The Dances With Wolves challenge in Dead Rails is one of the most exciting new objectives added to the game, requiring players to tame 20 wolves in a single playthrough. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to complete this howling challenge successfully.
What is the Dances With Wolves Challenge?
The Dances With Wolves challenge is a milestone challenge in Dead Rails that tasks players with taming 20 wolves in one game. This challenge was introduced in the April 2025 update alongside other new challenges like “A Fistful of Dollars” and “Electric Remains.”
Challenge Details:
- Reward: 15 Bonds and 3 Star Points
- Difficulty: Medium (depends on RNG)
- Average completion time: 1-3 hours
- Reference: Named after the 1990 film “Dances with Wolves”
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Challenge Type | Milestone Challenge |
| Requirement | Tame 20 wolves in one game |
| Reward | 15 Bonds + 3 Star Points |
| Best Class | Packmaster |
| Key Strategy | Use zombie corpses for taming |
| Main Threat | Werewolves in wolf packs |
Understanding Wolf Spawns and Behavior
Before diving into strategies, it’s crucial to understand how wolves work in Dead Rails:
Wolf Spawn Mechanics
- Pack spawning: Wolves always spawn in groups of 3
- Random encounters: Wolf spawns are RNG-based and relatively uncommon
- Werewolf mixing: Sometimes werewolves spawn within wolf packs
- Biome specific: More likely to appear in certain areas
Wolf Taming Process
The taming process in Dead Rails is unique:
- Feeding requirement: Wolves must be fed to become tamed
- Food source: Zombie corpses count as food for wolves
- Taming method: Either drop corpses on the ground or hold them in front of wolves
- Timing crucial: Wolves must eat before they attack you
Best Strategies for Completing Dances With Wolves (June 2026)
1. Packmaster Class Strategy (Recommended)
The Packmaster class is by far the best choice for this challenge:
Packmaster Benefits:
- Starts with 3 tamed wolves (these don’t count toward the 20)
- Can tame wolves without feeding by letting them attack you
- Natural affinity with wolves makes the challenge significantly easier
Packmaster Strategy:
- Start with Packmaster class (costs 35 Bonds)
- Let wild wolves attack you to trigger automatic taming
- Use your starting wolves to help eliminate threats
- Focus on finding wolf packs rather than zombie corpses
2. Traditional Taming Method
For players without Packmaster access:
Preparation Phase:
- Stockpile zombie corpses early in the game
- Preserve corpses by welding them to your train
- Avoid unnecessary combat to save ammunition
- Travel during daytime for safer exploration
Execution Phase:
- Locate wolf packs by exploring thoroughly
- Clear the area of other threats first
- Drop multiple corpses around wolf spawn areas
- Lure wolves to the corpses while maintaining safe distance
- Repeat process until all wolves in pack are tamed
3. Advanced Taming Techniques
Cerebrus Blood Method:
- Use Cerebrus Blood to spawn additional wolves
- These spawned wolves can be tamed normally
- Provides more taming opportunities in areas with few natural spawns
Backtracking Strategy:
- Reach the end of the game (80km) first
- Backtrack to find newly spawned wolf packs
- This ensures you don’t miss any potential taming opportunities
Pro Tips and Advanced Strategies
Wolf Pack Identification
- Visual cues: Look for 3 wolves moving together
- Audio signals: Listen for wolf howls and growls
- Behavior patterns: Wolves patrol specific areas
- Time considerations: Wolves can spawn day or night
Managing Tamed Wolves
- Storage options: Keep tamed wolves on your train or in your sack
- Combat utility: Tamed wolves will fight for you
- Survival rate: Don’t worry if tamed wolves die – they still count
- Pack management: Large wolf packs can become difficult to manage
Dealing with Werewolves
- Threat identification: Werewolves spawn with glowing red eyes
- Combat preparation: Always bring guns and ammunition
- Pack assessment: Evaluate if you can eliminate werewolves before taming regular wolves
- Risk vs reward: Sometimes it’s better to avoid mixed packs entirely
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Rushing the Process
- Don’t attempt to tame wolves while other enemies are nearby
- Clear the area thoroughly before starting taming
- Take time to properly set up corpse placement
2. Poor Resource Management
- Don’t waste all your ammunition on wolf packs with werewolves
- Save enough corpses for multiple taming attempts
- Balance between exploration and wolf hunting
3. Timing Errors
- Avoid taming during nighttime unless well-prepared
- Don’t start taming when low on health or ammunition
- Consider the day/night cycle for optimal exploration
Class Recommendations Beyond Packmaster
While Packmaster is optimal, other classes can work:
High Roller: Better economy for buying supplies and weapons Survivalist: Increased damage output for dealing with threats Doctor: Better survivability during wolf encounters Vampire: Enhanced mobility for exploration and escape
Location-Specific Strategies
Early Game (0-20km)
- Focus on stocking supplies and basic weapons
- Avoid risky wolf encounters early on
- Build up your corpse collection
Mid Game (20-60km)
- Actively search for wolf packs
- Utilize towns for supplies and corpses
- Consider visiting the Castle for additional opportunities
Late Game (60-80km)
- Backtrack if necessary to find remaining wolves
- Use accumulated resources for final push
- Don’t risk your run for the last few wolves
Rewards and Benefits
Completion Rewards:
- 15 Bonds: Premium currency for purchasing classes and items
- 3 Star Points: Permanent achievement markers
- Sense of accomplishment: One of the more challenging milestone challenges
Bond Usage Recommendations:
- Save for Packmaster class (35 Bonds) for future runs
- Purchase other challenge-specific classes
- Buy useful starting items for difficult challenges
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“Wolves aren’t spawning”
- Solution: Explore more thoroughly and check different biomes
- Patience required: Wolf spawns are genuinely rare
- RNG factor: Some runs will have more wolves than others
“Werewolves keep killing me”
- Solution: Better preparation with guns and armor
- Avoidance strategy: Skip mixed packs if under-equipped
- Combat tips: Use ranged weapons and maintain distance
“I keep running out of corpses”
- Solution: Visit more towns and buildings for zombie kills
- Conservation: Don’t waste corpses on failed attempts
- Stockpiling: Preserve corpses on your train between attempts
Community Insights and Updates
The Dead Rails community has discovered several helpful insights:
Recent Discoveries:
- Packmaster’s taming ability works even when wolves are aggressive
- Cerebrus Blood provides additional taming opportunities
- Backtracking after reaching the end is highly effective
Community Resources:
- Official Discord: discord.gg/deadrails
- Wiki documentation: deadrails.fandom.com
- Video guides from experienced players
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare are wolf spawns?
Wolf spawns are relatively uncommon, making this challenge heavily RNG-dependent. Expect to explore extensively to find enough packs.
Do tamed wolves that die still count?
Yes! Once a wolf is successfully tamed, it counts toward your total even if it dies later in the game.
Can I complete this challenge with other players?
Yes, all players in a run will complete the challenge if the requirements are met collectively.
What’s the best time to search for wolves?
Daytime is generally safer, but wolves can spawn at any time. Focus on thorough exploration rather than specific timing.
How do I deal with werewolves in wolf packs?
Evaluate your equipment and health before engaging. Sometimes it’s better to skip mixed packs and find pure wolf spawns.
Final Thoughts
The Dances With Wolves challenge represents one of Dead Rails’ most engaging milestone challenges, combining exploration, resource management, and strategic taming mechanics. While the RNG element can be frustrating, the satisfaction of completing this howling achievement makes it worthwhile.
Key Takeaways:
- Packmaster class dramatically simplifies the challenge
- Patience and thorough exploration are essential
- Proper preparation prevents most common failures
- Don’t risk your entire run for challenge completion
Remember that Dead Rails is designed to be challenging, and not every run will be successful. Learn from each attempt, refine your strategies, and eventually you’ll be leading your own wolf pack to victory!
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