pest-control-gameplay

Pest Control Minigame Gameplay (January 2009)

Overview

Pest Control is a cooperative multiplayer combat minigame where 5-25 players defend the Void Knight from monsters while destroying four portals. Players earn Void Knight commendation points for winning, which can be exchanged for experience, equipment, and resources. The minigame is safe - players keep items on death and respawn on the lander.

Core objective: Destroy all 4 portals before the Void Knight dies OR survive 20 minutes.

Requirements

Combat Levels

• Novice Lander (Boat #1): Level 40+
• Intermediate Lander (Boat #2): Level 70+
• Veteran Lander (Boat #3): Level 100+

Participation Requirements

• Damage requirement: 50 points of damage to receive rewards
• Repairing: Fixing barricades/gates awards 5 points toward the damage requirement
• No pets, multicannons, or familiars allowed

Starting the Game

• Minimum players: 5 players
• Maximum players: 25 players per game
• Auto-start: Game begins immediately when lander fills with 25 players
• Wait time: Otherwise, 5-minute wait before game starts

Location & Access

Travel to Pest Control:

1. Go to Port Sarim docks (south of Lady Lumbridge ship)
2. Speak with the Squire
3. Select "Travel" to Void Knights' Outpost

The Outpost includes:

• Bank
• General Store (sells Field rations)
• Anvil (Squire repairs Barrows armor)
• Void Knight Archery Store
• Void Knight Magic Store (body, elemental, mind, chaos, death runes)

Popular worlds: 53, 69, 115, 144

Winning Conditions

Victory Requirements

1. Destroy all 4 portals before the Void Knight dies, OR
2. Survive for 20 minutes (very difficult)

Void Knight Healing

• Each portal destroyed heals the Void Knight:
  • Novice boat: +50 HP per portal
  • Intermediate/Veteran: +60 HP per portal

Game Mechanics

Portal Shield System

Update: July 17, 2007 - Portals start with shields that must drop before attack:

Shield drop timing:

• 0:15 - First portal shield drops (15 seconds into game)
• 0:30 - Second portal drops (30 seconds after first)
• 0:30 - Third portal drops (30 seconds after second)
• 0:30 - Fourth portal drops (30 seconds after third)
• Total: All portals attackable after 1 minute 45 seconds

Shield drop patterns (6 possible orders):

1. Blue → Red → Yellow → Purple
2. Blue → Purple → Red → Yellow
3. Purple → Blue → Yellow → Red
4. Purple → Yellow → Blue → Red
5. Yellow → Purple → Red → Blue
6. Yellow → Red → Purple → Blue

Pattern rules:

• If Purple drops first, Red drops last
• If Yellow drops first, Blue drops last
• Red portal never drops first

Portal Properties

Portal	Location	Weak To	HP (Novice)	HP (Other)
East (Blue)		Magic	200	250
Southeast (Yellow)		Slash	200	250
Southwest (Red)		Crush/Stab	200	250
West (Purple)		Ranged	200	250

Portal mechanics:

• Very high defense - strength/attack enhancing prayers/potions recommended
• Spinners heal portals if not killed first
• Shield visible as faint white lines around portal

Monsters

Priority System

Kill Priority:

1. Spinners (healing portals) - HIGHEST
2. Ravagers (destroying gates) - HIGH
3. Splatters (near gates) - MEDIUM-HIGH
4. Defilers/Torchers (ranged attackers) - MEDIUM
5. Shifters (teleporting to knight) - MEDIUM
6. Brawlers (blocking paths) - LOWEST

Monster Details

Spinner

Priority: #1 - Kill first!

• Appearance: Spinning top/jellyfish, floats above ground
• Threat: Heals portals
• Behavior: If portal destroyed while healing, explodes and poisons nearby players (5 damage poison)
• Combat levels: 37, 55, 74, 87, 92
• Distinct sound when healing portal

Ravager

Priority: #2

• Appearance: Mole-like with oversized claws, red eyes
• Threat: Tears down gates (primary gate destroyer)
• Behavior: Continues destroying target before engaging in combat
• Combat levels: 36, 52, 71, 89, 106
• Weakness: Relatively weak in direct combat

Splatter

Priority: Variable (high near gates)

• Appearance: Giant ball with single eye, liquid inside
• Threat: Detonates near fort/gates for massive AoE damage
• Behavior: Explodes on death OR when reaching target
• Chain reactions: Can trigger other splatters if HP low enough
• Combat levels: 22, 33, 44, 55, 66
• Note: No prayer protection against detonation
• Strategic use: Can detonate near monster groups as AoE

Defiler

Priority: #3-4 (kill if attacking knight)

• Appearance: Snake lower half, humanoid top, cat face
• Threat: Ranged attacks over long distances, targets knight
• Attack: Throws barbs dealing high ranged damage
• Behavior: Can shoot over walls UNLESS directly in front of gate
• Combat levels: 33, 50, 66, 80, 100

Torcher

Priority: #3-4 (kill if attacking knight)

• Appearance: Winged worm
• Threat: Long-distance magic attacks, targets knight
• Behavior: Can attack over walls UNLESS directly in front of gate
• Combat levels: 33, 49, 67, 83, 100

Shifter

Priority: #3 (dangerous for defenders)

• Appearance: Spider bottom half, praying mantis scythes
• Threat: Teleports through walls directly to Void Knight
• Behavior: Excellent melee combat, can teleport past defenses
• Combat levels: 36, 57, 76, 90, 104
• Note: Most dangerous for knight defenders

Brawler

Priority: #6 (lowest - ignore unless blocking)

• Appearance: Rhino/elephant-like with spikes, pointed snout
• Threat: Defends portals, blocks paths
• Behavior: Does NOT attack fort normally
• Combat levels: 51, 76, 102, 129
• Unique: ONLY creature players cannot run through (blocks like walls)
• Strategic use: Lure to knight's steps as mobile barricade

Defensive Strategies

Gate Management

CRITICAL: Keep gates closed!

Gate mechanics:

• Defilers/Torchers directly in front of gate CANNOT shoot over it
• Closed gates block most monsters
• East/West gates: Pests only fire if gate is breached or open
• South gate: Always most important (spawns from SE and SW portals converge here)

Gate priority:

1. South gate - Most important (2 portals' monsters)
2. East gate - Has barricade protection
3. West gate - Secondary priority

Repairing gates:

• Damaged gates become unmovable until repaired
• Check East gate first for exit (barricade protects longer)
• Repairs award 5 damage points

Defensive Positions

Priority positions:

1. On Void Knight platform (best for low levels)

• Easy respawn access
• Constant shifter attacks
• Kill shifters immediately

2. Outside South gate

• Close gates after players pass
• Kill defilers/torchers shooting over walls
• Ignore pests stuck outside gate (can't shoot)
• Kill splatters and ravagers immediately (gate protection)
• Both SE and SW portal pests attack here

3. East or West gate (if broken)

• Stand on South square of gate
• Blocks defilers/spinners from entering
• Forms orderly queue of enemies
• Hit each to draw aggro from knight
• Only front enemy can attack you

Defender Tactics

Distraction technique:

• Attack pests before they "see" the Void Knight
• Shifts aggro to you instead of knight
• Protecting knight is objective, not yourself

Armor recommendation:

• Dragonhide armor - Blocks magic, melee, and ranged decently
• All three combat styles present in Pest Control

Turn off auto-retaliate:

• Prevents running around randomly when hit
• Maintains better positioning control

Offensive Strategies

Portal Attack Positioning

Optimal position:

• Stand one step to either side of center between portal and knight
• Allows access to spinners
• Prevents being blocked by monster swarm
• Standing behind portal effective but requires coordinated front attacker

Bad positions:

• Direct center (hides spinners from other players, blocks your own access)
• Behind portal alone (can't reach spinners if front blocked)

Combat Tactics

Spinner priority:

• Use Right-Click to target spinners in monster crowds
• Spinners make distinctive sound when healing
• Don't need to kill - just make them attack you instead of healing
• Spinners explode and poison if portal destroyed first

Brawler handling:

• Attack brawler, let it attack you, then walk backwards
• Brawler follows, clearing logjam at portal
• Multiple brawlers: repeat for each

Rangers/Mages:

• Can draw spinners away from portals
• Spinners follow if path is clear
• Use towers (6 high-level rangers/mages ideal)

Special Tactics

Prayer bonuses: Equip gear matching combat style Special attacks: Useful options include:

• Dragon Battleaxe (with restore potion)
• Dragon Dagger
• Dragon Halberd
• Dragon 2H Sword (hits multiple pests)
• Composite Magic Bow
• Magic Shortbow

Ancient Magicks:

• Multi-target spells very effective
• Expensive runes (half XP during PC)
• Good for unreachable spinners

Chinchompa ranging:

• Hits multiple targets in multiple squares
• Very effective for portal piles
• Expensive, reduced XP

Void Seal:

• Detonates for AoE damage (7-12 damage)
• Hits all nearby monsters
• Does NOT work on portals
• Has charges (8 charges, replacements cost 10 points)

Rewards

Commendation Points

Points per win:

• Novice boat: 2 points
• Intermediate boat: 3 points
• Veteran boat: 4 points

Bonus coins: 10 × combat level if all portals destroyed

Point cap: Maximum 250 points

• Warning if boarding at 250 points
• Warning if win would waste points (e.g., 248 points + 4 point win)

Bonus XP: Trading 100 points at once gives 10% extra XP per point (10 points = 1% bonus)

Experience Rewards

Eligible skills: Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, Prayer (all level 25+)

Experience formula: CEILING((Level+25)*(Level-24)/606,1)*N

• N = 35 (Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints)
• N = 32 (Ranged, Magic)
• N = 18 (Prayer)

Experience table (per point):

Level Range	Attack/Str/Def/HP	Ranged/Magic	Prayer
25-34	35 XP	32 XP	18 XP
35-42	70 XP	64 XP	36 XP
43-48	105 XP	96 XP	54 XP
49-54	140 XP	128 XP	72 XP
55-59	175 XP	160 XP	90 XP
60-64	210 XP	192 XP	108 XP
65-69	245 XP	224 XP	126 XP
70-73	280 XP	256 XP	144 XP
74-77	315 XP	288 XP	162 XP
78-81	350 XP	320 XP	180 XP
82-84	385 XP	352 XP	198 XP
85-88	420 XP	384 XP	216 XP
89-91	455 XP	416 XP	234 XP
92-94	490 XP	448 XP	252 XP
95-97	525 XP	480 XP	270 XP
98-99	560 XP	512 XP	288 XP

Note: Experience gained at half rate during game. Reward XP usually exceeds in-game XP.

Hitpoints consideration: Using PC for combat skills reduces HP XP ratio. Use ~1 point on HP per 3 points on combat skills to maintain normal ratio.

Void Knight Equipment

Weaponry:

• Void Knight Mace: 250 points

Armor:

• Void Knight Top: 250 points
• Void Knight Robe: 250 points
• Void Knight Gloves: 150 points
• Void Melee Helm: 200 points
• Void Magic Helm: 200 points
• Void Ranger Helm: 200 points

Other:

• Void Knight Seal (8 charges): 10 points

Resource Packs

Herb Pack: 30 points

• Example contents: 2 Harralander, 3 Ranarr, 1 Toadflax, 3 Irit, 4 Avantoe, 2 Kwuarm
• Grimy herbs (random assortment)

Mineral Pack: 15 points

• Common: 25 Coal, 18 Iron ore

Seed Pack: 15 points

• Common: 3 Sweetcorn seeds, 6 Tomato seeds, 2 Limpwurt seeds

Charms (2 points each)

• Ravager Charm
• Shifter Charm
• Spinner Charm
• Torcher Charm
• Purchase amounts: 1, 14, or 28 (costs 2, 28, or 56 points)

Strategy Tips

Communication

Direction confusion:

• Landing boat faces South
• Tell players portal colors instead of directions
• Less confusion than "East" vs "West"

Help new players:

• Give advice when asked
• Low combat players can handle spinners to help

General Tips

Experience vs Winning:

• Post-2007 update: half XP during game
• Win rewards usually exceed "portal hanging" XP
• Play for the win, not for in-game kills

Clan coordination:

• Pest Control clans cluster by combat level
• Use clan chat for world hopping coordination
• Clans hop when too many low levels join

Tower usage:

• Rarely used but effective
• 6 high-level rangers/mages in towers
• Pick off unreachable spinners/brawlers
• 3 high-level melee with knight
• Rest attack portals together

Quick Reference Card

Monster Threats

Monster	Threat	Priority	Action
Spinner	Heals portal	1 - Kill First!	Right-click to target
Ravager	Destroys gates	2 - High	Kill immediately
Splatter	AoE explosion	High near gates	Kill or avoid
Defiler	Ranged, attacks knight	Medium	Kill if attacking knight
Torcher	Magic, attacks knight	Medium	Kill if attacking knight
Shifter	Teleports to knight	Medium	Kill if defending
Brawler	Blocks paths	Lowest	Ignore unless blocking

Gate Rules

• ✅ Always keep closed
• ✅ South gate most critical
• ✅ Repair damaged gates (+5 damage points)
• ❌ Monsters in front of gate can't shoot over it
• ❌ East/West pests only fire if gate open/breached

Win Conditions

• Destroy all 4 portals (heals knight per portal)
• OR survive 20 minutes

Point System

• Need 50 damage OR repair gates (5 points each)
• Novice: 2 points/win
• Intermediate: 3 points/win
• Veteran: 4 points/win
• Max 250 points

Historical Notes

Update History:

• April 18, 2006: Pest Control released
• May 16, 2006: Added level 40 requirement, 50 damage requirement
• February 19, 2007: Blocked pet cats
• July 17, 2007: Major update
  • Split into 3 boats (40+, 70+, 100+)
  • Portal shield system added (min 2-3 minutes)
  • Reduced XP per point to 35% of original
  • Players can run through all monsters except Brawlers
  • Caused "World 99 riot" - players protested XP nerfs

Controversies:

• "PC Product" - Insult for players who trained primarily via Pest Control
• Referenced in TokTz-Ket-Dill quest ("Void Knight Products")
• Debates about XP formula changes

Related Mechanics

Void Seal usage:

• Only works in Pest Control region
• Rub to unleash power
• AoE damage to nearby monsters
• Multiple charge levels

Music:

• Track: "Pest Control"
• Bug: Temporarily changed to "Chef Surprize" after second update