Combat is subdivided into three main categories

Combat is subdivided into three main categories: melee, magic and ranged. Melee attacks are close range, magic attacks focus on using runestones to cast spells,  and ranged attacks use projectile weapons like arrows, darts or knives.

These combat types make up the “Combat Triangle”, which states that melee attacks are effective against ranged opponents, ranged attacks are effective against magic opponents and magic attacks are effective against melee opponents. The advantages and disadvantages of the combat triangle apply to both NPCs and player opponents.

Unlike most games in the MMORPG genre, RuneScapedoes not require players to choose a character class nor are players bound to a specific category of combat. They may freely change between or combine the three styles of combat by switching weapons and armour.