RuneScape’s Late-Game Rebalance raises boss drops and adds Tier 100 Masterwork armour

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Jagex has shared a design preview for RuneScape’s Late-Game Rebalance, the next Road to Restoration update, currently planned for late November. The studio says the numbers may still shift after player feedback, but the broad plan is set: faster boss and Slayer grinds, a Tier 100 melee armour path, some boss mechanic changes, and a handful of skilling adjustments.

The biggest gear addition is Tier 100 Masterwork melee armour. Players will be able to upgrade an existing Tier 90 Masterwork set after unlocking 110 Smithing and the “It Still Should’ve Been Called Aetherium” achievement. Trimmed Masterwork pieces already in the game will automatically move to Tier 100 stats when the update lands. The current Tier 90 set and its 99 Smithing requirement aren’t changing.

Drop rates are getting a broad pass across bosses, not just endgame encounters. Some of the larger examples include Giant Mole’s Dragon 2h Sword moving from 1/520 to 1/64 kills, Solak’s Blightbound Crossbows from 1/400 to 1/100, and Nex: Angel of Death’s Praesul weapons from 1/512 to 1/85 in solo. Croesus uniques, God Wars Dungeon drops, Barrows’ Amulet of the Forsaken, and several boss pets are also being made easier to obtain.

Slayer is getting similar treatment, especially for players on task. The Wyvern Crossbow and Camel Staff will go from 1/1,940 to 1/512 on task, Ripper Claws from 1/1,980 to 1/256, and Lava Strykewyrm drops from 1/6,105 to 1/256. The Abyssal whip, Dark Bow, and Granite Maul are also getting new on-task rates.

  • Abyssal whip rises from Tier 70 to 75.
  • Abyssal vine whip rises from Tier 75 to 80.
  • Dark bow rises from Tier 70 to 75.
  • Granite Maul rises from Tier 55 to 65.
  • Bone blowpipe rises from Tier 50 to 70, with blowpipe parts now dropping in collection order until the full set is complete.

On the boss side, Araxxor’s phase-one web will burn faster, and Black Stone Dragon will skip its flight phase outside story mode. Jagex is also reviewing Vorago’s drop pile system. At the Gate of Elidinis, Crafting XP is being moved away from gathering moonstone fragments and toward striking the Gate, ending the AFK “GateCrafting” method.

Other planned changes include fewer Dagannoth King rings needed for Rex Matriarch ring upgrades, a lower Smithing requirement for the Godsword blade, changes to Brooch of the Gods after Portable Skilling Stations are removed, and nerfs to Alchemiser machines to reduce gold entering the game. Jagex says broader balancing work will continue through 2027.

Further reading: Official RuneScape Late-Game Rebalance Design Preview