How to Obtain Aetherium Shards in Dragonwilds

Learn how to acquire Aetherium Shards in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, including their primary source and various crafting applications.

By Dragonwilds Guide Team · Updated July 18, 2026 · generic
How to Obtain Aetherium Shards in Dragonwilds — illustration

What are Aetherium Shards?

Aetherium Shards, known in-game as Vault Shards, are a basic item in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. These stone fragments are imbued with remnants of ancient dragonkin magic. They were officially released into the game on April 15, 2025, as part of an update. Each shard has a weight of 5.0 and players can stack up to 99 of them in their inventory. Vault Shards are a crucial component in crafting a wide array of items, ranging from protective gear and weaponry to decorative structures.

How to Obtain Aetherium Shards

The primary method for obtaining Aetherium Shards (Vault Shards) is by defeating Vault Guardians. These guardians are found exclusively within Dragonkin Vaults. Players must venture into these vaults and engage with the guardians to acquire the shards.

While the exact mechanics of Dragonkin Vaults are not fully detailed, some players have inquired about the respawn rates of guardians within these vaults, suggesting that they may not respawn immediately or reliably after being cleared. As of current information, the only confirmed source is the Vault Guardians themselves.

Crafting with Aetherium Shards

Aetherium Shards (Vault Shards) are a versatile crafting material used in numerous recipes across various facilities and skills. Below is a comprehensive list of items that require Vault Shards for their creation:

Jeweler’s Bench:

  • Abraxus Ring: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Silver Bar, 2 Sapphire, 8 Necrotic Bonemeal.
  • Amulet of Accuracy: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Gold Bar, 2 Silver Bar, 4 Opal.
  • Amulet of Defence: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Gold Bar, 2 Silver Bar, 4 Jade.
  • Amulet of Glory: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 4 Gold Bar, 4 Dragonstone.
  • Amulet of Magic: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Gold Bar, 2 Silver Bar, 4 Sapphire.
  • Amulet of Strength: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Gold Bar, 2 Silver Bar, 4 Red Topaz.
  • Inspiring Amulet of Attack: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 4 Gold Bar, 4 Jade.
  • Inspiring Amulet of Magic: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 4 Gold Bar, 4 Jade.
  • Inspiring Amulet of Ranged: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 4 Gold Bar, 4 Jade.
  • Inspiring Ring of Artisan: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Silver Bar, 2 Opal.
  • Inspiring Ring of Construction: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 1 Clay Mould, 2 Silver Bar.

Blacksmith’s Bench:

  • Abyssal Whip: Requires 12 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Abyssal Spine, 12 Hard Leather, 12 Swamp Thread, 6 Poison Ichor.
  • Anti-Dragon Shield: Requires 8 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 12 Blightwood, 4 Wild Anima, 4 Hard Leather, 4 Opal.
  • Dragonblight Shield: Requires 12 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Draconic Visage, 1 Anti-Dragon Shield.
  • Dragonbone Dagger: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 6 Ram Horn, 3 Antler, 1 Hard Leather.
  • Dragoncurse Shield: Requires 12 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Undead Draconic Visage, 1 Anti-Dragon Shield.
  • Dragonfire Shield: Requires 12 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Smouldering Draconic Visage, 1 Anti-Dragon Shield.
  • Fallen Hoplite’s Aspis: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 10 Steel Bar, 12 Undead Bone, 4 Draconic Leather.
  • Granite Maul: Requires 8 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Imbued Granite Maul Head, 1 Ornate Maul Handle, 1 Imbued Leather Wrappings.
  • Imaru’s Talon: Requires 12 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 1 Undead Draconic Visage, 5 Steel Scimitar.
  • Imbued Granite Maul Head: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 10 Granite, 4 Wild Anima.
  • Imbued Leather Wrappings: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 1 Dire Wolf Leather, 5 Anima-Infused Bark.

Mystic Forge:

  • Blightwood Battlestaff: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 12 Blightwood, 6 Wild Anima, 3 Swamp Thread.
  • Draconic Staff: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 10 Iron Bar, 6 Granite, 4 Jade.

Fletching Bench:

  • Blightwood Longbow: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 12 Blightwood, 6 Swamp Thread, 4 Iron Bar, 4 Jade.
  • Blightwood Shortbow: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 8 Blightwood, 3 Swamp Thread, 1 Iron Bar, 1 Jade.
  • Blurite Crossbow: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 12 Blightwood, 6 Swamp Thread, 1 Blurite Crossbow Limbs, 1 Jade.
  • Crystal Bow: Requires 8 Vault Shards, 1 Vault Core, 18 Opal, 4 Wool Thread, 4 Bronze Bar, 4 Anima-Infused Bark.
  • Dorgeshuun Crossbow: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 12 Willow Logs, 6 Swamp Thread, 1 Bone Crossbow Limbs, 1 Jade.
  • Hunter Stagbow: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 18 Antler, 6 Ram Horn, 4 Swamp Thread, 4 Jade.

Armour Bench:

  • Dark Mage Hood: Requires 1 Vault Shard, 3 Padded Cloth, 2 Hard Leather, 1 Silver Bar.
  • Dark Mage Robe Legs: Requires 2 Vault Shards, 6 Padded Cloth, 4 Hard Leather, 2 Silver Bar.
  • Dark Mage Robes: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 8 Padded Cloth, 8 Hard Leather, 4 Silver Bar.
  • Dragonkin Mage Hood: Requires 1 Vault Shard, 3 Hard Leather, 2 Padded Cloth, 1 Gold Bar.
  • Dragonkin Mage Robe Legs: Requires 2 Vault Shards, 6 Hard Leather, 4 Padded Cloth, 2 Gold Bar.
  • Dragonkin Mage Robes: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 10 Hard Leather, 6 Padded Cloth, 4 Gold Bar.
  • Fallen Hoplite’s Chest: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 10 Steel Bar, 12 Undead Bone, 8 Draconic Leather, 3 Sacred Oil.
  • Fallen Hoplite’s Helm: Requires 2 Vault Shards, 4 Steel Bar, 8 Undead Bone, 2 Draconic Leather, 1 Sacred Oil.
  • Fallen Hoplite’s Tassets: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 6 Steel Bar, 8 Undead Bone, 6 Draconic Leather, 2 Sacred Oil.
  • Green Dragonhide Body: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 12 Green Dragonhide Leather, 4 Draconic Leather, 4 Steel Bar, 3 Sacred Oil.
  • Green Dragonhide Chaps: Requires 4 Vault Shards, 6 Green Dragonhide Leather, 4 Draconic Leather, 2 Steel Bar, 2 Sacred Oil.
  • Green Dragonhide Coif: Requires 2 Vault Shards, 4 Green Dragonhide Leather, 2 Draconic Leather, 1 Steel Bar, 1 Sacred Oil.

Build Menu:

  • Dragonkin Gargoyle 01, 02, 03: Each requires 5 Vault Shards, 20 Stone.
  • Dragonkin Obelisk 01, 02, 03: Each requires 5 Vault Shards, 20 Stone.
  • Dragonkin Statue 01, 02, 03: Each requires 5 Vault Shards, 20 Stone.
  • Furnace: Requires 8 Vault Shards, 24 Stone, 8 Clay, 4 Charcoal, 10 Fire Rune.

Smithing Forge (Material Crafting):

  • Imbued Granite Maul Head: Requires 6 Vault Shards, 10 Granite, 4 Wild Anima.
  • Imbued Leather Wrappings: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 1 Dire Wolf Leather, 5 Anima-Infused Bark.
  • Ornate Maul Handle: Requires 3 Vault Shards, 7 Blightwood, 5 Silver Bar, 5 Bronze Bar.

FAQ

Q: What are Aetherium Shards officially called in RuneScape: Dragonwilds? A: They are officially called Vault Shards.

Q: Where can I find Aetherium Shards (Vault Shards)? A: You can obtain them by defeating Vault Guardians found exclusively in Dragonkin Vaults.

Q: Do Vault Guardians respawn in Dragonkin Vaults? A: The respawn mechanics of Vault Guardians are not yet fully confirmed. Some players have noted they do not appear to respawn reliably.

Q: What is the stack limit for Aetherium Shards (Vault Shards)? A: You can stack up to 99 Vault Shards in your inventory.

Q: Are Aetherium Shards (Vault Shards) used for high-level crafting? A: Yes, they are used in crafting a variety of items, including powerful weapons like the Abyssal Whip and Dragonfire Shield, as well as amulets and armour.