The RuneScape: Dragonwilds adventurer who trades the sword for the bow can become the master of distance and precision. While melee users charge headlong into danger and mages weave their arcane tapestries, ranged combatants pick apart threats from a safe distance with deadly aim. This RuneScape: Dragonwilds Ranged Build Guide helps you go through an optimal path to becoming a true bow master.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds Ranged Build Guide: An Overview

Unlike the melee user who becomes the vanguard of the team, and the spellcaster who decimates large groups of enemies with powerful magic attacks, the ranged build user excels at controlling engagements in a RuneScape: Dragonwilds server. Shoot arrows from a distance, and soften foes before they get close. While the melee build represents versatility, the ranger from Ashenfall signifies adaptability. While the bow is your weapon of choice, you’re not always going to be a long-range sniper. Instead, you’re a flexible skirmisher that can adapt to different combat scenarios.

Best Weapons for Ranged Build

Two primary weapon types define the ranged build in RuneScape: Dragonwilds: Longbows and Shortbows. Longbows offer superior range and damage per shot, while Shortbows fire faster and excel in mid-to-close quarter engagements. There are also Crossbows, one-handed mid-range weapons that fire bolts instead of arrows. However, Crossbow damage is much to be desired, especially when compared to Longbows and Shortbows. Nonetheless, these one-handed weapons can work well when dishing out damage fast with their quickfire mechanic.

Early Game: Oak Longbow

• How to Get: Craft using 12x Oak Logs, 6x Wool Thread, 2x Bronze Bar, and 2x Opal at the Fletching Bench.

While your journey begins with the Adventurer’s Longbow, upgrading to the Oak Longbow provides a definite long-range punch to early-game enemies. It’s a reliable, craftable option made from the beginning, and will serve you well as you learn the ropes of ranged combat.

Stats

• Weight: 15.0
• Power Level: 3
• Damage Type: Arrow
• Base Damage: Bow
• Damage Multiplier: 1.4
• Durability: 1,050

Mid-Game: Crystal Bow

• How to Get: Acquire the Crystal Bow and its recipe after completing the Heartstrings quest. Craft it using 18x Opal, 4x Wool Thread, 4x Bronze Bar, 4x Anima-Infused Bark, 8x Vault Shard, and 1x Vault Core at the Fletching Bench.

Progress through Ashenfall to reach the mid-game. Eventually, you’ll come across the Heartstrings quest, which rewards you with the Crystal Bow. At this point, this ranged weapon can become your best friend for mid-range combat. Use its special action, Scattershot, well, to fire a barrage of exploding crystals in a large AoE cone. Doing so lets you take down mobs with ease.

Stats

• Weight: 10.0
• Power Level: 3
• Damage Type: Ranged
• Base Damage: 22
• Damage Multiplier: 3.45x
• Durability: 1,050
• Special Action: Scattershot

Endgame: Maple Longbow

• How to Get: Craft using 16x Maple Logs, 8x Mystic Thread, 4x Mithril Bar, 4x Diamond, and 12x Infernal Fragment at the Fletching Bench.

Introduced in the Dowdun Reach Update, the Maple Longbow is a top-tier contender for those who prioritize raw, devastating long-range firepower. It doesn’t require fulfilling complicated quests to unlock, allowing adventurers to easily craft it, as long as they have the necessary materials. Once equipped, fire power volleys from afar, piercing enemy armor and skin like paper.

Stats

• Weight: 15.0
• Power Level: 6
• Damage Type: Arrow
• Base Damage: 82
• Damage Multiplier: 3.4
• Durability: 1,600

Best Armor for Ranged Build

Armor in RuneScape: Dragonwilds generally fall under three primary categories: Melee, Ranged, and Magic. For the ranger, Ranged armor sets provide essential stat bonuses that enhance your combat effectiveness, mobility, and survivability.

Early Game: Hard Leather Armor Set

• Set Bonuses: +40 Stealth Speed (1-piece), -33% Ranged Attack Stamina Cost (2-piece), and +25% Weak Point Damage (3-piece)

The Hard Leather armor is an entry-level ranged set for budding ranged build users in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. While it doesn’t offer the best defenses, this set presents itself as a foundation for any aspiring ranger in Ashenfall.

Hard Leather Armor Pieces

Hard Leather Cowl

• How to Craft: Use 4x Hard Leather, 2x Wool Thread, and 1x Bronze Bar at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 3
• Melee Defense: 7
• Ranged Defense: 8
• Magic Defense: 7
• Weight: 6.0
• Durability: 1,250

Hard Leather Body

• How to Craft: Use 4x Hard Leather, 2x Wool Thread, and 1x Bronze Bar at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 3
• Melee Defense: 17
• Ranged Defense: 21
• Magic Defense: 17
• Weight: 4.5
• Durability: 1,250

Hard Leather Chaps

• How to Craft: Use 4x Hard Leather, 2x Wool Thread, and 1x Bronze Bar at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 3
• Melee Defense: 10
• Ranged Defense: 12
• Magic Defense: 10
• Weight: 9.0
• Durability: 1,250

Mid-Game: Wild Archer Armor Set

• Set Bonuses: +40 Stealth Speed (1-piece), -33% Ranged Attack Stamina Cost (2-piece), and +25% Weak Point Damage (3-piece)

Venture deep within the Kletterbuja Kara and open the Dragonkin Vault to unlock the crafting recipes for each component of the Wild Archer armor set. Aside from its aesthetics that easily let you blend with nature, its defensive stats make it an excellent upgrade from early-game sets, including the Hard Leather armor.

Wild Archer Armor Pieces

Wild Archer Cowl

• How to Craft: Use 4x Hard Leather, 2x Gold Bar, 2x Padded Cloth, and 1x Vault Shard at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 4
• Melee Defense: 10
• Ranged Defense: 11
• Magic Defense: 10
• Weight: 6.0
• Durability: 1,400

Wild Archer Body

• How to Craft: Use 12x Hard Leather, 4x Gold Bar, 4x Padded Cloth, and 3x Vault Shard at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 4
• Melee Defense: 24
• Ranged Defense: 28
• Magic Defense: 24
• Weight: 12.0
• Durability: 1,400

Wild Archer Chaps

• How to Craft: Use 8x Hard Leather, 4x Gold Bar, 3x Padded Cloth, and 2x Vault Shard at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 4
• Melee Defense: 15
• Ranged Defense: 17
• Magic Defense: 15
• Weight: 9.0
• Durability: 1,400

Endgame: Shadow Armor Set

• Set Bonuses: +40 Stealth Speed (1-piece), -33% Ranged Attack Stamina Cost (2-piece), and +25% Weak Point Damage (3-piece)

Become the shadow in the night, picking off foes one by one from a distance with the Shadow armor set. It offers balanced defenses from melee and magic attacks with a slight advantage against ranged hits. Unlock the crafting recipe for each Shadow armor component from the Evil Emporium, and become the Shadow Knight and dispatch all who dare oppose your mastery of the bow.

Shadow Armor Pieces

Shadow Cowl

• How to Craft: Use 4x Black Metal Bar, 1x Cursed Leather, 2x Blue Dragon Leather, and 1x Demonic Oil at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 6
• Melee Defense: 16
• Ranged Defense: 17
• Magic Defense: 16
• Weight: 6.0
• Durability: 1,750

Shadow Body

• How to Craft: Use 12x Black Metal Bar, 4x Cursed Leather, 4x Blue Dragon Leather, and 3x Demonic Oil at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 6
• Melee Defense: 39
• Ranged Defense: 43
• Magic Defense: 39
• Weight: 12.0
• Durability: 1,750

Shadow Chaps

• How to Craft: Use 8x Black Metal Bar, 4x Cursed Leather, 4x Blue Dragon Leather, and 2x Demonic Oil at the Smithing Anvil.
• Power Level: 6
• Melee Defense: 24
• Ranged Defense: 26
• Magic Defense: 24
• Weight: 12.0
• Durability: 1,750

Best Skills for Ranged Build

Players earn XP to skill points as they use specific actions. RuneScape: Dragonwilds adventurers who focus on the ranged build must frequently use their bows to progress and learn new abilities. Note that using higher-tier weapons and ammo deals more damage and rewards more XP than their lower-tier counterparts. Alternatively, rangers can gain skill XP by using the Tome of the Dragon Slayer or Ranged Skill Tomes. While there are many Ranged skills in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, below are some notable mentions to focus on as you progress:

• Quick Action (Level 3): Unlock Quick Actions using ranged weapons to unleash quick strikes against enemies.
• Trick Shot (Level 8): Time follow-up shots after firing a fully-drawn arrow for increased damage.
• Snare (Level 12): Conjure Earth Magic and trap enemies, rooting them temporarily.
• Toxic Behaviour (Level 15): Unlocks the Weapon Poison crafting recipe. Use 1x Clay Vessel, 1x Kwuarm, and 1x Poison Ichor to craft the consumable item. Use it to imbue Poison to weapons or craft Poisonous Arrows.
• Hunter’s Sense (Level 18): Crouch to sense nearby creatures and enemies.
• Make ‘Em Bleed (Level 22): Unlocks the Weapon Barbs crafting recipe. Use 1x Shrapnel, 1x Bronze Bar, and 1x Adhesive to craft the consumable item. Use it to imbue Bleed to weapons or craft Barbed Arrows.
• Spectral Arrows (Level 25): Enchant the bow, causing arrows to penetrate multiple targets.
• Venomous Trapper (Level 40): Adds Poison to the Snare Trap, releasing a cloud of noxious gas upon triggering it.
• Fire Starter (Level 45): Unlocks the Fire Oil and Fire Arrows crafting recipes. Craft Fire Oil using 1x Naptha and 1x Coarse Thread at the Fletching Bench. Then, use it on the equipped bow to reduce foes to ash.