Removing/Nerfing Onyx Apples-How would it effect the game?

Dunno how Zakum goes on other servers, but on most of the runs I'm on, the majority of time is spent organizing. Show up 15-20 minutes early (depends on hitting the boats), then wait 5-10 minutes at the entrance while everyone gets doored up, then another 5 minutes to get the list and enter altar, then another 5-10 minutes inside the altar fixing the parties. Then spend 15 minutes attacking, and another 5 minutes distributing drops at the end.

For warrior/bowman classes, Apples are about a 65% damage increase. For thieves it's closer to 80%. Either way, the time killing should drop to maybe 25-30 minutes. End result... instead of spending 50-70 minutes, you spend 60-80 minutes on the run. I guess that 15% increase in time matters to some people but it shouldn't, much.

I forget what Ciders add but it's only 65/80% with Warrior Elixirs. Those would decrease the gap a bit.. same for Pineapple Chews (25atk afaik?) etc.

You're right, at least for stronger runs, most of the time isn't spent attacking. My guild has been zakking appleless for a while and our runs almost never go longer than 30 minutes. Also chews are 20 atk like ciders.

The real problem with no apples would be in horntail.