How Settlement Destruction Works in Ashes of Creation: Tips and Strategies

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How Are Settlements Destroyed?

Settlements are destroyed through sieges, which are special PvP events initiated with a quest-related item. The difficulty of acquiring this item scales with the level of the settlement targeted for the siege. Once a player brings the item to the settlement and activates it, a declaration period begins. During this time, a visible countdown is displayed to all players in the region, giving them the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming siege.

The countdown runs for a number of days equal to the settlement’s level. For example, a Level 3 Village would have a three-day declaration period. After this countdown finishes, the siege begins. Successful sieges bring the settlement down to Level 0, effectively destroying it. Any citizens of that settlement immediately lose their citizenship, without any cooldown period.

There is also a cooldown between sieges. This means that if a siege fails, players must wait a certain amount of time before attempting another siege. Higher-level settlements have longer cooldowns, giving defenders a better chance to regroup and recover.

What Happens After a Settlement is Destroyed?

After a settlement is destroyed, its footprint enters a ruined state, often called the Pillage phase. This phase lasts for a number of days equal to the settlement’s level. During this time, the area becomes an open PvP zone where players can loot debris fields. These ruins are not just empty buildings; they consist of treasures, crafting materials, and other valuable items that can be gathered by players.

In general, there are several types of loot available:

• Warehouse debris: Contains a portion of materials and gatherables stored in the destroyed settlement. Finished goods are not lootable.
  
• Reliquary debris: May hold shards of relics that were stored there. Registered attackers may have exclusive rights to these after a successful siege.
  
• Town hall debris: Contains tax certificates or similar items stored in the vault.
  
• Stables debris: May include mount certificates that can be used or sold later.
  
  

It’s important to note that gatherables and crafting materials stored in player housing or apartments also become lootable if the settlement is destroyed. However, if the settlement survives the siege, these items remain protected even if buildings are damaged.

The debris field is designed to take time and effort to fully uncover. Players must use tools and spend time interacting with loot points, which exposes them to potential PvP encounters. This makes post-siege areas feel like temporary open-world battlegrounds. Some players see this as an opportunity to salvage materials, while attackers can secure valuable resources for themselves.

How PvP Shapes the World

Settlement destruction is a core part of Ashes of Creation’s world-building philosophy. PvE builds and develops the world, while PvP actively changes the landscape. This constant cycle of building, attacking, and reclaiming settlements ensures that the world remains dynamic. Players can expect to see settlements rise and fall as part of normal gameplay, making the environment feel alive and reactive.

During earlier test phases like Alpha-2 Phase-2, settlement destruction was not implemented, but players could still participate in sieges for rewards. The full destruction mechanics are planned for later phases, ensuring that the world’s evolution is gradual and meaningful.

Risks and Consequences

There are several consequences for players and settlements when destruction occurs:

• Loss of citizenship: Citizens of a destroyed settlement lose their status immediately.
  
• Quest interruptions: Some quests may become impossible to complete if they involve a destroyed settlement.
  
• Open PvP zones: After destruction, the area becomes a battleground where any player can engage others in combat.
  
• Loot distribution: While the exact rules are still under discussion, loot can be exclusive to attackers or open to all after a set period.
  
  

Players who want to minimize risk should coordinate with their community and consider the potential fallout of losing a settlement.

Tips for Players

For defenders, preparation is key. Reinforcing the settlement, organizing players, and understanding siege mechanics will increase your chances of survival. For attackers, timing and coordination are equally important. Ensuring you have the right tools and knowledge of the debris system can maximize your gains after a successful siege.

For those who are looking to strengthen their character quickly in preparation for sieges, some players choose to buy Ashes of Creation gold from U4N to accelerate their crafting and gathering capabilities. This can give you an edge in equipping your team and preparing for large-scale conflicts.

Settlement destruction in Ashes of Creation is more than just a PvP feature; it’s a key part of how the game’s world evolves over time. It introduces risk and reward on a large scale, making community coordination and strategic planning essential. Understanding the declaration period, siege mechanics, and post-destruction looting will help players make informed decisions, whether they’re defending their home or attacking another settlement.

Overall, these systems reinforce the game’s dynamic PvX design, ensuring that both PvE and PvP players have meaningful ways to shape the world.