How Coastal Settlements Work in Ashes of Creation

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What Makes Coastal Settlements Different?

Coastal settlements, like Shorefoot along the Turquoise Sea, are located along the shores or on islands. Most players will notice that these settlements interact with the sea in ways that inland settlements do not. Specifically:

Water-Oriented Services and Quests: Coastal settlements have quests, NPCs, and services related to fishing, trade, and naval activity. In general, players will find unique content here that you won’t encounter in inland nodes.

Nearby Water Content: The areas immediately surrounding coastal settlements feature sea-based enemies, fishing nodes, and events. The spawn tables for these areas change compared to open ocean zones, meaning the creatures, loot, and materials you encounter are often specific to coastal regions.

It’s important to note that while there is a lot of sea content within the coastlines of continents, this does not fall into the “open sea” category. Open sea areas do not contribute to the advancement of coastal settlements, even if they are technically within the settlement’s zone of influence (ZOI). This may change as testing progresses, but for now, inland-adjacent waters are the key focus.

How Coastal Settlements Affect Gameplay

Most players quickly realize that coastal settlements influence local gameplay in several ways:

Spawn Tables and Events: Coastal settlements change the types of enemies and resources that appear nearby. For example, fishing hotspots, rare coastal creatures, or event triggers may be more common near these settlements.

Naval Content: While the open sea itself is not tied to node progression, harbors linked to coastal settlements introduce naval gameplay. Players participating in sieges can encounter objective-based naval tasks, such as controlling a harbor. This is different from standard sieges; instead of being able to attack a settlement directly from the water, naval objectives are tied to specific gameplay points like harbors.

Coastal Settlement Sieges

Sieges in Ashes of Creation work differently for coastal nodes. Most players should understand that:

Nodes Are Not Directly Siegeable from the Sea: You cannot simply attack a coastal settlement by sea like you would an inland node by land. Naval actions exist, but they are tied to objectives rather than the direct destruction of the node.

Harbors as Strategic Points: A harbor associated with a coastal settlement can become an objective in a siege. Ownership of a harbor depends on node progression. For instance, the first node to reach the village stage can claim the harbor. Later, during sieges, controlling this harbor may affect the outcome of the battle or provide tactical advantages.

Objective-Based Naval Gameplay: This approach makes naval content a meaningful part of coastal interactions without making sieges overly complex. Players often focus on completing harbor objectives rather than directly assaulting the settlement by water.

This system ensures that coastal settlements retain their strategic and thematic importance without requiring the developers to balance full naval sieges for every settlement. Most players will find this method engaging, as it adds a layer of strategy without overcomplicating the mechanics.

Practical Player Tips

If you plan to spend time around coastal or island settlements, here are a few insights based on typical player behavior:

Engage with Water Quests: Coastal nodes often offer unique quests tied to fishing, trading, or naval activities. Completing these can provide resources and reputation boosts specific to these settlements.

Plan for Naval Objectives: If a settlement has a harbor, be aware that sieges may include naval objectives. Coordinating with your guild or party to control or defend these points can be crucial in competitive situations.

Resource Gathering: Fishing, gathering coastal materials, and hunting nearby creatures can yield resources not found inland. Players often make these settlements a base for trade-focused gameplay.

Economy Considerations: Coastal settlements can generate resources useful for crafting and trade. Some players even choose to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N to accelerate node advancement or acquire rare items associated with coastal gameplay.

Why Coastal Settlements Matter

In general, coastal settlements are designed to provide a unique gameplay experience separate from inland nodes. They are hubs for water-related quests, events, and naval interactions, adding diversity to the world. For players seeking a mix of PvE content, resource gathering, and strategic siege participation, coastal settlements are often a key destination.

By understanding the mechanics of spawn tables, harbor objectives, and node influence, players can make the most of what these settlements offer. Unlike inland nodes, where progression is primarily land-based, coastal settlements encourage players to consider naval strategy and water-oriented resources as part of their gameplay.

Coastal and island settlements in Ashes of Creation provide both aesthetic charm and meaningful gameplay. While sieges differ from land-based nodes, the inclusion of harbor objectives adds strategic depth that most players enjoy. By engaging with the local water content and understanding how nodes interact with harbors, players can fully leverage the advantages of coastal settlements.

Whether you are focused on crafting, trade, or PvP sieges, coastal nodes offer a distinct and rewarding experience in the game world. Understanding the mechanics here can give you a strategic edge and make your time in Ashes of Creation more engaging.