If you are new to the Runic Breeding Caves, here’s a description and some tips. If you’re familiar with the caves, here’s a refresher.
WHY ALL THE FUSS?
The Runic Breeding Caves are an event mechanism that allows players to earn event currency. But it’s much different than other features because you can claim dragon eggs from the RBCs to complete your dragon collections. As a result, the RBCs are a beloved part of DragonVale and are always highly anticipated.
Depending on the event, there will either be 5 or 10 RBCs. One RBC is always active. You’ll activate another during the event tutorial, and there’s a Bonus Runic Breeding Cave that will be active during Double Days, and yet another if there’s a Triple Day.
The other RBCs need to be activated by a Runestone. You will receive several free Runestones for free, one during the event tutorial and there may be more from the event’s daily calendar rewards. Any additional Runestones can be purchased from the Market.
Important: before activating a RBC, tap the cave, then tap the Info button. A description of the cave will appear indicating whether it’s available on Double or Triple Days. Do not activate these caves! You will be able to claim an egg from every RBC that has been activated, so you’ll already be receiving an egg from these caves.
HOW THE RUNIC BREEDING CAVES WORK
The RBCs are different from the regular breeding caves in several ways:
• When you activate a RBC, it will remain active for one week.
• The breeding times at the RBCs are 75% shorter. So a 24 hour breed will now take 6 hours.
• After you breed an egg, instead of incubating, the egg is added to the Egg List. To access the Egg List, select the Egg History button at a RBC.
• The Egg List applies to all RBCs. If you breed a dragon at one RBC, it will show on the Egg List for every cave, and you can claim the egg at any RBC.
• After you breed a dragon, you’ll receive event currency based on the length of the breed. You will also receive an extra 100 event currency if it’s the first time you’ve bred the dragon at the RBCs.
CLAIMING EGGS
• To claim an egg, open the cave and tap the Claims button. Choose a Dragon will pop-up, just scroll to find the dragon and tap Confirm.
• You can claim ONE egg from each Runic Cave you activate.
• You can claim the egg at any time, even after the cave has been deactivated.
• You can claim the same egg more than once from a different RBC. This is especially helpful for players who want a twin or traited-twin dragon. The RBCs follow the same pattern as the mystery eggs (regular, twin, traited-twin). You only need to breed the dragon once in any RBC, then you can claim the regular version from one cave, the twin from a different cave, and the traited-twin from a third cave.
• Be sure to claim your eggs before the event island is removed (last day to collect event currency). The RBCs depart with the event island.
• TIP: if you’re claiming a traited version of a dragon, tap the '?' on the dragon’s listing. The dragon’s info card will show and you can see what the trait looks like on the dragon. If you don’t like the trait, close the Choose a Dragon pop-up, click the Claims button again, and you’ll be offered a different trait. Repeat until the desired trait appears.
STRATEGIES
• Since the RBCs reward 100 event currency for each unique breed, target breeding dragons with two of the same dragon (e.g., Satin + Satin) is ideal.
• An effective way to breed dragons at the RBCs is to start with dragons that have 6 or more elements and / or have locked breeding combos. Dragons with locked combos have specific dragons in their breeding requirement; therefore, they cannot be a breeding fail for another combo.
• After breeding the dragons with 6 or more elements, move on to 5-element, 4-element, and 3-element dragons. By the time you’re done, you should have most, if not all, of the permanent hybrids bred.
• Kairos: Before deploying Kairos, try to fill the RBCs with dragons that have long breeding / incubation times. You can use gems to speed up breeds.
POSSIBLE BUGS
• When using gems to speed up breeding, the gem cost does not always reset. This bug was reported to Backflip and has been reported to Deca.
• The last time the RBCs were implemented, Lunis and Solis caused crashes when they were successfully cloned at the RBCs. This has been resolved, as Lunis and Solis can no longer be cloned outside of the Cooperative Breeding Cave.
ADDITIONAL INFO
• Be sure to keep track of the RBCs you activate. You do not want to activate a cave that has already been activated, since you can claim an egg from each cave.
• Double Days will double the amount of event currency you’ll receive for breeding dragons at the RBCs, but the 100 bonus currency for breeding a unique dragon will not change.
• Runestones have never been offered at a discount. That doesn’t mean it’ll never happen, but it seems highly unlikely.
(I’ll add this post to the first page of the thread and include more information that arises.)
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
Welp this seems like an intense event, especially compared to the cruisy time of Om of Noms! I’m going to have to list out all the ones I’m missing and form a strategy Speaking of strategies - did someone (probably adlerist) have a strategy for runic caves? I’m going to splurge on a satchel when I sit down with this event (also I can buy now, activate later yes?)
Yes, you can buy the Runestones now, then activate them whenever you want.
I just posted the RBC 101. I didn’t elaborate on the strategy part too much because the post was getting might long 😄. So please let me know if there’s something more specific I can help with or if you have any questions. Cheers!
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
I must have been good this year. Two twin Jamjams and a present from Santa already!!! 😀
You’re playing for the both of us! I haven’t had time to play DV, only to open the game to make screenshots for posts 😄 (what is the matter with me?). But it’s always like this when a new event starts. I’ll check out the game tomorrow. Get those twin pedestals for us. 🎄
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
the forum looks very festive, amazing job once again, Adlerist ⛄ and thank you for your updates!
You’re very welcome! May I say, these Santa-hatted avatars are absolutely delicious. Never seen anything so delightful in my life. ❤️💚❤️
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
Welp this seems like an intense event, especially compared to the cruisy time of Om of Noms! I’m going to have to list out all the ones I’m missing and form a strategy Speaking of strategies - did someone (probably adlerist) have a strategy for runic caves? I’m going to splurge on a satchel when I sit down with this event (also I can buy now, activate later yes?)
Yes, you can buy the Runestones now, then activate them whenever you want.
I just posted the RBC 101. I didn’t elaborate on the strategy part too much because the post was getting might long 😄. So please let me know if there’s something more specific I can help with or if you have any questions. Cheers!
Thank you! I think the post covers most of it, but I do remember you had a target list (might have been a Burcadian event). Does this sound like a reasonable strategy: 1. Locked combos (limited available now, limited not available (two parents clone), then unlimited) 2. 10-element limited dragons (TLY, Aurora etc) via two parents 3. Other limited dragons not available now via two parents This is my first time that I’ll buy runestones so I want to make sure I’m doing it right!
GCID: NinjaKiwi. *remember the full stop!*
DVID: NinjaKiwi#3970
Currently breeding for whatever twins I can possibly get my hands on
Yes, you can buy the Runestones now, then activate them whenever you want.
I just posted the RBC 101. I didn’t elaborate on the strategy part too much because the post was getting might long 😄. So please let me know if there’s something more specific I can help with or if you have any questions. Cheers!
Thank you! I think the post covers most of it, but I do remember you had a target list (might have been a Burcadian event). Does this sound like a reasonable strategy: 1. Locked combos (limited available now, limited not available (two parents clone), then unlimited) 2. 10-element limited dragons (TLY, Aurora etc) via two parents 3. Other limited dragons not available now via two parents This is my first time that I’ll buy runestones so I want to make sure I’m doing it right!
Yes, this sounds a lot like what I do!
I typically save the long breeds for Kairos (or if I’m away from DV for a while). Because a dragon like Aurora will tie up your RBC for more than 12 hours. So by the end of the event, I don’t have many long breeds left. I also try to do this on a Double or Triple Day to maximise currency.
It looks like we’ll have a Triple Day on Xmas..
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
NinjaKiwi., do you have a checklist that has the dragons in order of incubation time? That can be really helpful. Since you’re spending money on the RBCs, I agree, you really want to make the most of it.
Quil updated his checklist for the last RBCs. I’m sure he won’t mind if I repost it 😊, he’s quite lovely like that. It’s missing the newer dragons from March 2021 to date. But that’s not too many and you can easily add them.
You might want to make a copy so you can edit it and keep it updated and ready for the RBCs.
I’ll add Quil’s spreadsheet to the first page of this thread if anyone needs it. Thank you, Quil!
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
NinjaKiwi., do you have a checklist that has the dragons in order of incubation time? That can be really helpful. Since you’re spending money on the RBCs, I agree, you really want to make the most of it.
Quil updated his checklist for the last RBCs. I’m sure he won’t mind if I repost it 😊, he’s quite lovely like that. It’s missing the newer dragons from March 2021 to date. But that’s not too many and you can easily add them.
You might want to make a copy so you can edit it and keep it updated and ready for the RBCs.
I’ll add Quil’s spreadsheet to the first page of this thread if anyone needs it. Thank you, Quil!
Oh interesting! Thanks for the link
Is there a list of dragons in order of release that I can use to update it?
GCID: NinjaKiwi. *remember the full stop!*
DVID: NinjaKiwi#3970
Currently breeding for whatever twins I can possibly get my hands on
NinjaKiwi. , do you have a checklist that has the dragons in order of incubation time? That can be really helpful. Since you’re spending money on the RBCs, I agree, you really want to make the most of it.
Quil updated his checklist for the last RBCs. I’m sure he won’t mind if I repost it 😊, he’s quite lovely like that. It’s missing the newer dragons from March 2021 to date. But that’s not too many and you can easily add them.
You might want to make a copy so you can edit it and keep it updated and ready for the RBCs.
I’ll add Quil’s spreadsheet to the first page of this thread if anyone needs it. Thank you, Quil !
Oh interesting! Thanks for the link
Is there a list of dragons in order of release that I can use to update it?
Yes, the always amazing Schmacklar maintains a list of dragons by release date on wiki. Here’s the link.
On the Forum, you can go to Reference > Dragon Library > Event History and see which dragons were release for each event on the event thread. But it’d much faster to use Schmackler’s list, since there’s nine months of dragons to update.
Last Edit: Dec 9, 2021 16:00:51 GMT -6 by adlerist
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
PSA: Deca has stated the Dazzling and Ornamental bug from several years ago has been quashed
Players may recall Dazzling and Ornamental were outcomes whenever ornamental dragons were bred, even though the breeding requirements for Dazzling and Ornamental were not met. This bug started two years ago, when the House ornamental dragons were introduced. Today, Deca said the bug has been fixed!
Cheers to Deca Games and to no more erroneous 55 hour breeding fails from Dazzling! 🥂
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
Is there a list of dragons in order of release that I can use to update it?
Yes, the always amazing @schmackler maintains a list of dragons by release date on wiki. Here’s the link.
On the Forum, you can go to Reference > Dragon Library > Event History and see which dragons were release for each event on the event thread. But it’d much faster to use Schmackler’s list, since there’s nine months of dragons to update.
That’s an incredible list, thank you! I can see that Quil’s list goes up to Narcis so I’ll update from there on. I do notice that the Dragondex has Snooz as #639, but Quil’s list goes up to 557 and am trying to understand the discrepancy. It’s not Ghostlies - could it be Rift exclusives? I didn’t think there were that many!
GCID: NinjaKiwi. *remember the full stop!*
DVID: NinjaKiwi#3970
Currently breeding for whatever twins I can possibly get my hands on
I appreciate that they added two, but I still feel like they're being stingy with the total amount. Assuming that I get the two new habitats and they don't add any more Ornamental dragons during this event, I'm still going to be devoting 3 of my Omnitats to housing Ornamental dragons. I like to display an adult and a baby of each Epic dragon, so I probably use up more habitats than a lot of people as a result. Even so, I don't have this issue with any other Epic dragons. I use one Omnitat for my Aura dragons, but all of the rest have enough space in their own habitats.
This problem arose because they had two Winter events where they added Ornamental dragons but did not add any habitats. Perhaps it's just me, but I'd really appreciate it if they'd add a couple more. It seems counter to the season's spirit to be stingier with Ornamental habitats compared to all of the others. Is there a place where I can officially make this request?
Dragon Warden at WestWyrm Isles Dragon Sanctuary, est. Sep 2011 Gladly accepting friend requests for Coop Breeding. My daily gems and treats are spoken for by my long-time Game Center friends. GCID: da real dub g DV Friend ID: Greggerman#1656 DV Friend Link: dragongame-prod.appspot.com/friendid?friendid=MuBigOo5OjUBoH0iMHF4 House of the Mountain Sun ⛰☀️
I'm still confused about the Runic Caves. Am I right in thinking that if I breed two of the same dragons I already have two of, but none rifted, that I will be able to claim a rifted version if the breed is successful?
I'm still confused about the Runic Caves. Am I right in thinking that if I breed two of the same dragons I already have two of, but none rifted, that I will be able to claim a rifted version if the breed is successful?
Cecilia at the Duckpond
You can claim a twin-traited version if you already have a twin. The order is as follows:
regular > twin > traited-twin
Mystery eggs do not offer traited dragons, only traited-twin dragons. The RBC egg claims follow this rule.
If you breed the target dragon at the RBCs, but don’t have a twin, you can claim a twin from a RBC, then claim a traited-twin from a different RBC.
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
I appreciate that they added two, but I still feel like they're being stingy with the total amount. Assuming that I get the two new habitats and they don't add any more Ornamental dragons during this event, I'm still going to be devoting 3 of my Omnitats to housing Ornamental dragons. I like to display an adult and a baby of each Epic dragon, so I probably use up more habitats than a lot of people as a result. Even so, I don't have this issue with any other Epic dragons. I use one Omnitat for my Aura dragons, but all of the rest have enough space in their own habitats.
This problem arose because they had two Winter events where they added Ornamental dragons but did not add any habitats. Perhaps it's just me, but I'd really appreciate it if they'd add a couple more. It seems counter to the season's spirit to be stingier with Ornamental habitats compared to all of the others. Is there a place where I can officially make this request?
You can email Deca from your game or use their support site. I’ll ask them as well.
Friend ID: adlerist#5274
Due to a potential limit on the number of friends a player can have before issues arise in the game, I will only be able to add Forum members. Thank you, for your understanding, and please consider joining us!
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the forum looks very festive, amazing job once again, Adlerist ⛄ and thank you for your updates!
Yes, you can buy the Runestones now, then activate them whenever you want.Welp this seems like an intense event, especially compared to the cruisy time of Om of Noms! I’m going to have to list out all the ones I’m missing and form a strategy
