Ashes of Creation Settlement Stages Explained

In Ashes of Creation, settlements are one of the core systems that shape the world. They grow, change, and sometimes disappear based entirely on player activity. Many players ask how settlement stages actually work, how long they take, and what really matters when trying to level one up.

This article explains settlement stages from a practical, player-focused point of view, based on how most players interact with the system in real gameplay.

What Are Settlement Stages in Ashes of Creation?

Settlement stages represent the level of development of a node. Every settlement starts as empty wilderness and can grow through several stages as players complete activities nearby.

In general, there are six settlement stages. Each stage unlocks more features, buildings, and opportunities, but also brings more competition and risk.

The current stages are:

1. Wilderness

2. Expedition (Crossroads)

3. Encampment (Camp)

4. Village

5. Town

6. City (also referred to as Metropolis)

Earlier versions of the design had more stages, but during development, the City and Metropolis concepts were merged into a single final stage.

How Do Settlements Gain Experience?

Settlements do not level up automatically over time. They only gain experience from player actions within their Zone of Influence (ZOI).

In practice, this means:

• Killing monsters

• Completing quests

• Gathering resources

• Crafting and trading

• Participating in events

All of these actions contribute experience to the nearest settlement node, as long as they happen inside its influence area.

Most players don’t need to worry about tracking exact numbers. If people are actively playing in an area, the settlement will usually grow.

What Is the Zone of Influence?

The Zone of Influence is the area around a settlement where player activity counts toward its progression.

In general:

• Only actions inside the ZOI give experience to that settlement

• As settlements grow, their ZOI usually expands

• Competing settlements can overlap, creating tension over where players choose to play

This is why some areas become hotspots early on, while others stay undeveloped for a long time.

Can a Settlement Be Blocked From Advancing?

Yes. This is something many new players miss.

Even if a settlement has enough experience, it cannot always advance. The most common reason is the vassal system.

In general:

• A vassal settlement cannot reach the same stage as its parent

• If advancing would make it equal, progression is blocked

• This forces players to choose whether to support a main node or try to break free

Most players encounter this when a popular node grows quickly and suppresses nearby settlements.

Stage 0: Wilderness

This is the default state before anything develops.

• No buildings

• No services

• No housing

• Only natural terrain

Most players pass through wilderness areas without thinking about them, but these are the blank slates where future settlements may appear.

Stage 1: Expedition (Crossroads)

This is the first visible sign of settlement growth.

• Forms within a few hours in active areas

• Minimal infrastructure

• No permanent housing

At this stage, most players don’t commit to the settlement yet. It mainly serves as an early marker that a node is becoming active.

Stage 2: Encampment (Camp)

The encampment stage usually takes many hours of continued activity.

• More NPC presence

• Basic services start to appear

• Still no static housing

In general, this stage attracts players who are leveling nearby, but it’s still unstable. Encampments can easily stagnate if players move elsewhere.

Stage 3: Village

Village is where settlements start to feel permanent.

• Usually reached within a few days

• Unlocks static housing (up to 8 plots)

• More structured layout

• More meaningful player choices

According to developer statements, it’s common for at least one village to appear within a day or two after server launch.

Most players consider Village the first “real” settlement stage.

Stage 4: Town

Town stage takes much longer to reach.

• Requires many days of sustained activity

• More advanced buildings

• Increased political importance

• More risk of conflict

At this point, players usually start making long-term plans around the settlement, such as crafting specialization or citizenship.

Stage 5: City (Metropolis)

City is the final settlement stage.

• Takes many weeks to achieve

• Large population and infrastructure

• Around 55 static housing plots

• Major regional influence

Originally, City and Metropolis were separate stages, but during Alpha testing and system development, it became clear that the City stage already functioned like a Metropolis. The extra stage was removed to simplify progression and make growth feel more meaningful.

Only a few settlements per server are expected to reach this level.

How Long Does Settlement Progression Really Take?

The short answer is: it depends on players.

In general:

• Early stages can happen quickly if an area is popular

• Later stages slow down significantly

• Population shifts can stall or even reverse progress

Most players see villages early, towns later, and cities only after long-term coordination.

How Do Events and Accomplishments Affect Progress?

Settlement experience is not always fixed.

Certain events and accomplishments can:

• Boost experience gain

• Temporarily slow progress

• Redirect player focus

In practice, most players don’t min-max this. They respond naturally to events, and settlement growth follows player behavior.

Why Some Settlements Never Grow

Many settlements fail to advance, even with nearby activity.

Common reasons include:

• Being a vassal under a stronger node

• Players preferring another nearby settlement

• Poor location for content or travel

• Lack of long-term player interest

This is intentional. Not every area is meant to become a city.

Player Economy and Settlement Growth

As settlements grow, economic activity usually increases.

Most players trade, craft, and gather near developed nodes. Some players choose to supplement their in-game time by interacting with external communities, including the trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold, though settlement progression itself always depends on in-game actions.

Settlement Stages

Settlement stages are not just levels. They reflect where players choose to live, fight, and build influence.

In general:

• Activity matters more than time

• Player behavior shapes the map

• Growth is competitive, not guaranteed

Understanding how settlement stages work helps players make better decisions about where to play and what to support long-term.