What are the main zones in Ashes of Creation?
In general, zones are the primary areas where players will explore, fight, gather, and build. Phase 3 of Ashes of Creation has introduced several key zones, each with its own flavor and gameplay focus.
The Turquoise Sea
The Turquoise Sea launched in March 2025 and serves as a coastal and aquatic area with unique environmental challenges. Most players find it appealing for early exploration and gathering, as it offers access to fishing nodes, coastal dungeons, and artisan points of interest (POIs). The zone encourages both solo play and group activity because of its combination of open water content and hidden coves that often contain mini-dungeons.
The Anvils
The Anvils zone has been described as “hotter than anticipated,” both in terms of development complexity and environmental design. In practice, this zone is intended as a new starting area for some players, with a guided “golden path” that takes players through starting villages, artisan POIs, pocket dungeons, and nodes. While it doesn’t fully match the Riverlands starting zone in content density, it is designed to be robust enough to get new players acclimated. Most players will notice a focus on interior spaces, environmental storytelling, and visual landmarks, which helps with navigation and immersion.
The Crucible
The Crucible is a volcanic zone that introduces a more dangerous environment. It is generally considered mid-level content and attracts players who enjoy PvE challenges combined with environmental hazards. Expect higher-level mobs, resource nodes that are risky to gather, and opportunities for small-scale PvP encounters near contested areas.
Underrealm Content
The Underrealm, a subterranean zone, is expected to be introduced in early to mid Phase 3. While details are limited, most players anticipate that it will include high-level dungeons, rare crafting nodes, and content designed for organized groups rather than solo players. Exploration here is likely to be rewarding but demanding, requiring good coordination.
Vandagar
Vandagar, located on the western continent, has been completed in Phase 3. This zone is broader in scope and includes multiple node chains, quest lines, and settlement interactions. Players who like exploring open-world content with a mix of PvE and crafting will usually spend significant time here.
How do settlements work in Ashes of Creation?
Settlements are a core part of the Ashes of Creation experience. They are not just cosmetic; they evolve, specialize, and provide tangible benefits to players in the surrounding area. Understanding how settlements function is key for planning progression and activities.
Settlement Stages and Layouts
Currently, there are four unique settlement layouts and six settlement stages. Most players start in small villages and gradually work toward larger, fully developed nodes. Each stage brings new buildings, services, and gameplay options. Settlements also feature XP counters, so players can see tangible progress as nodes develop.
Vassalship
Vassalship represents a major system in shaping the world through player agency. In practice, it allows influential players or groups to control aspects of a settlement. However, some UI elements and level 4 layouts are still being refined, so players can expect smoother interactions over time. Vassalship usually drives competition between nodes, as different players try to specialize their settlements for trade, military power, or civic influence.
Election Methods
Settlements have different election types, such as military and divine, which determine who leads and what policies are enacted. Most players find these elections provide both strategic depth and a sense of roleplay, especially when settlements compete for resources or influence in the region.
Settlement Happiness and Policies
Settlement happiness affects resource generation, NPC behavior, and sometimes player rewards. Policies can influence trade rates, tax benefits, or local security measures. Players who actively participate in settlements can directly impact these systems, usually improving access to crafting stations, services, or Ashes of Creation gold generation.
Additional Features
Settlements may also feature additional mayoral commissions and service buildings, providing players with daily or weekly tasks that grant rewards. While settlement destruction is planned for post-2025 updates, most players currently focus on growth and node specialization rather than combat-driven node collapse.
What races are available in Phase 3?
Character races in Ashes of Creation contribute to lore, aesthetics, and sometimes racial abilities. As of Phase 3, several races have been introduced, with more planned for later in the phase.
Py’Rai and Niküa
These two races were introduced at the start of Phase 3. Py’Rai are generally favored for their unique cultural aesthetics and combat abilities, while Niküa often appeal to players interested in mobility and magical enhancements. Most players will choose one of these races based on role preference and visual style.
Ren’Kai
Ren’Kai will be added later in Phase 3. Details are still emerging, but early reports suggest they will offer unique racial bonuses that complement specific playstyles, likely favoring social or node-focused players.
Tulnar
Tulnar are another existing race, generally appreciated for versatility. They are often chosen by players who want a balanced option for both combat and crafting activities.
General Notes on Races
In practice, race choice is often influenced by aesthetics and roleplay preferences. Most players find that while there are minor mechanical differences, settlement participation, crafting efficiency, and group activities are not heavily restricted by race.
How does all this affect gameplay in practice?
When exploring zones, interacting with settlements, or choosing a race, most players focus on a few practical aspects:
Progression – Following the “golden path” in zones like The Anvils is usually the most efficient way for new characters to level, access artisan POIs, and discover local dungeons.
Player Agency – Settlement development and vassalship systems encourage players to collaborate or compete. Actively participating in node growth usually provides rewards like additional crafting options, access to Ashes of Creation gold, and influence over local policies.
Exploration and Risk – Zones like The Crucible or the Underrealm are designed for higher-risk, higher-reward gameplay. Most players will tackle these zones in groups, balancing resource gathering with combat readiness.
Race Choice – While aesthetic preferences often dominate, certain races may have slight advantages in combat or crafting, making them more attractive depending on your focus.
In general, players who balance exploration, node participation, and group activities tend to have the smoothest progression and access to resources. Understanding how settlements evolve and interact with the surrounding zones can greatly enhance your experience, especially in a world that is continuously shaped by player actions.
Ashes of Creation Phase 3 content offers a mix of new zones, settlement mechanics, and races that reward exploration, social interaction, and strategic planning. Zones like The Turquoise Sea, The Anvils, and The Crucible each provide distinct experiences, while settlements allow for meaningful player agency through vassalship, policies, and elections. Choosing a race is often more about personal preference than strict mechanical advantage, although slight bonuses can influence your early experience.
Most players find that actively engaging with settlements, following zone paths, and planning for long-term node development provides both tangible rewards and an immersive roleplay experience. Keeping an eye on updates, especially with new races like the Ren’Kai and ongoing settlement refinements, is also important. Finally, resource management and participation in local economies, including earning Ashes of Creation gold, are key parts of maintaining a steady progression in the world.
