Gender
Gender refers to whether a character in RuneScape is male or female. Like race, it is an attribute that applies to all player characters and many non-player characters (NPCs). Gender in RuneScape is purely cosmetic and does not affect a player's skills or restrict their abilities in any way.
Prior to the August 14th 2024 update, a player would select a gender at character creation; this was replaced by body type and pronoun selection.
Player characters
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The player character's gender is divided into two categories: body type and pronouns. "Body type" refers to if the player character has a male-presenting (body type A) or female-presenting (body type B) body. "Pronouns" refer to if NPCs address the player character by masculine pronouns (he/him), feminine pronouns (she/her), or gender-neutral pronouns (they/them). This means that the player character may (for example) have a female-presenting body, yet be referred to by male pronouns.
Players choose their character's skin colour, body type, and pronouns when creating their account. These attributes may be freely changed at any time by visiting a makeover non-player character.
Attire
Players are not restricted on the clothes or armour they can wear based on their gender. For example, player characters of both body types may wear plateskirts, platelegs, and skirts, and the stats of all armour pieces are the same for both body types. Armour frequently appears differently depending on the player's body type. This is typically seen on body slot armour with body type B having a bare midriff, lower neckline, or bandeau, with blue wizard robe and Verac's brassard as examples.
Non-player characters
Low-level NPCs, known only as "Man" and "Woman," are commonly found in Lumbridge and other places.
Some NPCs exhibit societal, cultural, or hierarchical roles depending on gender. For example, female ice trolls make use of the Ranged attack style, while male ice trolls use melee.
Several non-human bosses have a gender revealed by lore or their examine text — for example, Cerberus is referred to as "her" when in a Boss lair display and Kree'arra said he is male during the 2014 Birthday event. Interestingly, Zulrah is referred to as "him" by the people of Zul-Andra and "her" in the Boss lair display.
The Makeover Mage has the ability to swap between genders whenever they want to, and does so randomly according to their mood.
Historical behaviours
Some quests had notable behavioural or content changes depending on gender. These were removed in the Diversity & Inclusion updates on 9 November 2022.
Recruitment Drive
In order to defeat Sir Leye during Recruitment Drive, the player had to be female as Saradomin had blessed Sir Leye such that "no man" could harm him. Male characters would need to change their gender in order to complete the quest; however, this quest rewarded the Makeover voucher, which entitled the player to a free use of the Makeover Mage to change back to male.
The update changed Saradomin's blessing so that "no blade" can harm Sir Leye; players may fight Sir Leye unarmed or by choosing the warhammer from the provided choices of weapon.
The Giant Dwarf
When choosing a company to support during The Giant Dwarf, female characters could not join the Brown Engine and male characters were unable to join the Yellow Fortune. Characters of either gender could still choose freely from any one of the remaining six companies, except the Red Axe, which no player may join.
The update removed the restrictions on the Brown Engine and Yellow Fortune companies.
Throne of Miscellania
In order to become regent during Throne of Miscellania, male characters were forced to convince Princess Astrid to marry them, and female characters Prince Brand. If you spoke with Advisor Ghrim after completing the quest, he would refer to you as the gender opposite the royal you romanced, regardless of if you had changed your gender since.
The update allowed players to romance either royal, or to choose to become their best friend instead and forgo marriage entirely.
Non-player characters
Prior to an update, players could pickpocket a female H.A.M. member at level 15 Thieving, and a male H.A.M. member at level 20.
Changes
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| 14 August 2024 (Update) |
Changings genders in no longer restricted to the Makeover Mage. Player can now instead choose between body type A and B, and optionally choose a pronoun. |
Trivia
- In a March 2008 poll, 92% of respondents said their character is the same gender as themselves.[1]
- In February 2008, Geoff Iddison (the CEO of Jagex at the time) claimed in an interview that the player base is "over 60 percent male", though the interviewer speculated that the true figure was likely to be higher than this comment would suggest.[2] A poll conducted just one month later showed that 90% of respondents claimed to be male.[3]