Ownership starts at level 0
When a dragon is tamed or hatched, it starts with level 0, XP 0, bond 20, and hunger 100. It follows the owner by default and can be managed through the dragon GUI.
The player then progresses the dragon through feeding, riding, movement, and combat.
Level unlocks
| Level | Unlock |
|---|---|
| 0 | Follow, Sit, Wander, saddle slot unlocked, cargo slot 1 unlocked. |
| 5 | Riding unlocked. |
| 8 | Cargo slot 2 unlocked. |
| 15 | Breeding unlocked. |
| Above level 15 | +1 max HP every 3 levels. Example: level 18 = +1 HP, level 21 = +2 HP total, level 24 = +3 HP total. |
There is no combat command unlock tier in V0.5. Dragons use their normal autonomous combat logic once they are adult and otherwise allowed to fight.
Hunger and bond
There is no owner-issued attack command unlock in V0.5. Combat is handled through normal hostility, retaliation, owner defense, mounted control, and adult dragon AI*.
Hunger is the upkeep system. Low hunger slows the dragon, blocks some rewards, and can reduce bond through starvation. Feeding the correct food restores hunger.
Bond is a relationship stat. It increases through care and active use, and it drops if the owner starves or damages the dragon. In V0.5, high bond gives a damage bonus instead of making low-bond dragons useless.
| Dragon | Post-tame food |
|---|---|
| Night Fury | Raw cod |
| Deadly Nadder | Raw chicken |
| Gronckle | Cobblestone |
* Berk's Dragon Academy does not plan, nor does it currently or has it ever used generative AI in our creative process. The AI referred to that is being implemented is traditional NPC AI, which has been used in games for decades. Unlike generative AI, traditional NPC AI follows a pre-scripted set of rules and behaviors, and does not generate new content in real time. This form of AI is unaffiliated with the requirements and functionality of generative AI.
Riding
Riding unlocks at level 5. The dragon must be tamed, adult, owned by the rider, saddled, and not downed or locked in another interaction.
Each dragon handles differently. Night Fury is the fastest and sharpest. Deadly Nadder is agile and responsive. Gronckle is slow, heavy, and less agile.
Combat and downed state
Adult dragons can fight hostile mobs and hostile players under the right conditions. Mounted combat is rider-controlled: melee and ranged attacks are aimed and timed by the player.
If a tamed dragon reaches 0 HP, it enters a downed state for 45 seconds. The owner can revive it. If not revived, it dies.