Customizing your character in RuneScape Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds, the open-world survival crafting game set in the RuneScape universe, launched into early access on April 15, 2025, bringing players to the untamed continent of Ashenfall. One of the first steps in your journey is character creation, a feature that lets you craft a unique adventurer to face dragons, build bases, and master magical skills. While the customization options in Dragonwilds are simpler compared to some modern RPGs, they draw heavily from the classic RuneScape aesthetic, offering a nostalgic yet functional approach. This blog post dives deep into the character customization system, detailing every option, limitation, and tip to help you create a character that feels like you.

Why Character Customization Matters in Dragonwilds

In a survival game like Dragonwilds, where you’ll spend hours gathering resources, battling goblins, and building intricate bases, your character is your avatar in this magical world. Customization, even if limited, helps you connect with your adventurer and stand out in co-op sessions with up to three friends. The system reflects RuneScape’s roots, prioritizing simplicity and charm over hyper-detailed sliders, but it still offers enough variety to make your character distinct. Let’s explore the customization process, options, and how they impact your experience in Ashenfall.

Getting Started: The Character Creation Screen

When you first boot up RuneScape: Dragonwilds, after selecting “Create World” or joining a server, you’re taken to the character creation screen. This interface is straightforward, with a preview of your character in the center and tabs for various customization categories on the right. You can rotate the character model to view your choices from different angles, and a “Confirm” button locks in your design. Note that some players have reported a bug where the screen goes blank after confirming, but restarting the game typically resolves this issue.

The customization process is purely cosmetic at this stage, meaning your choices don’t affect gameplay mechanics like stats or skills. However, your character’s appearance can influence how you role-play in this cooperative survival adventure, especially when interacting with friends or exploring the lore-rich world.

Customization Options: A Detailed Breakdown

Below is a comprehensive table listing all available customization options in RuneScape: Dragonwilds as of its early access launch. These details are based on community feedback, official sources, and gameplay observations.

Key Observations:

• Simplicity Over Depth: The customization system mirrors Old School RuneScape’s minimalist approach, with higher-poly models but fewer options than modern RPGs like Dragon’s Dogma 2 or Guild Wars 2.
• Human-Only Limitation: Players hoping to play as iconic RuneScape races like dwarves or goblins will be disappointed, as only human characters are available at launch.
• Color Palette: The hair and skin color options are notably limited, with community feedback highlighting the lack of variety compared to even RuneScape Classic.
• No Voice or Traits: Unlike some RPGs, Dragonwilds doesn’t offer voice customization or personality traits, keeping the focus on visual design.

Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing Your Character

To make the most of the customization system, follow these steps:

1. Choose Body Type: Select male or female. This choice affects available hairstyles and facial hair but not gameplay.
2. Select Head/Face: Pick one of the 4-5 face options. Experiment with different faces to find one that suits your vision, as subtle differences in structure can stand out in-game.
3. Pick a Hairstyle: Browse the 6-8 hairstyles. If you’re male, decide if you want facial hair. Combine styles to create a unique look, like a short crop with a mustache.
4. Set Colors: Choose hair, skin, and eye colors. Since options are limited, try to balance colors for contrast (e.g., dark hair with lighter skin).
5. Review and Confirm: Rotate your character to check the design from all angles. Hit “Confirm” to lock in your choices. If the screen blanks out, restart the game and try again.

Tip: Take your time experimenting with combinations, as you can’t edit your character after creation without starting a new one. There’s no in-game mirror or barber to modify appearance later, though community discussions suggest Jagex may add this feature in future updates.

Limitations and Community Feedback

The character creation system in Dragonwilds has sparked mixed reactions. While some players appreciate the nostalgic RuneScape vibe, others feel it’s too bare-bones for a 2025 release. Here are the main criticisms and hopes for improvement:

• Limited Options: Fans have noted the lack of hairstyles, colors, and fantasy races compared to RuneScape 3 or Old School RuneScape. For example, one Steam user lamented, “The hair options are basically non-existent,” wishing Jagex had included at least half of OSRS’s styles.
• No Post-Creation Editing: Once you confirm your character, you’re locked in unless you create a new character, which resets your progress. Players have requested a mirror or salon system to tweak appearance without starting over.
• Human-Only Races: The absence of playable races like goblins or dwarves, despite their presence in RuneScape lore, has disappointed some fans. A Steam discussion speculated about dwarves being playable based on promotional art, but Jagex confirmed humans only for now.
• Aesthetic Expectations: Players hoping for anime-style or highly detailed customization (like Guild Wars 2) found the generic faces and limited colors underwhelming.

Jagex has emphasized that Dragonwilds is community-driven, with a roadmap shaped by player feedback. Posts on X and Steam discussions suggest players are vocal about wanting more hairstyles, colors, and races, so future updates may expand the system.

How Customization Fits into Gameplay

While character creation is cosmetic, your appearance plays a subtle role in the Dragonwilds experience:

• Co-Op Identity: In co-op mode (1-4 players), your character’s look helps friends identify you during base-building or dragon fights. A distinct hairstyle or color can make you stand out.
• Role-Playing: The RuneScape universe is rich with lore, and your character’s design can enhance your immersion. For example, choosing a rugged beard might suit a woodcutting-focused survivor, while a sleek hairstyle could fit a magic-wielding explorer.
• Cosmetic Rewards: Early access buyers receive exclusive cosmetic items, like cloaks or hats, which can further personalize your character. These are equipped separately from the creation screen and don’t rely on customization options.

Your character’s appearance doesn’t affect skills like woodcutting, mining, or magic, which are leveled through gameplay. However, the survival genre’s focus on freedom means your visual identity can shape how you approach Ashenfall’s challenges.

Tips for Making Your Character Stand Out

Given the limited options, here are strategies to create a memorable character:

• Mix and Match: Combine unique hairstyles and facial hair (for male characters) to maximize variety. For example, pairing a long beard with a short haircut can create a striking contrast.
• Focus on Contrast: Use contrasting colors (e.g., dark hair with light skin or vice versa) to make your character pop in Ashenfall’s vibrant world.
• Embrace the Retro Vibe: Lean into the RuneScape aesthetic by choosing classic looks, like a simple ponytail or clean-shaven face, to evoke nostalgia.
• Check for Updates: Since Dragonwilds is in early access, monitor patch notes for new customization options. Jagex’s roadmap includes content updates every three to four months, which could bring more hairstyles or colors.
• Use Cosmetic Items: Equip early access rewards or future DLC cosmetics to enhance your character’s look beyond the creation screen.

Future of Character Customization in Dragonwilds

Jagex’s roadmap for Dragonwilds, detailed in a developer deep-dive, promises regular updates through early access, with a full launch planned for winter 2026. While the roadmap focuses on new regions, skills, and quests, player feedback could push Jagex to expand character creation. Community discussions on Steam and X show strong demand for:

• Additional hairstyles and colors, possibly ported from RuneScape 3 or OSRS.
• Playable fantasy races, like dwarves or goblins, to align with RuneScape’s lore.
• A post-creation editing system, such as a mirror or NPC barber.
• Special skins or vibrant colors, similar to those offered during RuneScape’s seasonal events.

Given Jagex’s commitment to community-driven development, posting feedback on Steam, X, or the official Discord could influence future customization options. For now, players can watch for updates in the Fellhollow region patch, expected in July or August 2025, which might include cosmetic enhancements alongside new content.

Comparison to Other Survival Games

To put Dragonwilds’ customization in context, let’s compare it to other survival games:

Dragonwilds’ system is less robust than Ark’s but aligns with Valheim’s simpler approach, prioritizing gameplay over aesthetic depth. Its RuneScape-inspired design gives it a unique charm, even if it doesn’t compete with AAA RPGs.

Final Thoughts

Customizing your character in RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a nostalgic nod to the RuneScape universe, offering just enough variety to craft a personal adventurer for Ashenfall’s challenges. While the options are limited—lacking the depth of modern RPGs or the vibrant flair of RuneScape’s premium skins—the system captures the franchise’s retro charm. By experimenting with hairstyles, colors, and cosmetic rewards, you can create a character that feels unique in co-op sessions or solo quests. As Dragonwilds evolves through early access, community feedback could unlock more hairstyles, races, or editing tools, making now a great time to jump in and shape the game’s future.