Runescape’s Deadman mode rules!

The new mode has proved to be popular with players and live streamers.

Over 90k viewers tuned into the second Runescape Deadman Invitational on the final day as 2,000 remaining players battled for glory — and the massive $10K prize after five days of preparation and mindless slaughter.

In Deadman Mode, as the name probably suggests you are quite literally marked for death as it is a complete pvp server with very few safe havens. It’s is a bloodbath with the sole objective being to kill everyone else. But there’s a catch — when you die in Deadman Mode you lose half your XP and skills, apart from 5 skills of your choosing. The person who killed you also gets a key to your chest to loot it.

With the stakes high, players tend to avoid each other until a much higher level where they’re better equipped to take on others and farm for gear. Not having a plan at any given time is tantamount to suicide in Deadman Mode. Another strategy some adopt is levelling up as fast as possible and hunting low level players to farm gear and money, rather than boost on. While the risk is higher, so are the rewards.

The most interesting development however has been that of Skillers. These players focus on passive non-combat skills to provide items and services to profit from the ensuing carnage across the map; not too different from what happens in real life. They are an integral part of Deadman Mode as it gives the fighters freedom to focus on combat and equips them with better gear and potions. This usually leads to alliances where a player or players provide ‘protection’ to a skiller in exchange for services and at times taking out competition.

Not only has Deadman Mode proved popular, it’s become a great hit with YouTube and Twitch audiences by providing a similar concept to H1Z1 or DayZ with some old school nostalgia from everyone’s favourite MMO! I personally can’t wait to watch more when the third one comes around.