Dragonwilds:Guide for new players
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Template:External New to RuneScape: Dragonwilds? This guide explains the basics of how to play, what you can do in the continent of Ashenfall, and how to become a powerful adventurer.
Getting started
To begin your adventure in Ashenfall, you must first purchase the game from your preferred platform. Here is a list of places where you can buy the game:
| PC/Desktop | Console |
|---|---|
| Jagex Launcher | Xbox Store |
| Steam | Playstation Store |
| Epic Games Store | Nintendo eShop |
| Also available on... | |
| Xbox Game Pass
(Premium and Ultimate) |
Playstation Plus
(Plus Extra and Premium) |
* All links, unless otherwise specified, automatically link to the UK storefronts.
Once you have purchased the game, launch the game open and you'll be able to create your character, create a new world save, and modify settings. To create a character, go to "Characters" and go through the character creation. You'll be able to modify appearances, name your character, and decide what type of character they will be. Currently, there are only three character types you can make: Standard, Creative, and Custom.
When you start on a new character on either a new or old world save, you'll automatically begin the tutorial quest First Steps. Go through the tutorial to learn the basics of the game. Once you complete the tutorial, you will then be able to start the first primary quest Dragon Slayer.
The basics
RuneScape: Dragonwilds or "RSDW" is a game built on Unreal Engine 5 developed by Epic Games. Unlike its older predecessors, who use a custom game engine, this game uses real-time mechanics to run everything. Every in-game day is roughly 24 minutes with a majority of that time (~19 minutes) being daytime. Actions in the game take different lengths of time to accomplish. For instance, freshly cut trees (if the stump remains) take roughly three in-game days (~72 minutes) to respawn.
To navigate the continent, there is a Dragonwilds:compass in the top-middle section of your HUD/UI. This will show you nearby dragonkin vaults, kebbit burrows, claimed beds, and player markers (both placed on the World Map and player indicators). All distances in the game are indicated as "meters" or "XXXXm" to inform you of how far you are from specific points, including your claimed bed.
To access your World Map, use the (default: M) key. This will show you all of the locations you have discovered while leaving the rest covered in grey fog.
In order to travel fast throughout the continent, even access newly discovered regions, players must unlock the building recipe for lodestones. To unlock this recipe, players must first acquire a vault core in a vault.
Starting out
After creating your first character and world, you will appear inside of a ruined temple in the temple woods sub-region of Dragonwilds:Brynmoor. The lodestone behind you is inactive until you either place your first lodestone or discover another lodestone. Aside from you in this temple, there is one other person there: the Dragonwilds:Wise Old Man. Speak to him to continue the tutorial quest or skip it entirely and meet him in the nearby Dragonwilds:Bramblemead Village. It is highly recommended for first-time players of this game to continue the tutorial instead of skipping it as it will help you get used to the game mechanics.
For combat, there are small kebbits, swift deer, violent goblins, and beefy cows in this region that you can kill. For skilling, interact with special hotspots (Fishing/Agility), build plots (Farming), or chop trees (Woodcutting) to gain experience.
Quests
There are Dragonwilds:quests you can complete in the game, like First Steps and Dragon Slayer, that help you adventure deeper into the continent of Ashenfall or unlock special mechanics like Dragonwilds:The Wild Hunt. There are three types of quests that can be completed in the game: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. Both Primary and Secondary quests offer tutorials (ex: First Steps and Dragonwilds:Shrimp Catcher, respectively), but Tertiary quests can only be completed during Primary quests. The only quest, prior to the full release, to feature Tertiary quests was Dragonwilds:Icthlarin's Little Helper.
Skills
Dragonwilds:Skills are essential in the game as they give the character passive buffs (ex: less stamina used during sprinting), unlock skill-specific recipes (ex: angler's hat), or enable usage of powerful skill spells (ex: Dragonwilds:windstep). While skills do not actively allow you to gain access to specific regions of the game (like Fellhollow), they do allow you to access fast travel outside of lodestones.
Exploration
It is important to note that exploration is key. Players will start off with the basic adventurer's tunic and adventurer's leggings as their armour and a simple Dragonwilds:torch as their off-hand.
Going through the tutorial will end up giving players their own weapons and starter tools made from loose stones and teach them what they must do. In Brynmoor, the starting region, players can only acquire up to power level 2 gear before needing to head northward towards Ghornfell and unlocking bronze and iron (power level 3 and 4, respectively) gear. Players who greatly explore the continent of Ashenfall will also come across sanguine urns, which can be interacted with to increase the player's total health pool by 10 points. While exploring the continent, you will learn over time the stories that take place here, or if you like skipping dialogue, all the various monsters Ashenfall has to offer.
Staying safe
This game, while not purely multiplayer like its predecessors, does allow multiple players (up to either 4 or 6 players) to play the same world. Players can open up servers to the public and some who join may not be completely good actors, so here's some tips to help you stay safe:
- Enable locked/private chests.
- Use totems to protect your builds.
- Set up passwords for your server if you want only trusted friends online.
Conclusion
There is so much to explore in Ashenfall, from quests to skilling and trading. Set goals, whack a few goblins if you can, and enjoy the tales to come. Remember to follow the rules of the game and respect other players. See you in Ashenfall!