What is the primary progression focus in Ashes of Creation after reaching max level?

After reaching the level cap, progression shifts primarily to horizontal systems, including mastering professions, acquiring high-end gear, and participating in the advancement of Nodes.

How does the Node system factor into individual character progression?

Node development grants players access to high-tier crafting stations, unique gear vendors, class skill augments, and exclusive content like dungeons, which are essential for progression.

Are professions a mandatory part of progression?

While not strictly mandatory for combat roles, professions are a key part of the economic and gearing progression loop. Mastery can yield powerful gear, consumables, or significant wealth.

Ashes of Creation Progression Guide

Progression in Ashes of Creation ties every system together, from leveling and crafting to node growth and guild influence. It’s slow at first, but once you understand how it connects, everything starts moving faster.

How Progression Works in Ashes of Creation

Progression in Ashes of Creation builds across three layers. Your character grows through combat and skills, your artisan path grows through gathering and crafting, and your world grows through node development. Everything you do adds to one or more of these layers.

Killing enemies, finishing quests, trading with vendors, or crafting items all feed into your personal and regional progress. Every small action shapes how your server develops over time.

Character Growth

Character progression starts simple. Level up by completing quests, destiny objectives, and mob grinding in your starter zone. The level cap for early access is 25, and each level gives new stats and skill points.

Spend those skill points across your class tree, weapon tree, and stamina. Try new skills before upgrading older ones, since new abilities expand your combat options. Keep gear repaired, and replace crude items with uncommon gear from early quests.

At level 5, you’ll unlock your first Wanderer weapon. At level 10, PvP activates, so be ready for open-world fights. Stick near Ember Springs until you have decent gear and some travel routes unlocked.

Artisan Development

Artisan progression runs separately from combat. There are three categories: gathering, processing, and crafting. Each has its own level and tools.

Gathering levels the fastest and starts right away with crude tools. Processing and crafting take more setup but unlock more value over time. Once a gathering skill hits level 10, you can upgrade your tools and collect higher-tier materials.

Keep a few rules in mind early:

Gather from safe areas near nodes while leveling
Store materials before traveling far from town
Focus on one gathering type first to reach better tools faster
Trade rare materials if you’re not crafting yet

Node and World Progress

Nodes level up as players complete activities nearby. Each node starts as a camp and can grow into a major city. Questing, gathering, fighting, and trading around it all count toward its growth.

There are four node types: Divine, Economic, Military, and Scientific. Each type changes what’s available, from crafting bonuses to trade routes.

You don’t level a node directly. Instead, your normal play helps it evolve. Once you’re a citizen, you can access more features like markets, storage, and special vendors.

Group and Guild Growth

Guilds gain levels too, based on member activity and achievements. Leveling your guild unlocks new bonuses and can even give control over certain nodes. Being in a guild early helps with crafting, gear upgrades, and dungeon access.

Group play also speeds up progression. Shared kills, XP boosts, and resource pooling make leveling smoother, especially after level 10.

Long-Term Progression

Once you reach level 25, the focus shifts. XP slows down, but progression moves toward gear upgrades, crafting specialization, and node influence. Dungeon clears and large-scale PvP become your main milestones.

Every player’s actions feed into a larger system. The world changes as nodes grow, caravans move, and players claim territory. Your personal progress becomes part of that bigger network.

Final Blurb

Progression in Ashes of Creation is steady but rewarding. Level your character, grow your artisan skills, and invest in your node’s future. Every choice you make leaves a mark on the world, and that’s what makes the grind worth it.