# RuneScape Mid-Game Rebalance Is Live!

- Product: RuneScape (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/runescape)
- Vendor: Jagex Ltd
- Date: 2026-07-20
- Original notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1343400/view/706651749010638287
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/runescape/releases/2026-07-20-mid-game-rebalance-is-live

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- **changed** — Retiered existing Shortbows, Longbows, Crossbows and 2h Crossbows to align item requirements more closely with their power
- **added** — Added additional Shortbows, Longbows, Crossbows and 2h Crossbows to fill gaps in leveling progression
- **removed** — Retired Shieldbows and replaced them wholesale with their equivalent tier Longbows
- **changed** — Yew shortbows and longbows retiered to level 70 and made members only items
- **changed** — Standardised metal usage in Crossbow creation
- **changed** — Updated drop tables and shop inventories containing retiered items to offer the new item for that range level instead
- **added** — Added missing tiers of Arrows and Bolts from Orikalkum to Elder Rune
- **changed** — Unified Bane ammunition creation with regular arrows and bolts using Tune Bane Ore instead of banite ore or banite rock
- **changed** — Unified Primal ammunition creation to be made the same way as regular arrows and bolts
- **changed** — Unf bolts are now created by bars and feathered like regular bolts
- **changed** — Primal bolts are made in increments of 50 Unf bolts per bar to align with other bolt creation quantities
- **removed** — Removed bolt and arrow proficiency leveling benefits
- **changed** — Increased baseline XP for bolt and arrow creation when first unlocked
- **changed** — Buffed XP for Anachronia full lap completions
- **changed** — Buffed XP for Harmonic Dust
- **removed** — Removed negative perks from Invention
- **changed** — Increased weighting for Vannaka to offer Sanguine Crawler tasks
- **changed** — Artificers measure now has parity with Upgraded Gem bag and can be filled with Opal, Jade and Topaz gems as well as noted gems
- **changed** — Strykebow remains as a shieldbow
- **changed** — All current shieldbows gain +1 range when converted to longbows

Hello 'Scapers!

The Mid-Game Rebalance has arrived, with a strong focus on improving the mid-game experience through targeted buffs and quality-of-life upgrades. Our goal is to bring key areas of progression up to more modern standards and make the journey through the mid-game more rewarding.

Let's get into it!

##### **
Index:**

- Core Fletching Re-Tier

- Agility Rebalance

- Divination Reblance

- God Wars Dungeon Changes

- General Changes

- Drop Rate Changes

Most of this may feel familiar to some you if you already checked out our preview a few weeks back - since then we've changed the following things, so do check out the details on those below:

##### **
Changes since the Mid-Game Rebalance Preview:**

- Further buffed XP for Anachronia full lap completions (details in Agility Rebalance).

- Further buffed XP for Harmonic Dust (details in General Changes).

- Removed negative perks from invention (details in General Changes).

- Increased the weighting for Vannaka to offer Sanguine Crawler tasks.

- The Artificers measure now has parity with the new Upgraded Gem bag and can be filled with Opal, Jade and Topaz gems as well as noted gems.

##### **Core Fletching Re-Tier**

The Fletching re-tier has been in the works for quite some time, and the Mid-Game Rebalance provides the perfect opportunity to finally bring it to life.

Over the years, a number of inconsistencies have appeared throughout Fletching progression. Certain weapons and ammunition have level requirements that don't align with similarly powerful equipment found elsewhere in the game, while some level bands contain noticeable gaps or confusing progression paths. Some of these issues have also emerged as a result of previous Woodcutting tiering changes.

This update aims to address the majority of those inconsistencies, creating a more logical and intuitive progression path for both Fletching and Ranged combat. By aligning item requirements more closely with their power, filling progression gaps, and improving consistency across level bands, we want the journey from early levels through to 99 and beyond to feel smoother, easier to understand, and more rewarding.

It's important to note that this update focuses on re-tiering the core Fletching skill rather than overhauling it entirely. As a result, not every Fletching item has been revisited as part of this project. Darts, knives, and javelins will remain unchanged for now.

Given their relatively low usage in the current game, we felt comfortable prioritising other areas of Fletching progression for this update. However, we're keen to revisit these items in the future as part of a broader review of their role and relevance within RuneScape's combat and skilling ecosystems.

##### **Summary of Changes**

- Retiered existing Shortbows, Longbows, Crossbows and 2h Crossbows

- Yew shortbows and longbows are retiered to level 70 and, as a result, have become members only items. Free-to-play players will still have level 40 and 50 Ranged options through Maple and Acadia bows.

- Added in additional Shortbows, Longbows, Crossbows and 2h Crossbows to fill in holes in the leveling.

- Shieldbows are being retired and replaced wholesale with their equivalent tier Longbows.

- Our data indicates that shieldbows have been left in such an awkward space that their usage is incredibly low, meaning that they actually add bloat and inconsistency to the game. By replacing them with Longbows we expect the choice of bow to be made easier and less confusing for players.

- The primary reason for this change is because shieldbows have acted as a bit of a trap to newer players who are fletching them without realising that they deal vastly reduced damage compared to an equivalent shortbow, despite them having a higher fletching requirement.

- All current shieldbows gain +1 range when converted to longbows.

- The Strykebow remain as a shieldbow.

- Standardised metal usage in Crossbow creation.

- Drop tables and shop inventory

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1343400/view/706651749010638287]_