What is the best way to earn money at the beginning of Ashes of Creation?

The most effective early-game money-making method is generally focused on gathering raw materials (like wood, stone, and herbs) and selling them to other players or on the Auction House.

Should I focus on combat or professions for early income?

Professions, particularly Gathering, provide a more consistent and reliable income stream early on, as the demand for raw materials is always high from crafters.

Can I earn money by selling drops from mobs?

Yes, selling vendor trash, common gear drops, and specific creature-part materials to NPCs or players can supplement income, though it is usually less profitable than gathering.

Ashes of Creation How to Make Money Early

Making gold early in Ashes of Creation can feel unclear at first, especially with so many systems unlocked at once. This guide breaks down the most reliable early money methods without needing deep market knowledge or endgame gear.

How to Make and Get Money Early in Ashes of Creation

The best early money comes from crates, commissions, and simple market trades.

You do not need to gamble, flip rare drops, or no life grind to start earning gold. Most systems are available very early.

Crates Explained in Simple Terms

Crates are one of the main gold sources early on.

You create crates at a Market Commodity Station using Commodity Certificates. These stations have a basket icon on the map.

There are two main types of crates.

Market commodity crates reward gold
Construction crates reward reputation

If your goal is money, always choose market commodity crates.

How Commodity Certificates Work

You buy certificates from the Market Commodity Vendor next to the station.

Some certificates require higher settlement reputation. Early on, you will mainly use construction project certificates.

Higher rarity certificates create higher rarity crates. Higher rarity crates sell for more gold.

Crate prices change based on server activity. Distance matters, but supply also affects payout.

Turning Extra Materials Into Gold

Crates are a great way to clean storage.

If you have uncommon or rare materials sitting unused, you can turn them into crates and store them. You can run them later when prices look good.

Crates can also be loaded onto caravans if you want higher risk and reward.

Glint Matters More Than You Think

Crates cost glint to craft, not gold.

If you vendor all your glint early, you may block yourself from making crates. Hold onto glint if you plan to run crates.

Glint converts into much more gold when used through crates instead of direct vending.

Why Crate Mules Are Huge

Crate mules change everything.

The Daystrider Crate Mule carries an extra crate and is not slowed by crate movement penalties. That means full speed with two crates.

This massively increases gold per hour.

How to Get the Correct Crate Mule

You must buy the trainable mule, not a finished animal.

Buy it from the Herbalism Vendor
Look for the correct trainable icon
Cost is low, usually around 50 silver before tax

If your town lacks an herbalism station, you can buy these in starter zones and resell them for profit.

Risk and PvP With Crates

Crates are not free money.

If players see a crate mule, they know you are carrying gold value. Long distance routes increase profit but also danger.

Running short routes in safer zones lowers risk but earns less. This balance is intentional.

Commissions Are Sneaky Good Gold

Commissions are one of the best early systems.

They reward glint, experience, and commission caches.

Commission caches can be sold instead of opened. Selling them is usually better.

Common prices range from 3 to 5 silver
Coffers can sell much higher depending on supply
Selling 100 caches can easily mean several gold

You also earn gold by vendoring glint from the commission itself.

Stacking Commissions for Speed

You can stack similar commissions.

For example, multiple commissions can be completed at once by killing the same enemies.

This gives fast gold and experience with very little downtime.

Crafting and Processing for Easy Sales

Some simple crafts sell very well.

Adventuring and gathering experience scrolls
Tailoring shirts with useful stats
Basic jewelry moved between regions

Experience scrolls are cheap to make and always in demand.

Tailoring shirts cost very little and sell because of their stat bonuses. Higher rarity shirts sell much higher.

Regional Trading Without Guessing

Some items are cheap in one region and valuable in another.

Cinder Touch jewelry is cheap to craft near Anvils and sells well in Riverlands. The materials are basic, but the stats are attractive early.

You can combine this with crate runs to double dip profits.

Processing Molds for Profit

Weapon and armor molds can sell well.

Basalt armor molds use simple materials and benefit from higher rarity bonuses. Players pay more to complete full rarity sets.

Processing also grants experience, so you earn gold and progress at the same time.

Final Blurb

Early money in Ashes of Creation comes from understanding systems, not exploiting secrets. Crates, commissions, and simple crafting offer steady gold with clear risk and reward. Once you learn how glint, crates, and local markets connect, gold starts flowing naturally instead of feeling locked behind endgame play.