Tips for new players in RuneScape Dragonwilds
Introduction
RuneScape: Dragonwilds, launched in early access on April 15, 2025, immerses players in the perilous continent of Ashenfall, a cooperative survival RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5. This standalone title in the RuneScape universe blends crafting, resource gathering, and magical combat, challenging players to survive against warped creatures and dragons in a vibrant, lore-rich world. For new players, the game’s depth can feel overwhelming, with sprawling biomes, a complex “Mind Palace” skill tree, and mechanics like base building and Vault exploration to master. Unlike traditional RuneScape, Dragonwilds emphasizes survival crafting, requiring strategic resource management and skill progression to thrive. Whether you’re forging your first Bronze Sword or facing a Vault Guardian, starting on the right foot is crucial. This blog post offers essential tips for new players in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, covering everything from early-game priorities to advanced strategies. With detailed tables and practical advice, this guide will help you navigate Ashenfall’s challenges, build a strong foundation, and prepare for the Dragon Queen’s wrath, solo or with up to three friends.
Essential Tips for New Players
Getting started in RuneScape: Dragonwilds involves understanding its core mechanics: gathering resources, leveling skills, crafting gear, and exploring biomes. The game’s early access build, praised for its Valheim-like depth and RuneScape’s iconic magic system, rewards preparation and experimentation. Below, we outline key tips to help beginners progress efficiently, organized into categories like resource gathering, crafting, combat, and exploration. Each tip is designed to build your confidence and set you up for long-term success in Ashenfall.
1. Master the Basics: Early-Game Priorities
Your first hours in Dragonwilds are critical for establishing a foothold. Start in Bramblemead Valley, the beginner-friendly biome, and focus on gathering resources and building a base. Here’s a table of early-game priorities and how to achieve them:
| Priority | Action | Why It Matters | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gather Ash Logs | Chop trees with a Stone Axe (crafted at Crafting Table). | Ash Logs are needed for crafting stations (e.g., Crafting Table, Campfire) and fuel. | Use Axtral Projection (Woodcutting Level 11) to fell multiple trees later. Stockpile 50+ logs early. |
| Build a Crafting Table | Complete Doric’s quest (deliver 4x Ash Logs). | Unlocks crafting of tools, weapons, and armor like Leather Armor. | Place under a roof to protect from weather. Repair gear here to save resources. |
| Cook Food | Build a Campfire (4x Stone, 4x Ash Log) and cook Potatoes or Rat Roast. | Manages hunger and stamina, boosting gathering efficiency. | Forage Potatoes in Bramblemead Valley; kill rats for meat. |
| Mine Rune Essence | Find Rune Geisers (pink mist, floating rocks) and mine with a Pickaxe. | Fuels Runecrafting for spells and Battlestaff attacks. | Shoot floating rocks with a bow for faster gathering. Craft runes at a Rune Altar (12x Stone, 4x Rune Essence). |
| Set Up a Base | Build a simple shelter with walls, a roof, and crafting stations. | Protects gear and resources; centralizes crafting. | Place near a Rune Geiser for easy Runecrafting. Use Ghost Mode (F key) for precise building. |
Pro Tip: Follow the main questline from the Wise Old Man to unlock key recipes and meet NPCs like Doric and Zanik, who guide you to crafting stations and new biomes.
2. Understand the “Mind Palace” Skill Tree
The “Mind Palace” (accessed with K key) is your skill progression hub, governing skills like Artisan, Runecrafting, Brewing, and Woodcutting. Leveling these unlocks recipes, spells, and abilities. Here’s a table of key beginner skills and how to progress them:
| Skill | Role | How to Level | Key Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan | Crafts weapons, armor, and tools. | Craft items (e.g., Leather Armor, Bronze Sword) or repair gear. | Magical Mending (Level 10): Instant gear repair. Bark to Bones (Level 11): Transmutes trees into Bones. Reinforced Armor (Level 15): High-defense gear. |
| Runecrafting | Crafts runes for spells and magic weapons. | Mine Rune Essence and craft runes at a Rune Altar. | Nature Rune (Level 18): Advanced spells. Essential Strength (Level 27): Reduces Rune Essence weight by 50%. |
| Brewing | Brews potions for health and skill boosts. | Brew potions (e.g., Antipoison) at a Brewing Cauldron. | Antipoison Potion (Level 8): Counters poison. Focused Crafting Potion (Level 10): Boosts Artisan skills. |
| Woodcutting | Gathers Ash Logs for crafting and fuel. | Chop trees with an axe. | Axtral Projection (Level 11): Fells multiple trees. Splinter (Level 27): Chops fallen trees into logs. |
Tips:
- Grind Artisan by crafting and dismantling Crafting Tables (12 XP each) or mass-crafting Leather.
- Mine every Rune Essence deposit in Temple Woods to level Runecrafting quickly; one Essence yields 10 runes.
- Check the “Mind Palace” for XP requirements and tooltips on leveling each skill.
3. Focus on Resource Gathering
Resources are the backbone of survival in Dragonwilds. Early on, prioritize materials found in Bramblemead Valley and Temple Woods. Here’s a table of key resources, where to find them, and their uses:
| Resource | Location | How to Gather | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Logs | Bramblemead Valley, Temple Woods | Chop trees with a Stone Axe. | Build crafting stations (e.g., Crafting Table, Spinning Wheel); fuel for Campfire. |
| Flax | Bramblemead Valley, Temple Woods | Harvest blue flowers. | Process at Spinning Wheel into Coarse Thread for armor and bows. |
| Rune Essence | Rune Geisers (all biomes, abundant in Temple Woods) | Mine with a Pickaxe or shoot floating rocks with a bow. | Craft runes at Rune Altar for spells and Battlestaff attacks. |
| Animal Bones, Leather | Bramblemead Valley | Kill cows, rats, or Kebbits; process hides at Tannery. | Craft armor (e.g., Reinforced Body); Bones for gear and spells. |
| Harralander, Marrentill | Bramblemead Valley, Whispering Swamp | Forage or enemy drops. | Brew potions (e.g., Antipoison, Focused Crafting) at Brewing Cauldron. |
Strategies:
- Stockpile 100+ Ash Logs and 50+ Flax early to avoid shortages when building stations like the Smelting Furnace.
- Use Bark to Bones (Artisan Level 11) to gather Bones from trees when enemies are scarce.
- Explore Temple Woods for Rune Essence to power early spells like Fire or Air Runes for your Battlestaff.
4. Craft Essential Gear and Potions
Crafting is central to progression, enabling you to create tools, weapons, armor, and potions. Start with basic items and work toward rare gear like Reinforced Armor. Here’s a table of essential early-game crafts:
| Item | Category | Recipe | Crafting Station | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Axe | Tool | 4x Stone, 2x Ash Log | Crafting Table | Faster Woodcutting; basic weapon. |
| Leather Armor | Armor | 6x Leather | Crafting Table | Boosts defense for early combat; repairable. |
| Battlestaff | Weapon | 4x Ash Log, 2x Rune Essence | Crafting Table | Uses runes for ranged magic attacks; versatile. |
| Antipoison Potion | Potion | Marrentill, Small Animal Fang, Clay Vessel | Brewing Cauldron | Counters poison in Whispering Swamp; essential for exploration. |
| Bronze Sword | Weapon | 2x Bronze Bar (2x Copper Ore, 2x Tin Ore) | Crafting Table, Smelting Furnace | Strong melee weapon for tougher enemies like Trolls. |
Tips:
- Unlock the Crafting Table early via Doric’s quest to craft tools and armor.
- Build a Brewing Cauldron (6x Clay) to craft Antipoison Potions before entering Whispering Swamp.
- Repair gear at the Crafting Table or use Magical Mending to save materials.
- Gather Copper and Tin Ore in Fractured Plains to smelt Bronze Bars for weapons.
5. Prepare for Combat
Combat in Dragonwilds ranges from low-threat Rats to deadly Vault Guardians. Early on, focus on survivable fights and upgrade your gear as you progress. Here’s a table of combat tips and recommended gear:
| Enemy | Biome | Threat Level | Recommended Gear/Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rats, Cows | Bramblemead Valley | Low | Stone Axe or Battlestaff with Air Runes; Leather Armor for safety. |
| Wolves, Trolls | Temple Woods | Moderate | Bronze Sword, Leather Armor; use hit-and-run tactics or ranged Battlestaff attacks. |
| Swamp Rats, Frogs | Whispering Swamp | Moderate (Poison) | Bronze Sword, Antipoison Potions; avoid prolonged fights due to poison. |
| Warped Trolls, Lesser Dragons | Fractured Plains | High | Reinforced Armor, Crystal Bow, or Bronze Sword; cast Tempest Shield to block damage. |
Strategies:
- Craft a Battlestaff early for ranged attacks using Air or Fire Runes, ideal for kiting enemies.
- Unlock Tempest Shield (skill tree) to block damage and knock back foes in tough fights.
- Always carry food (e.g., Rat Roast) to restore health and stamina during combat.
- In co-op, assign one player to tank with Reinforced Armor while others use ranged attacks.
6. Explore Biomes and Vaults Strategically
Ashenfall’s biomes, Bramblemead Valley, Temple Woods, Whispering Swamp, and Fractured Plains, offer unique resources and challenges. Vaults, dungeon-like areas, yield rare loot like Crystal Shards. Here’s a table of exploration tips:
| Biome/Vault | Key Resources | Challenges | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bramblemead Valley | Ash Logs, Flax, Animal Bones | Low-threat enemies. | Build a base here; forage Flax and Potatoes for crafting and food. |
| Temple Woods | Rune Essence, Ash Logs | Wolves, Trolls. | Mine Rune Essence for Runecrafting; explore ruins for blueprints. |
| Whispering Swamp | Harralander, Bittercap Mushroom | Poisonous enemies. | Bring Antipoison Potions; gather Clay for crafting stations. |
| Fractured Plains | Copper Ore, Tin Ore | Warped Trolls, Lesser Dragons. | Equip Reinforced Armor; mine ores for Bronze gear. |
| Vaults | Crystal Shards, Blueprints, Vault Cores | Vault Guardians. | Team up in co-op; break Crumbling Walls with a Pickaxe for hidden chests. |
Tips:
- Unlock Lodestones with Vault Cores for fast travel between biomes.
- Explore every fork in Vaults for rare loot; use a Crystal Bow for ranged attacks against Guardians.
- Mark Rune Geisers and ore deposits on your map for efficient resource runs.
7. Leverage Multiplayer for Faster Progression
Dragonwilds supports up to four players in co-op, making tasks like resource gathering and Vault runs easier. Here’s how to use multiplayer effectively:
- Link Accounts: Connect your Epic Games and Steam accounts for multiplayer (Settings > Legal > Update EOS Settings).
- Join Friends: Access the “Friends” tab in the Play menu to join a friend’s world (must be Steam friends).
- Coordinate Roles: Assign tasks, e.g., one player gathers Flax, another mines Rune Essence, to speed up progression.
- Share Resources: Drop items like Ash Logs or Leather for teammates, or store them in a shared base.
- Host a World: Create a world via the Play menu, set to “Play With Friends” or “Public,” and share the name/password.
Pro Tip: In public servers, use chat to communicate goals and avoid resource hoarding to maintain team harmony.
8. Stay Updated with Early Access Changes
As an early access title, Dragonwilds is evolving, with Jagex planning new biomes (e.g., Fellhollow), skills (e.g., Farming), and dedicated servers by 2026. Stay informed to adapt your strategies:
- Check the Roadmap: Follow Jagex’s official website or Discord for updates on new content and bug fixes.
- Join Communities: Visit r/RSDragonwilds or the Dragonwilds Discord for player tips and bug reports.
- Monitor Patches: Early access builds may change mechanics (e.g., skill caps, resource spawns). Test strategies after updates.
Tip: Report bugs via Jagex’s website to help improve the game, especially for multiplayer or performance issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best starting biome for new players in RuneScape: Dragonwilds?
A: Bramblemead Valley is the best starting biome, offering low-threat enemies (Rats, Cows) and abundant resources like Ash Logs, Flax, and Potatoes. Build your first base here and focus on crafting a Crafting Table and Campfire.
Q: How do I level skills quickly early on?
A: Grind Artisan by crafting and dismantling Crafting Tables (12 XP each) or making Leather. Level Runecrafting by mining Rune Essence in Temple Woods and crafting runes in bulk (10 runes per Essence). Check the “Mind Palace” (K key) for XP requirements.
Q: What gear should I craft first?
A: Craft a Stone Axe for gathering, Leather Armor for defense, and a Battlestaff for ranged attacks using Air or Fire Runes. Build a Brewing Cauldron to make Antipoison Potions before exploring Whispering Swamp.
Q: How do I survive tougher enemies like Trolls or Lesser Dragons?
A: Equip Bronze Sword or Reinforced Armor (Artisan Level 15) for Trolls in Temple Woods. For Lesser Dragons in Fractured Plains, use a Crystal Bow or cast Tempest Shield to block damage. Always carry food to restore health.
Q: Are Vaults worth exploring early?
A: Vaults are challenging but rewarding, offering Crystal Shards and blueprints. Wait until you have Leather Armor and a Bronze Sword or Battlestaff. Team up in co-op and break Crumbling Walls with a Pickaxe for hidden loot.
Q: How does multiplayer help new players?
A: Multiplayer (up to 4 players) lets you divide tasks, e.g., one gathers Flax, another crafts gear, speeding up progression. Join a friend’s world via the “Friends” tab or host your own. Share resources and coordinate Vault runs for better rewards.
Q: Will early access updates affect my progress?
A: Your character progress (skills, gear) is safe, but new biomes, skills, or balance changes may shift strategies. Follow Jagex’s roadmap on their website or Discord for updates, and join r/RSDragonwilds for community insights.
Conclusion
Starting your journey in RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an exciting dive into Ashenfall’s magical and perilous world. By mastering early-game priorities like gathering Ash Logs, leveling skills through the “Mind Palace,” and crafting essential gear, you’ll build a strong foundation for survival. The tips and tables above guide you through resource gathering, combat, and exploration, ensuring you’re ready for Bramblemead Valley’s rats or Fractured Plains’ dragons. Whether playing solo or teaming up in co-op, leveraging spells like Axtral Projection and coordinating with friends will make your adventure smoother and more rewarding. As Dragonwilds evolves through early access, with new biomes like Fellhollow and skills on the horizon, staying adaptable will keep you ahead. So, grab your Stone Axe, build your base, and explore Ashenfall’s wilds, the path to defeating the Dragon Queen starts with your first swing.