Player identification number

A Player identification number (often referred to as PID) is a unique identification number that each player possesses. It determines the priority between two or more players when simultaneously performing tasks throughout RuneScape.

A random player I.D. is assigned to a player upon logging into the game and it changes each time they log in. Prior to the player I.D. system, priority between players was based on the players' IP addresses.

You can approximate your player I.D. by following a player and having them run. The delay between your friend moving and your character moving is believed to be caused by your player I.D. If the delay is longer than normal, you have a higher player I.D. than the other player.

Examples of Player I.D. Prioritization
The following list contains examples of when a player I.D. becomes a factor in determining which player has the higher and lower priority.
 * Dueling - Determines which player gets the first hit in a duel or when both players simultaneously attack each other at the beginning of the duel.
 * Setting up barricades in various activities - Determines if another player can walk through a barricade that was just set up by another player.
 * Closing doors - Determines if a player can walk through a doorway while another player closes it at the same time.
 * "Catching" in RuneScape Classic - player I.D.s determines if a player can "catch" another player when PKing in the Wilderness. "Catching" is a RuneScape Classic term where after three rounds of combat, a player runs from their opponent and the other player can "catch" them by chasing after them and attacking them again, bringing them back into combat.
 * Picking up items amongst other players - Affects which player gets an item if two or more players pick it up at the same time. It is questionable whether this is true due to each player's ping having a great impact.