Settlement Benefits in Ashes of Creation: What Players Actually Get

In Ashes of Creation, settlements are not just places to craft, trade, or log out. They actively shape how the world works. As settlements grow, they unlock real mechanical advantages that affect citizens, vassal nodes, and sometimes large parts of Verra.

Most players hear about “settlement benefits” early on, but the details can feel vague. This article breaks down what settlement benefits actually are, how they work in practice, and why they matter to regular players—not just guild leaders or mayors.

What Are Settlement Benefits?

Settlement benefits are bonuses and systems that unlock as a node develops into a higher-stage settlement. These benefits come from several sources:

• The settlement’s node type

• The settlement’s stage (Village, Town, City, Metropolis)

• Policies chosen by leadership

• Specialized buildings

• Relationships between parent settlements and vassals

In general, the most powerful benefits only appear once a settlement reaches City (stage 6) or Metropolis (stage 7).

Most players won’t control these systems directly, but they will feel the effects through gameplay—things like easier trading, unique PvE content, or access to stronger regional bonuses.

What Is a Settlement Superpower?

Each settlement type has a unique superpower, sometimes called an ultimate ability. This superpower unlocks when the node reaches City (stage 6).

A few key points most players should understand:

• Superpowers are tied to node type, not race or mayor

• They apply to the City and its vassal settlements

• They are additive, not exclusive

In practice, this means that if multiple Metropolises of the same type exist in the world, their influence stacks across different regions instead of being limited to one area.

For regular players, this matters because settlement placement and growth can change how entire regions function over time.

How Do Superpowers Affect Vassal Settlements?

Once a City is established, nearby lower-stage nodes can become its vassals. These vassal settlements inherit certain benefits from their parent City.

In general:

• Vassals gain access to the City’s superpower effects

• Vassals are influenced by the City’s policies and building choices

• Players living in vassals still benefit, even if they never visit the City itself

This setup encourages most players to think regionally. Where you live matters, but so does which City controls your area.

Are Settlement Benefits Only About Superpowers?

No. This is something many players misunderstand.

While superpowers are important, they are only one part of settlement influence. Other benefits come from:

• Settlement policies (taxes, citizenship rules, bonuses)

• Specialized buildings (node-specific structures)

• Leadership decisions that shape local gameplay

• Economic and political relationships with other settlements

In general, the strongest settlements feel powerful not because of one ability, but because many systems are working together.

What Makes Divine Settlements Different?

Divine settlements focus on religion, faith, and PvE content tied to the gods of Verra.

Mega Catacomb Dungeons

When a Divine settlement reaches City (stage 6), it may unlock a procedurally generated mega catacomb dungeon beneath the settlement.

In practice, this means:

• The dungeon connects the City to its divine vassal settlements

• It can contain unique bosses

• Bosses may have unique drop tables

• Layouts can change over time

Most players will experience this as a high-value PvE zone that encourages group play and regional cooperation. These dungeons are not just “extra content”; they give Divine regions a strong identity and long-term replay value.

For PvE-focused players, living near or within a Divine City usually means better access to structured endgame content.

What Are Economic Settlement Benefits?

Economic settlements are built around trade, markets, and logistics. Their benefits are some of the most immediately noticeable in everyday play.

When Do Economic Benefits Unlock?

Economic benefits unlock gradually:

• Town (stage 4): Early economic linking features

• City / Metropolis: Full Linked Economy superpower

Some of this information has not been recently reconfirmed by the developers, so players should treat exact numbers as subject to change.

How Does the Linked Economy Superpower Work?

Once an Economic settlement reaches Metropolis, it unlocks the Linked Economy superpower.

In general, this system works like this:

• Auction House listings are shared between linked Economic settlements

• Players can bid on items from other linked locations

• Linked settlements include the Metropolis and its economic vassals

• Up to two Economic cities may be linked together

For most players, this means fewer long-distance trips just to check prices or buy materials.

What Does This Mean for Regular Trading?

In practice, a Linked Economy can:

• Stabilize prices across large regions

• Reduce extreme price gaps between distant areas

• Make crafting and resupplying faster

• Encourage specialization rather than local hoarding

Most players won’t think about the system while using it. They will just notice that items are easier to find and sell.

Some players may still choose direct trading or local markets for convenience, while others may rely heavily on these linked Auction Houses. It usually depends on playstyle.

Does the Linked Economy Affect the Whole World?

Not automatically.

Only Economic settlements with the Linked Economy superpower are connected. However, if multiple Economic Metropolises exist, the overall trading network can grow very large.

In general, this system rewards coordination between settlement leaders, but it benefits casual players just as much by making markets more accessible.

How Do Settlement Benefits Shape Player Behavior?

Settlement benefits naturally influence where players choose to live and what content they focus on.

• PvE-focused players often gravitate toward Divine regions

• Traders and crafters usually prefer Economic settlements

• Guilds may settle near powerful Cities for long-term advantages

• Solo players often benefit passively from whatever region they call home

Over time, these benefits help create distinct regional identities without forcing players into one path.

Some players choose to supplement their progression with outside help or preparation, and discussions about things like buy Ashes of Creation gold from U4N often come up in community spaces, especially when players are planning large crafting or trading goals. Whether or not players engage with that is a personal choice, but the in-game systems themselves are designed to reward regional participation.

Settlement Benefits

Settlement benefits are one of the core systems that make Ashes of Creation feel alive.

They are not instant rewards, and most players won’t unlock them personally. Instead, they shape the world gradually through collective effort, leadership decisions, and long-term planning.

In general, if you understand what your local settlement provides—whether that’s economic reach, PvE depth, or regional influence—you’ll make better decisions about where to live, trade, and progress.