Snakeskin In OSRS: Unpacking This Iconic Early-Game Ranger Gear
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) stands as the official legacy version of RuneScape, a colossal free-to-play MMORPG that continues to captivate millions. From the earliest days of chopping trees in Lumbridge to tackling formidable bosses in the Wilderness, OSRS offers an unparalleled journey of progression and discovery. Amidst the vast array of gear available, one particular set often sparks discussion among newer players and veterans alike: Snakeskin armour. While it might not be the most powerful or visually striking, Snakeskin gear holds a unique place in the OSRS ecosystem, serving as a reliable stepping stone for aspiring rangers.
For many, the journey through Gielinor begins with basic combat gear, slowly upgrading as their skills improve and their bank grows. Snakeskin gear typically enters the picture as players start to delve deeper into ranged combat, seeking affordable yet effective protection. It's a classic example of early-to-mid game gear that provides a solid foundation without requiring a massive investment, making it accessible to a wide range of players, from those just starting their adventure to ironmen meticulously planning their progression, like the one who achieved their first 99 on an ironman and eventually became maxed.
The Allure of Snakeskin: What Is It?
Snakeskin gear is a range-focused armour set crafted from, you guessed it, snakeskins. These hides are obtained by killing various snake-like creatures across Gielinor, often found in areas like the Mos Le'Harmless caves or the Kebos Lowlands. The gear set typically includes a body, chaps, vambraces, boots, and a bandana, offering a complete, lightweight ranged defence solution.
What makes Snakeskin particularly appealing is its relatively low barrier to entry. While it requires a Crafting level of 45 to make most pieces, this is a skill level that many players can achieve without extensive grinding. The materials themselves, though sometimes a "pain in the ass to get" in large quantities, are generally consistent drops from their respective creatures, making the process of acquiring them a straightforward, albeit sometimes repetitive, task.
Crafting Your Own Snakeskin Gear
The Crafting skill is essential for anyone looking to make their own Snakeskin armour. Let's take the Snakeskin boots as a prime example of the crafting process. To create a pair, you'll need 6 snakeskins. Upon successful crafting, you'll gain 30 experience points, which breaks down to 5 experience points per snakeskin. This isn't the fastest Crafting experience in the game, but it's a viable method, especially if you're collecting the hides yourself through combat.
Beyond its utility as wearable gear, Snakeskin items also have an interesting economic aspect. Once crafted, items like the Snakeskin boots can be high alched for 150 coins. This means that even if you outgrow the gear, it retains some value, providing a modest return on your investment in snakeskins and your time spent crafting. This makes it a decent option for early-game money making or simply recouping some costs as you progress.
Key Snakeskin Crafting Details:
- Required Skill: Crafting level 45 for most pieces.
- Materials: Snakeskins (number varies per item, e.g., 6 for boots).
- Experience: 30 XP per pair of boots (5 XP per snakeskin).
- Alch Value: Snakeskin boots high alch for 150 coins.
Snakeskin's Place in the OSRS Meta
In the grand scheme of OSRS gear, Snakeskin occupies a specific niche. It's often seen as an upgrade from basic leather armour and a precursor to more advanced ranged sets like Green d'hide, Blue d'hide, and eventually Black d'hide. Its lightweight nature and decent ranged bonuses make it suitable for a variety of activities, from slayer tasks to questing.
Defensive Stats and Comparisons
When evaluating gear in OSRS, defensive stats are crucial. Let's compare the Snakeskin body to the Black d'hide body, especially in light of recent rebalances. Before a significant nerf, the Black d'hide body boasted impressive defensive stats: 55 stab, 47 slash, 60 crush, 50 magic, and 55 ranged defence. After the nerf, these stats were adjusted to 30 stab, 35 slash, 35 crush, 45 magic, and 50 ranged defence.
For comparison, the Snakeskin body offers more modest defensive stats: 25 stab, 28 slash, 32 crush, 15 magic, and 35 ranged defence. This clearly shows that even after the Black d'hide nerf, it remains superior in most defensive categories. However, this isn't necessarily a condemnation of Snakeskin. As the data suggests, "Snakeskin being slightly better Melee Defence but worse in every other way isn't that abnormal for gear upgrades in OSRS. It is like how Granite has better Ranged Defence." This implies that while Snakeskin might not be universally superior, it offers specific defensive advantages (like melee defence over certain alternatives) that can be useful in particular scenarios or at its specific tier.
The Boots and Bandana
Beyond the main body armour, other Snakeskin pieces play their part. The Snakeskin boots, for instance, provide a +3 ranged bonus. While they are described as the "second to last option" for ranged boots, implying better alternatives exist, they are still a significant upgrade for many accounts in the early stages of their ranged training. The requirement of 6 snake hides for them, while sometimes a "pain in the ass to get," is often worth the effort for the bonus they provide.
Similarly, the Snakeskin bandana exists, offering a ranged boost. While it might provide "less defense to range and melee but more to magic" compared to some other headgear, it's an accessible option. Both the boots and bandana are generally seen as an "easy upgrade to many accounts still in the early" game, providing a cost-effective way to boost ranged accuracy and defence without breaking the bank or requiring high-level content.
Community Perspectives and Potential Updates
The OSRS community is incredibly active, with players constantly discussing game mechanics, balance, and potential updates on platforms like Reddit. The sentiment around older, less visually striking gear like Snakeskin occasionally surfaces. There have been discussions, for instance, about getting "some visual update to the bland" appearance of certain items. While Snakeskin isn't usually at the top of the list for graphical reworks, it's part of a broader conversation about modernizing older assets without compromising the game's classic aesthetic.
Furthermore, with ongoing initiatives like "Project Rebalance V3," there's always a possibility that older gear might be revisited. Some players suggest that a "survey should be included in the inevitable Project Rebalance V3" to gather community input on various aspects of the game, including the utility and balance of existing items. While Snakeskin's core role as an early-to-mid game item is well-established, minor tweaks to its stats or crafting requirements could potentially make it even more relevant or attractive to new players.
The community aspect is a huge part of OSRS. Whether it's discussing gear, sharing tips and tricks, or simply enjoying the game, the OSRS Reddit community is a vibrant hub. These discussions highlight the ongoing evolution of the game and the players' desire for a constantly improving experience, even for seemingly minor items like Snakeskin gear.
Conclusion
Snakeskin gear in Old School RuneScape serves as a quintessential example of accessible, early-to-mid game ranged armour. While it may not boast the highest stats or the most intricate designs, its ease of acquisition and crafting, combined with its respectable ranged bonuses, makes it an invaluable stepping stone for players progressing through their ranged levels. From the straightforward crafting process involving snakeskins to its role as an affordable upgrade over basic leather, Snakeskin armour reliably bridges the gap between novice gear and more advanced d'hide sets.
Despite its somewhat "bland" appearance and its eventual replacement by superior gear, Snakeskin maintains its relevance by providing a cost-effective solution for players seeking a boost in ranged accuracy and defence. Its place in the OSRS meta is secure as a reliable, if not revolutionary, choice for those looking to enhance their combat capabilities without a significant investment. As OSRS continues to evolve, the enduring utility of gear like Snakeskin reminds us of the game's depth and its ability to cater to players at every stage of their Gielinorian adventure.
Article Summary:
This article explored Snakeskin gear in Old School RuneScape, highlighting its role as an accessible early-to-mid game ranged armour set. It detailed the crafting requirements (Crafting level 45, 6 snakeskins for boots, 30 XP), its high alch value (150 coins for boots), and its defensive stats in comparison to other gear like Black d'hide. The article also discussed the specific benefits of Snakeskin boots (+3 Ranged bonus) and the Snakeskin bandana as "easy upgrades" for early accounts. Finally, it touched upon community sentiments regarding potential visual updates and rebalances, emphasizing Snakeskin's enduring utility despite its modest appearance and stats compared to end-game alternatives.
Snakeskin boots - OSRS Wiki
Snakeskin armour - OSRS Wiki
Snakeskin boots - OSRS Wiki
