What Are Military Settlements and How Do They Help?



Military settlements are designed to give players who focus on combat and PvP a strategic advantage. Most players who engage in bounty hunting or frequent skirmishes find these settlements particularly valuable. Here’s what you can generally expect:



Key Benefits



Bounty Hunters’ Advantage: Military settlements support bounty hunting activities. If you’re a player who likes tracking down wanted targets or participating in open-world PvP, living near or being affiliated with a military settlement can make your gameplay more efficient.



Reduced Corruption Duration: Some reports indicate that military settlements may help reduce corruption effects, though this may not be fully confirmed in the current roadmap. Corruption in Ashes of Creation can impose penalties, so reducing its duration is a tangible benefit for PvP-focused players.



Practical Use



In general, players who prioritize combat roles will often align themselves with military settlements. You can expect to find a higher concentration of PvP activity, which means more opportunities for rewards tied to combat. Also, being close to these settlements can make certain PvP mechanics, like bounty hunting, easier to access.



Academic Settlements: Unlocking Faster Travel and Trade



Academic settlements cater to players who are more focused on crafting, research, and strategic mobility. These settlements unlock unique conveniences that can make life as a crafter or explorer significantly easier.



Stage 6 City Benefits



Once an academic settlement reaches City status (stage 6), it provides several powerful perks:



Teleportation Across Vassal Networks: Citizens can teleport between settlements and their vassals, even across seas and to islands. This fast travel ability is not only convenient but also strategically valuable for players who need to move quickly for crafting, resource gathering, or event participation.



Airship Travel Between Scientific Cities: If multiple scientific Cities exist, airships provide faster travel for citizens and their vassals, provided these settlements are not at war. This is especially useful for crafting-focused players who want to exchange***ds, access rare materials, or respond quickly to timed in-game events.



Practical Use



In practice, most players in academic settlements will notice a significant advantage in mobility. Fast travel in the Ashes of Creation world is limited, so having access to teleportation networks and airships means you can accomplish tasks faster than players in non-academic areas. Crafting, trading, and participating in global events all become more manageable, which can accelerate progression and resource accumulation.



Comparing Military and Academic Settlements



When deciding where to invest your time and resources, consider your primary playstyle:



Settlement Type Best For Key Perks Typical Player Benefit

Military Combat/PvP Bounty hunter support, reduced corruption Easier PvP engagement, strategic advantage

Academic Crafting/Exploration Teleportation, airship travel Faster travel, more efficient crafting, timely participation in events



In general, military settlements appeal to players looking for combat-related advantages, while academic settlements benefit those who prioritize mobility and resource management. Many players choose their settlements not just for immediate perks but also for how these advantages fit into their long-term gameplay strategies.



How to Maximize Settlement Benefits



Here are some practical tips that most players find useful:



Align With Your Playstyle: Don’t just pick a settlement based on appearance or popularity. Focus on the benefits that match your primary activities—PvP, crafting, or exploration.



Stay Informed About Development Updates: Some of the features, like reduced corruption or advanced airship mechanics, may change as the game develops. Keeping up with patch notes and developer updates ensures you’re making strategic decisions based on current mechanics.



Use Settlement Networks Efficiently: If you’re in an academic settlement, plan your crafting and resource-gathering routes around the teleportation and airship networks. This can save hours of travel time in the open world.



Leverage PvP Opportunities: Military settlements tend to be hotbeds of PvP activity. Players who engage regularly will often find better loot, faster skill progression in combat roles, and more dynamic gameplay.



Currency and Resource Management: For players who want to maximize their efficiency, using in-game currency to buy necessary items can be practical. For example, some players note that the best place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N, which can help fund crafting, housing, or other in-game investments.



Military and academic settlements in Ashes of Creation offer distinct advantages that cater to different playstyles. Military settlements are ideal for players focused on combat and PvP, providing perks like bounty hunting support and potential corruption reduction. Academic settlements, especially those that reach City stage, excel in mobility and efficiency, offering teleportation, airship travel, and faster resource exchange.



In general, choosing the right settlement depends on your long-term goals in the game. By aligning your choice with your preferred activities and using the settlement’s perks efficiently, you can make the most of the benefits available and improve your overall gameplay experience.