TL;DR
- Iron ore exclusively spawns in Stormtouched Highlands west of Fractured Plains
- Requires Bronze Pickaxe crafted via Smithing Forge with specific materials
- Use Detect Ore + Clay spell to locate nodes in dangerous high-level territory
- Smelt ore into bars using Furnace for Power Level 4 armor and weapons
- Prepare Power Level 3 gear before attempting mining due to aggressive enemies
Thriving in RuneScape DragonWilds demands exceptional preparation and superior equipment. This perilous realm presents relentless threats that require both strategic thinking and properly forged armaments. Iron resources enable creation of some of the game’s most formidable protective gear and offensive implements, providing essential preparation for conquering end-game zones. Our comprehensive guide details every step from locating iron deposits to transforming them into battle-ready equipment.
Iron represents a critical progression milestone, allowing players to craft Power Level 4 combat equipment that significantly enhances survival odds. Without these enhanced armaments, venturing deeper into DragonWilds becomes exponentially more hazardous. Understanding the complete iron workflow separates successful adventurers from those who perish prematurely.
Common Mistake: Many players attempt Stormtouched Highlands with inadequate Power Level 2 gear, resulting in swift defeats. Always verify your equipment meets the minimum Power Level 3 threshold before departure.
Iron ore deposits concentrate exclusively within the Stormtouched Highlands region of RuneScape Dragonwilds. This treacherous territory positions itself west of Fractured Plains and ranks among the game’s most challenging environments. Reference the visual guide below if navigation proves difficult.

The indigenous creatures inhabiting this zone demonstrate formidable combat capabilities, necessitating at minimum Power Level 3 protective gear for basic survivability. Underestimating these adversaries frequently results in resource loss and wasted expedition time.
Pro Tip: Scout the perimeter during daylight hours when visibility maximizes and certain nocturnal predators remain dormant. This strategic timing reduces encounter frequency with the deadliest indigenous species.
Upon locating iron ore nodes, standard pickaxes prove completely ineffective for extraction. You must fabricate a specialized Bronze Pickaxe specifically designed for harvesting these mineral deposits. The crafting process demands several prerequisite components and infrastructure.
Bronze Pickaxe Materials:
- Bronze Bars (crafted from Copper and Tin via Furnace)
- Oak Logs (harvested from Oak Trees using Bronze Axe)
- Leather (processed from Animal Hide or Scraps at Tannery)

Fabricating the Bronze Pickaxe requires access to a Smithing Forge, which itself demands construction. This creates a nested crafting dependency that new players often overlook in their planning.
Smithing Forge Requirements:
- Stone Blocks (mined from rock formations)
- Coarse Threads (spun from Flax at Spinning Wheel)
- Vault Cores (retrieved from completed Vault challenges)

Optimization Tip: Gather all Smithing Forge materials before venturing to Stormtouched Highlands. This eliminates unnecessary return trips and streamlines your mining operation considerably.
After establishing your Smithing Forge infrastructure and crafting the Bronze Pickaxe, navigate to Stormtouched Highlands and begin node identification. Iron ore deposits resemble standard mineral formations scattered throughout the landscape.

Employ the ‘Detect Ore + Clay’ Dragonwilds spell to highlight all mineral deposits within visual range. This magical assistance dramatically reduces search time and minimizes exposure to hostile entities.
Once pinpointing an iron ore node, deploy your Bronze Pickaxe to commence extraction. Each successful mining action yields one iron ore unit, with nodes typically providing 3-5 ore before depletion.
Advanced Strategy: Position yourself with protective terrain features at your back during mining operations. This tactical positioning limits attack vectors and provides reaction time when ambushed.
For comprehensive equipment strategies beyond mining, consult our Weapons Unlock guide for optimal loadout configurations.
Raw iron ore requires transformation through smelting to become usable for equipment fabrication. This metallurgical process occurs within a Furnace structure that must be constructed at your base camp.

Processing iron ore inside a Furnace generates iron bars, the fundamental component for crafting Power Level 4 defensive and offensive equipment. This represents a significant power spike compared to earlier tier gear.
Crafting Applications:
- Enhanced body armor with superior damage mitigation
- Formidable weapons delivering increased combat effectiveness
- Specialized tools enabling access to additional resources
The complete iron workflow—from mining to finished equipment—typically requires 45-60 minutes for initial completion. Subsequent mining expeditions become substantially faster with proper route memorization and threat avoidance.
Mastering these metallurgical processes provides crucial foundation knowledge for advanced Complete Guide to end-game content preparation.
Understanding proper class specialization synergies with crafted gear enhances your effectiveness further. Explore our Class Guide for optimal build combinations.
Action Checklist
- Acquire Power Level 3 gear before attempting Stormtouched Highlands
- Gather Smithing Forge materials: Stone, Coarse Threads, Vault Cores
- Construct Smithing Forge and craft Bronze Pickaxe
- Navigate to Stormtouched Highlands west of Fractured Plains
- Use Detect Ore + Clay spell to locate iron nodes
- Mine 5-8 iron ore using Bronze Pickaxe
- Smelt ore into bars using Furnace and craft Power Level 4 gear
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » How to Get Iron in RuneScape DragonWilds Master iron ore mining and smelting in DragonWilds to craft powerful end-game gear
