### Overview of Greater Death's Swiftness Ability Codex: The Greater Death's Swiftness (GDS) ability codex is an advanced upgrade to the Death's Swiftness ultimate, increasing the synergy and effectiveness of Ranged combat. It adds a damage buff during the area-of-effect field, significantly elevating it as a go-to ultimate for high-level bossing. Released on **October 3, 2022**, alongside the **Zamorak, Lord of Chaos** boss drop table, GDS serves as one of the most valuable offensive upgrades for Ranged players. This codex benefits from its limited supply due to reliance on the **Zamorakian Undercity dungeon**, a high-skill content tier that deters farming. It remains in high demand due to its impact in endgame combat, bridging the meta for Ranged across multiple PvM scenarios like Arch-Glacor, Raksha, and Telos. However, its price is volatile due to updates, events, and gold influxes within RuneScape’s economy. --- ### Rarity and Pricing Trends: GDS’s rarity correlates directly to its nature as a rare boss drop, combined with Zamorak dungeon's complexity. Supply bottlenecks include player skill thresholds and high-tier gear gating. Historically, its price followed a steep decline post-release, as the initial rarity gave way to a trickle of supply, though this trend was further exacerbated by economic disruptions. Key factors influencing pricing: 1. **Rapid Inflation (especially from dupes):** Examples like the **July 2022 dupe aftermath** caused GDS to spike to over 1.4B on its release. This was further inflated by a gold surplus in circulation. 2. **Subsequent Corrections:** Stability returned in the 400M-600M range due to increasing drops and player acclimatization to Shadow Reef 2 mechanics. 3. **Necromancy Impact (August 2023):** The combat rebalance saw Ranged use dip as Necromancy became the dominant skill, causing GDS demand to drop and prices to nosedive to ~150M by late 2024. 4. **GP Sink Attempts (e.g., Max Cash Update in May 2024):** New gold sink mechanics depleted GP from the economy, momentarily stabilizing codex prices before broader economic deflation occurred. --- ### Price Prediction: The latest available data demonstrates GDS’s rebound from **104M (July 2024)** to **153M (September-December 2024)**. Future price estimates are influenced by player trends, PvM rebalances, and the larger economic environment: 1. **Short-Term (~Q1-Q2 2025):** - Price likely **stabilizes at 140-180M**, as ongoing demand for Ranged doesn’t diminish. Its role in both high-tier bossing rotation and Ranged optimization ensures solid utility value. - However, extended re-releases of Zamorak’s loot or Treasure Hunter promotions featuring codices could slightly push supply upward, creating momentary dips. 2. **Longer-Term (~2025-2026):** - Should Necromancy remain PvM-dominant without another combat overhaul, GDS could dip below **100M** due to broader demand shifts. - Alternatively, any **buff to Ranged combat relevance** or major future boss exclusive to Ranged ability users could push values above **250M**, as combat upgrades regain focus. --- ### Flipping Margins: Given its current price volatility, Greater Death's Swiftness is an excellent flipping option for intermediate to experienced merchants. Margins can range from a **steady 5-8M** on low volume movement to **15-25M on market manipulation surges**. Recommended flipping strategies: - Monitor listings during high-activity Treasure Hunter promos (e.g., GP rewards), which often lead to momentary GP surpluses and subsequent price spikes. - Buy during **post-patch days or PvM nerfs**, as panic-selling is common in the immediate aftermath. - Sell during anticipated combat meta updates or community boss kill weeks, as players prepare for PvM boosts or loot mechanics. --- ### Comparable Items and Seasonal Influences: **Complementary Investments:** 1. **Greater Ricochet (GRC):** Another Ranged codex that often trends similarly; demand rises/falls alongside GDS. - GRC loses value if Ranged remains overshadowed by Necromancy but could see surges at least equal to GDS. - GRC flipping values shift in the **10-30M range**, higher in volume-driven markets. 2. **Limitless/Divert Codices:** Generic combat codices with strong PvM application but not tied to specific combat types. These codices are safer long-term holds for less skill-dependant demand spikes. 3. **Zuk Capes (Igneous Stones):** With a focus on synergy, upgraded capes follow similar seasonal PvM hype. Zuk Stones can be bought low during seasonal PvM downtime. --- ### Seasonal Market Impacts: 1. **Positive for GDS Prices:** - New boss releases (especially requiring Ranged specialization). - Treasure Hunter GP or supply sink mechanics (reduce overall market liquidity). - Necessary combat balance patches making Necromancy less OP than Ranged. - PvM competitions or holiday bonus adventure weeks driving PvM activity. 2. **Negative for GDS Prices:** - Treasure Hunter or Yak Track overhauls adding codices for rewards. - Necromancy/Necro-specific bosses keeping meta shifted for longer periods. - Account hacks, dupes, or other GP influx scenarios ballooning supply/demand mismatches. - Direct Zamorak dungeon boost weeks that flood rare loot quantities. --- ### Final Insights: Greater Death's Swiftness will remain a relatively stable, mid-risk investment for merchants seeking steady flipping opportunities. While historical trends show significant volatility, most price dips correlate with external disruptions rather than a reduction in intrinsic value. Watch for any confirmed Ranged buffs, new PvM meta content, or emerging Jagex instability (e.g., dupes or economy-killing updates) for opportunities to buy low into spikes or liquidate into hype. Pair with Greater Ricochet, limit speculative inventory during Necromancy peaks, and focus on high-gold-staking seasons for biggest returns.