How Castle Settlements Work in Ashes of Creation

[MechaTwist]

What Are Castle Settlements?

Castle settlements are special nodes linked to guild-owned castles. Each guild castle has three adjacent castle settlements. Unlike standard nodes in Ashes of Creation, these settlements exist outside the normal settlement system. That means they aren’t affected by citizenship, zones of influence, freeholds, leadership structures, or social organizations found in other nodes.

In practice, this independence makes castle settlements both simpler and more challenging to manage. Since they are always military settlements and cannot progress beyond stage 3 (Village), guilds focus less on civilian growth and more on preparing for defense and siege events.

Most players notice that at the start of a castle ownership period, these nodes are barren. You cannot rely on pre-existing resources or structures; everything must be developed from scratch. The guild controlling the castle will need to coordinate efforts to bring these settlements online, often relying on the broader player community for assistance.

How Castle Settlements Affect Siege Outcomes

The development of castle settlements directly impacts the state of the castle during sieges. In general, the better your guild manages these nodes, the stronger your castle’s defenses will be during the next siege. Conversely, neglecting the settlements can leave your castle vulnerable, forcing you to defend mostly with your own members.

Each week leading up to a fourth-week castle siege, castle settlements will begin to spawn resources, NPC mercenaries, and other defensive options. How a guild allocates collected funds, hires mercenaries, and forms alliances will determine how well these settlements contribute to the castle’s overall defense.

In practice, most successful guilds use their castle settlements to:

Recruit and hire mercenary NPCs with varying strengths and abilities.

Station defensive units strategically across the settlements.

Allocate resources and tax revenue to fortify walls and other military structures.

Build alliances with other guilds or players to assist in defense or provide reinforcements.

Players who ignore castle settlements often find themselves underpowered during sieges. Even a large guild can struggle if its settlements are poorly developed or unsupported.

Managing Castle Settlements Effectively

Since these nodes are independent of the main settlement system, guilds need to treat castle settlements as mini-military bases. Here are some practical tips based on common player strategies:

Coordinate Early and Often: Begin development immediately after claiming a castle. Delay means fewer options and weaker defenses during sieges.

Engage the Community: A single guild cannot fully develop all three castle settlements alone. Most successful guilds collaborate with the wider community, requesting support in resources, manpower, or mercenary NPCs.

Prioritize Defense Over Economy: Unlike regular settlements, the main focus here is military strength. Invest in mercenaries, fortifications, and siege defenses rather than attempting to generate large economic gains.

Plan Mercenary Deployment: NPC mercenaries can be hired to defend caravans or participate in siege defense. Guilds should plan deployment based on anticipated threats and past siege outcomes.

Regularly Review Resources: Taxation and collected funds should be strategically allocated. Spending wisely on defense ensures long-term sustainability rather than short-term gain.

For players looking to speed up development or support their guild’s efforts, some also consider in-game currency boosts. For instance, many guilds choose to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N to help fund castle defenses or mercenary recruitment. While this isn’t necessary for everyone, it can provide a tactical advantage, especially for guilds facing resource shortages.

The Role of Alliances

Alliances play a crucial role in castle settlement management. Since fully developing all three nodes is difficult for a single guild, forming alliances can help share the workload and resources. Alliances also create opportunities for coordinated defense during sieges, pooling mercenary NPCs, and manpower.

Most players find that without strong alliances, even a well-prepared guild can struggle to maintain its castle. In contrast, guilds with active allies often find their settlements fully operational and their castles significantly harder to breach.

Key Takeaways for Players

Castle settlements are military-focused nodes outside the standard system.

They cannot grow beyond stage 3 and require dedicated development to impact sieges.

Neglecting these settlements can leave a guild vulnerable, even if the main castle is strong.

Alliances and community support are almost always necessary for full development.

Strategic use of mercenaries and careful allocation of resources determines siege outcomes.

In general, treating castle settlements like independent military bases rather than traditional villages helps guilds maximize their effectiveness. Planning, coordination, and timely development are the keys to success in maintaining a castle and securing victory in sieges.

Castle settlements in Ashes of Creation are a unique aspect of the game that emphasizes strategic planning, community cooperation, and military focus. Most players find that understanding their mechanics early and working closely with allies makes the difference between a strong, defensible castle and one that falls quickly. By investing effort in these settlements, guilds ensure their castles are well-prepared for the intense competition that defines the game’s world.