How Do Zones Work in Ashes of Creation?
In Ashes of Creation, the world is not divided into fixed-level zones like in many traditional MMORPGs. Instead, most content is tied to a Zone of Influence (ZOI) created by settlements. A settlement’s ZOI affects nearby areas, including mobs, resources, quests, events, and points of interest.
In general, this means that what you encounter in the world depends heavily on how developed nearby settlements are. As settlements grow or change hands, the surrounding content adjusts over time. This system is meant to keep the world feeling alive rather than static.
Most players notice this early when exploring: areas near active settlements tend to feel different from areas far away from civilization, even if they are technically in the same region.
Do Zones Have Fixed Levels?
No, zones in Ashes of Creation do not have a single fixed level range.
Instead of saying “this is a level 25 zone,” a ZOI usually contains multiple level ranges at the same time. For example:
Lower-level mobs might appear close to roads or well-traveled paths
Mid-level enemies often show up deeper in forests or ruins
Higher-level creatures may live in mountains, caves, or remote areas
These ranges coexist within the same zone. According to the developers, this mix is intentional. It allows players of different levels to interact with the same general area, even if they are doing very different activities.
In practice, most players learn to read the environment. Roads usually mean safer travel. Dense wilderness or elevated terrain usually means higher risk.
How Does Settlement Progression Affect Zones?
As a settlement advances, its ZOI becomes more influential. This does not mean everything instantly becomes higher level, but the overall danger tends to increase over time.
Roughly 50–60% of mob and resource spawns are static, meaning they do not change much. The remaining portion is dynamic and reacts to settlement growth, racial influence, and node advancement.
In general, when a settlement levels up:
Some mobs may increase in level
New enemy types may appear
Resource tiers may improve or become contested
Events and quests may shift to match the new state of the area
This gradual change is why returning to an old hunting spot later in the game can feel very different from how it was earlier.
Are Wilderness Areas Ever Truly Safe?
No area in Ashes of Creation is completely safe.
Even in zones that appear lower level, there can still be dangerous enemies, ambushes, or events. As Steven Sharif explained, civilization itself attracts threats. The more developed an area becomes, the more attention it draws from powerful forces.
In general:
Early wilderness areas may be safer, but not safe
Higher settlement development usually increases overall risk
Experienced players still need to stay alert when traveling
Most players treat long-distance travel carefully, especially when passing through zones tied to high-level settlements.
What Happens When Settlements Become Vassals?
When a settlement becomes a vassal, its ZOI is absorbed into the parent settlement’s ZOI. This changes how the area is influenced, but it does not completely overwrite everything.
Some important points most players should understand:
Not all mobs are affected equally
Some content remains unchanged
Other content adjusts to match the parent settlement
Even within a max-level settlement’s ZOI, there will still be pockets of content designed for different player levels. This prevents high-level areas from becoming completely inaccessible to newer players.
In practice, vassalization often makes zones feel more connected and politically meaningful, rather than just harder.
Do Points of Interest Scale With Settlement Growth?
Points of Interest (POIs) such as towers, ruins, dungeons, and landmarks can be affected by nearby settlement progression—but only if they fall within the relevant ZOI.
For example, if a POI is outside a settlement’s influence, it may remain unchanged. If it falls inside the ZOI, it can be affected by:
Settlement advancement
Parent settlement control
Vassal relationships
Steven Sharif clarified that POIs like the Tower of Carphin would only change if they are within the ZOI of a settlement like Miraleth. If the settlement later becomes a vassal, the parent settlement’s influence may further affect that POI.
Most players learn to check settlement borders before assuming a dungeon or landmark has changed.
How Does This Affect Player Progression?
This system changes how players approach leveling and exploration.
Instead of following a straight path from zone to zone, most players:
Revisit familiar areas as settlements evolve
Choose hunting spots based on current ZOI influence
Adjust routes depending on political changes
It also means that efficient leveling is not only about character level, but about understanding the state of the world. Players who pay attention to settlement growth often find better opportunities for XP, resources, and events.
Some players also plan their progression around stable or slower-growing settlements to avoid sudden difficulty spikes.
How Do Resources Fit Into ZOI Scaling?
Resources follow similar rules to mobs.
Some resource nodes remain consistent, while others change based on settlement development. As settlements grow:
Higher-tier resources may appear
Competition for resources usually increases
PvP risk tends to rise in valuable areas
In general, resource gathering becomes less about finding a fixed spot and more about timing and awareness. Many players track settlement advancement specifically to anticipate resource changes.
Discussions about resource efficiency sometimes mention external references like a trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold, but in-game progression is still primarily driven by world interaction and player behavior rather than static farming routes.
Why This System Matters in the Long Term
The ZOI and progression system is designed to keep Ashes of Creation’s world dynamic over long periods of time.
Instead of content becoming outdated:
Zones evolve as players shape the world
Old areas remain relevant
Political decisions affect gameplay, not just maps
For most players, this creates a stronger sense of attachment to regions and settlements. You are not just leveling through zones—you are participating in their development.
What Should Players Expect?
In general, players should expect a world that changes with them.
Zones are not fixed. Danger is not predictable. Settlement growth matters.
Most players who enjoy Ashes of Creation tend to be those who adapt, observe, and respond to the shifting state of the world rather than trying to follow a rigid leveling path.
Understanding how zones and progression work will help you survive, level efficiently, and make smarter decisions as the world evolves.
