Runescape Minigame Guide - Castle Wars

Introduction

This game is only for Runescape members. It is considered a safe mini-game, meaning you cannot die, or lose any of your items here. On December 13th 2004, Castle Wars was released, and has been a Runescape favorite since then. The Castle Wars Arena is located south of Ardougne, close to the Gnome maze. Choose to be on Saradomin, Zamorak, or Guthix’s side.

Castle Wars is a game very similar to the game “Capture the flag”. There are two teams, Saradomin or Zamorak. If you choose Guthix, you will be on the side with less people. Each team starts at their own castle. Some people may choose to stay at their castle to protect their flag, or some people may run into the opponent’s castle to steal it. Once you bring the opponents flag to your castle, you win a point and the flag is returned. The game is 20 minutes, and the team with the most points wins.

The Castle Wars Arena is located west of Yanille, south of Ardougne and West of the Gnome maze. The easiest way to get there is to use the ring of dueling. Rub it and choose to teleport to Castle Wars.

Starting Castle Wars

First, choose your favorite god’s team. Each team has a portal, Blue – Saradomin, Red – Zamorak, and Green – Guthix. Remember there is no Guthix team. If you choose Guthix you will go to the team with less people. Once you enter a portal, you will be sent to the waiting room.

Waiting

At the top of your screen, it will say how many more minutes until the next game starts. You can chat with your friends, make plans, or trade while waiting. You can also exit the waiting area whenever you like, by going through the portal again. Some funny things happen when you enter a portal to the waiting room wearing an item that does not represent the god you have chosen. This means if you wear Saradomin items (Holy symbol, Saradomin cape or armor ETC.) then you will change into some different form and remain that way until the game starts. The different forms you can become are, a rabbit, a sheep, or an imp. Entering Saradomins team wearing Zamorak items makes you a rabbit. If you enter the Guthix portal wearing the same god’s armor, you will become a sheep. Entering Zamorak’s team with other god items, you will turn into an imp. Once you exit the waiting area, you will turn back into you regular self.

Preparing for battle

Once you get to the Castle Wars arena, you can access the bank chest located inside the building. You cannot wear anything on your head or back, meaning no hats, helmets or capes. Gather you armor, robes, weapons, runes or anything you need for battle. Recently, Jagex changed the rules for Castle Wars, and now you are not allowed to bring any items that have nothing to do with combat. You can also buy a Castle Wars manual for 5gp from Lanthas too.

Outside

The battle ground in Castle Wars is a big square. On the North-West corner there is the Zamorak castle, and on the very South-East corner there is the Saradomin castle. There is a long river cutting through the middle of the battle ground. You can use the bridge to cross, or hop on the stepping stones to get across.

Castle

The castle is 4 floors high. The 1st floor of the castle has equipment you can get to aid you in battle. The kind of equipment you can get is listed below. The 2nd floor has a catapult outside which you can use to fire rocks at the opponent. This floor inside, is also the starting point and respawn point of your team. You can get bandages here to heal you. The 3rd floor is a small area with a trapdoor that can lead you down one floor. The 4th floor is the top level, and here is your flag. You must protect this flag from your opponent, and you must steal the opponent’s flag and bring it here to get a point.

Underground

There is also an underground cave from you castle leading to the opponent’s castle. This can be a good way to sneak into your opponent’s castle. There is one trapdoor in each castle leading to the underground passage and also two trapdoors in the very middle of the battle ground, leading down underground. Sometimes there are rocks blocking your way. You must destroy the rocks with an explosive or pick your way through to get past.

Tactics for Battle

Special Castle Wars Equipment

You can get some equipment inside you castle. The items are the following:

Empty Bucket – Regular bucket used for carrying water. You can use the bucket of water to put out fires on catapults, or barricades.

Climbing Rope – There are some places on the castle were you can use the climbing rope to climb the castle walls. This can be a good way to get inside the opponents castle.

Barricade – you can set a barricade on the ground to block your opponent from getting past. Each team can only set ten barricades at the same time. These barricades can be destroyed by attacking them, burning them with tinderboxes, or destroyed with explosives.

Explosive potion – These are very handy items. You can throw them at barricades or rocks underground to destroy them, allowing you to get through. But be careful not to drop these! If you drop these on the ground, they will explode, damaging you greatly.

Toolkits – Use these to repair damaged doors and destroyed catapults.

Pickaxe – Use these to pick your way through the rock underground.

Rock – Use these with the catapult to fire them at your opponents.

Bandage – Use them to heal 5 HP and some of your restore energy.

Note: You cannot take any of these special items out of the game. They are for Castle Wars only.

Defense

Doors – There are many ways to defend your flag from the other team. The castle already has locked doors and gates. Use the toolkit to repair them when damaged.

Barricades – Using barricades in narrow areas can be very effective. A good tactic is to set a few barricades on the 2nd floor right next to the respawn and starting point. Keep a group of about 5 people there, and attack your enemies when they come. The barricades will block them from going past, and you can fight them before they pass. Keep some barricades in your iventory and replace broken barricades.

Catapult – The catapult is also effective for defense. Have a group of about 2-3 people at your catapult. Fill your inventory with rocks and fire like crazy at any enemy close by. Even if you don’t hit them directly, you can still deal some damage. If you get a direct hit, you can deal a big 20+ damage! One rock can damage multiple people, if they are close together. Be careful not to attack your team mates. Have your partner protect you when firing the catapult, and repair it immediately if it gets destroyed.

Magic and Ranged – Go to the 2nd floor right next to the catapult. Attack any enemy who comes close to the castle. Since you are a level higher then them, they cannot attack you with melee. Use magic spells on them or range them. Don’t bother picking up the arrows, it will be a waste of time and can get you killed.

Attack

You can enter their castle a few ways. Use the under ground passage way, go through the doors, or climb the wall with the rope.

Underground – If you are going underground, bring a few explosives and a pick. Clear the rocks to get through or use the explosives. Sneak into the opponent’s castle and go up the stairs.

Doors – There is a big door on the very front of the castle. It can be opened or closed. If it is locked, attack it until it opens. Run up the stairs to the top floor.

Ropes – Climb the wall close to the opponents catapult. Use the rope to get up and run to the stairs.

After getting the opponents flag, turn on the protection from melee prayer, because most of the players use melee. Run like crazy. Don’t equip weapons, because you will drop the flag if you do. Also don’t bother attacking your enemies at the enemy castle. It’s just a waste of time, and you will die instantly. If you want to fight, stay at your own castle and defend it.

Game icons

There will be a few icons on your screen while playing Castle Wars. Knowing what these icons mean, may be the key to your victory.

Saradomin Flag – Green means it is safe at the castle. Red means the opponents has it.

Zamorak Flag – Green means it is safe at the castle. Red means the opponent has it.

Gate (Brown, like an upside down U) – This has a health bar. If the gate is damaged, the bar will become red.

Door (A brown rectangle) – Locked means its locked! Unlocked means its unlocked! Of course!

Tunnel icon 1 and 2 (Brown, like a smaller upside down U) – Collapsed means there are some rocks in the way. Cleared means you can pass with no interference.

Catapult (Like a bended L) – Operational means it works! Damaged means you need to repair it with a toolkit before using it.

Time remaining – It means time remaining. Yeah, of course.

Rewards

You will gain 2 Castle Wars tickets if you win, 0 if you lose, and 1 if it is a tie. Save your tickets and trade them in for some decorative items.

Rewards:

Red decorative armor helmet – 4 tickets

Red decorative armor plate body – 8 tickets

Red decorative sword – 5 tickets

Red decorative armor shield – 6 tickets

Red decorative armor plate legs – 6 tickets

White decorative armor helmet – 40 tickets

White decorative armor plate body – 80 tickets

White decorative sword – 50 tickets

White decorative armor shield – 60 tickets

White decorative armor plate legs – 60 tickets

Gold decorative armor helmet – 400 tickets

Gold decorative armor plate body – 800 tickets

Gold decorative sword – 500 tickets

Gold decorative armor shield – 600 tickets

Gold decorative armor plate legs – 600 tickets

Blue Castle Wars cloak – 10 tickets

Blue Castle Wars hood – 10 tickets

Red Castle Wars cloak – 10 tickets

Red Castle Wars hood – 10 tickets

The cloaks and hoods are the same you wear in the game. The armor is not strong. Red armor is the weakest and is strong as steel armor. White armor is the next strongest and is as strong a mithril armor. Gold armor is the strongest and is strong as adamant armor. These Castle Wars armor is more for decoration purposes then battle. They are way harder to get then regular, steel, mithril, and adamant armor.

HAVE FUN PLAYING CASTLE WARS ! ! !