In Ashes of Creation, the theme of world-building plays a very important role. Through this system, cities can be built and houses constructed. However, before getting to your own house, one must first collectively develop a location.
The entire world of Ashes of Creation is divided into delineated zones. Each zone has a so-called Node, a central location where cities can be constructed later. Depending on the environment, these Nodes will have different focuses, which we will discuss at the end of the article.
How do I get my own house?
Every activity in a zone, whether questing, gathering, or raiding, influences the development of the Node. Only after a certain period can it be developed into cities.
When does the Node become a city? There are a total of five levels that such a Node can achieve:
- Expedition (few hours)
- Encampment (many hours)
- Village (few days)
- Town (many days)
- City (few weeks)
- Metropolis (many weeks)
With the achievement of the third level, building can start in a Node. However, initially, there are only a few building spots. The further a city develops, the more space there will be in it. It should take many weeks to develop into a large metropolis.
The first own house: The first houses are reserved for only a few players. They can be bought after the development into a village, just like in real life. Players will also be able to sell houses to other players if they wish to move to another Node.
The first houses only have one room and are not particularly luxurious. However, they are located in the open world and are not instanced.
The city continues to develop: The larger the city becomes, the larger the houses will be as well. Already constructed buildings will automatically grow with it. This is intended to reward players who invest early in a small Node.
With the expansion, additional building space will also be made available. Here, players can settle again, though again in the small 1-room houses.
Visually, a city adapts to the faction that controls it. If it belongs to humans, they have a different style than if the city belongs to elves.
What can I do with my house?
Every player can own one house per server and can decorate and furnish it as they wish. There will be furniture available that can be freely placed. An important aspect will also be the social life that one can shift to their own house.
Additionally, one will be able to use their house for their own professions and showcase their achievements. The further the city progresses, the more opportunities there will be with the house.
Can I lose my house? Since Nodes can also be attacked, you can lose your own house again. In an attack, the smaller houses will be destroyed first, and subsequently, the larger ones.
However, your progress is not completely lost. Should your house be destroyed, there is a template system that automatically saves the furnishing and layout of it. You can then set everything up again in a new house.
The Apartment System
Anyone who, like in real life, does not have enough money for their own house can rely on so-called apartments. These are very similar to the basic system of the houses.
What is different about apartments? Apartments do not exist in the open world, but are completely instanced. There is a location from which all players’ apartments can be entered.
They permanently consist of only one room, although the size of the room increases with the expansion of the city. Since you are not dependent on the limited space, which drives up the price, another system is used.
The more apartments a city owns, the more expensive it becomes to buy a new one. Additionally, the apartments will be destroyed before the small houses during an attack. However, the storage system still applies here.
I will be a tavern owner!
If someone does not want to dream of a house, they can go even further in Ashes of Creation and operate a tavern or a forge. From the so-called “Freeholds”, only one building per account can be constructed.
How do Freeholds work? Freeholds can only be built if one has the appropriate blueprint and the necessary materials. They are intended to be expensive and can be placed by players in Nodes at special locations.
Owners of the buildings can name them, just like with ships. As the cities expand, Freeholds should also contribute to progress. Taverns will unlock new quests for players or provide logging camps for resources.
What Freeholds are there? The following buildings have already been announced:
- Forges
- Farms
- Logging Camps
- Inns
- Windmills
- Shrines
- Stables
- Taverns
Who leads a city?
For a city to function properly, it needs a leader. Each Node has a different focus. There are:
- Divine Nodes
- Economic Nodes
- Military Nodes
- Scientific Nodes
Depending on the Node, the leader is determined differently. In divine and scientific Nodes, leaders are elected democratically. In an economic Node, you purchase the leadership. Those wishing to rule in a military Node fight for it in a gladiator arena.
The political system will play an important role, as we have already mentioned to you in this article.
How can I play Ashes of Creation?
There will soon be a PvP spin-off of the game that you can play for free. Ashes of Creation: Apocalypse is primarily a test environment for balancing and server stability.
The main game is still in an alpha phase, which you can currently access only if you purchase a package in the shop for $250.00.
More about the current state of Ashes of Creation:
