Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
RuneScape’s combat system has been rebuilt.
Melee, Magic, and Ranged have been modernised, extended to level 120, and aligned with the framework introduced by Necromancy. The stated goal is: raise the floor so more players can engage with PvM, while preserving the depth that high-level players rely on.
In Episode 1079 of RSBANDBUpdate!, we break down what actually changed and whether the update succeeds.
We discuss the simplified ability books, new damage scaling, accuracy adjustments across bosses, and the surprising effectiveness of the new default action bars. We also examine how these changes affect early and mid-game PvM, whether niche combat interactions were lost in the process, and what this might mean for returning players or those coming from Old School RuneScape.
Topics discussed:
• Combat styles now scaling to 120
• Ability book simplification and streamlined action bars
• Damage scaling and accuracy changes across many bosses
• Accessibility vs high-level skill expression
• Early and mid-game PvM improvements
• Is this effectively another evolution of RuneScape combat?
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
3:50 - Goals of the Combat Style Modernization
17:08 - What's Changed
23:44 - Early game combat
40:50 - Melee
58:05 - Magic
1:13:40 - Ranged
1:26:24 - High Level Combat and Beyond
1:41:37 - Aura Balancing
1:45:51 - Combat Auras
2:05:53 - Skilling Auras
2:11:42 - Achievements
2:13:22 - Pick of the Week
Full show notes: update.rsbandb.com/2026/03/rsbandbupdate-1079-combatting-modernisation
Join our friends' chat: BitsBytes
Community Discord: https://update.show/discord
Support the show and access our monthly bonus discussions:
patreon.com/RSBANDB
RuneScape’s combat system has been rebuilt.
Melee, Magic, and Ranged have been modernised, extended to level 120, and aligned with the framework introduced by Necromancy. The stated goal is: raise the floor so more players can engage with PvM, while preserving the depth that high-level players rely on.
In Episode 1079 of RSBANDBUpdate!, we break down what actually changed and whether the update succeeds.
We discuss the simplified ability books, new damage scaling, accuracy adjustments across bosses, and the surprising effectiveness of the new default action bars. We also examine how these changes affect early and mid-game PvM, whether niche combat interactions were lost in the process, and what this might mean for returning players or those coming from Old School RuneScape.
Topics discussed:
• Combat styles now scaling to 120
• Ability book simplification and streamlined action bars
• Damage scaling and accuracy changes across many bosses
• Accessibility vs high-level skill expression
• Early and mid-game PvM improvements
• Is this effectively another evolution of RuneScape combat?
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
3:50 - Goals of the Combat Style Modernization
17:08 - What's Changed
23:44 - Early game combat
40:50 - Melee
58:05 - Magic
1:13:40 - Ranged
1:26:24 - High Level Combat and Beyond
1:41:37 - Aura Balancing
1:45:51 - Combat Auras
2:05:53 - Skilling Auras
2:11:42 - Achievements
2:13:22 - Pick of the Week
Full show notes: update.rsbandb.com/2026/03/rsbandbupdate-1079-combatting-modernisation
Join our friends' chat: BitsBytes
Community Discord: https://update.show/discord
Support the show and access our monthly bonus discussions:
patreon.com/RSBANDB
