Vault Core
item01Vault Core
Vault Core is a rare crafting material in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. It is a dragonkin energy source found inside Dragonkin Vaults and is used to construct Lodestones, advanced crafting stations, and several high-level weapons and shields.
Because Vault Cores are required for both fast travel and powerful late-game equipment, they are one of the more valuable materials obtained from Dragonkin Vaults.
Vault Cores respawn on their pedestals every three in-game days, so their quantity is not permanently limited.
02How to get Vault Core
Vault Cores are primarily obtained inside Dragonkin Vaults.
They can be found on pedestals throughout the Vaults, usually after progressing through traps, puzzles, and Vault Guardian encounters. Some Vaults contain more than one Vault Core, with additional Cores available after reaching deeper areas or opening boss rooms.
The first Vault Core is especially important because obtaining one unlocks the Lodestone recipe, allowing you to begin building your own fast travel network.
Dragonkin Vaults
Dragonkin Vaults are marked on the world map and contain some of the game's most important early and mid-game progression materials.
Depending on the Vault, obtaining a Core may require:
- defeating Vault Guardians;
- navigating traps;
- solving environmental puzzles;
- using movement abilities such as Windstep;
- opening additional areas with levers;
- defeating a Vault boss.
Some Vaults contain multiple Cores, making them particularly valuable for players who want to build several Lodestones or craft multiple Core-based items.
03What is Vault Core used for?
Vault Core has two major roles: fast travel infrastructure and advanced crafting.
Lodestone
The most important early-game use of a Vault Core is crafting a Lodestone.
Each Lodestone requires:
- 32 × Stone
- 20 × Rune Essence
- 1 × Vault Core
A Lodestone allows players to travel between connected Lodestones using Law Runes.
Because of this, your first Vault Core effectively unlocks the game's player-built fast travel system.
Crafting stations
Vault Cores are also used to construct several advanced crafting stations, including:
- Armour Bench
- Blacksmith's Bench
- Blast Furnace
- Fletching Bench
- Jeweler's Bench
- Mystic Forge
- Stonecutter
- Well
- Personal Chest
The exact number of Vault Cores required varies by station. For example, a Personal Chest requires 3 Vault Cores, while several other structures require one.
Weapons and shields
Vault Cores are also required for a number of powerful Masterwork items.
Notable examples include:
- Abyssal Whip
- Crystal Bow
- Granite Maul
- Staff of Light
- Imaru's Talon
- Anti-Dragon Shield
- Dragonblight Shield
- Dragoncurse Shield
- Dragonfire Shield
This makes Vault Core an important resource well beyond the point where Lodestones are first unlocked.
04Vault Core uses
The table below summarizes how many Vault Cores each major recipe consumes.
05Products
Full crafting recipes that use Vault Core, including facilities, skills, experience, and materials:
06Item sources
| Source | Quantity | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Misc. Salvage | 1–2 | 5.26/100 |
07Vault Core weight
A Vault Core weighs 50 kg and has a stack limit of 25.
The high weight makes carrying several Cores during exploration expensive in terms of inventory capacity. This is particularly relevant when travelling long distances, since player weight can affect Lodestone teleportation costs.
For this reason, it is usually better to return valuable Vault materials to storage rather than carrying a large collection of Cores during extended exploration.
08Should you save Vault Cores?
Yes.
Although the first Core is important for unlocking Lodestones, later Cores should not automatically be spent on additional fast travel points.
As you progress, Vault Cores become useful for advanced crafting stations and Masterwork equipment. A good approach is to keep a small reserve and spend additional Cores according to your current progression goals.
09Vault Core lore
The Journal describes a Vault Core as a heart of alchemically modified Rune Essence, enhanced with complex enchantments and veins of anima.
According to the lore, the Core absorbs ambient anima from Ashenfall and uses that energy to power dragonkin vault guardian servitors and other arcane machinery.
This explains why the same material can be used for both dragonkin technology and advanced player-built equipment.
10Journal
The following text is transcribed from the Journal.
A heart of alchemically modified rune essence. Layers of complex enchantments and veins of anima run through this core. It allows it to absorb ambient anima from its surroundings, which in turn powers the various functions of the vault guardian servitors. This marvel of dragonkin science had revolutionary potential. The ability to create power sources that thrived off of the ambient anima of the region. Ashenfall, with it’s surfeit of magical power, was the perfect place for such technology, and the dragonkin would apply it to all of their arcane machinery.
11Update history
This information is based on the changelogs of the game.
- The Vault Core stack limit was increased from 10 to 25.
- Journal entry text was updated with grammatical corrections.
12Quick facts
- Vault Cores are found in Dragonkin Vaults.
- The first Vault Core unlocks the Lodestone recipe.
- A Vault Core weighs 50 kg.
- The current stack limit is 25.
- Vault Cores are used in both buildings and high-level equipment.
- A Personal Chest requires 3 Vault Cores.
- A Blast Furnace requires 2 Vault Cores.
- Lodestones require 1 Vault Core each.
- Vault Cores are also used in several Masterwork weapons and shields.
- Vault Cores respawn on their pedestals every three in-game days.
13FAQ
Answers to common questions about Vault Cores in RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
How do you get a Vault Core in Dragonwilds?
Explore Dragonkin Vaults and collect Vault Cores from pedestals inside the Vault. Some Vaults contain more than one Core.
What does the first Vault Core unlock?
Obtaining a Vault Core unlocks the Lodestone recipe in the Build Menu.
How many Vault Cores does a Lodestone need?
Each Lodestone requires 1 Vault Core.
How many Vault Cores does a Personal Chest need?
A Personal Chest requires 3 Vault Cores.
Do Vault Cores respawn?
Yes. Vault Cores respawn on their pedestals every three in-game days.
Should you spend every Vault Core on Lodestones?
No. Keep a reserve for advanced crafting stations and Masterwork equipment after your first Lodestone is online.