What Is a Settlement Type in Ashes of Creation?



In Ashes of Creation, every settlement belongs to one of four settlement types. This type is determined by the node’s location in the world and is fixed forever.



In general, this means:



A settlement’s type is decided by where it exists, not by player choices.



The type does not change when the settlement levels up.



If a settlement is destroyed, it resets in level but keeps the same type.



For example, if a scientific (academic) settlement reaches a high level and later gets destroyed, it will return to level 0 as a scientific settlement. It will never become a military, economic, or divine settlement.



Most players should think of settlement types as permanent traits tied to geography.



How Can You Identify a Settlement’s Type Early?



Many players worry that they won’t know what kind of settlement they’re supporting until it’s too late. In practice, this is not an issue.



Starting from Stage 1 (Expedition), players can already identify the settlement type by looking at its NPC population.



In general:



Military nodes show guards and soldiers.



Economic nodes show merchants and traders.



Academic nodes show scholars and artisans.



Divine nodes show priests and clerics.



Most players will recognize the type just by walking through the area and checking what services are available. You do not need special UI tools or deep knowledge to figure it out.



This early clarity helps players decide where they want to live, grind, or invest time.



What Are the Four Settlement Types?



There are four settlement types in Ashes of Creation. Each one focuses on different systems and attracts different kinds of players.



What Is a Divine Settlement?



Divine settlements focus on faith-related systems.



In general, divine settlements:



Emphasize religious themes and lore



Offer faith-based services



Use priests and clerics as primary NPCs



Use Favor as a special currency



Most players visit divine settlements for skill augments, religious-themed progression, or narrative content tied to gods and belief systems. These settlements usually appeal to players who care about story, roleplay, or support-style gameplay.



Divine settlements often feel slower-paced compared to military or economic ones, but they offer unique long-term benefits.



What Is an Economic Settlement?



Economic settlements are centered on trade and commerce.



In general, economic settlements:



Focus on merchants and trading NPCs



Support crafting, buying, and selling activities



Do not use a unique settlement currency



Attract traders, crafters, and logistics-focused players



Most players use economic settlements as hubs for crafting materials, selling goods, and organizing caravans. These locations often become very busy because trade affects many playstyles.



It is common for players to base their characters near economic settlements even if they are not focused on combat.



Some players who spend a lot of time trading or crafting may also look for external resources and guides, and discussions about gold efficiency sometimes lead to mentions like best place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N, although that topic is separate from how settlement systems function in-game.



What Is a Military Settlement?



Military settlements focus on combat and training.



In general, military settlements:



Feature guards and soldiers as NPCs



Focus on PvE and PvP combat systems



Use Honor as a special currency



Support class training and combat-related progression



Most players who enjoy PvP, sieges, and structured combat gravitate toward military settlements. These nodes often become focal points during wars and large-scale conflicts.



Military settlements usually feel more aggressive in tone and gameplay. Players should expect frequent battles and higher risk around these areas.



What Is an Academic (Scientific) Settlement?



Academic settlements focus on crafting, construction, and knowledge.



In general, academic settlements:



Feature scholars and artisan NPCs



Support crafting, processing, and construction systems



Do not use a unique settlement currency



Appeal to crafters and builders



Most players who want to specialize in professions or building-related systems will spend time around academic settlements. These nodes are important for long-term server development.



Academic settlements often feel quieter early on but become very valuable as the server matures.



Do Settlement Types Affect Elections?



Yes, settlement types affect elections, but the full system is still evolving.



In general:



Different settlement types are expected to use different election methods



Election systems are planned to expand during Alpha-2 Phase 3



By Beta, settlement types will be definitive and locked in



Most players should expect settlement leadership to reflect the type of node. For example, military settlements may favor combat-focused leaders, while economic settlements may favor traders or organizers.



How Do Settlement Types Affect Buildings and Services?



Settlement type affects what buildings, NPCs, and services are available at each stage.



In practice:



Certain buildings only appear in specific settlement types



NPC roles match the settlement’s theme



Narrative and questlines are influenced by settlement type



Services improve as the settlement levels up, but stay within the same theme



Most players notice this gradually as settlements grow. The differences become more obvious at higher levels.



Can Settlement Types Change Between Servers?



No. Settlement types are the same across all servers.



This means:



A specific node location will always be the same settlement type



Server differences come from player behavior, not node type changes



Players can plan routes and strategies across servers more easily



In general, this consistency helps experienced players predict how the world will develop.



Why Are Settlement Types Locked for Beta?



During Beta testing, settlement types must remain fixed.



This is because:



Node types are deeply tied to quests and nearby points of interest



Changing types would break progression paths



Neighboring content depends on the node’s theme



Most players won’t notice this directly, but it ensures the world feels stable and logical.



How Should Players Choose a Settlement to Support?



Most players should choose a settlement based on how they like to play.



In general:



PvP-focused players usually prefer military settlements



Traders and crafters often prefer economic or academic settlements



Lore and support-focused players often prefer divine settlements



You don’t need to min-max early. Settlements grow slowly, and player behavior matters more than perfect planning.



Settlement Types



Settlement types are one of the most important long-term systems in Ashes of Creation. They define how locations feel, what services exist, and how players interact with the world.



Most players will understand settlement types naturally just by playing. The NPCs, buildings, and services make the differences clear without needing external tools.



If you take the time to learn how settlement types work, you’ll make better decisions about where to live, fight, trade, and build as the world evolves.

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