Top tips for surviving in RuneScape Dragonwilds
RuneScape: Dragonwilds, launched into early access on April 15, 2025, drops players into the unforgiving continent of Ashenfall, a land teeming with dragons, wild magic, and relentless enemies. This co-op survival crafting game blends RuneScape’s iconic skill system with a magic-infused survival sandbox, drawing inspiration from titles like Valheim and Ark. Whether you’re a seasoned RuneScape veteran or a newcomer to the survival genre, mastering Ashenfall’s challenges requires strategy, preparation, and a knack for exploiting the game’s unique mechanics. This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to surviving and thriving in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, packed with practical tips, a detailed table of key strategies, and answers to common questions.
Why RuneScape: Dragonwilds is Unique
Unlike the traditional MMORPG format of RuneScape, Dragonwilds is a standalone survival RPG for 1-4 players, set in a handcrafted world powered by Unreal Engine 5. You’ll gather resources, craft gear, build bases, and wield powerful spells to survive hostile creatures and the looming threat of the Dragon Queen. The game’s magic system, tied to runes and the “Mind Palace” skill tree, lets you cast spells like Axtral Projection to fell entire rows of trees or Rocksplosion to blast ore veins. Base building is intuitive, with a robust snapping system and spells like Eye of Oculus for precise construction. However, Ashenfall is punishing, dragons can strike without warning, enemies teleport to ambush you, and quests demand exploration without hand-holding. To conquer this land, you need to be resourceful, adaptive, and ready for a challenge.
Top Tips for Surviving in RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Here are the top tips to help you survive and thrive in Ashenfall, distilled from early access gameplay insights, player feedback, and developer roadmaps. These strategies cover resource gathering, crafting, base building, combat, and exploration, ensuring you’re equipped to face the continent’s dangers.
1. Prioritize Rune Crafting Early
Runes are the backbone of Dragonwilds’ magic system, used for combat, resource gathering, and utility spells. They don’t weigh anything or clutter your inventory, so craft them in bulk. Start by finding Zanik (an NPC) and delivering 50 Ash Logs to unlock the Rune Altar recipe. Mine Runic Essence from purple-glowing Rune Geisers using a Pickaxe, then craft the Rune Altar with 12x Stone and 4x Rune Essence. Basic runes like Air and Fire are essential for spells like Axtral Projection (woodcutting) and Rocksplosion (mining), which drastically speed up gathering. Always carry a variety of runes to avoid being caught unprepared in combat or exploration.
2. Master the Crafting Stations
Crafting is your lifeline in Dragonwilds. After spawning, speak to the Wise Old Man to start a quest that unlocks three core stations: Crafting Table (4x Ash Logs), Campfire (for cooking), and Rune Altar. The Crafting Table is mobile, so rebuild it in new areas for on-the-go crafting. The Campfire helps manage encumbrance by cooking lightweight meals like Rat Roast. Later, craft a Brewing Cauldron (6x Clay) for potions like Antipoison (Harralander, Bittercap Mushroom, Clay Vessel) or Attack (Snapdragon, Ground Granite, Clay Vessel). These stations are critical for gear, food, and buffs, so set them up early and upgrade them as you level skills.
3. Use Magic to Boost Efficiency
Spells make tedious survival tasks faster and more fun. For example, Axtral Projection (unlocked at low Woodcutting levels) summons a spectral axe to cut multiple trees in a line, while Splinter instantly breaks logs into usable pieces. Rocksplosion blasts ore veins, and Air Runes let you zip across terrain. Spells also help access hard-to-reach resources, like knocking down floating Rune Essence stones with a ranged weapon or specific magic. Experiment with the Mind Palace to unlock new spells, and prioritize leveling Runecrafting and Magic to expand your spellbook.
4. Build Smart Bases with Ghost Mode
Dragonwilds’ building system is a standout, offering flexibility akin to Valheim but with magical flair. Use Ghost Mode (toggled with F) to preview building placements, ensuring structures align perfectly. The Eye of Oculus spell (unlocked at Construction Level 11) activates free-cam mode for precise building from any angle. Build bases in each of Ashenfall’s four regions, paired with Lodestones (crafted with Vault Cores) for fast travel. To level Construction quickly, spam Crafting Tables (4x Ash Logs each) for easy XP. Include defensive structures like walls and traps, as enemy raids can spawn directly near your base.
5. Repair Gear to Save Resources
Crafting new gear is resource-intensive, so repair existing items at the Crafting Table’s Repair Tab. Select the item, check the required materials (usually basic resources like Ash Logs or Stone), and fix it to full durability. This is especially useful for tools like hatchets and pickaxes, which wear down quickly during gathering. Regularly check your gear’s condition to avoid being caught without functional equipment during a dragon attack or ambush.
6. Leverage Lodestones for Fast Travel
After clearing your first vault, you’ll find Vault Cores, which unlock the Lodestone recipe. Craft and place Lodestones in each region to create a fast-travel network. This reduces tedious travel across Ashenfall’s massive map, especially when enemies chase you relentlessly. Drop a Lodestone while exploring, fast-travel to dump loot, and return to continue your journey. Look for soft orange glows in vaults to spot Vault Cores early, even behind rubble.
7. Manage Hunger and Thirst Strategically
Hunger and Thirst bars don’t kill you outright, they reduce your health to 1 HP, leaving you vulnerable but alive. This is useful in multiplayer, as you can idle safely without ending the session. Cook lightweight foods like Rat Roast at the Campfire to manage encumbrance, and brew potions at the Brewing Cauldron to restore health or boost stats. Always carry a small stock of food and water, especially when exploring dangerous biomes or dungeons.
8. Prepare for Dragon and Ambush Threats
Dragons, like General Velgar, are relentless and can attack through walls or terrain, ignoring line of sight. Build bases with multiple layers of walls and roofs to minimize exposure, and avoid lingering in open areas during dragon attacks. For ambushes, enemies teleport directly to you, so keep runes and weapons ready. Level up combat skills (Attack, Defense, Magic) to unlock abilities that make fights manageable. If overwhelmed, unequip gear and die strategically to reset enemy aggro, then reclaim your items.
9. Explore Without Expecting Hand-Holding
Dragonwilds’ quests don’t use markers, staying true to RuneScape’s puzzle-driven style. Exhaust NPC dialogue, check your map, and explore ruins or vaults for clues. Side quests, like finding an Amulet of Ghostspeak in a well, offer rewards and lore. The world is handcrafted, not procedurally generated, so memorize landmarks and biome transitions (lush forests to barren wastelands) to navigate effectively. Carry runes for mobility spells to reach high or hidden areas.
10. Level Skills for Long-Term Gains
Dragonwilds’ skill system, inherited from RuneScape, rewards grinding up to Level 49 (with Level 99 planned). Focus on Woodcutting, Mining, Runecrafting, Construction, Cooking, and Combat skills early. Each level unlocks recipes, spells, or efficiencies (e.g., Woodcutting Level 5 unlocks Axtral Projection). Balance combat and non-combat skills to handle both survival tasks and dragon fights. Co-op players can specialize, with one focusing on crafting and another on combat, to cover all bases.
Key Survival Strategies Table
| Strategy | Description | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Craft Runes Early | Unlock Rune Altar via Zanik’s quest; mine Runic Essence for Air/Fire Runes. | Powers spells for gathering, combat, and mobility; no inventory weight. |
| Set Up Crafting Stations | Build Crafting Table, Campfire, and Brewing Cauldron in every base. | Enables gear, food, and potion crafting; mobile setups save time. |
| Use Magic Spells | Cast Axtral Projection, Rocksplosion, or mobility spells. | Speeds up gathering and exploration; accesses hidden resources. |
| Build with Ghost Mode | Toggle Ghost Mode (F) and use Eye of Oculus for precise construction. | Prevents placement errors; allows creative, defensible bases. |
| Repair Gear | Use Crafting Table’s Repair Tab to fix tools/weapons. | Saves resources; ensures gear is ready for combat or gathering. |
| Craft Lodestones | Place Lodestones in each region with Vault Cores. | Enables fast travel; reduces travel time and enemy encounters. |
| Manage Hunger/Thirst | Cook lightweight foods; brew potions for buffs. | Prevents health loss; lightweight meals reduce encumbrance. |
| Prepare for Attacks | Build layered defenses; carry runes for combat. | Mitigates dragon and ambush damage; dying strategically resets aggro. |
| Explore Actively | Exhaust NPC dialogue; explore vaults and ruins. | Uncovers quests, loot, and lore without quest markers. |
| Level Skills | Grind Woodcutting, Mining, Runecrafting, Combat to Level 49. | Unlocks spells, recipes, and efficiencies for survival and combat. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I unlock the Rune Altar in Dragonwilds? A: Speak to Zanik and deliver 50 Ash Logs to unlock the Rune Altar recipe. Craft it with 12x Stone and 4x Rune Essence, mined from Rune Geisers.
Q: Can I play Dragonwilds solo, or is co-op necessary? A: Dragonwilds is playable solo or with up to three friends. Solo play is challenging due to ambushes and dragon attacks, but viable with smart base-building and skill leveling. Co-op allows specialization, making tasks easier.
Q: How do I deal with dragon attacks in the tutorial area? A: Dragons like General Velgar attack through walls, so build multi-layered bases with roofs. Stay mobile, use runes for combat spells, and avoid open areas. If overwhelmed, unequip gear and die to reset aggro.
Q: Are there ways to level Construction quickly? A: Build multiple Crafting Tables (4x Ash Logs each) for easy Construction XP. Use Ghost Mode and Eye of Oculus (Level 11) for efficient building.
Q: What’s the best way to gather resources early? A: Use spells like Axtral Projection for wood and Rocksplosion for ore. Mine Runic Essence from geisers and knock down floating stones with ranged attacks or spells.
Q: Does dying in Dragonwilds cause item loss? A: Yes, dying drops your items, but you can reclaim them if you return to your death point. Avoid dying near lava or unreachable areas, and build bases to store backups.
Q: Is Dragonwilds free-to-play like RuneScape? A: No, Dragonwilds costs $29.99/£24.99 in early access, with a planned price increase post-launch. Updates are free during early access, but future DLC may be paid.
Q: How do I find Vault Cores for Lodestones? A: Explore vaults and look for soft orange glows behind corners or rubble. Vault Cores respawn, so revisit dungeons to collect more.
Conclusion
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a bold evolution of the RuneScape universe, blending survival crafting with the franchise’s iconic skill system and lore. Surviving Ashenfall demands mastery of magic, crafting, and base-building, all while navigating a world that doesn’t hold your hand. By prioritizing rune crafting, leveraging spells, building smart bases, and grinding skills, you can turn this dragon-infested land into your playground. The tips and strategies outlined here, backed by a detailed table and FAQs, provide a roadmap to thrive, whether you’re playing solo or with friends. As Dragonwilds evolves through early access, player feedback will shape its future, promising new regions, skills, and quests. So, grab your runes, build your base, and prepare to face the Dragon Queen. Ashenfall awaits, will you conquer it or be consumed by its flames