

A hybrid is a player who uses two or more combat styles or techniques, and makes use of the combat triangle to perform well in combat. The most common type of hybrid is a range/melee hybrid, because wearing ranger armour does not inhibit melee, while wearing leather or melee armour does inhibit magic. Wearing ranger's leather armour gives high defence against magic, while giving passable defence against melee and range. In member's worlds, magic/melee hybrids are also fairly common, due to the effectiveness of the higher leveled spells, especially of the Ancient Magicks spellbook. Hybrids are more effective against various styles than using one combat style alone, but it does have its drawbacks. It requires better timing and you usually need to pay more attention than using a single style. Also, it usually requires you to risk more equipment, and you cannot bring as much food and supplies as usual. Often, hybrids will begin by using ranged or magic from a distance and then finish with a melee weapon, although you can also use the opposite by using melee, and then switching to ranged or magic if the opponent attempts to run away.

Against monsters, hybriding is often not needed. However, against many boss monsters, hybriding your equipment helps if the monster uses two or more forms of attacks. For example, if a monster used all forms of combat (ranged, melee, and magic) you will likely need to hybrid your equipment. You will likely pray against one attack, in this example you will pray protect from melee, so only ranged and magic will be hitting you. The most used setup in this case will often have melee armour in all spots, except most people will use a piece of ranged armour in either the torso or leg slot so that you have both some magic defence and high ranged defence so that you will suffer the least damage possible. Monsters you will use hybrid equipment against include God Wars Dungeon Bosses, Dagannoth Kings, and other boss monsters.

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Credits

Original Guide by: tryto

Thanks to: AllBogs, halo2_rocks7, Howlin0001, iocolo, Speedyshel, tryto, Xena Dragon.

Last updated by: Xena Dragon

Last updated on: 20-Nov-2012


RuneScape 2007
Find this page on the Internet Archive with a date as close to Aug 10, 2007 as possible.

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