Building your first settlement in RuneScape Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds, launched into Early Access on April 15, 2025, introduces players to the untamed continent of Ashenfall, where survival hinges on mastering crafting, combat, and base-building. For those drawn to creating a cozy homestead amidst dragon-filled chaos, the game’s building system stands out as a highlight, praised for its flexibility and depth. This guide walks you through constructing your first settlement, from gathering resources to placing that final roof tile, ensuring your base is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Getting Started: The Basics of Building

Before you can build, you need to understand the core mechanics. In Dragonwilds, base-building is accessed through the Build Mode (default key: B), which opens a menu of available structures and furniture. You’ll need resources like Ash Logs and Stone, gathered by chopping trees or mining rocks. Magic, a hallmark of the RuneScape universe, enhances building, spells like Astral Projection let you float in a free-cam mode to place pieces precisely without risking a fall. Your first settlement serves as a safe haven, housing crafting stations, storage, and defenses against Ashenfall’s hostile creatures, like goblins and dragons. The system is forgiving, with snapping mechanics that make alignment easy and a repair mode to fix or relocate structures without losing resources. Unlike some survival games, Dragonwilds encourages experimentation, letting you level up your Construction skill through building.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Location

Location is critical. A well-placed settlement balances resource access, safety, and expansion potential. Here’s what to consider:

• • Proximity to Resources: Set up near Ash Trees and Stone Deposits to minimize travel. Look for Rune Geisers for crafting runes later.

• • Flat Terrain: Building on flat ground simplifies foundation placement. Hilly areas require more resources to level out.

• • Defensibility: Avoid open plains where enemies can swarm. A spot near a cliff or river can limit attack angles.

• • Water Access: Rivers provide fish and water, reducing the need to craft hydration items.

• • Fast Travel Points: Later, unlocking fast travel nodes makes a nearby node a strategic asset.

Recommended Starting Spot: Near the starting area, close to Doric’s camp, you’ll find flat land with Ash Trees, Stone, and a stream. It’s safe from early dragon attacks and close to tutorial NPCs like Vannaka and Zanik.

Step 2: Gathering Resources

Your first settlement requires basic materials. Here’s a table of essentials and how to acquire them:

Resource	Source	Tool Required	Notes
Ash Logs	Ash Trees	Axe (crafted or starter)	Use Axtral Projection spell (unlocked at Woodcutting level 5) for efficiency.
Stone	Stone Deposits	Pickaxe	Mine small rock formations near deposits for faster gathering.
Runic Essence	Rune Geisers	Pickaxe	Unlocked after meeting Zanik; used for Rune Altar and magic spells.
Fiber	Bushes/Plants	None	Gathered by hand; used for early ropes and crafting.

Tip: Craft a Crafting Table early (4x Ash Logs) by talking to Doric. This unlocks basic tools like axes and pickaxes, speeding up resource collection. Store excess materials in Storage Chests to avoid encumbrance, which slows movement when overloaded.

Step 3: Crafting Essential Stations

A settlement needs crafting stations to produce gear, runes, and food. Below is a table of key stations for your first base:

Station	Materials	Purpose	Unlock Condition
Crafting Table	4x Ash Logs	Crafts basic tools, weapons, armor	Talk to Doric near spawn
Rune Altar	12x Stone, 4x Runic Essence	Crafts runes for magic spells	Meet Zanik, deliver 50x Ash Logs
Cooking Fire	10x Ash Logs, 5x Stone	Cooks food to manage hunger	Unlocked after Doric’s crafting quest
Storage Chest	8x Ash Logs, 2x Fiber	Stores resources to avoid encumbrance	Available after crafting first table

Pro Tip: Place stations close together to streamline workflows. For example, keep the Rune Altar near the Crafting Table for quick spell-crafting. Use the Magical Mending Spell to repair gear without returning to the Crafting Table, saving time during exploration.

Step 4: Building Your First Structure

With resources and stations ready, it’s time to build. Follow these steps to create a simple, functional shelter:

1. 1. Enter Build Mode: Press B to open the build menu.

1. 1. Place Foundations: Start with Wooden Foundations (2x Ash Logs each). Lay a 3×3 grid for a small house. Snapping ensures clean alignment.

1. 1. Add Walls: Use Wooden Walls (3x Ash Logs each). Place them along the foundation edges, leaving a gap for a Door Frame (4x Ash Logs).

1. 1. Install a Door: Craft a Wooden Door (5x Ash Logs) and place it in the frame.

1. 1. Build a Roof: Use Slanted Roof Pieces (4x Ash Logs each). Dragonwilds’ roof valley pieces allow flexible designs, mix 2-wide and 3-wide sections without alignment issues. Add Triangular Wall Pieces to fill gaps under slanted roofs.

1. 1. Check Structural Integrity: The game warns if your roof lacks support. Add Wooden Beams (2x Ash Logs) or Pillars (3x Ash Logs) to stabilize large structures.

Magic Boost: Unlock Astral Projection (Construction level 10) to fly around while placing pieces, making roof and high-wall placement easier. This spell is a game-changer for complex builds. Design Tip: Unlike rigid systems in games like Valheim, Dragonwilds lets you rotate pieces freely and adjust height with the Ctrl key. Experiment with lofted designs or asymmetrical layouts for a unique look.

Step 5: Defending Your Settlement

Ashenfall is dangerous, with goblin raids and occasional dragon attacks. Fortify your base with these defenses:

Defense	Materials	Purpose	Notes
Wooden Spikes	5x Ash Logs, 2x Fiber	Damages enemies that approach	Place around perimeter; upgrade to stone later
Watchtower	10x Ash Logs, 5x Stone	Provides high ground for archers	Unlocked at Construction level 15
Reinforced Door	8x Ash Logs, 2x Runic Essence	Stronger than basic door	Resists enemy attacks longer

Tactics:

• • Positioning: Place spikes in chokepoints, like near your door or along a riverbank, to funnel enemies.

• • Elevation: Build on a slight hill to make it harder for enemies to reach your walls.

• • Magic Support: Use Rune Spells (crafted at the Rune Altar) to cast protective barriers during raids.

• • Repair Mode: Enter Build Mode, toggle Repair Mode (key: T), and fix damaged structures with minimal resources.

Warning: Early Access has issues with enemies teleporting into bases or ignoring walls. Until patched, keep valuables in Storage Chests and avoid building overly large structures that attract bigger raids.

Step 6: Expanding and Decorating

Once your basic shelter is secure, expand with additional rooms or a second story. Add furniture to make it feel like home:

Furniture	Materials	Purpose	Aesthetic Notes
Wooden Bed	6x Ash Logs, 4x Fiber	Resting point; reduces hunger/thirst	Cozy, rustic look
Table and Chairs	8x Ash Logs, 2x Fiber	Decorative; minor crafting bonus	Great for a tavern vibe
Wall Torch	2x Ash Logs, 1x Runic Essence	Lights up base at night	Adds warmth; place symmetrically

Expansion Ideas:

• • Loft Area: Use Wooden Stairs (6x Ash Logs) to create a second-floor storage or sleeping area.

• • Crafting Hub: Dedicate a room for all crafting stations, with Storage Chests nearby.

• • Garden: Fence off an area with Wooden Fences (2x Ash Logs each) for farming herbs or food crops, unlocked via Herblore quests.

Creative Mode (Future Update): The roadmap promises a Creative Mode, letting you build without resource costs. For now, practice designs in single-player to avoid wasting materials.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Building isn’t without hiccups, especially in Early Access. Here’s how to tackle common issues:

• • Structural Collapse: If the game warns about integrity, add more pillars or shorten roof spans. Avoid stacking too many floors without beams.

• • Misplaced Structures: No direct “move” function exists. Enter Build Mode, toggle Repair Mode (T), and delete the structure with the middle mouse button to reclaim materials. Rebuild in the desired spot.

• • Enemy Raids: If goblins overwhelm your base, unequip gear and die to despawn them (a temporary workaround). Future updates promise better defense mechanics.

• • Resource Shortages: Over-harvesting near your base? Explore further or use fast travel (unlocked later) to reach new resource nodes. Craft multiple Storage Chests to stockpile.

Tips for Advanced Builders

For those aiming for architectural greatness, leverage Dragonwilds’ unique features:

• • Mix Roof Lengths: Combine 2-wide and 3-wide roof sections with valley pieces for complex, non-uniform roofs.

• • Free Placement: Turn off snapping (toggle in Build Mode) for organic, less grid-like designs.

• • Magic Enhancements: Higher Construction levels unlock spells like Anima Infusion, which strengthens structures against dragon attacks.

• • Community Feedback: Jagex actively incorporates player input. Suggest building features on the Steam forums or Reddit (r/RSDragonwilds) to shape future updates.

What’s Next: The Roadmap

Jagex’s Early Access roadmap outlines exciting building-related updates:

• • New Furniture and Blueprints: More decorative and functional items.

• • Homesteading Features: Farming and NPC interactions to make bases livelier.

• • Building Defenses: Traps and walls that enemies respect, reducing teleportation bugs.

• • New Region (Fellhollow): Unique resources and biomes for diverse building materials.

• • Creative Mode: Build freely without resource constraints.

These updates, driven by community feedback, ensure the building system will grow richer. Check the in-game roadmap menu for the latest objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I move structures without deleting them? A: Not currently. Enter Build Mode, toggle Repair Mode (T), delete the structure to reclaim materials, and rebuild elsewhere. Jagex may add a move function later. Q: How do I protect my base from dragon attacks? A: Build Reinforced Doors, place Wooden Spikes, and use Rune Spells for barriers. Avoid large bases early, as they attract stronger enemies. Store valuables in chests. Q: What’s the best way to gather resources quickly? A: Unlock Axtral Projection for wood and Runic Blast for mining (both via skill levels). Build near resource nodes and craft multiple Storage Chests. Q: Is Creative Mode available now? A: No, but it’s on the roadmap. For now, experiment in single-player to test designs without wasting resources. Q: How do I level up Construction fast? A: Build and delete structures repeatedly (materials are refunded). Focus on complex pieces like roofs and stairs for more XP.

Conclusion

Building your first settlement in RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a rewarding blend of creativity and strategy. With its intuitive snapping, magical enhancements like Astral Projection, and flexible roof designs, the game caters to both practical survivalists and aesthetic architects. Start small with a 3×3 shelter, prioritize crafting stations, and fortify against Ashenfall’s threats. As you level up Construction and unlock new spells, your settlement can evolve into a sprawling fortress or a cozy tavern. Despite Early Access bugs, like enemy teleportation, Jagex’s commitment to player feedback and a robust roadmap promises a polished experience by the 2026 full release. Dive into Ashenfall, gather your Ash Logs, and start building, your dream settlement awaits, ready to withstand dragons and dazzle your co-op crew.