last time playing was when dark bow was released....

is the game that much different? will i still be able to do work in the duel arena?

 

You should be able to, provided you are fighting your own levels with decent gear.

As for staking unless you have staking stats (very low/1 prayer) you would probably lose to most boxers as they have superior stats since Prayer is not used.

 

If you're a maxed main, boxing other maxed mains, use the punch block method and you'll do fine .

 

Punch block method?

 

You toggle between Accurate , Aggressive , and Defensive attack styles depending on your hits against your opponent .
Here's an example in this video ,

 

Is there any evidence that the punch/block method actually gives you an advantage in a duel? Or is it just widely "believed" that it does so. I have always been curious about this..

 

Hah, nice Def Leppard

 

i dont think theres any evidence but ppl just think it works and then even MORE people think it works...

 

If you use aggressive your max hit is higher, that's proof right there. There is considerable evidence (I think it was stated on the RS site by Jagex) that each style increases their favoured skill accordingly.

 

In RS Classic each style added +3 visible levels to Attack/Strength/Defense. And it obviously remains in RS2, just invisible (besides Strength, which sees a visible increase in Max hit).

 

Yea duel arena is still good

 

Ive tried that punch block method, but it doesn't seem to work for me.