RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a survival-based multiplayer RPG set in the legendary world of Gielinor. Unlike traditional RuneScape titles, Dragonwilds throws players into the untamed wilderness of Ashenfall, a dragon-infested continent where survival, crafting, magic, and teamwork are essential. Combining intense exploration, base building, resource management, and real-time combat, the game offers a fresh challenge even for RuneScape veterans.
This guide will walk you through every stage of the Dragonwilds experience — from the very first moments in-game to facing off against the deadly Dragon Queen. Whether you're playing solo or in co-op mode with friends, you'll find the knowledge here to stay alive, grow powerful, and thrive in this harsh and mystical land.
1. Starting Strong in the World of Ashenfall
The first few hours of gameplay are crucial for survival and progress. Knowing what to do early on can set the tone for the rest of your adventure.
Solo vs. Co-op: Choosing Your Playstyle
You can choose to survive alone or with up to three friends. Playing solo offers full control but increases the difficulty, while co-op allows resource sharing, strategic roles, and easier combat against dangerous creatures. If you're new to the game, starting with a team is highly recommended.
Picking a Starting Location
Start in the safer biomes like Temple Woods. Look for areas with balanced access to water, food sources, wood, and stone. Avoid venturing too far from your base until you’ve equipped better tools and weapons. Your first location should allow for easy expansion and defense.
2. Understanding Survival Basics
Survival is the foundation of Dragonwilds. Players must manage hunger, rest, and environmental dangers in real-time.
Managing Hunger and Energy
You’ll need to eat regularly to stay alive. Foraging, hunting, and later, farming are your main food sources. Don’t let hunger drop too low, or your performance in combat and gathering will suffer. Likewise, resting is key to maintaining stamina, especially after intense activity.
Shelter and Safety
Build a shelter early on to protect yourself from weather, wild creatures, and dragon forces. Start with basic walls and a roof, then add crafting benches, storage, and defenses. A good shelter is more than a home—it’s your stronghold against the wild.
3. Gathering Resources and Crafting Tools
Gathering materials efficiently is vital for crafting weapons, tools, and structures that help you survive and progress.
Essential Resources to Prioritize
- Wood and stone for tools and buildings
- Ores and metals for armor and advanced gear
- Edible plants and animal products for food and medicine
- Anima-charged materials for unlocking magical skills
Crafting Your First Tools
Start with a stone hatchet and pickaxe. These unlock basic resource gathering and allow tool upgrades later. As you gain access to better materials, your efficiency and crafting options will expand.
4. Building a Base That Can Withstand Anything
Once you've survived the first few days, it’s time to build a base that can support long-term growth and defense.
How to Set Up a Functional Base
Build near water and multiple biomes to access diverse resources. Lay out your base with clear zones: crafting, storage, sleeping, and defense. Use higher-tier materials to fortify your walls as threats increase.
Crafting Stations and Utility Items
Essential items include a campfire, cooking station, furnace, crafting bench, and storage containers. As you progress, add forges, alchemy tables, and magical conduits. Organize everything for quick access during emergencies.
5. Progressing Through Skills and Anima Magic
Skill progression and Anima-based magic are central mechanics in Dragonwilds. They shape how you interact with the world and evolve your character.
Leveling Up Your Skills
Each action you take improves associated skills, from gathering and crafting to melee, ranged, and magical combat. Focus early on gathering and crafting to unlock better tools. Later, specialize in magic or combat based on your playstyle.
Using Anima Magic for Advantage
Anima is a mystical energy tied to Ashenfall. Unlocking Anima skills lets you manipulate the environment—like calling elemental attacks, summoning tools, or healing allies. Choose your magical upgrades wisely to complement your survival strategy.
6. Exploring the World and Unlocking Lore
Ashenfall is vast and filled with secrets. Exploration reveals resources, ancient ruins, and pieces of the world’s deeper story.
Diverse Biomes and Hidden Dangers
Each biome introduces new threats: poison swamps, ash-covered fields, dragonfire zones, and corrupted lands. Prepare accordingly with the right gear and potions before entering a new area.
Vaults, Ruins, and Lost Knowledge
Ancient Dragonkin vaults contain rare treasures, powerful items, and lore-rich artifacts. Some are puzzle-based; others are combat-heavy. Use these challenges to improve your gear and uncover the truth behind Ashenfall’s curse.
7. Mastering Combat and Facing Dragons
Combat in Dragonwilds is dynamic and punishing. Dragons, in particular, require tactical coordination and powerful gear.
Combat Styles and Weapons
Choose between melee, ranged, and magical combat. Melee is straightforward, but high risk. Ranged allows safer attacks, and magic offers utility and burst damage. Upgrade weapons regularly to match increasing enemy levels.
How to Fight Dragons Successfully
Dragons are fast, deadly, and use fire or Anima-based attacks. Use terrain, keep moving, and focus on weak points. Bring ranged weapons, healing potions, and team coordination. Soloing a dragon is possible, but extremely difficult without top-tier gear.
8. Completing Quests and Setting Long-Term Goals
Quests guide your journey through Dragonwilds and set the stage for taking on greater challenges.
Early Quests to Prioritize
Initial quests focus on survival: crafting, building, and exploration. Completing them unlocks tools, recipes, and skill boosts. Use quest rewards to grow quickly and prepare for late-game threats.
Preparing for the Dragon Queen
The final boss, the Dragon Queen, is the ultimate goal. Defeating her requires maxed gear, complete skill trees, and deep knowledge of combat mechanics. Plan your journey around this long-term objective while exploring every side mission you can.
9. Working as a Team in Multiplayer
Multiplayer mode allows players to divide tasks, coordinate in combat, and build massive fortresses together.
Choosing Roles and Dividing Labor
Assign roles among your team: a gatherer, a builder, a combat specialist, and a support magic user. This lets everyone focus on what they do best and increases your group's efficiency.
Staying Coordinated
Communication is key. Use voice or in-game chat to coordinate vault runs, supply management, and dragon hunts. Reviving teammates and sharing resources helps the group succeed together.
10. Adapting to Updates and Growing with the Community
Dragonwilds is in ongoing development, so staying informed and connected will help you stay ahead of changes.
Tracking Game Updates
The developers frequently add new content, balance patches, skills, and features. Check patch notes, read developer blogs, and watch for new regions or enemies. Adjust your strategy to match new mechanics.
Engaging with the Player Community
Join forums and groups to learn from experienced players. Share builds, strategies, and fan content. Participating in the community not only enhances your gameplay but helps shape the future of the game.
Conclusion
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is more than a survival RPG it's a living world filled with dragons, magic, mystery, and limitless potential. Mastering the game means more than just gathering materials and slaying monsters; it requires long-term strategy, smart teamwork, and the ability to adapt to a dynamic world. Whether you're just starting out or preparing to face the Dragon Queen, this guide gives you the tools to explore, build, fight, and thrive.
The only thing left now is for you to enter Ashenfall and carve your name into the legend of Dragonwilds.
Summary
Survive, craft, explore, and master Anima magic to conquer RuneScape: Dragonwilds, solo or with friends, and face the ultimate threat the Dragon Queen.
