Best practices for base building in RuneScape Dragonwilds
RuneScape: Dragonwilds, launched in early access on April 15, 2025, immerses players in the survival crafting world of Ashenfall, a treacherous continent filled with dragons, goblins, and resource-rich biomes. Base building is a cornerstone of this co-op adventure for 1-4 players, offering shelter, storage, and crafting hubs to survive the harsh environment. A well-designed base not only protects you from enemy ambushes and dragon attacks but also streamlines resource management and progression. This blog post outlines the best practices for base building in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, covering location selection, structure design, resource efficiency, and defensive strategies. With practical tips and detailed tables, you’ll learn how to construct a fortress that stands strong against Ashenfall’s dangers.
Why Base Building Matters in Dragonwilds
In Dragonwilds, your base is more than a safe haven, it’s a strategic asset. It houses crafting stations like the Rune Altar and Smithing Forge, stores resources to prevent encumbrance, and serves as a fast-travel point via Lodestones. A poorly planned base can leave you vulnerable to dragon poison clouds or goblin raids, while a well-built one enhances efficiency and survivability. The game’s Unreal Engine 5-powered building system, praised for its intuitive snapping mechanics, makes constructing complex structures accessible, but mastering base building requires careful planning and execution.
Choosing the Right Location
The first step to a successful base is selecting an optimal location. Ashenfall’s biomes, Temple Woods, Fractured Plains, Bramblemead Valley, and others, offer varied resources and threats. Here are key factors to consider:
- Proximity to Resources: Build near Rune Geysers, Ash Trees, or Copper Ore nodes for easy gathering. For example, Temple Woods has abundant Ash Logs and Rune Essence.
- Defensibility: Choose elevated terrain or natural barriers like cliffs to deter enemy spawns. Avoid open plains where dragons can easily spot you.
- Water Access: Proximity to rivers or lakes simplifies fishing for Raw Fish, a key food source.
- Fast-Travel Potential: Place bases near biome borders to connect multiple regions via Lodestones.
| Biome | Key Resources | Threats | Base Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Woods | Ash Logs, Rune Essence | Giant Rats, Goblin Scouts | High: Safe, resource-rich starter area. |
| Fractured Plains | Copper Ore, Stone | Goblin Bruisers | Medium: Open terrain increases ambush risk. |
| Bramblemead Valley | Herbs, Vines | Wolves, Dragon Fly-bys | Low: Dense flora and frequent attacks. |
Tip: Start your first base in Temple Woods near the Wise Old Man’s camp. It’s safe, has ample Ash Logs, and is close to a Rune Geyser for early Runecrafting.
Designing an Efficient Base Layout
A well-organized base maximizes functionality and aesthetics. Dragonwilds’ building system supports modular designs with snapping pieces, allowing for creative yet practical layouts. Follow these design principles:
Core Layout Principles
- Zoning: Divide your base into areas for crafting, storage, sleeping, and defense. Place crafting stations like the Crafting Table and Rune Altar near each other for quick access.
- Compact Design: Keep the footprint small to minimize material costs and repair needs. A 4×4 foundation is sufficient for a starter base.
- Verticality: Use ramps or ladders to build upward, saving ground space and improving defense against ground-based enemies.
- Aesthetic Touches: Incorporate Roof Valley pieces for seamless roof connections and add decorative items like Banners (unlocked via quests) for a personalized look.
Essential Base Components
| Structure | Purpose | Materials | Placement Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden Foundation | Base for all structures | 8x Ash Logs | Place on flat ground for stability. |
| Wooden Wall | Shelter and defense | 6x Ash Logs | Double-layer walls for extra durability. |
| Roof Valley | Joins perpendicular roofs | 8x Ash Logs, 2x Stone | Use for complex roof designs. |
| Storage Chest | Stores excess items | 10x Ash Logs, 4x Stone | Place near crafting stations. |
| Bed | Sets spawn point, restores stamina | 6x Ash Logs, 4x Vines | Keep in a secure inner room. |
| Crafting Table | Unlocks basic recipes | 4x Ash Logs | Centralize for easy access. |
| Rune Altar | Crafts runes for magic | 12x Stone, 4x Rune Essence | Protect from dragon attacks. |
Tip: Unlock Free-Cam Building in the Mind Palace skill tree (Building Level 8) to fly around while placing pieces, making it easier to design multi-level bases.
Starter Base Example
For new players, a simple 4×4 starter base is ideal:
- Lay a 4×4 Wooden Foundation grid (16 foundations, 128x Ash Logs).
- Build Wooden Walls around the perimeter (16 walls, 96x Ash Logs).
- Add a Wooden Door Frame and Door (8x Ash Logs) for access.
- Place a Gabled Roof (16 roof pieces, 128x Ash Logs) with Roof Valley pieces at corners (4 valleys, 32x Ash Logs, 8x Stone).
- Inside, add a Crafting Table, Campfire, Storage Chest, and Bed.
This setup costs approximately 392x Ash Logs and 8x Stone, achievable within the first few hours in Temple Woods.
Resource Management for Building
Building requires significant resources, and efficient gathering is crucial. Dragonwilds’ weight system penalizes over-encumbrance, so plan your resource runs carefully.
Resource Gathering Tips
- Use Magic: Craft Air Runes at the Rune Altar to cast Astral Projection (Runecrafting Level 12), which auto-gathers nearby resources.
- Upgrade Tools: Craft a Bronze Pickaxe (requires Copper Ore and Tin Ore) for faster mining and woodcutting.
- Skill Progression: Level up Mining and Woodcutting to unlock perks like Rockbreaker (Mining Level 10) and Timberfall (Woodcutting Level 8) for quicker gathering.
Resource Costs for Common Structures
| Structure | Ash Logs | Stone | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden Foundation | 8 | 0 | None |
| Wooden Wall | 6 | 0 | None |
| Gabled Roof | 8 | 0 | None |
| Storage Chest | 10 | 4 | None |
| Rune Altar | 0 | 12 | 4x Rune Essence |
Tip: Store surplus resources in Storage Chests to avoid encumbrance. Build multiple chests for different material types (e.g., one for Ash Logs, another for Stone).
Defending Your Base
Ashenfall’s enemies, from Goblin Scouts to Dragons, pose constant threats. A fortified base ensures safety during raids and dragon fly-bys, which can destroy structures with poison clouds.
Defensive Strategies
- Perimeter Walls: Build double-layered Wooden Walls or upgrade to Stone Walls (unlocked at Building Level 10, 8x Stone each) for higher durability.
- Turrets: Craft Arrow Traps (10x Ash Logs, 2x Copper Ore) to auto-attack enemies. Place them on elevated platforms for better range.
- Safe Rooms: Create an inner chamber with a Bed and Storage Chest to retreat during attacks. Reinforce with Stone Walls.
- Distraction Tactics: During dragon fly-bys, run away from your base to draw poison clouds elsewhere, as the UI may not always warn of incoming attacks.
Enemy-Specific Defenses
| Enemy | Threat | Defense Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Goblin Scouts | Melee attacks, steal resources | Arrow Traps, elevated platforms |
| Goblin Bruisers | High damage, destroy walls | Double-layered Stone Walls |
| Dragons | Poison clouds, area damage | Run from base, use Windstep spell |
| Wolves | Fast, group attacks | Build on cliffs, use traps |
Tip: Level up Attack to unlock Parry (Level 5) for melee defense, and craft Air Runes for Windstep to escape dragon attacks quickly.
Multiplayer Base Building
In co-op mode (up to 4 players), base building becomes a collaborative effort. Coordinate with teammates to maximize efficiency:
- Assign Roles: Designate one player for gathering Ash Logs, another for Stone, and so on.
- Shared Storage: Build multiple Storage Chests labeled via the UI (e.g., “Logs,” “Ore”) for organized resource pooling.
- Centralized Crafting: Place all crafting stations in one area to streamline production. Assign a player to manage the Rune Altar for spell support.
- Defensive Shifts: During raids, have one player man Arrow Traps while others repair or fight.
Tip: Use the chat window (bottom-left UI) to communicate build plans. For example, agree on a base layout before gathering materials to avoid wasting resources.
Advanced Base Building Techniques
As you progress, unlock advanced building options to enhance your base:
- Lodestone Network: Craft Lodestones (20x Stone, 8x Rune Essence) at each base for fast travel. Place them in secure areas to prevent enemy interference.
- Multi-Biome Bases: Build secondary bases in Fractured Plains for Copper Ore or Bramblemead Valley for Herbs. Connect them via Lodestones.
- Aesthetic Upgrades: Use Masterwork Tools (crafted at Smithing Forge, Building Level 15) to place decorative items like Statues or Rugs, boosting base morale (a minor stamina buff).
- Automation: Unlock Astral Constructs (Runecrafting Level 20) to automate resource delivery to your base, reducing manual trips.
Tip: Experiment with Free-Cam Building to create multi-level bases with rooftop defenses, ideal for repelling dragon attacks.
Common Pitfalls and Workarounds
Early access feedback highlights challenges in base building, particularly dragon attacks ignoring terrain, as noted in a Steam review. Here are common issues and solutions:
- Dragon Poison Clouds: The UI may not warn of fly-bys. Keep Air Runes ready for Windstep to flee, and build bases away from open areas.
- Resource Shortages: Overbuilding can deplete Ash Logs. Use Timberfall (Woodcutting Level 8) to auto-gather wood and focus on compact designs.
- Enemy Spawns Inside Base: Gaps in walls allow enemies to teleport in. Ensure all foundations are covered with walls or roofs, and use Arrow Traps for internal defense.
- Performance Issues: Large bases may cause FPS drops on low-end PCs. Edit the GameUserSettings.ini file to lower shadow quality, as suggested by SkyCoach.
Future Base Building Features
Jagex’s roadmap, shared via PC Gamer, promises updates that will enhance base building. The Fellhollow biome may introduce new materials like Obsidian for stronger walls, while the Farming skill tree could add crop plots for self-sustaining food production. New defensive structures, like Magic Wards, are planned to counter dragon attacks. Stay engaged with the community on Discord or Reddit to provide feedback and shape these features.
Conclusion
Base building in RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a dynamic and rewarding aspect of surviving Ashenfall. By choosing strategic locations, designing efficient layouts, managing resources wisely, and fortifying defenses, you can create a stronghold that withstands dragons and goblins alike. Whether playing solo or with friends, these best practices, leveraging the snapping system, prioritizing crafting stations, and planning for fast travel, will elevate your gameplay. As Dragonwilds evolves in early access, new features will further enrich base building, so keep experimenting and refining your approach. Grab your Building Hammer, stock up on Ash Logs, and start constructing your legacy in Ashenfall today.