What is progression in Ashes of Creation?
Progression in Ashes of Creation happens through a variety of systems that reflect both your individual actions and the broader world around you. The goal is to provide two types of progression:
Vertical progression refers to gaining power in a traditional sense—your character becomes stronger, unlocks higher-level abilities, and acquires better gear.
Horizontal progression refers to choices that may not make your character stronger in combat but give you influence, versatility, or access to different systems like societies, religions, or settlement citizenship.
Most players experience a mix of these paths. For example, someone may focus on combat advancement while also participating in social or political systems that offer different rewards and experiences.
How do different progression paths work?
In Ashes of Creation, progression isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are multiple paths, and your choices matter:
Social organizations and religions – You can join groups that offer unique progression, such as unlocking skills, abilities, or augmentations. These paths can be reset if you choose to leave and join another group.
Node citizenship and settlements – Being part of a settlement gives you access to certain bonuses and responsibilities. Like social organizations, you can switch nodes, but doing so resets your progress in the original settlement.
Combat and adventuring – This is the more traditional path of leveling, gear progression, and raid participation. Early in the game, your character’s level tends to be the most significant factor in your power. Later on, gear and enhancements become more influential.
The design encourages players to find a progression path that matches their available playtime and personal interests. Casual players might lean toward social systems, while hardcore players often focus on raids, gear, and combat progression.
How does player power evolve?
Player power in Ashes of Creation is not static. It evolves based on several factors:
Leveling and abilities – At lower levels, your character’s level is the primary source of power.
Gear and itemization – Near endgame, your gear choices, augmentations, and skill selections play a larger role. Some systems may contribute up to 50% of your overall power in certain contexts, reflecting the emphasis on itemization over character level at higher tiers.
Augments and societal benefits – Participation in societies, religions, and nodes can grant unique enhancements that increase threat generation, stats, or other special abilities.
Because there are multiple ways to influence power, most players find that their role and effectiveness in the game can be tailored to their chosen progression path. No single path dominates all aspects of the game, ensuring a variety of viable playstyles.
Can I pursue multiple progression paths at the same time?
While characters can explore different systems, Ashes of Creation encourages specialization. Each progression path is per-character, so your choice affects your identity in the world. You cannot master every system at once, but you can pick paths that complement each other. For example, focusing on node citizenship while advancing in a particular combat role can make your character influential in both social and PvX contexts.
In practice, most players end up choosing a combination that fits their available playtime and interests. Even casual engagement with multiple paths can provide meaningful recognition and rewards, although hardcore players will usually have the opportunity to advance further in the systems they dedicate more time to.
How does repetition factor into progression?
Unlike some MMORPGs, Ashes of Creation avoids repetitive grind as the main progression driver. Instead, progression is designed to reward exploration, strategic decisions, and meaningful interactions. Whether it’s enhancing gear, participating in node development, or advancing in societies and religions, most systems give choices that influence your effectiveness without relying solely on repetitive tasks.
For example, gear progression includes opportunities for enchantments and stat improvements, while society or religion-based paths grant unique augments. This approach keeps progression feeling dynamic and rewarding.
Where does currency fit into progression?
Currency, including
Ashes of Creation gold, plays an essential but not overwhelming role in progression. Gold can be used to acquire resources, trade for gear, or invest in settlements, but it does not replace the need for strategic decisions, combat skill, or social influence. Most players use gold to accelerate specific goals, but progression is ultimately shaped by a mix of activity, choices, and time investment.
Key takeaways for players
Multiple paths matter – Pick what suits your playstyle. Social, combat, and node progression all have value.
Time investment varies – Casual and hardcore players can both find meaningful progression.
Power evolves – Early levels emphasize adventuring; late-game emphasizes gear and augmentations.
Specialization is strategic – You can’t do everything at once, so focus on areas where you want influence.
Repetition isn’t required – Progression rewards decision-making, exploration, and engagement, not just grinding.
Understanding these systems can help new and returning players make informed choices about how to grow in the game. By considering your preferred playstyle and time availability, you can choose progression paths that make your character both powerful and relevant to the world.