Summary: Finding the best weapons in RuneScape: Dragonwilds is not as simple as picking the item with the biggest damage number. Your Power Level, combat style, stamina, weapon durability, attack type and the enemy you are fighting can all change which weapon makes the most sense.
With Dragonwilds 1.0 now live, the progression system has expanded beyond the old Early Access endgame. The Scorned Wilderness adds new Rune, Ancestral and other high-level equipment, make OSRS gold, while Kuldra and Dragon rewards push the progression into Power Level 9.
How Weapon Progression Works
Dragonwilds uses a Power Level system that follows your overall gear progression. Early weapons move through the starter and metal tiers, then continue into Mithril and Adamant before reaching the new Rune and high-end equipment introduced with 1.0.
The important rule is that there is no single weapon that dominates every situation. Enemies have different resistances and weaknesses, while stamina use and durability can also change the value of a weapon.
That is why a practical loadout should usually include more than one combat style.
Power Level 1-2: Keep It Simple
At the beginning of a new world, your weapon choices are limited, so there is little reason to overthink your build.
A fast one-handed weapon such as a Stone Dagger is a comfortable starting option because its quick combo makes early enemies easier to handle. There is also little benefit in spending too many materials on starter weapons because the next upgrades arrive quickly.
Once Bronze-tier options become available, start replacing your stone equipment rather than trying to make your starter weapon last forever.
For ranged combat, an early longbow is useful for hunting and pulling enemies from a safer distance. Magic also becomes viable early, with battlestaves providing heavier attacks compared with the faster wand-style gameplay introduced later in progression.
Power Level 3-4: Bronze and Iron Choices
This is where weapon selection starts becoming more meaningful.
For melee players, a solid one-handed option gives you flexibility because you can combine it with a shield. A heavier two-handed weapon is better when you want stronger attacks and area damage but are comfortable managing stamina.
For ranged players, shortbows are useful when speed and mobility matter, while crossbows provide a different handling style.
Magic also becomes more interesting around this stage. Oak Battlestaff sits at a 2.8 rune damage multiplier, while Staff of Light later reaches a 4.5 multiplier and becomes one of the strongest pre-endgame staff choices.
Power Level 5: Dorgeshuun Crossbow and Specialized Weapons
By the Steel stage, you can start looking beyond standard material upgrades.
The Dorgeshuun Crossbow is one of the most interesting examples because its special characteristics separate it from ordinary crossbows. It uses bone bolts and can inflict Bleed, making it a particularly attractive option for players who enjoy sustained ranged pressure.
For melee, weapons such as the Zombie Axe offer a mix of Crush and Slash damage, which makes them useful against different enemy types. Imaru's official strategy page also lists the Zombie Axe among its Power Level 5 recommendations.
Magic players can also begin looking at stronger specialty staves such as the Necromancer's Staff, which trades some durability considerations for stronger damage potential.
Power Level 6-7: Mithril and Adamant
This is where your weapon should start matching your intended endgame playstyle.
For melee, Mithril and Adamant weapons give you much stronger baseline damage and better access to specialized equipment. If you have a weapon with a useful special attack, it can remain valuable even after newer weapons become available.
For ranged builds, Mithril and Adamant Crossbows provide reliable damage, while weapons such as the Shadow Crossbow trade fire rate for increased weak-point damage.
Magic has an equally important jump. Master's Staff, Pharaoh's Sceptre and Toktz-Mej-Tal all reach an 8.4 rune damage multiplier at Power Level 7, making them powerful options before the 1.0 endgame.
Power Level 8: Rune and Ancestral Weapons
The biggest reason old Dragonwilds weapon guides need updating is the arrival of the Scorned Wilderness.
Power Level 8 introduces the new high-end craftable progression, including Rune weapons for melee, Rune Crossbow for ranged and Ancestral weapons for magic. 1.0 also introduced Ancestral Wand and Ancestral Staff, giving magic players a choice between mobility and traditional staff gameplay.
The Ancestral Staff reaches a 9.8 rune damage multiplier, making it a major upgrade for players who prefer heavy magic attacks.
Power Level 9: Dragon and Kuldra Weapons
Power Level 9 is where Dragonwilds moves into its true endgame.
The Scorned Wilderness introduces Kuldra, the endgame raid boss, and Dragon equipment that sits above the normal craftable progression. Dragon weapons include the Dragon Scimitar and Dragon Crossbow, while Kuldra's Wrath provides a high-end magic option.
The Dragon Crossbow is particularly notable because it deals increased damage to dragons, making it a natural weapon to consider when fighting endgame targets.
The Best Weapon Is the One That Fits Your Build
The biggest mistake is replacing a weapon simply because its Power Level is higher.
A weapon with a great combo, useful special attack or strong elemental interaction can remain relevant after a new tier becomes available. Masterwork-style upgrades also allow some favorite weapons to be pushed beyond their original Power Level, giving players another reason not to immediately abandon an older weapon they enjoy.
For that reason, a good Dragonwilds setup should focus on Power Level, enemy matchup, stamina, durability and playstyle rather than raw damage alone.
Final Thoughts
The best RuneScape Dragonwilds weapons change as you progress from Stone and Bronze into Iron, Steel, Mithril and Adamant, then into the new Rune and Ancestral gear of 1.0.
Early on, focus on fast and inexpensive upgrades. In the midgame, start building around special attacks and enemy weaknesses. At Power Level 8, choose the combat style you want to take into Scorned Wilderness, buy OSRS gold, then pursue Dragon and Kuldra rewards once you are ready for the endgame.
And remember: you do not have to use the weapon with the biggest number. In Dragonwilds, the right weapon is the one that lets you survive the fight, manage your stamina and consistently exploit the enemy's weakness.
