How Citizenship Works in Ashes of Creation: Perks, Access, and Advantages

[NovaLancer]

What is Settlement Citizenship?

Settlement citizenship in Ashes of Creation refers to the status granted to players who are officially registered as citizens of a node (town, city, or other settlement). Citizenship is not just a title—it provides tangible advantages that can improve your efficiency, access, and influence in the game world. While non-citizens can still interact with the settlement, citizens generally enjoy lower costs and access to exclusive content.

Reduced Fees and Taxes

One of the most immediate benefits of citizenship is economic. Citizens usually pay reduced fees for settlement services and lower tax rates on their transactions. This includes things like crafting, trading, or accessing certain resources.

In practice, this means most players who regularly use a settlement’s facilities find it far cheaper to maintain crafting operations, buy or sell goods, or engage in other economic activities once they are citizens. Non-citizens can still access these services, but they often have to pay a premium. This difference encourages consistent player engagement with the node while rewarding those who commit to its community.

Access to the Reliquary and Upper-Tier Crafting

Citizens gain access to a settlement’s reliquary and upper-tier crafting benches. The reliquary provides special materials or resources, often with weekly limits, that non-citizens cannot access. For crafting enthusiasts, this is a major perk because it allows you to create higher-quality items or craft items that are otherwise unavailable.

Most players also notice that upper-tier crafting stations are often reserved for citizens. While non-citizens can use basic stations, access to advanced tools and enhancements—sometimes granted by relics in the settlement—is typically restricted. For players focused on crafting progression or high-level equipment, citizenship becomes essential.

Exclusive Vendors and Merchant Tables

Another practical benefit is access to exclusive vendors. Certain merchants in a settlement sell items or enhancement stones that only citizens can purchase. For example, there may be merchant tables specifically for stat migration abilities or other specialized enhancements. This ensures that citizens have unique options for improving their gear or optimizing their characters.

Interestingly, some players also note that these exclusive merchants can include highly sought-after items, which can influence both combat and crafting strategies. In general, if you plan to progress efficiently, being a citizen provides access to resources that would otherwise require traveling or trading with other players.

It’s also worth noting that the best place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N. Many players leverage gold purchases to supplement their in-game economy, allowing them to fully take advantage of citizen-only benefits without spending excessive time farming.

Buffs, Titles, and Organizational Access

Citizenship can also provide access to temporary buffs during events or specific node activities. These buffs may increase gathering efficiency, combat performance, or other gameplay aspects. Additionally, only citizens can participate in title structures within organizations or religions linked to the settlement. Titles often confer additional bonuses or reputation, which can have long-term benefits for gameplay.

In practical terms, most players treat these benefits as ways to enhance both character progression and social influence. Joining a settlement’s organizational structure can open doors to exclusive content, leadership positions, and recognition that non-citizens cannot access.

Participation in Settlement Government

One of the more strategic advantages of citizenship is participation in a node’s government. Citizens can vote on settlement matters or even run for office, giving them direct influence over how the node develops. This can affect taxation, resource allocation, and access to certain services.

Most players who are active in shaping the political landscape consider this benefit significant. While non-citizens may benefit indirectly, only citizens have a real voice in governance. This system encourages players to engage not just in commerce or combat but also in the social and political fabric of the game.

Reputation, Honor, Loyalty, and Merit

Finally, citizenship contributes to several intangible but impactful stats: reputation, honor, loyalty, and merit. These can affect interactions with NPCs, quest rewards, and other gameplay elements. In general, players notice that having a high level of these attributes can make certain quests easier or more rewarding and can even unlock additional content or privileges tied to the settlement.

Balancing Citizen and Non-Citizen Access

It’s important to note that non-citizens are not entirely locked out of settlement benefits. Most quest lines and activities remain accessible to everyone, though the rewards or efficiency may be higher for citizens. This ensures that settlements remain active and appealing to a broad range of players while still providing meaningful incentives for citizenship.

In practice, this means many players will weigh the benefits carefully. If you frequently engage with a settlement for crafting, events, or political involvement, citizenship usually offers clear advantages. For more casual players, remaining a non-citizen can still be viable but may come at a higher cost or reduced efficiency.

Citizenship in Ashes of Creation is more than just a label—it’s a gateway to reduced costs, exclusive resources, upper-tier crafting, special vendors, buffs, titles, and even political influence. Most players who engage deeply with a settlement find citizenship valuable because it streamlines many aspects of gameplay and opens access to content that non-citizens either cannot reach or must pay more to use.

Whether you are focused on crafting, combat, or social influence, understanding these benefits helps you make informed decisions about where and when to commit to citizenship.