With the 1.0 release of RuneScape: Dragonwilds just a few months away, players are about to venture into the desert with the next major update, Umbral Sands, arriving on June 23. The developers have published a new gameplay trailer ahead of the update release.

The new region is built around a ruined land once home to the Moon Garou, a people tied to the River Mother and now struggling to survive in the remains of their old civilization. The area is under heavy pressure from Fuzan, a young dragon backed by an obsidian army, along with Kalphites, Kot’Haar and other desert threats. Players will also work with Icthlarin, the jackal headed guardian of souls, as part of a fragile alliance aimed at pushing back Fuzan’s rule.

Survival in Umbral Sands will not be simple because sunlight itself becomes a threat through the new scorch effect, which drains thirst and hunger before turning deadly if ignored. That means players will need to move between shade, build shelter when needed and think carefully about when to travel. Night offers cooler air, but even then Fuzan is still a danger, so the desert stays unsafe around the clock.

The update also adds new resources and gear to collect. Adamantite ore appears in the region, while woodcutting and mining now stretch to level 99. Players can craft Red Dragonhide armor, infinity robes and other new items, then test them in the fight cave, a replayable challenge inspired by classic RuneScape boss runs. At the end of that gauntlet waits Fuzan, along with rewards such as the fire cape and rare crafting materials. For those who want an even harder test, the Nightmare Crucible brings boss rush style combat tied to Dragonkin experiments.

Magic gets a major boost too, with Water Magicm, which slows enemies and can create water orbs that restore health over time. Alongside that, the update adds new buildings, new quests, Steam achievements and a wider set of music tracks inspired by Arabic instruments and RuneScape themes.

Umbral Sands is described as the last major update before the RuneScape: Dragonwilds next big steps, including the Scorned Wilderness Raid, the Kuldra boss fight and the full launch on September 15, 2026.