How Settlement Advancement Works in Ashes of Creation
Publicado: Vie Dic 26, 2025 10:55 pm
How Settlement Advancement Works in Ashes of Creation
Settlement advancement is one of the core systems in Ashes of Creation, but it often causes confusion for new and even experienced players. In practice, it’s less about hitting a visible progress bar and more about how players interact with the world over time. This article explains how settlement advancement actually works, what players usually experience, and what to keep in mind when contributing.
What Does Settlement Advancement Mean?
In Ashes of Creation, settlements grow by progressing through stages. Each stage unlocks more buildings, NPCs, and services. In general, higher-stage settlements feel more alive, offer more features, and become more important to the surrounding region.
Most players don’t “level” a settlement directly. Instead, advancement happens through normal gameplay: completing quests, gathering resources, killing monsters, and contributing items. Over time, all of this activity adds up.
How Do Vassal Settlements Work?
Vassal settlements are directly tied to a parent, or regent, settlement.
In general:
A vassal settlement cannot reach the same stage as its parent.
It must always stay at least one stage below the regent settlement.
If the regent settlement advances, the vassal settlement is then allowed to advance again.
Most players don’t actively think about this cap while playing, but it becomes noticeable when a vassal seems “stuck.” Usually, the reason is that the parent settlement hasn’t progressed yet.
This system encourages players to care about regional growth instead of focusing only on one small area.
Can Settlement Advancement Block Quests?
Yes, and this catches some players off guard.
Certain quests, especially module-related quests, may no longer be turn-inable after a settlement advances. In practice, this means:
If you are holding a quest tied to a specific settlement stage, advancing the settlement can invalidate it.
Most players try to finish these quests before pushing a settlement to the next stage.
This isn’t meant to punish players, but it does reinforce that settlements are changing environments. When a town grows, some older tasks simply stop being relevant.
Can You Help Advance a Settlement You Don’t Live In?
Yes. Citizens of one settlement can contribute to the advancement of other settlements.
In general:
You don’t need to be a citizen to help a settlement grow.
Many players naturally contribute just by grinding, questing, or farming nearby.
Large groups often push multiple settlements forward at the same time without planning to do so.
This system supports organic growth. Instead of forcing players to commit early, it allows people to support areas they like spending time in.
Is There a Visible XP Bar for Settlements?
Settlements will have an XP counter starting in Alpha-2 Phase-3, but players won’t see exact percentages or requirements.
In practice:
You won’t know exactly how close a settlement is to advancing.
The game avoids showing precise numbers on purpose.
The developers have explained that if players knew the exact requirements, many would stop contributing once the goal felt “close enough.” By keeping the progress vague, most players continue participating naturally instead of trying to optimize every action.
So if it feels unclear whether your actions matter, that’s intentional.
What Activities Actually Contribute to Advancement?
Most players contribute without realizing it.
Common activities include:
Killing monsters in and around the node
Gathering and processing resources
Completing quests tied to the area
Delivering items or supplies
Different players invest different types of resources, and the system accounts for that. You don’t need to do one specific activity. In general, just playing in the area helps.
Some players prefer to speed things up by focusing on efficient farming or trade routes. Others may look for shortcuts, like trying to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N, but even then, advancement still depends on how resources are actually used within the settlement.
What Happens When a Settlement Advances?
Settlement advancement is not subtle. When it happens, the game clearly signals it to everyone nearby.
Here’s what usually occurs:
Visual effects and animations play across the settlement area.
NPCs begin construction activities.
New buildings and services appear.
The overall layout and facade of the settlement changes.
Players inside the settlement are temporarily teleported to a safe location, usually near a respawn point. This prevents players from getting stuck inside new structures or terrain.
What About Players Outside the Settlement?
Players outside the settlement see the change instantly.
In general:
The new settlement stage appears all at once.
Buildings “pop into existence” rather than being built piece by piece.
The skyline and structure density change noticeably.
This makes settlement growth feel impactful, even if you weren’t directly involved.
How Do Supplies and Caravans Work During Advancement?
When a settlement advances:
Supplies spawn around the settlement.
System-driven caravans appear to deliver these supplies.
These caravans cannot be attacked.
This is important to note because many players assume all caravans are PvP targets. Advancement caravans are protected because they are part of the system’s progression logic, not player-driven trade.
What Is the Development Area?
The Development Area is where most visible changes happen.
As a settlement advances:
New buildings unlock
More NPCs appear
Additional services become available
Higher-stage settlements have larger, more complex development areas. They feel busier and more structured compared to early-stage villages.
Does Settlement Type Matter?
Yes. Development Areas change based on settlement type:
Economic settlements focus on trade and crafting
Military settlements emphasize defense and combat services
Scientific settlements lean toward research and knowledge systems
Divine settlements reflect religious or spiritual themes
Most players notice these differences over time rather than immediately. As settlements grow, their identity becomes clearer.
Practical Advice for Players
In general:
Finish important quests before pushing advancement.
Don’t worry about exact progress numbers.
Play naturally in areas you enjoy.
Pay attention to parent and vassal relationships.
Settlement advancement in Ashes of Creation is designed to feel like a shared effort, not a checklist. Most players contribute simply by existing in the world, and over time, the results become visible.
Settlement advancement is one of the core systems in Ashes of Creation, but it often causes confusion for new and even experienced players. In practice, it’s less about hitting a visible progress bar and more about how players interact with the world over time. This article explains how settlement advancement actually works, what players usually experience, and what to keep in mind when contributing.
What Does Settlement Advancement Mean?
In Ashes of Creation, settlements grow by progressing through stages. Each stage unlocks more buildings, NPCs, and services. In general, higher-stage settlements feel more alive, offer more features, and become more important to the surrounding region.
Most players don’t “level” a settlement directly. Instead, advancement happens through normal gameplay: completing quests, gathering resources, killing monsters, and contributing items. Over time, all of this activity adds up.
How Do Vassal Settlements Work?
Vassal settlements are directly tied to a parent, or regent, settlement.
In general:
A vassal settlement cannot reach the same stage as its parent.
It must always stay at least one stage below the regent settlement.
If the regent settlement advances, the vassal settlement is then allowed to advance again.
Most players don’t actively think about this cap while playing, but it becomes noticeable when a vassal seems “stuck.” Usually, the reason is that the parent settlement hasn’t progressed yet.
This system encourages players to care about regional growth instead of focusing only on one small area.
Can Settlement Advancement Block Quests?
Yes, and this catches some players off guard.
Certain quests, especially module-related quests, may no longer be turn-inable after a settlement advances. In practice, this means:
If you are holding a quest tied to a specific settlement stage, advancing the settlement can invalidate it.
Most players try to finish these quests before pushing a settlement to the next stage.
This isn’t meant to punish players, but it does reinforce that settlements are changing environments. When a town grows, some older tasks simply stop being relevant.
Can You Help Advance a Settlement You Don’t Live In?
Yes. Citizens of one settlement can contribute to the advancement of other settlements.
In general:
You don’t need to be a citizen to help a settlement grow.
Many players naturally contribute just by grinding, questing, or farming nearby.
Large groups often push multiple settlements forward at the same time without planning to do so.
This system supports organic growth. Instead of forcing players to commit early, it allows people to support areas they like spending time in.
Is There a Visible XP Bar for Settlements?
Settlements will have an XP counter starting in Alpha-2 Phase-3, but players won’t see exact percentages or requirements.
In practice:
You won’t know exactly how close a settlement is to advancing.
The game avoids showing precise numbers on purpose.
The developers have explained that if players knew the exact requirements, many would stop contributing once the goal felt “close enough.” By keeping the progress vague, most players continue participating naturally instead of trying to optimize every action.
So if it feels unclear whether your actions matter, that’s intentional.
What Activities Actually Contribute to Advancement?
Most players contribute without realizing it.
Common activities include:
Killing monsters in and around the node
Gathering and processing resources
Completing quests tied to the area
Delivering items or supplies
Different players invest different types of resources, and the system accounts for that. You don’t need to do one specific activity. In general, just playing in the area helps.
Some players prefer to speed things up by focusing on efficient farming or trade routes. Others may look for shortcuts, like trying to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N, but even then, advancement still depends on how resources are actually used within the settlement.
What Happens When a Settlement Advances?
Settlement advancement is not subtle. When it happens, the game clearly signals it to everyone nearby.
Here’s what usually occurs:
Visual effects and animations play across the settlement area.
NPCs begin construction activities.
New buildings and services appear.
The overall layout and facade of the settlement changes.
Players inside the settlement are temporarily teleported to a safe location, usually near a respawn point. This prevents players from getting stuck inside new structures or terrain.
What About Players Outside the Settlement?
Players outside the settlement see the change instantly.
In general:
The new settlement stage appears all at once.
Buildings “pop into existence” rather than being built piece by piece.
The skyline and structure density change noticeably.
This makes settlement growth feel impactful, even if you weren’t directly involved.
How Do Supplies and Caravans Work During Advancement?
When a settlement advances:
Supplies spawn around the settlement.
System-driven caravans appear to deliver these supplies.
These caravans cannot be attacked.
This is important to note because many players assume all caravans are PvP targets. Advancement caravans are protected because they are part of the system’s progression logic, not player-driven trade.
What Is the Development Area?
The Development Area is where most visible changes happen.
As a settlement advances:
New buildings unlock
More NPCs appear
Additional services become available
Higher-stage settlements have larger, more complex development areas. They feel busier and more structured compared to early-stage villages.
Does Settlement Type Matter?
Yes. Development Areas change based on settlement type:
Economic settlements focus on trade and crafting
Military settlements emphasize defense and combat services
Scientific settlements lean toward research and knowledge systems
Divine settlements reflect religious or spiritual themes
Most players notice these differences over time rather than immediately. As settlements grow, their identity becomes clearer.
Practical Advice for Players
In general:
Finish important quests before pushing advancement.
Don’t worry about exact progress numbers.
Play naturally in areas you enjoy.
Pay attention to parent and vassal relationships.
Settlement advancement in Ashes of Creation is designed to feel like a shared effort, not a checklist. Most players contribute simply by existing in the world, and over time, the results become visible.