Time-locking PvM auras is terrible for new/returning players. Can something please be done?

To balance it out and prevent people having to wait 6+ months to use anything worthwhile, how about an extension to the current loyalty mechanic, something like:

Firstly, give everyone a 1-time option to refund all loyalty points spent on auras. Should stop at least some of the complaints that would undoubtedly come from any change that gets implemented.

Then keep the current system intact. Its annoying, but its a well established mechanic and it does do its job of rewarding loyalty, although there are possibly better ways it could be done.

Finally, introduce a 'wildcard' aura. The idea with these is that once a month you can choose which aura this wildcard will give the effect of. The effects of this aura would differ depending on your membership status...: * F2P: This functions as a tier 1 aura. Introduces the concept of auras to f2p players and gives them a small boost) * 1st month of membership: (up to) Tier 2 aura * General members: (up to) Tier 3 aura. Enough to level the playing field a bit for high-level PvM * 6 consecutive months of membership: (up to) Tier 4 aura * VIP members: (up to) Tier 5 aura

If you choose, say, to have your wildcard as supreme jack of trades for a month, but you own the regular jack of trades aura, then the supreme takes precedent and the regular aura becomes unusable until the wildcard is changed. Wildcards cannot be used to pick lower-tier versions of auras you currently own.

/r/runescape Thread