Been gone for two years: returning player

Hello! I've been away for two years, but on a whim decided to get back into RuneScape. A lot has changed and I have a few questions.

1) My Ranged level is 81 but I'd like to get it to 99. When I was on, iron knives at the yaks was the best way to do it cheaply, though it was rather crowded. Is this still the case, and if so, how long should it take? What is the best set-up for average PvE ranging?

2) 84 Woodcutting, would like to get it at 99. Dragon axe at ivies -- is this still the best place, and how long should it take? Is the xp/hr the same?

3) Out of all the quests from the past two years, which are most essential?

4) My attack-strength-def stats are 74-79-71. Where is the best place to train and what is good medium-cost gear? I'm reading about Evolution of Combat and will keep reading up, but what is the best weapon to train strength with?

5) Maybe a stupid question, but since it has been two years, my long list of friends is all red. If you've been playing for awhile, is "social life" still the same as it was, or are the people/in-game interactions different now? (A polite attempt at asking if people are still pretty friendly/whatever you do, you can just chat up people, or have people become more unpleasant in-game)

6) Any overall tips for a returning player?

7) Do people still bot and if so, what clients? When I left they were really cracking down on bots and it seemed to be dying. is Jagex still targeting them hardcore?

I'll edit this in a moment when I have my bank up so I can post what I have
edit: The things of interest I see are Guthans armor, a whip, a dragon WC axe, a dragon mace, a dragon plateskirt, 40k bronze knives, 20k iron knives, black dhide chaps/body, a dragon spear, dragon daggers, a magic shortbow, ava's acc, broad-tipped bolts, a ton of ranging pots, an obby cape, a rune crossbow, a rune defender, full void with range top, a bunch of monkfish, and a bunch of other random items. Is this stuff still useful gear?

Also maybe this is a stupid question, but I can't find my gp? It isn't in my bank and that thing under the minimap says 0? Did currency get wiped?

 

Return to 2007, EOC sucks :S

 

don't you have to start over though?

 

Yes but I think it's much more satisfying than EOC.

 

1) On EoC, the best places IMO are to go to waterfiends with dual crossbows or a crystal bow, and camp them. They give crazy xp with a lot of charms also. For a setup I'd have royal-dragonhide and either royal c'bow, dual CCB's or a Crystal Bow.

2) Dragon hatchet/inferno adze at ivy's is the best AFKable xp, I'm pretty sure doing teaks and powerchopping them is better xp, but requires full concentration. The sawmill is about equal to ivy at levels 95+

3) Temple @ Senntisten is the only really essential one, but I'd also do While Guthix Sleeps, Branches of Darkmeyer and Ritual of the Mahjarrat just because then you've done the majority and unlocked most things that you'll need. If you have time do the world wakes, elder kiln & brink of extinction because they have good xp rewards.

4) I'd personally train by doing slayer, and use torag's for a 1-3m budget, otherwise use bandos if you have 30m+. Weapons don't really make a difference for training the things as whips can train strength now.

5) I've always contacted people who i've never spoke to in a long time, and they're usually really nice to you unless you pissed them off beforehand.

6) Just crack on. There's no real advice that can motivate as there has been some huge changes, just do your best to adapt to the game.

7) Bots are alive still, there are many different makes (simba/epicbot/powerbot/tribot/RiD), and they all use different methods.

 

Are bots pretty safe? I used Powerbot two years ago. How often do bots get caught?