- Dragonwilds best weapons change every power level, so pick per tier, not per game.
- Fell Hollow is the standout tier: the Zombie Axe, Ogrish Crossbow, and Necromancer staff are endgame-quality picks.
- Greatswords dominate two-handed melee thanks to the Whirlwind Slash group-clear special.
- Crossbows become the top ranged option from power level 4 onward due to fast reloads.
- Battlestaves beat wands for magic because their special attacks stun, knock back, or burn groups.
Dragonwilds Best Weapons: How the Tier List Works
Weapons in Dragonwilds follow the RuneScape combat triangle: melee, ranged, and magic. Enemies across Ashenfall are weak to or resist certain damage types, so a varied arsenal matters far more than a single "best" weapon. Weapons are crafted at the crafting table, blacksmith's bench, fletching bench, or mystic forge, and repaired at the same stations when durability drops.
The picks below are grouped by power level (1 through 9), covering one-handed, two-handed, ranged, and magic slots. An upgraded favorite often stays competitive, so don't discard gear just because a new tier unlocked. For full crafting recipes and stat tables, see the official Dragonwilds Wiki weapons page.
Video Highlights:
- Best weapon picks at every power level from 1 to 9
- Why greatsword spin attacks handle groups so well
- Crossbow bleed builds with the Ogrish Crossbow
- Staff special attacks versus wand basic attacks
- Why the Staff of Light and Necromancer staff stand out
Don't overthink power level 1. You'll outlevel stone gear within an hour. Make the stone dagger, get established, and push toward bronze.
Early Game Picks (Power Levels 1–3)
At power level 1, the Stone Dagger is the clear pick with its 7-hit combo — it simply feels better than the stone club, and both cost little more than stones and ash logs. Power level 2 opens up real build diversity.
| Slot | Pick | Power Level | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | Stone Dagger | 1 | 7-hit combo, cheap materials |
| Melee | Goblin "Swingslash" | 2 | Excellent damage, 5-hit combo, reduced durability |
| Ranged | Adventurer's Longbow | 2 | Strong opening shot, ideal for deer hunting |
| Magic | Ash Battlestaff | 2 | Heavy special, early knockdown for breathing room |
| Melee | Skullsplitter | 3 | Strong crush damage, increased crit chance |
| Two-Handed | Granite Maul | 3 | Big, heavy hits for heavy-build players |
| Ranged | Wild Scout Shortbow | 3 | Faster draw rate, handling preference |
| Magic | Oak Battlestaff | 3 | 2.8x rune damage multiplier, beats Grieving Moonstaff |
The Grieving Moonstaff deserves a mention but carries a -15% crit hit chance penalty — a dealbreaker for a sustained damage option. The Oak Battlestaff delivers the same role with no downside.
Shortbows quick-fire with reduced range and damage; longbows must be drawn but hit much harder. For hunting deer and landing strong opening shots, take the longbow early — the Wild Scout Shortbow at tier 3 is the first shortbow genuinely worth using.
Mid Game Picks (Power Levels 4–6): Iron to Mithril
Power level 4 is where iron gear makes choices interesting, and power level 5 — Fell Hollow — is widely considered the best weapon tier in the game.
| Slot | Pick | Power Level | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | Abyssal Whip | 4 | Top one-hander; Dragonbone Dagger is a strong fallback |
| Two-Handed | Iron Greatsword | 4 | Group-clear special without Thane's Authority stamina cost |
| Ranged | Blurite Crossbow | 4 | -25% reload duration makes crossbows the go-to |
| Magic | Staff of Light | 4 | 4.5x rune multiplier; needs wild anima, sapphires, volt shards/core |
| Melee | Zombie Axe | 5 | Crush + slash damage, 5-hit combo, hits like a truck |
| Two-Handed | Steel Greatsword | 5 | Same stats as Shadow Sword without the RNG drop |
| Ranged | Ogrish Crossbow | 5 | Bone bolts build bleed; outstanding sustained damage |
| Magic | Necromancer Staff | 5 | 5.9 base rune damage, upgradable later |
| Melee | Mithril Sword | 6 | Clean everyday moveset |
| Two-Handed | Black Greataxe | 6 | Heavy hits; accept the stamina cost |
| Ranged | Mithril Crossbow | 6 | All-rounder; poison bolts work well on bosses |
| Magic | Subjugation Staff | 6 | 6.8x multiplier, bonus damage vs demons |
Zombie Axe
- Crush + slash dual damage
- 5-hit combo
- Best melee workhorse in Fell Hollow
Ogrish Crossbow
- Bone bolts stack bleed
- Fast, satisfying fire rate
- Trades enchanted bolt flexibility
Necromancer Staff
- 5.9 base rune damage
- Upgradable later
- Reduced durability, worth the trade
Thane's Authority's increased stamina cost and the Shadow Crossbow's slow fire rate both underperform at their tiers. The Shadow Sword is an RNG drop tied to zogres with a brutal 8-day respawn — the Steel Greatsword matches its stats with none of the hassle.
Late Game Picks (Power Levels 7–9): Adamant to Dragon
At tier 7 in Umbral Sands, the Masterwork Abyssal Whip edges out the long-reigning Obby sword. Both pair beautifully with the air enchantment for shredding enemies.
| Slot | Pick | Power Level | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | Masterwork Abyssal Whip | 7 | New tier-7 whip; Obby Sword remains very viable |
| Two-Handed | Adamant Greatsword | 7 | Group special; clears fight caves and cow fight eggs |
| Ranged | Bow of Elidinis | 7 | Water damage, healing orbs, Lunar Rain AoE |
| Magic | Obby Staff | 7 | 8.4x multiplier, increased crit; magical mending offsets durability |
| Melee | Rune Sword | 8 | Straightforward all-round pick |
| Two-Handed | Rune Greatsword | 8 | Whirlwind Slash; rune greataxe honorable mention |
| Ranged | Rune Crossbow | 8 | Flexible bolts, strong for raid kiting |
| Magic | Ancestral Staff | 8 | Full-circle upgrade from the ash battlestaff |
| All Slots | Dragon Scimitar / Dragon Crossbow / Caldas' Wrath | 9 | The only three weapons at the top tier |
The Bow of Elidinis breaks the crossbow streak with genuine utility: water orbs that heal you and a Lunar Rain area attack. The catch — it can't fire poison, bleed, or fire arrows. For most players, that trade is worth it.
Tier 9 offers only three weapons — Dragon Scimitar, Dragon Crossbow, and Caldas' Wrath — so there's no build diversity at the top. Your tier 8 rune gear and upgraded Fell Hollow favorites remain fully competitive while you work toward them.
How to Build Your Arsenal: Step by Step
Establish with Stone (Level 1)
Craft the stone dagger at a crafting table with 8 stones and 4 ash logs. Skip the club — the 7-hit combo carries early fights.
Pick a Combat Style (Level 2)
Craft the Goblin Swingslash for melee, Adventurer's Longbow for hunting, or Ash Battlestaff for magic. Hunt deer early for leather.
Push to Bronze and Iron (Levels 3–4)
Build the Skullsplitter and Granite Maul at the blacksmith's bench. Target the Staff of Light — wild anima, sapphires, volt shards, and a volt core take time to gather.
Farm Fell Hollow (Level 5)
Prioritize the Zombie Axe, Ogrish Crossbow, and Necromancer staff. These three define the strongest weapon tier in the game.
Finish the Climb (Levels 6–9)
Progress through mithril and adamant at Dauldron Reach and Umbral Sands, then rune gear in the Scorned Wilderness. Keep gear repaired at its crafting station.
Weapon Progression Checklist:
- Craft a stone dagger and reach bronze tier
- Unlock the Adventurer's Longbow recipe for hunting
- Build the Staff of Light at power level 4
- Farm the Zombie Axe, Ogrish Crossbow, and Necromancer staff in Fell Hollow
- Reach rune gear in the Scorned Wilderness
- Keep backup weapons across all three combat styles
Every crafting station repairs its own weapons. Weapons with reduced durability like the Necromancer staff and Obby staff are far more livable once you have magical mending — don't let the stat scare you off top damage picks.
FAQ
Q: What are the best Dragonwilds weapons overall?
The Zombie Axe, Ogrish Crossbow, and Necromancer staff from Fell Hollow (power level 5) are widely regarded as the best weapons in the game relative to their tier, and they stay competitive when upgraded. At the very top, the Dragon Scimitar, Dragon Crossbow, and Caldas' Wrath are the only power level 9 options.
Q: Are battlestaves better than wands in Dragonwilds?
For most situations, yes. Wands attack quickly and can cast while moving, but battlestaves have higher damage multipliers and special attacks — air stuns and knocks back, fire breathes a damage cone, and water conjures a healing field. The trade is slower, stationary casting that needs spacing.
Q: Should I replace an upgraded weapon when a new tier unlocks?
Not necessarily. Weapons can be upgraded and often remain effective, and several high-tier picks like the Necromancer staff are explicitly upgradable. Only swap when a new option clearly beats your current damage and handling.
Q: Why are crossbows recommended over bows later in the game?
Crossbows fire instantly and reload automatically, and options like the Blurite Crossbow (-25% reload duration) and Ogrish Crossbow (bleed-building bone bolts) offer strong sustained damage while kiting. Bows regain the edge at tier 7 with the Bow of Elidinis's healing orbs and AoE.