RuneScape Dragonwilds Scaling Difficulties Guide: Find the Missing Party
RuneScape: Dragonwilds has a new-feeling subquest inside the Icthlarin’s Little Helper line called Scaling Difficulties. The task is straightforward on paper: track down a missing scouting party and hunt an elusive beast that’s been causing trouble for the local village’s hunters. In practice, the search zone is broad, and the game doesn’t offer clear guidance on where the scouts are located within the area—so it’s easy for players to lose time wandering in circles.
Scaling Difficulties: where it fits and what you need
RuneScape: Dragonwilds player progression matters here. To begin Scaling Difficulties, you must advance through the Icthlarin’s Little Helper quest chain by completing the first three requests from the Merchant, Blacksmith, and Butcher Garou tribesmen—specifically “The Mirror Crack’d,” “Rag and Bone Garou,” and “Rogue Trader.”
There’s also a related progression note for RuneScape: Dragonwilds: the Fellhollow region has received mounts that can be unlocked by finding three Nature Spirit hearts and finishing the Wild Hunt quest.
| Quest / Content | Key Requirement or Location | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling Difficulties | Start after completing “The Mirror Crack’d,” “Rag and Bone Garou,” and “Rogue Trader,” then speak to the village elder and Hedric the Hunter | Rewards include 200 Garou Chit and improved reputation with Beartach |
| Fellhollow mounts | Unlock by finding three Nature Spirit hearts and completing Wild Hunt | Access to the Fellhollow mounts |
How to start Scaling Difficulties in RS Dragonwilds
First, you need to progress the Icthlarin’s Little Helper quest chain by clearing the opening three quests tied to the Garou tribes. Those three quests are titled “The Mirror Crack’d,” “Rag and Bone Garou,” and “Rogue Trader.”
After all three are done, two yellow quest circles will appear on your map. Travel to the southern circle and find the Manafem village. Speak with the elder there to receive permission to take quests from the locals.
Once you’re cleared by the elder, talk to Hedric the Hunter. That interaction is what actually kicks off the Scaling Difficulties quest.
Scaling Difficulties walkthrough in RS Dragonwilds
When you accept Scaling Difficulties from Hedric, a green search circle will show up on your map. Inside that zone are three clues you must locate to move the quest forward.
Clue #1 (Dead Garou Scout)
The first dead Garou scout’s body is found right in the center of the search area, close to the structure with the blocked entrance.
Clue #2 (Dead Garou Scout)
The second corpse is in the southern portion of the same search zone, specifically south of where you located the first dead scout.
Clue #3 (Scorch Marks)
To find the third clue, head east from the first scout’s body. You’ll come across a burned-out small building with a scorched wall. Approach that blackened wall and look for the interaction prompt labeled “Scorch Marks.”
Defeat the Red Dragon
After you’ve located and interacted with all three clues, the quest updates and a new search circle appears to the east. Move to that area, where you’ll find a Red Dragon waiting in a clearing.
Use your best available weapon to bring down the Red Dragon. Completing the fight awards you the quest item “The Radiant Heart”.
Return to Hedric and claim your rewards
Go back to Hedric in the Manafem clan village and hand over the Radiant Heart to finish the quest. Your reward package includes 200 Garou Chit and increased reputation with Beartach.
If you haven’t maxed every skill yet in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, you can also look up our guides for ways to farm XP for Woodcutting, Construction, Cooking, and Mining.
