Getting a Black Dragon in Dragonkind is one of the hardest outcomes in the Threshing experience. Dragonkind is the interactive game based on Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, including Fourth Wing.
The important part is that there is no officially confirmed way to force a Black Dragon bond. Player reports suggest certain routes can lead to a Black Dragon, but the game still appears to include randomness. Even following a reported route may not produce the same result.
The Reported Black Dragon Route
The most useful player reports point toward a rare encounter after climbing the tallest tree in the forest. During some runs, a third choice appears after reaching the tree. Instead of climbing down, you may notice an option involving a shadow moving to the west.
If this option appears, follow the shadow and continue carefully. This encounter is unusual, so avoid assuming that another option will lead to the same result. The route can be summarized as follows:
- Enter the Threshing Valley and begin your run.
- Follow the route that eventually leads you toward the forest.
- Encounter the Green Dragon during the earlier section.
- Respond carefully to the scream and continue deeper into the area.
- Reach the center of the forest and climb the tallest tree.
- Watch for the rare third option involving a shadow moving to the west.
- Choose to follow the shadow if it appears.
- Continue through the encounter until you reach the Black Dragon.
What To Do When You Meet The Black Dragon
When you come face-to-face with the Black Dragon, player reports indicate that you should hold its gaze.
Do not lower your eyes.
Lift your chin and maintain eye contact rather than looking away. If the game accepts the encounter, the bond forms and your Black Dragon result appears.
Do not treat this as a guaranteed answer key. Some players have reached the Black Dragon without bonding with it.
What About The 76–90% Battery Trick?
Another popular theory claims that entering Dragonkind with a phone battery level between 76% and 90% increases the chance of receiving a Black Dragon. Players have widely shared this idea, but the creators have not confirmed it.
Treat it as an experiment rather than a proven mechanic. You can try it alongside the reported route, but there is no reliable evidence that battery percentage controls your dragon result.
Why Is The Black Dragon So Special?
Black Dragons are extremely rare in the world of Fourth Wing. The best-known examples are Tairn, whose full name is Tairneanach, and Codagh. Tairn is bonded to Violet Sorrengail, while Codagh is bonded to General Melgren.
This rarity explains why the Black Dragon is such a desirable result. A successful bond gives players a connection to one of the most unusual dragon types in the Empyrean world.
Tips For More Attempts
If you are trying repeatedly, keep track of your choices rather than relying on memory. Different encounters can branch from your choices.
Also, do not assume that failing to see the shadow means you made a mistake. The shadow option itself appears to be uncommon. If it does not appear, restarting immediately may not improve your chances. The route appears to depend partly on randomness, which means repeated runs can produce different encounters.
If a run ends with your character being burned, Dragonkind also applies a waiting period before another attempt. Use that time to review your choices and current player reports.