### Emerald Cape: Summary and Overview The **Emerald Cape** is a mid-tier cosmetic item in *RuneScape 3*, often valued for its aesthetic simplicity and its appeal as a low-cost fashion item. Initially introduced in **December 2007**, it was added to the game as part of the Fremennik Achievement Diary reward system but became better recognized when achievement diary rewards gained wider visibility. The cape itself has no combat benefits but holds niche appeal among players who collect colored capes for outfit matching or who engage in specific niche transmog metas (e.g., roleplaying). In terms of **rarity**, the Emerald Cape itself is not considered innately rare. It is tradeable (except in Ironman modes), and given its longstanding availability, it has existed in large quantities within player banks. Despite this, due to occasional dips in circulation because of bank cleanouts or low overall demand, its price can experience moderate fluctuations. --- ### Current Market Context and Price Influencers The **Emerald Cape** price trends typically track with general GP inflations and event-driven game updates. Given its lack of significant utility, its value largely depends on the **economic stability** of RuneScape and its **cosmetic appeal** during various fashion trends. - **Historical Price Movements and Correlations to Major Events:** - **Rollback Dupe (01/11/2021)**: Massive inflation from duplicated GP likely saw all inexpensive items, including the Emerald Cape, rise slightly in value as low-cost gear absorbed surplus coins in the market. - **Fresh Start Worlds (09/22/2022)**: Fresh Start Worlds likely had no material impact given that high-priority items were sought in the seasonal mode; therefore, many low-value items saw stable or near-flat trends during this period. - **Necromancy Release (08/07/2023)**: New skill releases tend to drive attention away from non-functional accessories like the Emerald Cape, leading to small dips as players flood the market with items from bank cleanouts to fund training costs. - **Hero Pass Backlash (09/05/2023)**: Widespread community frustration often leads to unpredictable trading patterns across all markets, with stable items like cosmetic capes holding reasonably steady as they are insulated from volatile trading. - **Most Recent Event Impact:** - **GIM Bank Bug Duplication (11/01/2024)**: The recent bug is likely to introduce minor financial inflation if raw GP leaks into live circulation, but general speculation around items like capes should remain minimal. --- ### Price Prediction Over the Next Few Months Using past event-driven movements and broader GP trends, the **Emerald Cape's** price will likely trend slightly upward in the mid- to long-term. This is contingent on no major updates specifically reducing fashion and cosmetic demand: 1. **Short Term (1-2 months)**: Expect little movement unless a cosmetic-focused update or Treasure Hunter promotion draws attention to outfit-based fashion. Predicted range: **500 - 600k GP**, stable overall. 2. **Medium Term (3-5 months)**: Further updates (e.g., the Sanctum of Rebirth market stability or combat rework effects) could prompt utility-oriented gameplay investing at the cost of cosmetics. The cape's niche demand ensures little speculative fluctuation. Range: **600k - 770k GP**. 3. **Long Term (6+ months)**: Inflationary patterns in RuneScape’s economy (e.g., dupe exploits or bond price hikes) create room for rising cosmetic values as players regain discretionary resources after utilitarian purchases. Range: **700k - 900k GP**, assuming no unexpected revival of cosmetic markets. Key risks to this projection would include large player-driven giveaways or severe economic interventions that suppress GP growth. --- ### Flipping Margins and Trading Strategies The **Emerald Cape**'s low price band and steady trading volume make it favorable for small-scale flipping. Here are observed margins and strategies: - **Typical Margins**: Between **15-25k GP** per flip, contingent on active volume at Grand Exchange prices. It’s common to buy the cape between **480k and 500k** and sell for **500k to 520k**. - **Tips for Volume Traders**: - Target periods of **cosmetic-intensive Treasure Hunter promos** (e.g., hero cosmetics, holiday bundles) where players offload cosmetics for key items. - Avoid listing during major utility-content updates, as Grand Exchange listings are flooded with players clearing banks. For high-volume margins, consider timing purchases during event downtimes and reselling once promotional energy dissipates. --- ### Alternative Items to Consider Emerald Cape flipping and speculation pairs well with other lower-tier cosmetics or niche market collectibles. Consider these alternatives: - **Ruby Cape / Sapphire Cape**: Similarly positioned colored capes with low volumes but demand for coordinated outfits. - **Black and White Boots / Gloves**: Cheap cosmetics, often packaged together for transmog sets. - **God Books (damaged)**: Minimal combat utility drives aesthetic appeal for flipping purposes. --- ### Seasonal Trends - **Positive Price Seasons**: **Mid-winter (Dec-Jan)** and **Summer (July-Aug)** typically see increases in cosmetic and aesthetic items. Rising player engagement during holidays and summer breaks leads to demand spikes for customization items. - **Negative Price Seasons**: **Post-update recovery periods (e.g., March-April or September-October)** often see dips as content-focused gameplay diverts disposable GP away from the cosmetics market. --- ### Closing Notes While the **Emerald Cape** isn’t a high-profile item, its consistency makes it valuable for traders looking to leverage stable, low-risk investments. Its future performance is tightly correlated with RuneScape economic balance and broader cosmetic adoption trends, making it ideal for small-scale, long-term flipping in conjunction with complementary items like other capes or niche cosmetics.