Some skills make surviving easier, while others unlock cool abilities quickly. Training the right ones means less slogging and more dominating. This guide lays out the top skills to work on in RuneScape Dragonwilds, how they function, and why they’re worth your time.
How We Picked the Best Skills
Not every skill is a winner right off the bat. For new players especially, choosing can be rough. We ranked skills based on how fast they help with surviving, crafting, or fighting. Early game impact is key when you’re scraping by with basic gear.
We also factored in stamina savings, XP boosts, and special perks. Skills that make other skills better or speed up gathering resources scored higher. If a skill saves you time, it’s a solid pick early on.
Top Early Skills in RuneScape Dragonwilds
Certain skills give you a huge leg up right from the start. They make exploring, building, and staying alive in Ashenfall way easier during your first few hours. Here’s our rundown of the best early skills:
Attack
A no-brainer early on. Melee is strong, quick, and easy to train. Even your fists level it up, and basic weapons are simple to craft. Each level cuts stamina use, which adds up fast.
Artisan
Super useful early. Crafting is key for armor, weapons, and repairs. Leveling this slows how fast your gear wears out.
Woodcutting
Rounds out the early must-haves. You need logs for tools, fires, and buildings. Higher levels mean less stamina per chop, so you can keep going longer.
Focus on these in your first few hours, and you’ll set yourself up to unlock the game’s stronger skills later.
Best Attack Skills
Attack is your bread-and-butter for close combat and raw melee power. Each level gives a slight stamina boost, which is clutch in long fights. You can train it with fists, clubs, or pickaxes—no weapon required early on. Here are the top Attack skills:
Tempest Shield (Level 11): Spawns a magical shield that blocks all damage for a bit. When it fades, it explodes, hitting nearby enemies. Perfect for tight spots or catching a breather in tough battles.
Weapon Expertise (Level 16): Boosts melee weapon attacks, making fights faster and more reliable. It turns basic weapons into serious threats, especially with early gear.
Enchant Weapon: Fire (Level 20): Adds a burning effect to melee crits for extra damage over time. Great for tanky foes or group fights, and it makes every hit feel beefier.
These are game-changers. Two are accessible early, but the third needs some XP grinding.
Best Mining Skills
Mining isn’t just about breaking rocks—it powers crafting, building, and gear upgrades. Here are the top Mining skills to focus on:
Lift With Your Hips (Level 5): Cuts the weight of stone, clay, and sand by 25%. You can carry more without slowing down, which is huge for big builds or long trips.
Gem Prospector (Level 16): Gives a shot at finding rare gems while mining. These are used in crafting and quests, making every swing more rewarding.
Mine Crumbled Walls (Level 20): Lets you smash crumbled walls with a pickaxe to uncover secret paths, rare loot, or shortcuts. Makes exploring way more exciting.
Best Woodcutting Skills
Logs are essential for crafting weapons, building bases, and cooking. Woodcutting has some unlocks that seriously up your game. Here are the best ones:
Axtral Projection (Level 11): Summons a magical axe that chops multiple trees in a line. It’s quick, saves stamina, and looks awesome. Great for clearing areas or farming logs fast.
Bird Nests (Level 16): Trees can drop nests with bonus items like rare materials. Adds a fun surprise to chopping.
Lumber Storage (Level 40): Unlocks a high-capacity log storage structure. Keeps your camp organized as it grows.
Woodcutting seems basic, but it fuels other skills. Faster chopping and extra loot mean less grind and more progress.
Best Artisan Skills
Artisan ties everything together, boosting crafting, repairing gear, and making tools last longer. It’s crucial for building, weapon-making, and efficiency. Here are the top Artisan skills:
Bark to Bones (Level 11): Turns trees into bones via alchemy. Sounds odd, but it’s a time-saver when you need bones for recipes, potions, or quests.
Superheat (Level 20): Temporarily boosts fire-based stations like campfires or forges. Speeds up crafting and cooking, so you wait less.
Magical Mending (Level 27): Instantly repairs all gear with one Nature spell, no materials needed. Huge time-saver when you’re far from base.
These cut down on grind and keep your adventure moving smoothly.
Best Construction Skills
Construction is essential for building your base and unlocking useful upgrades. It’s resource-heavy but worth it. Here are the top Construction skills:
Creature Comforts (Level 16): Unlocks furniture and decorations with practical perks, like cooking or storage boosts. Also makes your camp feel homey.
Summon Shelter (Level 20): Magically builds a temporary shelter with Astral Magic. Perfect for exploring far from home or setting up in risky areas.
Personal Chest (Level 40): Unlocks a chest that lets you access stored items from anywhere. No more back-and-forth trips for forgotten gear.
More storage and better shelters mean you can focus on crafting, fighting, and surviving.
Best Cooking Skills
Cooking keeps you alive, boosts stats, heals faster, and even grants special effects. It’s not flashy but critical. Here are the top Cooking skills:
Internal Alchemy (Level 20): Resets all food and drink buffs instantly. Great for swapping effects mid-fight or refreshing stats before a big battle.
Bones to Peaches (Level 27): Turns bones into peaches for healing. Handy when you’re low on food.
Yes, Chef! (Level 40): Unlocks the Chef’s Hat recipe. Wearing it improves cooking results, giving better food, stronger buffs, and less waste.
The right meal can turn a fight around or keep you going on long journeys.
Best Runecrafting Skills
Runecrafting powers your magic—spells, weapon enchants, and summoned allies all need runes. It also cuts weight and unlocks support abilities. Here are the top Runecrafting skills:
Earth Runes (Level 11): Unlocks the recipe for Earth Runes at the Rune Altar. Used in tons of basic spells, so you’ll want these early.
Fire Spirit (Level 20): Summons a fiery spirit to light up dark areas. Saves torches and helps in dungeons.
Essential Strength (Level 27): Cuts Rune Essence weight by 50%. Carry double the runes without slowing down, perfect for long trips.
These keep your magic ready for whatever Ashenfall throws at you.
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