Whats the point to use combination rune

[HopeLessPlayer]

it costs more time & resource

[Gravedigger]

It's often mathematically better to use over regular runes. Take for instance fire surge, you can either spend 7 air, 10 fire, 1 ancient, or 7 steam, 1 ancient.

7 air, 10 fire is enough to craft 3.5x steam creation, which is 56 steam runes. 56 steam runes is enough to cast the spell 8 times.

[Segan]

I did the math on this while I was still fairly new to the game.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1267910/discussions/0/3052860266919907144/

The simple answer: Combination runes are not better. As long as you're using a staff that reduces the cost of one rune type, single runes should be more efficient.

If you don't want to use one of those staffs, or if you're at or close to max level in runecrafting, herblore, and summoning, this advice may no longer be true. But for newer players, staffs + single runes win out by a fairly big margin.

The exception, of course, is in leveling the runecrafting skill. Combination runes are the best option for that.

[Oktober12th]

I still need to find the time to check this. I know you worked though all your math so I am probably just imagining things but it just seems crazy that thats the case.

Two Water Runes: 2 Rune Blanks = 32-80 runes (lets just cut the range in half for a longterm average) or 56 runes

Two Earth Runes: the same thing

Mud Runes: 28 Blanks + 56 Water + 56 Earth = 896-1792 Runes (again split to half) or 1344 Mud runes. and up to 448 random elemental runes.

None of this takes into account a nearly 80% chance to not use materials. And, since things are cut in half, the total could be as high as 2560.

So, for 32 Blanks (which is basically nothing) you end up with SO many runes. Granted, most spells use the same amount of 'base' runes so if it is 2/2 Basic Runes to cast is becomes 2 Combo runes - but with the additional multiplier in there it seems accounted for.

Show me where Im missing something. I know you sat down and worked all this out before and I never had a chance to ask you about it. But with the two of us coming to such a different outcome there has to be a logic error somewhere. (Which Im guessing its with me since I specialize in clown math.)

I also know that Im using maxed levels in my calculations, but thats what the game is centered around for its balance.

[TheDiaz]

I was running the numbers on my head last night, and there is no real benefit for using them. On a game like Runescape, using these allowed you to use less inventory space, but on Melvor there is no inventory management other than the bank. This makes them a waste of resources that you can have more of. I haven't seen the difference when you get higher mastery though, where they basically increase the amount of runes you get for casting spells.

However, they are good for leveling runecrafting if you only factor time in. You use more resources, but gain more xp over time.

The only real way you can make them useful from the start is making spells that require them rn or become part of a recipe or content, but Idk what plans are there in the future.

[Segan]

My calculations are not based on max level gains. I did that math when most of my skills were still below level 60.

The main reason that single runes were better in my above calculations was that the investment cost of creating a second type of elemental rune (before making the combination runes) was a sunken cost that couldn't be recouped.

However, at max level that sunken cost is almost non-existent. But, to counter that, the growth rate of single elemental runes should be slightly higher (thanks to the potion) than for combination runes. So, intuitively, single runes should still be slightly (albeit negligibly) better. But that still assumes you'll be using the appropriate staff to offset costs. If you aren't, then combination runes are definitely better.

I'll consider doing the actual math later.

On a personal note: I use combination runes because I'm too lazy to care. And I prefer to use a wand instead of the staves.

[Oktober12th]

Segan původně napsal:

But, to counter that, the growth rate of single elemental runes should be slightly higher (thanks to the potion) than for combination runes. So, intuitively, single runes should still be slightly (albeit negligibly) better.

I think this might be the crux of the issue - those silly extra 8 runes.

Looking at what you said, my question becomes this: When you do the calculations for the Combo Runes, do you take into account that those Combos are making MORE Elemental Runes, which can then be made back into MORE Combo runes? This will generate additional combos at a rate of either x8 or x16 for just the cost of the additional blanks (which are still basically nothing).

In this case, it seems like the growth rate for Combos would overtake the rate of Elementals.

EDIT: Oh, and I only use wands too except on my 'crafting' set. Staves are for suckas!

[Segan]

Oktober12th původně napsal:

Looking at what you said, my question becomes this: When you do the calculations for the Combo Runes, do you take into account that those Combos are making MORE Elemental Runes, which can then be made back into MORE Combo runes? This will generate additional combos at a rate of either x8 or x16 for just the cost of the additional blanks (which are still basically nothing).

This is why I said the sunken cost becomes almost non-existent. Resource preservation + random +8 elemental runes should make the sunken cost go away.

[Oktober12th]

Gotcha.

If you ever get a chance to do a deepdive with full levels and equipment I would love to see how the numbers turn out.

[Oktober12th]

Oh, and to anybody reading this that isnt far along in the game and wonders why I keep saying Blank Runes arent really anything:

Once you have a mid-to-high level in Mining you can just leave your game running for a while (I left it overnight, so around 8ish hours) you will get enough Blanks to last you pretty much forever. The only exception are characters that do a LOT of spellcasting. Even then Im pretty sure 16 or so hours and you would never need to mine then ever again.