### **Emberkeen Boots Analysis** **Summary & Overview:** Emberkeen boots are a high-tier upgrade to the popular Flameburst defenders, introduced as part of RuneScape 3's ongoing effort to expand endgame equipment options. They are crafted using components obtained from Croesus, specifically a combination of fungal components and rare drops, making them part of the skilling boss loot ecosystem. They are categorized as hybrid boots, granting bonuses to all combat styles, with an additional perk of increased resistance against fungal or toxic-based damage for encounters like Croesus and other potential Mycelial ecology expansions. Released alongside specific updates, their initial demand spike was due to their usability in both PvM and PvP builds. The rarity of the boots comes from the low drop rate of materials, combined with the layered crafting system requiring both consistent boss kills and exceptional luck. Given the specialized nature of the boot, its market is relatively niche compared to general-use items like Virtus, Bandos, or Zaryte-tier armor. However, its status as a hybrid makes them invaluable for switch-heavy players. **Release Date:** September 27, 2021 (Croesus release). **Rarity:** Moderately rare due to the scarcity of fungal components and the effort required to craft them. --- ### **Price Predictions (2023-2024)** **Historical Context:** 1. **2023-February Trends:** Price stabilization at ~30M-32M post-Scrimshaw dupe turmoil in early 2023 indicates the boots were not heavily affected by gold injection, as niche high-tier PvM items tend to maintain utility-driven demand more than pure-luxury items. 2. **Post-Necromancy Surge (August 2023):** The combat level increase to 152 drove demand for versatile gear, slightly boosting utility items like Emberkeen Boots as players optimized setups for Necromancy content. 3. **Hero Pass Backlash (September 2023):** A temporary dip likely occurred here in liquidity-driven assets like mid-tier upscale items (e.g., augmentable gear) as fewer players engaged with PvM. However, this bounce-back was minimal compared to tradeable partyhats or other speculative items. **Major Drivers Moving Forward:** - **April 2024 Combat Update:** Polishing of combat systems and new animations may indirectly boost prices if Emberkeen boots become meta-relevant for a specific rotation or a future combat boss. - **Treasure Hunter GP Influx (April 2024):** Adding GP directly through Treasure Hunter rewards may increase inflation of non-consumables like boots, with moderate upticks expected. **Prediction:** - Prices may hover **between 36M-44M by mid-2024**, assuming no new alternative hybrid boots are released that outperform them. The **combat update in April 2024** has the potential to push them closer to 50M if their hybrid nature synergizes with specific boss mechanics or rotation meta. - Long-term, unless new loot from "Sanctum of Rebirth" (July 2024) or "Mining and Smithing rework" (August 2024) offers a superior replacement, demand should keep prices trending positively through the year. --- ### **Flipping Margins Analysis** Typical flipping margins for Emberkeen boots have ranged between **5-7%**, given the relatively low volume of trades compared to fashion-scape items or consumables. - **Example:** At a price of 32M, margins typically range **1M-2.5M GP** depending on the timing and rapidity. - The **best flipping periods** occur post-boss weekly resets or double-XP weekends when more players liquidate items to fund upgrades or skills. **Best Flipping Practices:** Monitor player auction listings overnight into weekends or post-update patches. Many players dump PvM-specific items immediately after price spikes, creating a temporary price floor before rebounds occur. --- ### **Complementary Investments** Items with similar buying trends and correlated price spikes include: 1. **Cryptbloom Helm and Armor:** Also Croesus-sourced, these items scale with Emberkeens’ demand due to shared usability in fungal-resistant or hybrid combat scenarios. 2. **Biting 4 Components (Perks):** High-end augment perks indirectly drive Emberkeen demand, especially for PvM power setups where hybrid playstyles shine. 3. **Wayfarer Totems and Consumables:** Adjacent niche items that specialize in environment- or boss-held niches often correlate with specific item spikes. --- ### **Seasonal Price Outcomes** - **Positive Seasons:** - **Post-Update Markets (March/July 2024):** Combat and bossing content will expand, driving demand. - **Double XP Weekends/December Pre-Holiday Rush:** Players tend to gear up for boss attempts during these competitive periods, often favoring gear upgrades. - **Negative Seasons:** - **Low Player Activity Months (June 2024, Summer):** Items reliant on PvM-driven demand may stagnate or dip as players engage in mixed non-combat content. - **Bot Wipe Periods:** Jagex-led bot bans or GP-sinks can reduce liquidity across the board, temporarily affecting elastic mid-to-high-tier items. **Advisory Summary:** Treat Emberkeen boots as part of a diversified PvM investment pool. Pair purchases with similar Croesus-sourced items or hybrid gear that isn't easily antiquated by new release tiers. Avoid holding during high-inflation GP crises or just after bot-driven gold injection events.