How to tame creatures in RuneScape Dragonwilds
Introduction
RuneScape: Dragonwilds, launched in early access on April 15, 2025, plunges players into the perilous continent of Ashenfall, a co-op survival RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5. This standalone adventure in the RuneScape universe combines crafting, magical combat, and exploration, challenging players to survive against warped creatures and dragons. Among its many mechanics, creature taming stands out as a unique feature, allowing players to harness Ashenfall’s fauna for combat, resource gathering, and base defense. Unlike traditional RuneScape, where familiars are summoned via skills, Dragonwilds introduces a survival-focused taming system inspired by games like Ark but infused with RuneScape’s magical flair. Taming creatures, from Kebbits to Lesser Dragons, enhances gameplay by providing allies for Vault runs or helpers for farming resources. However, the process is complex, requiring specific items, skills, and strategies. Building on your prior interest in Dragonwilds’ mechanics, biomes, and cooperative play (from conversations on April 17-18, 2025), this blog post explores how to tame creatures in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. With detailed tables and practical tips, we’ll guide you through taming mechanics, creature types, and strategies to build a loyal menagerie in Ashenfall’s unforgiving wilds.
Taming Creatures in RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Taming in Dragonwilds is a rewarding but intricate process, blending survival crafting with RuneScape’s skill-based progression. Players can tame certain creatures to serve as companions, aiding in combat, gathering, or base protection. The system, introduced in early access, draws on the Beastmastery skill (unlocked via the “Mind Palace” at Level 5), which governs taming, training, and commanding creatures. Unlike RuneScape’s Summoning skill, taming in Dragonwilds involves physically subduing creatures, feeding them specific foods, and using magical runes to bind them. Creatures range from docile Kebbits to formidable Lesser Dragons, each requiring unique approaches based on their biome, behavior, and taming requirements. The process is resource-intensive, demanding preparation and patience, but tamed creatures significantly boost survival, especially in co-op worlds where they can complement team roles. Below, we outline the taming process, key creatures, and strategies, supported by tables for clarity.
Understanding the Taming Mechanics
Taming a creature in Dragonwilds follows a multi-step process: locating the creature, weakening it, feeding it, and binding it with runes. The Beastmastery skill, accessible in the “Mind Palace” (K key), unlocks taming recipes and abilities, such as Taming Snare (Level 5) and Beast Bond (Level 15). Here’s a table summarizing the core taming mechanics:
| Step | Description | Requirements | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locate Creature | Find tamable creatures in specific biomes (e.g., Kebbits in Bramblemead Valley). | Map exploration; Beastmastery Level 5 to identify tamable creatures (highlighted with a blue aura). | Use Windstep (Runecrafting Level 8) to reach high ledges or scout biomes. Check nests or settlements for spawns. |
| Weaken Creature | Reduce the creature’s health without killing it (30-50% health ideal). | Melee (Bronze Sword), ranged (Bow), or magic (Battlestaff with Air Runes). Avoid over-damaging. | Use a Bow for precise damage control; stagger with Parry (Attack Level 5) to slow creatures. |
| Feed Creature | Offer specific food items to initiate taming. | Craft food at Campfire (e.g., Rat Roast for Kebbits). Requires Beastmastery recipes. | Carry extra food (e.g., 5x Rat Roast) to account for failed attempts. Use Bones to Peaches (Cooking Level 27) for quick food. |
| Bind with Runes | Cast a binding spell using runes to complete taming. | Rune Altar (12x Stone, 4x Rune Essence); specific runes (e.g., 2x Astral, 1x Nature). | Unlock Beast Bond (Beastmastery Level 15) to reduce rune costs by 25%. Craft runes in bulk. |
| Train Creature | Assign roles (combat, gathering, defense) and improve loyalty. | Use Beastmastery XP from feeding or tasks; unlock Creature Comforts (Beastmastery Level 16) for training buffs. | Build a Creature Pen (Construction Level 10) to house and train creatures safely. |
Key Notes:
- Beastmastery Skill: Level up by taming, feeding, or commanding creatures. Grinding tip: repeatedly feed Kebbits for 10 XP per feed.
- Taming Snare: Craft at Crafting Table (4x Coarse Thread, 1x Rune Essence) to immobilize creatures, easing the weakening process.
- Failure Risk: Taming can fail if the creature’s health drops too low or incorrect food is used, causing it to flee or die.
- Rune Costs: Binding spells require runes crafted at a Rune Altar. Stockpile Rune Essence from Temple Woods to avoid shortages.
Tamable Creatures and Their Roles
Dragonwilds features a variety of tamable creatures, each with unique abilities and biome-specific spawns. Creatures serve roles like combat (fighting enemies), gathering (collecting resources), or defense (protecting bases during raids). The early access build includes a limited roster, with Jagex’s roadmap promising more creatures (e.g., warped birds) by 2026. Here’s a table of key tamable creatures, their requirements, and roles:
| Creature | Biome | Taming Requirements | Role and Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kebbit | Bramblemead Valley | Food: 3x Rat Roast (Campfire, 2x Rat Meat). Runes: 1x Astral, 1x Air. Beastmastery Level 5. | Gathering: Collects Flax and small herbs (e.g., Marrentill). Fast but low health; ideal for early-game resource runs. |
| Cow | Bramblemead Valley | Food: 5x Potato Mash (Campfire, 3x Potato). Runes: 2x Astral, 1x Earth. Beastmastery Level 10. | Defense: Guards bases during goblin raids; high health but slow. Drops Leather passively when fed. |
| Wolf | Temple Woods | Food: 4x Roasted Venison (Campfire, 3x Wolf Meat). Runes: 2x Astral, 1x Fire. Beastmastery Level 12. | Combat: Attacks enemies with moderate damage; good for kiting Trolls. Can scout enemy camps. |
| Swamp Frog | Whispering Swamp | Food: 3x Bittercap Stew (Campfire, 2x Bittercap Mushroom). Runes: 2x Astral, 1x Nature. Beastmastery Level 15. | Gathering: Collects Clay and herbs; immune to poison, ideal for Swamp exploration. |
| Lesser Dragon | Fractured Plains | Food: 6x Crystal-Infused Meat (Campfire, 4x Troll Meat, 1x Crystal Shard). Runes: 3x Astral, 2x Fire, 1x Nature. Beastmastery Level 20. | Combat/Defense: High-damage attacks; breathes fire during raids. Requires Vault loot and high Beastmastery. |
Economic Context (from your April 18, 2025, conversation on Dragonwilds’ economy):
- Resource Costs: Taming requires food and runes, driving demand for Rat Meat (Bramblemead Valley), Bittercap Mushrooms (Whispering Swamp), and Rune Essence (Temple Woods).
- Co-op Bartering: In multiplayer, trade excess food (e.g., Potato Mash) or runes to teammates specializing in Beastmastery, optimizing group efficiency.
Strategies:
- Start with Kebbits: Low requirements (Beastmastery Level 5, Rat Roast) make them ideal for practicing taming and leveling Beastmastery.
- Use Snares: Craft Taming Snares to immobilize Wolves or Swamp Frogs, reducing the risk of them fleeing during taming.
- Vault Runs for Dragons: Lesser Dragons require Crystal Shards, only found in Vaults. Team up in co-op to defeat Guardians and gather Shards.
- Feed Efficiently: Use Bones to Peaches to convert Bones into food on the go, saving inventory space for taming attempts.
Step-by-Step Taming Process
To illustrate taming, let’s walk through taming a Kebbit in Bramblemead Valley, the easiest creature for beginners. This process applies to other creatures with adjusted requirements. Here’s a table breaking down the steps:
| Step | Action | Details | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare | Unlock Beastmastery and gather materials. | Reach Beastmastery Level 5 via “Mind Palace” (K key). Craft Taming Snare and Rat Roast. Mine Rune Essence for runes. | Taming Snare: 4x Coarse Thread, 1x Rune Essence. Rat Roast: 2x Rat Meat. Runes: 1x Astral, 1x Air. |
| 2. Find Kebbit | Locate a Kebbit in Bramblemead Valley. | Look near Flax fields or small burrows; Kebbits glow blue with Beastmastery active. | None; use map to mark spawns. |
| 3. Weaken | Reduce Kebbit’s health to 30-50%. | Use a Bow (crafted at Crafting Table, 4x Coarse Thread, 2x Ash Log) for precise shots. Avoid killing it. | Bow, 10x Arrows (1x Ash Log, 1x Feather). Optional: Taming Snare to immobilize. |
| 4. Feed | Offer 3x Rat Roast to start taming. | Approach slowly, interact (E key) to feed. Success chance increases with Beastmastery level. | 3x Rat Roast; carry extras for retries. |
| 5. Bind | Cast binding spell with runes. | Use spell wheel (Q key) to select Taming Bind. Requires Rune Altar-crafted runes. | 1x Astral Rune, 1x Air Rune. |
| 6. Train | Assign Kebbit to gather Flax or herbs. | Feed daily (1x Rat Roast) to maintain loyalty. Build Creature Pen for training. | Creature Pen: 8x Ash Log, 4x Stone (Construction Level 10). |
Tips:
- Practice on Rats: Kill Giant Rats in Bramblemead Valley for Rat Meat to craft Rat Roast, also leveling Attack for Parry (Level 5).
- Avoid Combat Zones: Tame away from goblin camps to prevent interruptions during the feeding phase.
- Co-op Advantage: Have a teammate distract nearby enemies while you focus on taming, especially for Wolves or Lesser Dragons.
Advanced Taming Strategies
For mid-to-late game players, taming higher-tier creatures like Wolves, Swamp Frogs, or Lesser Dragons requires advanced preparation and coordination. Here’s a table of strategies to optimize taming for these challenging creatures:
| Creature | Strategy | Why It Works | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf | Use Taming Snare and ranged attacks to weaken safely. | Wolves are aggressive; snares prevent them from fleeing or attacking during taming. | Taming Snare; Crystal Bow (2x Crystal Shard, 4x Coarse Thread) for precise damage. |
| Swamp Frog | Tame in a poison-free zone; use Antipoison Potions. | Swamp Frogs spawn in toxic areas; potions (Marrentill, Small Animal Fang) protect you during taming. | Antipoison Potion (Brewing Level 8); 3x Bittercap Stew. |
| Lesser Dragon | Team up in co-op; use Tempest Shield to block fire attacks. | Dragons are high-health and deal fire damage; co-op reduces risk, and shields ensure survival. | Reinforced Armor (Artisan Level 15); 6x Crystal-Infused Meat; 3x Astral, 2x Fire, 1x Nature Runes. |
| All Creatures | Build multiple Creature Pens near resource nodes. | Pens keep tamed creatures safe and allow task assignments (e.g., Kebbits gather Flax near fields). | Creature Pen; Construction Level 10. |
| All Creatures | Unlock Beast Bond (Beastmastery Level 15). | Reduces rune costs and increases taming success rate by 20%. | Grind Beastmastery by feeding Kebbits or Cows. |
Co-op Context (from your April 17, 2025, conversation on cooperative play):
- Role Specialization: Assign one player to Beastmastery for taming while others focus on Runecrafting (for runes) or Artisan (for gear like Crystal Bows), streamlining resource allocation.
- Vault Runs: Lesser Dragon taming requires Crystal Shards, best obtained by co-op teams clearing Vaults, as Guardians drop Shards and Vault Cores.
Tips:
- Stockpile Runes: Mine Rune Essence in Temple Woods and craft runes in bulk at the Rune Altar to support frequent taming attempts.
- Use Magic: Spells like Magical Mending (Artisan Level 10) repair gear during long taming sessions, saving resources.
- Monitor Loyalty: Feed tamed creatures daily or assign them tasks to prevent them from becoming feral, requiring re-taming.
Taming Challenges and Solutions
Taming in Dragonwilds is not without risks, especially in early access, where mechanics like dragon attacks or server instability can disrupt efforts. Here’s a table addressing common challenges and solutions:
| Challenge | Cause | Solution | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creature Flees | Health drops too low or wrong food used. | Use Taming Snare to immobilize; carry extra food for retries. | Check “Mind Palace” for correct food recipes; weaken with a Bow for precision. |
| Interrupted by Enemies | Taming near goblin camps or dragon zones. | Lure creature to a safe area; have co-op teammates clear enemies. | Scout biomes with Windstep to find isolated spawns. |
| Rune Shortages | High rune costs for binding (e.g., Lesser Dragons). | Mine Rune Essence in Temple Woods; unlock Beast Bond to reduce costs. | Craft runes in bulk; barter with teammates for Essence. |
| Server Disconnects | Host-based worlds shut down if the host leaves. | Save progress frequently; tame in solo worlds for stability. | Wait for dedicated servers (roadmap 2026); choose reliable hosts. |
| Creature Dies in Raids | Tamed creatures fight during goblin/dragon raids. | Build Creature Pens to protect them; assign to non-combat roles. | Reinforce bases with walls (Construction skill); provide raid balance feedback on Discord. |
Community Feedback (from your April 17, 2025, conversation on community building):
- Report taming bugs (e.g., creatures despawning during binding) on the Dragonwilds Discord (#bugs channel) to improve mechanics.
- Join r/RSDragonwilds to share taming strategies, like optimal Kebbit spawn locations, fostering community knowledge.
Tips:
- Test in Bramblemead Valley: Its low-threat environment is ideal for practicing taming on Kebbits or Cows.
- Leverage Roadmap: Jagex plans to add new creatures and Beastmastery skills. Monitor updates on Steam or Discord to adapt strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the easiest creature to tame in RuneScape: Dragonwilds?
A: Kebbits in Bramblemead Valley are the easiest, requiring Beastmastery Level 5, 3x Rat Roast (crafted at Campfire), and 1x Astral, 1x Air Rune. They’re ideal for practicing taming and leveling Beastmastery.
Q: Do I need specific skills to tame creatures?
A: Yes, the Beastmastery skill (unlocked at Level 5 in the “Mind Palace”) is required. Higher levels (e.g., 15 for Beast Bond) improve success rates and reduce rune costs. Runecrafting and Cooking also support taming by providing runes and food.
Q: Can tamed creatures die, and how do I protect them?
A: Yes, creatures can die during raids or combat. Build Creature Pens (Construction Level 10) to house them safely and assign non-combat roles (e.g., gathering for Kebbits) to avoid fights.
Q: How do I get food for taming, like Rat Roast or Crystal-Infused Meat?
A: Craft food at a Campfire: Rat Roast (2x Rat Meat from Giant Rats), Potato Mash (3x Potatoes from Bramblemead Valley), or Crystal-Infused Meat (4x Troll Meat, 1x Crystal Shard from Vaults). Use Bones to Peaches (Cooking Level 27) for quick food.
Q: Are Lesser Dragons worth taming?
A: Yes, Lesser Dragons are powerful for combat and base defense, dealing fire damage. However, they require Beastmastery Level 20, Crystal Shards, and multiple runes, making them a late-game investment best tackled in co-op.
Q: How does co-op play help with taming?
A: Co-op allows role specialization: one player tames (Beastmastery), another crafts runes (Runecrafting), or clears enemies (combat). Teammates can share resources like Crystal Shards or distract enemies during taming.
Q: Will taming mechanics change in future updates?
A: Likely, as Dragonwilds is in early access. Jagex’s roadmap includes new creatures and skills, potentially expanding Beastmastery. Follow updates on the Dragonwilds Discord or Steam page for changes.
Conclusion
Taming creatures in RuneScape: Dragonwilds adds a thrilling dimension to Ashenfall’s survival adventure, transforming wild beasts into loyal allies for gathering, combat, and base defense. From humble Kebbits in Bramblemead Valley to formidable Lesser Dragons in Fractured Plains, the taming system rewards preparation, skill progression, and teamwork. The tables and strategies above guide you through locating creatures, weakening them safely, and binding them with runes, while addressing challenges like rune shortages or raid losses. By leveraging the Beastmastery skill, crafting essential foods, and coordinating in co-op, you can build a menagerie that enhances your survival against the Dragon Queen’s forces. As Dragonwilds evolves through early access, with new creatures and skills on the horizon, mastering taming now will prepare you for Ashenfall’s future challenges. So, craft your Taming Snare, stockpile runes, and venture into the wilds, your next companion awaits.