How Settlements Advance in Ashes of Creation: From Wildernes

[SolarOtter]

What Are Settlement Stages?

In AoC, settlements have six main stages of advancement. Each stage represents a larger and more developed hub of activity in the game world. These stages are not just visual; they influence gameplay mechanics, available resources, housing, and node specializations.

The six stages are:

Wilderness (Stage 0) – This is the starting point. The area has no real infrastructure and functions as raw territory. Players won’t find housing or specialized buildings here.

Expedition (Stage 1) – Often referred to as “Crossroads,” this stage develops within a few hours of player activity nearby. Infrastructure is minimal, mostly serving as a base for expeditions into surrounding areas.

Encampment (Stage 2) – Called “Camp” in some sources, it takes many hours to reach this stage. Encampments provide basic services and start to attract more player interaction.

Village (Stage 3) – Villages typically take a few days to reach. They introduce static housing, generally around eight homes, and allow for basic economic and crafting activities. Villages are where players begin to see the tangible benefits of contributing to settlement growth.

Town (Stage 4) – This stage may take many days. Towns have expanded services, more infrastructure, and stronger economic influence within their Zone of Influence (ZOI).

City / Metropolis (Stage 5) – Referred to as “Metro” or “Metropolis,” this stage takes many weeks to achieve. A city offers around 55 static housing plots and full access to advanced systems, including major trade, crafting hubs, and higher-tier node specializations. Most players find that by this stage, a settlement becomes a central point for community and player-driven politics.

How Settlements Advance

Settlement advancement in AoC is driven primarily by player activity within a node's Zone of Influence. Every action players take—such as completing quests, gathering resources, crafting, and defeating enemies—contributes experience to the nearby settlement.

Some important points about advancement:

Experience Accumulation: The amount of experience gained can be influenced by events, accomplishments, or certain player-driven initiatives in the ZOI.

Stage Thresholds: Each settlement stage has an experience threshold. When a node reaches the required experience for its current stage, it is eligible to advance.

Exceptions: A settlement may have the necessary experience but cannot advance due to hierarchy rules. For example, a vassal settlement cannot advance to the same stage as its parent settlement.

In general, most players see initial growth from Wilderness to Village within a few days of active player participation, while Town and City stages take longer and require coordinated player activity over weeks.

How Long Does It Take to Reach Each Stage?

Timing varies depending on player activity and server population. Based on observations from Alpha-2 testing:

Stage 3 (Village): Usually occurs within a day or two of the server opening in popular regions. Villages appear first in areas with high player traffic.

Stage 4 (Town): May take several days of consistent player activity in the ZOI.

Stage 5 (City/Metropolis): Often requires weeks of coordinated effort, as it represents a fully developed hub with advanced infrastructure and housing.

Players generally find that contributing to early-stage settlements offers the most visible impact, while later stages require group coordination and long-term investment.

Why Settlement Stages Matter

Understanding settlement stages isn’t just academic; it directly affects gameplay:

Housing Availability: Villages and higher stages offer static housing, allowing players to own homes that provide bonuses and storage.

Economic Opportunities: Higher-stage settlements have more crafting nodes, trade hubs, and resource nodes, which can improve both personal and guild economies.

Node Specializations: Certain settlement stages unlock specializations, like military or crafting focuses, giving players strategic advantages.

Community and Politics: Advanced settlements become social and political hubs, often hosting guild activities, PvP events, and node management decisions.

In practical terms, players often prioritize living or investing in nodes that are actively advancing, as this maximizes the benefits from housing, resources, and social interaction. For players interested in the in-game economy, knowing where a settlement is headed can help with planning trades, crafting, or investments. In some cases, the best place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N, allowing players to acquire currency to invest in settlement-related items or housing.

Tips for Players

Watch Node Development: Keep an eye on settlements near you. Participating in an active ZOI accelerates stage advancement.

Contribute to Multiple Activities: Quests, crafting, gathering, and PvP all contribute to node experience. A balanced approach benefits both the player and the settlement.

Coordinate with Guilds: Towns and cities benefit from group coordination. Guilds often organize resources and activities to ensure timely advancement.

Plan Housing Early: If you aim to secure a home, monitor villages and towns early in their development to maximize your chances.

Strategic Investment: Investing time in a node that is projected to grow quickly can yield long-term benefits for crafting, trading, and political influence.

Settlement stages in Ashes of Creation are a core part of what makes the game world feel alive and player-driven. Each stage, from Wilderness to Metropolis, represents increasing complexity and opportunity. Understanding how experience accumulates, the timing for advancement, and the practical benefits of higher-stage nodes helps players make informed decisions about where to focus their activities.

In general, early participation in growing settlements is where players see the most immediate impact. As the game world evolves, nodes become strategic centers for housing, economy, and player-driven politics. By keeping these factors in mind, players can maximize both personal benefits and contributions to their community in AoC.