Skills are the backbone of the RuneScape franchise, and Jagex is now carrying three more of them over into its survival spin-off. At RuneFest 2026 the studio laid out what RuneScape: Dragonwilds gets between the end of 2026 and the whole of 2027 – and it is not just skills, but a new saga, official mod support and a hint at what comes in 2028.
Prayer lands first, in December 2026
The next big skill addition on the calendar is Prayer, arriving in December 2026. In the main RuneScape games Prayer is tied to combat buffs and protective effects, which makes it the kind of skill you lean on before stepping into a fight you are not sure you can win.
Prayer ships as part of Luminance, a free update that brings elves to Ashenfall and acts as a prelude to the studio’s next big story arc. If you have not jumped in yet, we covered the game’s 1.0 launch in a separate article.
Hunter and Slayer are part of the 2027 plan
Two more familiar names are listed across the 2027 roadmap: Hunter and Slayer. Jagex has not pinned either of them to a specific month yet, so for now all you know is the year.
- Hunter – in the MMO it revolves around tracking and trapping creatures in the wild, with higher levels unlocking more animals and more effective catching methods.
- Slayer – focused on hunting monsters assigned by Slayer Masters, where some creatures demand specific gear or a higher skill level before you can kill them.
Jagex has already teased kebbits and implings as part of the upcoming content, alongside Moss Giants and other recognizable enemies. How exactly those two skills will fold into the survival and crafting loop of Dragonwilds has not been detailed.
The Blood Crystal Saga starts in early 2027
The skills arrive next to a sizable story expansion. The Blood Crystal Saga kicks off in early 2027 with Song of Rebellion, which follows a group of rebel elves trying to escape the threat of the Nos Clan after the events around Kuldra’s defeat.
The roadmap also promises new areas, quests, gear and home decorations inspired by Prifddinas. Later updates continue the saga, and on top of that Jagex plans monthly releases with extra side quests, weapons, decorations and quality-of-life improvements.
Official mods via CurseForge
2027 is also the year official mod support shows up, through a partnership with CurseForge. The package includes creation tools plus an in-game browser and installer, so you will not have to hunt files down manually.
What it means for you
In practice: one new skill before the end of this year, two more spread across next year, and a story arc that keeps Ashenfall growing instead of wrapping up. Jagex has confirmed that the continent and its story continue beyond the Blood Crystal Saga, with the Plundered Gods Saga planned for 2028 – so the game has a roadmap reaching well past its first saga. Details are on the official site, and you can follow everything else we publish in our RuneScape news hub.
FAQ
In December 2026, as part of the free Luminance update that also introduces elves to Ashenfall.
Hunter and Slayer are both named in the 2027 roadmap, but Jagex has not given either of them a specific release date yet.
A story expansion starting in early 2027 with Song of Rebellion, following rebel elves escaping the threat of the Nos Clan after Kuldra’s defeat. It brings new areas, quests, gear and Prifddinas-inspired home decorations.
Yes. Official mod support is scheduled for 2027 through a partnership with CurseForge, including creation tools and an in-game browser and installer.
No. Jagex confirmed Ashenfall and its story continue afterwards, with the Plundered Gods Saga planned for 2028.