### **Buddy Pet Token Analysis** #### **Item Summary, Release Date, and Rarity** The Buddy Pet Token is a promotional item introduced to RuneScape 3 via Treasure Hunter on **August 27, 2021** as part of the "Good Friends" promotion. The token unlocks the Buddy Pet, a cosmetic companion with no gameplay advantage, making it desirable primarily for collectors and pet enthusiasts. Tokens were rare drops during their debut event and never received subsequent promotional re-releases, cementing their rarity. However, their value has fluctuated heavily due to events that impacted the in-game economy, such as gold dupes, treasure hunts, and item rebalancing. #### **Supply and Demand Over Time** Initially skyrocketing to prices exceeding **26M GP** upon release, the token became a status symbol, appealing to high-wealth collectors. Its price dramatically declined by early 2022 after being caught in the aftermath of gold dupes (starting September 2021), fluctuating between **150k-589k GP** during a volatile period. As fewer tokens were in circulation and interest waned, the price plummeted further, hitting bottom prices around **16k GP in late 2022** before slow, steady appreciation began in 2023. By early 2024, supply had become almost negligible, causing prices to stabilize at **~35k GP.** --- ### **Price Prediction (Next Few Months)** Using historical trends and relevant in-game update activity, the Buddy Pet Token’s future trajectory is influenced by several factors: - **Key Drivers:** 1. **Nostalgia and Rarity:** As older promotional items gain traction with collectors, the token's rarity will continue to positively influence its price due to its limited availability. 2. **Combat Update (March 2024):** Combat-related updates could shift the community’s focus back to gameplay content, temporarily stagnating the token's appreciation. 3. **Dupes and Gold Sink Adjustments:** Events like the **Easter Egg dupe (April 2024)** or **Max Cash Exploit (May 2024)** may inject gold back into the economy, driving artificial price inflation for older collectibles like Buddy Pet Tokens. 4. **Bond Price Increase (June 2024):** With bonds becoming pricier, mid-tier players may liquidate miscellaneous collectibles to focus on membership, driving mild price decreases in niche items like Buddy Pet Tokens. - **Short-Term (June-August 2024):** Expect prices to climb modestly with some volatility, reaching **45-60k GP**. The Sanctum of Rebirth release in July (major PvM content) might steal market attention, slightly tempering demand. - **Medium-Term (Q4 2024):** Prices will likely see a noticeable bump post-November, coinciding with growing collector demand during holiday events. Values could breach **100k GP**, especially as new gold enters circulation from exploits and Treasure Hunter incentives tied to seasonal events. --- ### **Typical Flipping Margins** The Buddy Pet Token’s current price points around **35k GP** offer viable flipping opportunities given its niche market: - **Buy Order Placement:** Target **28-32k GP**, as patient merchants can benefit from the low competition in this category. - **Sell Orders:** Set at **38-46k GP**, leveraging its increasing scarcity among casual traders. - **Profit Margins:** Expect **6-12k GP per transaction**, translating to roughly **15-30% profit margins**, though turnover may be slower than mainstream items. --- ### **Related Investment Opportunities** To diversify investments, consider liquidating into similarly stagnant yet promising long-term collectibles: 1. **Chinchompa Pet Tokens (e.g., Baby Chin):** Initially released in Treasure Hunter, they share a similar "cosmetic only" niche. These pets benefit from low-key collector interest and historically recover during holiday events. 2. **Fairy Outfit Tokens:** Seasonal cosmetic sets from Treasure Hunter that follow comparable price patterns and are desirable mid-tier flips. 3. **Golden Party Hat Shards and Black Party Hat Pieces:** These shards are cyclical, appreciating significantly around anniversary events or with Treasure Hunter gold promotions. --- ### **Seasonal Advice** Prices for collectibles like the Buddy Pet Token generally align with player-specific activity cycles and economic shocks: 1. **Positive Seasons:** - **End-of-Year Events (November-December):** Gold influx and festive collector sentiment elevate prices. - **Post-Major PvM Content (August-November):** Following major PvM updates, players tend to sell high-value gear, redirecting interest toward niche items. 2. **Negative Seasons:** - **Post-Gold Dupes or Treasure Hunter Inflation:** When high-profile dupes occur, token prices can lose value amid rampant item accessibility. - **Post-Treasure Hunter Sink Events (March-May):** Players focus on liquid investments (e.g., bonds and PvM upgrades), sidelining spoil-centric tokens. --- ### **Conclusion** The Buddy Pet Token’s price history highlights RuneScape’s susceptibility to economic disruptions and player trends. While currently undervalued, it exhibits strong long-term growth potential due to its rarity and nostalgic appeal. Flippers and investors should time their trades around known economic disruptions and in-game seasonal cycles, ensuring maximum profitability by pairing it with complementary items like cosmetic outfits and mid-tier collectibles. With thoughtful strategy, **45-60k GP short-term gains and 100k+ GP long-term holds** are realistic projections.