How Do Settlements Work in Ashes of Creation?



Settlements are one of the core systems in Ashes of Creation, and most of the world is built around how they grow, change, and sometimes disappear. In general, a Settlement is a pre-set location on the map that can develop into anything from a small camp to a large metropolis, depending on player activity.



Players do not place Settlements themselves. Instead, the world already contains fixed Settlement locations. What players control is how much those locations grow and what kind of role they play on the server.



Most players interact with Settlements without thinking too much about the underlying system, but understanding how they work helps you make better decisions about where to live, quest, trade, or invest time.



What Is a Settlement’s Zone of Influence?



Every Settlement is surrounded by a Zone of Influence. This area is usually much larger than the town itself. In practice, this is where most of the work happens.



Players contribute to a Settlement by doing normal activities inside its Zone of Influence. This usually includes:



Completing quests



Killing monsters



Gathering resources



Running dungeons



Crafting and trading



In general, most players don’t need to go out of their way to “level” a Settlement. If you quest and farm in the same area consistently, you are already contributing.



As more players spend time in a Zone of Influence, the Settlement gains experience and moves through development stages.



How Do Settlements Grow?



Settlements progress through several stages, starting as small camps and potentially becoming towns, cities, and eventually metropolises. The exact path depends on how players behave in that area.



Most players assume they can build a Settlement however they want, but that’s not how it works. Settlements grow along predefined paths. Think of it as NPC-driven construction that reacts to player activity rather than players placing buildings one by one.



In practice:



Players influence growth through activity, not direct construction



NPCs handle most of the visible development



Each stage unlocks new services, buildings, and systems



Once a Settlement reaches a certain size, it starts to shape the surrounding content, including available quests, enemies, and economic options.



How Many Settlements Are on a Server?



At launch, each server will contain:



85 regular Settlements



15 castle Settlements (5 castles, each with 3 related Settlements)



That makes a total of 100 Settlement locations per server.



Earlier in development, the number was higher. The developers reduced the count to make each Settlement feel more meaningful. In general, this means fewer but more detailed and important Settlements rather than many forgettable ones.



This change does not reduce player housing or server population. Most players won’t notice the difference unless they are closely tracking world design.



Do Players Own Land Inside Settlements?



Yes, but with limits.



Players do not control the Settlement footprint itself. However, within that footprint, players can own housing and land. Housing availability depends on the Settlement’s size and stage.



In general:



Smaller Settlements have limited housing



Larger Settlements offer more options



If a Settlement declines or is destroyed, housing can be lost



Most players usually choose housing based on convenience rather than politics. Being close to crafting stations, storage, and trade routes matters more than the Settlement’s rank for day-to-day play.



Who Controls a Settlement?



Only players involved in a Settlement’s government can directly influence its direction. This includes decisions like:



Building types



Available services



Certain diplomatic choices



However, even government members don’t have unlimited control. Settlements are designed to feel organic, not player-built cities. In general, leadership fine-tunes the direction rather than redesigning everything.



Most players will never participate in Settlement government, and that’s expected. You can still fully enjoy the game without holding political power.



What Happens Around Advanced Settlements?



As a Settlement advances, it affects nearby regions. This includes:



Different types of enemies



New quest chains



Changes in resource availability



Shifts in trade routes



Usually, more advanced Settlements attract more players, which creates competition for space, resources, and housing. This is part of the natural flow of the game world.



Some players intentionally settle near less-developed areas to avoid crowds, while others prefer high-traffic hubs for trading and social play.



Settlement Identity and Emblems



Each Settlement has its own emblem. These emblems can appear on flags and certain armor types.



In practice, emblems are more about identity than power. Most players treat them as a way to show allegiance or attachment to a place rather than a competitive advantage.



How Settlements Shape the Economy



Settlements act as economic anchors. Crafting stations, markets, and storage are tied to them, which means where you spend time directly affects how you earn and spend resources.



In general:



Players gravitate toward active Settlements for trade



Quiet Settlements are better for gathering



Trade routes form naturally between major hubs



Some players look for shortcuts to stay competitive, and discussions about currency often come up. You may see mentions likebest place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N in community spaces, but most players still earn gold through normal gameplay like farming, crafting, and trading within Settlement economies.



Why Settlements Matter Long-Term



Settlements are not just quest hubs. They define how the world evolves over time. A thriving Settlement today may fall tomorrow if players move on or focus elsewhere.



In general, this means:



No two servers will feel the same



Player behavior permanently shapes the map



Long-term planning actually matters



Most players don’t need to min-max Settlement mechanics to enjoy the game. Simply playing consistently in one area naturally ties you to that Settlement’s story and development.



Settlements in Ashes of Creation



Settlements are the backbone of Ashes of Creation’s world design. They are pre-set, but never static. Player activity determines which locations thrive and which fade into the background.



If you understand how Zones of Influence work and why Settlements grow the way they do, you can make smarter choices about where to play, live, and invest your time. In general, the system rewards consistency and community rather than quick wins.