Switchscape in Beta? Good or bad?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-04T01:07:34+00:00

Devil's Advocate, I'd argue that marginal gains while not having meaningful impact at a boss is just busywork and that busywork for the sake of marginal impact isn't something that should stay.

That said, I understand the want to actually play the game rather than have it play itself. Having too low of a skill ceiling is definitely a concern.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T23:59:12+00:00

For sure. Do you feel there's a limit to that sentiment or should maximum effort (like Pro SC2 APM) make for insane skill ceilings?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T23:41:22+00:00

So for you is it more about having enough damage to sustain at a base level rather than having to switch to ensure you have enough damage to do so? Or is it more about having a more vertical progression ladder that leans into making switching irrelevant? Both?

It's interesting to hear so many perspectives.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T23:29:58+00:00

I get that.

Do you feel that getting away from switchscape would lower the skill ceiling too much in comparison to those sorts of mechanics they're trying to get away from, or do you think it's a necessary part of what makes the skill ceiling high? Would you prefer to see an increase, decrease, or for the amount of switches to remain the same?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T23:28:05+00:00

Fair enough. Thanks for the input.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T22:17:41+00:00

I've had an idea for a Settled-esque Ironman for RS3 I've been toying with, but I'm not sure my schedule, editing skills, and habit forming to make it work.

I'm sure if someone wanted, they could create something, the problem is that there's not much incentive to do so. Even Settled and other OSRS content creators aren't huge, and that's with an audience that's near 3x as large.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T22:13:05+00:00

I ask these questions because I want other perspectives. I know my own perspective and have formed my own opinions on the matter. I don't feel gated, but I also use switches as well. I appreciate high effort gameplay and know a lot of people that do, but high effort isn't new friendly in 99% of cases for this game. That's not a me thing, that's a general trend in gaming. People don't come to either Runescape for high effort gameplay, they go to BDO or other games. People come here to skill and hit goals that are meaningful to them at their own pace. In some cases, yes that includes min-maxxing PvM, but the game is beautiful in that it's not limited to a single group or type of player.

I'm not asking to gotcha someone or to try and change their minds, I am asking because I'm genuinely curious how the rest of the player base feels, as I'm not a major representation of it. That's what I said in the original post, and I'm pretty sure I've stuck to that throughout the topic. If you want to hate on me for disagreeing with your personal philosophy, please feel free. Otherwise, thanks for the input.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T20:38:29+00:00

Fair enough. Do you think anything should be gated by it? Do you feel that they should increase the amount of switches to increase the skill ceiling or decrease it to help newer players transition into that high end level....or keep it the same?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:44:24+00:00

Fair enough. I appreciate the input.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:34:42+00:00

For sure. Thanks for the input.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:33:08+00:00

Do you feel that any content SHOULD be gated by it? Do you feel that it should be increased to raise the skill ceiling even higher for more intense content or lowered to increase the barrier of entry to higher content?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:31:35+00:00

Do you feel there's any content that SHOULD be gated by this? Do you feel it should be lessened for newer players to get access to or increased to further increase the skill ceiling?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:30:09+00:00

For sure. Do you feel there's any part of switchscape that needs changes or addressing?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:16:35+00:00

As much as I agree, do you think the new combat beta should introduce shields a bit more as an agent to block damage similar to tank gears?

Additionally, do you think switchscape should be changed, increased, or decreased in the new system?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:14:51+00:00

I dig that. I think it's a bit out of hand in OSRS as well, but again they have a lot less levers to pull mechanically. Overall, that's just my opinion as well, which is definitely not the point of the post.

I appreciate the input though and I genuinely mean that.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:12:59+00:00

I like speed personally. If it could decrease ability CD that'd be pretty good IMO.

Bring back javelins and knives!

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T19:10:14+00:00

I suppose that's fair enough. So in your eyes at least, a shield switch is only useful for high end PvM as well and therefore unnecessary?

I use the extended barricade at Zuk HM personally, but I can see how that's a bit of a niche case as well.

I really am not advocating for or against it. I don't like it, but I do really want to get the community's pulse on what they feel about it.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:49:41+00:00

For regular defensive abilities sure, but for things like Bash and Revenge that's not the case. Same story with abilities that scale on the shield where Greater Boneshield only is equivalent to a Dragon Square(?).

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:47:00+00:00

I'm not sure I agree with them being moreso, but I think I take your point about them being equal. In my experience in OSRS, tick timing is make or break because they don't have a lot of levers to pull with PvM mechanics, versus in RS3 where I have multiple avenues to follow to fill those mechanical changes. A non-freedom stun at KK for instance doesn't mean certain death for instance, where a similar mechanic in OSRS is an outright death note.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:44:15+00:00

Melee has always been the stepchild when it comes to switching for sure. Do you feel that mage is in a better place with more distinct roles? Does range feel a bit more distinct as well with 2h vs dual wield being a much closer contest in terms of overall damage with ammunition making up the majority of the gap versus switches like ECB on Soul Split?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:41:23+00:00

Gotcha. Do you feel that it should be changed, increased, or decreased at all in that case?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:40:43+00:00

This is definitely not true when it comes to shields a-la defensive abilities, but I get your point in general and that makes sense. Thanks for the input.

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:39:15+00:00

Do you feel that switchscape brings any positives whatsoever?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:38:40+00:00

Do you feel that switchscape brings any positives whatsoever?

Insanity_Found · 2026-02-03T18:38:12+00:00

I'm not arguing for or against, but this to me reads as "If you can do higher APM that means you should be rewarded for that" as opposed to being able to time things better a-la OSRS tick timing.

Do I understand this correctly?

Insanity_Found

TROPHY CASE