Getting Started in Dragonhold

Dragonhold by Exis Games is a mission-based dragon-riding extraction ARPG on Steam PC. You split time between a personal hub island — where you rebuild Dragonhold castle and grow a surrounding town — and dangerous excursions into Azarkeen, a war-torn region in the land of Aval. This getting started guide walks you through the first hours so you understand the loop before risk spirals out of control.

You are a member of the Boundless Order, dragon riders fighting a corrupt holy war. Version 1.0 (August 7, 2026) consolidated the mission loop Exis Games stress-tested during Early Access from November 2025 onward — mainline missions you can tackle solo or in online co-op; each successful run feeds castle progression through Anchor Stones and resource drops. Nothing about this loop is hidden behind optional side content — the hub, missions, and rebuild systems are the game.

Step 1: Learn your hub island

When you load in, you arrive on your private hub island rather than an shared MMO city. Treat this space as home between extractions:

• Castle footprint — ruined sections show where Anchor Stones will eventually restore wings of Dragonhold.
• Town plots — pre-made building slots you fill with resources looted from Azarkeen.
• Departure point — where you accept missions and receive your Hand of Fate modifiers for the next run.

Walk the island once before your first departure. Note which crafting stations already exist and which require town buildings from the Castle hub. Even if you cannot afford construction yet, knowing future unlock paths prevents wasted loot storage.

Dragonhold — getting started overview

Step 2: Accept your first Azarkeen mission

Missions are structured excursions, not endless open-world wandering. Pick an introductory quest from the board, review the Hand of Fate cards dealt for this trip, and launch when ready. Fate modifiers might buff enemy density, add environmental hazards, or occasionally lighten resistance — read them every time, not just on your first run.

Travel to Azarkeen mounted on your dragon. Aerial movement is faster and safer for initial scouting. Refer to Flight Controls if pitching and banking feel awkward; fixing flight early saves more time than grinding underleveled gear.

Step 3: Fight on dragonback and on foot

Combat alternates between mounted breath attacks, strafing passes, and dismounted third-person brawling. Dragonhold intentionally pushes you off your mount for dungeons, camps, and many boss arenas. Default flow:

1. Scout from altitude and mark elite packs or chest locations.
2. Strafe with breath or dragon abilities to soften grouped enemies.
3. Dismount for looting, interior spaces, and precision dodges on foot.
4. Remount before overworld pressure spikes — the AI Director watches pacing and can spawn reinforcements when you linger.

Ground basics live in Ground Combat and How to Beat Bosses. Do not skip dismount practice; most early deaths happen on foot while players stare at dragon cooldowns.

Step 4: Loot with an extraction mindset

Pickups fall into gear upgrades, crafting materials, currency, and quest items. Your inventory is finite pressure — every minute spent sorting in a hot zone is a minute the Director can escalate spawns. Prioritize:

• Upgrades that immediately improve survivability or dragon stamina.
• Materials tied to your next town building from the Crafting Stations plan.
• High-tier relics only if you can extract safely afterward.

See Loot Guide for rarity expectations and Gear Priority so you do not replace a decent piece with a sidegrade.

Step 5: Extract back to the hub

Dragonhold lets you extract at any time once the option is available on your mission. You do not need to 100% clear a zone to leave with loot. Early players often die holding out for one more chest; experienced riders extract while winning. Read How to Extract for timing cues and Extract Checklist before risky pushes.

Successful extraction returns you to the hub with inventory intact. Failure rules depend on mission type and patch changes — Patch #1 keeps equipped weapons, shield, and armor on death; you still lose gold, XP, charms, and unequipped gear. Read Death and Loot Rules and How to Unstuck if you get wedged before extract.

Step 6: Spend Anchor Stones and resources

Completing mainline missions awards Anchor Stones, items that shift portions of Dragonhold castle back into reality. Each restored section unlocks abilities, vendors, or systems — a visual tech tree layered on top of your character skill tree. Parallel town construction spends Azarkeen resources on buildings that unlock crafting and utility.

Follow How to Rebuild the Castle for optimal early Anchor order and cross-link Anchor Stones for lore and mechanics context.

Solo vs co-op for new players

Solo is fully supported; co-op uses online sessions including dedicated servers. If you learn mechanics alone first, you enter co-op with clearer extraction calls. If you join friends immediately, align on voice comms for extract timing and who carries revival responsibilities. How to Play Solo and Co-op Guide cover both paths.

First weekend checklist

• Complete at least one mission start-to-extract without overextending.
• Place your first town building tied to a crafting goal.
• Install one Anchor Stone and read what ability it unlocked.
• Tune camera settings via Camera Settings.
• Skim Extraction Mission Loop so Hand of Fate language sticks.
• Read Dragonhold 1.0 Release if you last played during Early Access.

Dragonhold opens up once the loop feels automatic: depart, fight smart, extract with loot, rebuild, repeat. Everything else on this wiki — builds, maps, boss strats — assumes that rhythm. Master it first, then push deeper into Azarkeen with purpose.