A beginner’s guide to RuneScape Dragonwilds

A beginner’s guide to RuneScape Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a thrilling survival-crafting game set in the magical continent of Ashenfall. Launched into early access on April 15, 2025, this spin-off from the iconic RuneScape MMORPG blends classic skill-based progression with survival mechanics, offering a fresh yet familiar experience for both veterans and newcomers. In this unforgiving world, you’ll face dragons, goblins, and environmental challenges while mastering crafting, magic, and exploration. This comprehensive beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know to thrive in Dragonwilds, from starting quests to building bases and mastering spells.

Getting Started: Your First Steps in Ashenfall

When you spawn in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, you’re dropped into the Temple Woods, a relatively safe starting area. Your immediate goal is to familiarize yourself with the core mechanics through introductory quests.

Initial Quests

  • Talk to the Wise Old Man: Located right in front of you at spawn, he introduces the crafting system and sends you on a short quest to unlock basic mechanics.

  • Meet Doric: Nearby, Doric tasks you with collecting 4 Ash Logs by chopping trees. This unlocks your first crafting stations: Crafting Table, Campfire, and Rune Altar.

  • Visit Vannaka: North of Doric, Vannaka teaches you cooking by asking you to hunt Giant Rats and prepare a Rat Roast at a Campfire.

  • Find Zanik: She introduces runecrafting, requiring 50 Ash Logs to unlock the Rune Altar recipe and a Pickaxe for mining Rune Essence.

These quests are straightforward but critical, as they unlock the tools and stations you’ll rely on throughout the game.

Core Mechanics

Dragonwilds revolves around three pillars: gathering, crafting, and combat. You’ll spend much of your time collecting resources (wood, stone, runes), crafting tools and gear, and fighting enemies like rats, goblins, and dragons. The game’s skill system, inspired by RuneScape, rewards repetitive actions with experience points (XP) to level up skills like Woodcutting, Mining, Attack, and Runecrafting.

Essential Skills and How to Level Them

Skills are the backbone of progression in Dragonwilds. Each skill levels up to 49 in early access (with a cap of 99 planned), unlocking buffs and abilities. Below is a table of key skills for beginners, their primary actions, and tips for efficient leveling.

Skill

Primary Actions

Beginner Tips

Woodcutting

Chop trees to gather logs

Use Axtral Projection (unlocked at level 11) to chop multiple trees at once.

Mining

Mine rocks and Rune Essence

Seek clay or ore for more XP than stone; use Rocksplosion at level 11.

Attack

Land melee hits on enemies

Fight Kebbits or chickens in Bramblemead Valley for easy XP.

Runecrafting

Craft runes at a Rune Altar

Mine Rune Essence from geysers to boost both Mining and Runecrafting XP.

Cooking

Cook food at a Campfire

Hunt Giant Rats for meat to make Rat Roast, a reliable healing item.

Artisan

Craft gear and convert resources

Gather Flax for Coarse Thread and use Bark to Bones at level 11.

Construction

Build structures and furniture

Spam Crafting Tables (4 Ash Logs each) for quick XP.

Skill Tips

  • Focus on Milestones: Key abilities like Parry (Attack level 5) or Eye of Oculus (Construction level 11) drastically improve gameplay.

  • Combine Activities: For example, while gathering Flax for Artisan, kill enemies to level Attack and collect hides for Leather.

  • Check the Skill Menu: Press K to view skill tooltips for XP-earning actions.

Crafting: Building Your Arsenal

Crafting is essential for survival, allowing you to create tools, weapons, armor, and runes. Here are the core crafting stations and their uses.

Station

Materials Needed

Purpose

Crafting Table

4 Ash Logs

Craft basic tools (Axe, Pickaxe, Club) and armor. Portable and cheap.

Campfire

4 Ash Logs, 2 Stone

Cook food like Rat Roast to manage hunger and heal.

Rune Altar

12 Stone, 4 Rune Essence

Craft runes (e.g., Air Rune, Fire Rune) for spells and magic weapons.

Brewing Cauldron

6 Clay

Brew potions like Antipoison or Attack to boost stats or heal.

Key Recipes

  • Tools: Axe (4 Ash Logs, 2 Stone), Pickaxe (4 Ash Logs, 3 Stone).

  • Food: Rat Roast (1 Raw Rat Meat, Campfire) restores health and hunger.

  • Runes: Air Rune (1 Rune Essence), Fire Rune (1 Rune Essence).

  • Potions:

    • Antipoison: Harralander, Bittercap Mushroom, Clay Vessel.

    • Attack: Snapdragon, Ground Granite, Clay Vessel.

Crafting Tips

  • Repair Items: Use the Crafting Table’s repair tab to fix tools and weapons, saving resources.

  • Stockpile Runes: Runes weigh nothing, so craft extras for combat and exploration spells.

  • Unlock Stations Early: Build a Rune Altar as soon as possible to start crafting runes.

Magic and Spells: Your Key to Efficiency

Magic sets Dragonwilds apart from other survival games. Spells, powered by runes, enhance gathering, combat, and exploration. Below are essential beginner spells and their uses.

Spell

Level Required

Runes Needed

Effect

Axtral Projection

Woodcutting 11

2 Air, 1 Fire

Chops a line of trees instantly.

Rocksplosion

Mining 11

2 Fire, 1 Air

Destroys floating rocks to gather Rune Essence.

Windstep

Magic 5

1 Air

Boosts jump height to reach high ledges or hidden areas.

Eye of Oculus

Construction 11

2 Air, 1 Fire

Enables free-cam mode for precise building.

Magic Tips

  • Prioritize Rune Essence: Mine it from purple geysers to craft runes at the Rune Altar.

  • Use Spells for Gathering: Spells like Axtral Projection save time compared to manual chopping.

  • Experiment with Combat Spells: Early spells like Fire Strike (1 Fire Rune, 1 Air Rune) deal ranged damage safely.

Combat: Surviving Ashenfall’s Dangers

Combat in Dragonwilds is challenging, with enemies ranging from Giant Rats to Goblin Bruisers and unpredictable dragon attacks. Here’s how to stay alive.

Combat Basics

  • Melee: Uses the Attack skill. Practice Parry (level 5) to stagger enemies and reduce stamina use.

  • Ranged: Bows are ideal for kiting enemies. Rapid-fire shots stagger foes, keeping you safe.

  • Magic: Spells like Fire Strike offer ranged damage but require runes.

  • Hunger and Thirst: If depleted, you’re reduced to 1 HP but won’t die. Keep Rat Roast or other food handy.

Enemy Tips

  • Giant Rats and Kebbits: Weak, ideal for early Attack XP and loot (meat, hides).

  • Goblins: Drop Goblin Bags with runes, potions, or lore items unlocking recipes.

  • Dragons: Early dragon attacks are unavoidable. Dodge telegraphed poison clouds and stay mobile.

Combat Gear

  • Weapons: Start with a Club (Crafting Table) and aim for a Goblin Swingslash (Tier 2 weapon from goblin camps).

  • Armor: Apprentice Robe offers a rechargeable shield bar (1 Stone, 5 Rune Essence for ward stones).

  • Potions: Brew Attack or Combat potions for tougher fights.

Base Building: Creating Safe Havens

Base building is both functional and creative in Dragonwilds. You’ll need bases to store resources, craft, and fast-travel via Lodestones.

Building Basics

  • Crafting Tables: Build multiple for quick Construction XP and mobile crafting.

  • Lodestones: Crafted with Vault Cores (found in dungeons), these enable fast travel between regions.

  • Ghost Mode: Press F to preview structures before placing them.

  • Eye of Oculus: Unlocked at Construction level 11, this spell allows free-cam building for precision.

Base Tips

  • Build in Every Region: Ashenfall has four regions (Bramblemead Valley, Fractured Plains, Stormtouched Highlands, and more). Set up a base in each with a Lodestone for easy travel.

  • Storage: Craft Chests to store resources. Empty them regularly, as they respawn loot after a few days.

  • Defense: Place walls and elevated structures to deter enemy warbands, though dragons can still attack through terrain.

Exploration: Uncovering Ashenfall’s Secrets

Ashenfall is filled with secrets, from hidden vaults to respawning chests. Exploration is key to gathering rare resources and lore.

Exploration Tips

  • Hidden Areas: Look for Crumbling Walls (destroy with Pickaxe, high Mining skill), thorny vines (cut with Woodcutting), or high ledges (use Windstep).

  • Vaults: Contain Vault Cores and rare loot. Check behind thorns or above ramps for secret passages.

  • Chests: Loot everything and discard unwanted items to ensure respawns.

  • Lore Objects: Dropped by enemies like Goblin Bruisers, these unlock recipes for weapons and decorations.

Region Guide

Region

Difficulty

Key Features

Bramblemead Valley

Low

Safe starting area, Kebbits, Flax, Rune Essence.

Fractured Plains

Medium

Goblin camps, tougher enemies, clay deposits.

Stormtouched Highlands

High

Rare ores, strong foes, dragon activity.

Multiplayer: Teaming Up in Dragonwilds

Dragonwilds supports co-op for up to four players, making survival easier and more fun. Here’s how to play with friends.

Setting Up Co-op

  • Create a World: From the main menu, select Play > Create World > Play With Friends. Set a world name and optional password.

  • Join a Friend: Go to Play > Friends tab, select the server, and enter the password if needed.

  • Public Servers: Join password-free servers via the Public tab, but note that servers shut down if the host leaves.

Multiplayer Tips

  • Enemy Scaling: More players increase enemy difficulty, so coordinate roles (e.g., one gathers, another fights).

  • Share Resources: Build communal bases with shared Chests and Lodestones.

  • Character Progress: Your character’s skills and inventory persist across servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I avoid dragon attacks in the early game?
A: Dragon attacks are scripted and unavoidable. Watch for telegraphed poison clouds, dodge them, and stay out of buildings, as attacks can penetrate walls. Run to open areas to minimize damage.

Q: What happens if my hunger or thirst bars deplete?
A: You’ll be reduced to 1 HP but won’t die. Carry food like Rat Roast to restore hunger and health quickly.

Q: How do I get more runes?
A: Mine Rune Essence from purple geysers using a Pickaxe, then craft runes at a Rune Altar. Use Rocksplosion (Mining level 11) to access floating essence.

Q: Can I move or delete my base?
A: You can’t move structures, but you can destroy them with a Pickaxe or axe to reclaim some resources. Plan base locations carefully.

Q: Is there a story in Dragonwilds?
A: The game has light RPG elements with quests and lore, but the focus is on survival and crafting. Follow NPC quests for guidance, and expect more story content in future updates.

Q: How long will Dragonwilds be in early access?
A: Jagex estimates a full release in 2026, but the duration depends on player feedback. Check the in-game roadmap for planned updates like new regions and skills.

Conclusion

RuneScape: Dragonwilds offers a magical twist on the survival-crafting genre, blending RuneScape’s iconic skill system with dynamic combat and base building. By mastering crafting, magic, and exploration, you’ll turn the perilous continent of Ashenfall into your playground. Start with the introductory quests, prioritize skills like Woodcutting and Runecrafting, and use spells to streamline gathering and combat. Build bases across regions, team up with friends, and uncover hidden vaults to gain an edge. With an exciting roadmap promising new biomes, skills, and dragon fights, Dragonwilds is a journey worth embarking on. Dive in, experiment, and shape your own adventure in this dragon-infested world!