What Is an Economic Settlement in Ashes of Creation?



An economic settlement is a node that develops based on trade activity, crafting, and market use rather than combat or religion. In general, these nodes grow because players buy, sell, transport goods, and participate in economic systems around them.



Most players interact with economic settlements mainly through auction houses, crafting stations, and trade routes. The higher the stage of the settlement, the stronger its economic influence becomes.



When Do Economic Settlement Benefits Start to Matter?



Most economic settlement benefits that players care about do not appear early. In practice, things only start to feel different once an economic settlement reaches Town stage (Stage 4).



Before that, economic nodes behave more like normal settlements with limited reach. At Town stage and beyond, special economic superpowers begin to unlock.



What Is the Linked Economy Superpower?



The Linked Economy is the main economic superpower tied to higher-level economic settlements.



In simple terms, it allows multiple economic settlements to share auction house listings under specific conditions. This means items listed in one settlement can be viewed and bid on from another linked settlement.



This does not mean every auction house in the world becomes one giant market. The links are limited and controlled.



What Happens at Town Stage (Stage 4)?



Once an economic settlement reaches Town stage, it unlocks the basic version of the Linked Economy system.



At this stage:



Auction house sale prices become worldwide within the linked economic network



Items listed in one linked settlement can be bid on from other linked settlements



The economic node becomes eligible to connect with other economic nodes



In general, this is when players start to notice real economic advantages compared to non-economic settlements.



How Many Economic Settlements Can Be Linked?



This is one of the most important limitations.



In general:



Up to two economic cities can be linked together



These links are not unlimited or automatic



Most players should expect only a small number of major economic hubs to benefit from this system at any given time. This keeps the market from becoming completely global and prevents prices from being identical everywhere.



How Do Vassal Economic Settlements Fit In?



Linked economies do not only connect major cities.



In practice:



A linked economy connects a main economic settlement with its vassal economic settlements



If a Metropolis has economic vassals, they become part of the same linked auction network



This means smaller settlements under a powerful economic node can still benefit from shared listings, even if they are not major trade centers themselves.



What Changes at the Metropolis Stage?



When an economic settlement reaches Metropolis stage, the Linked Economy system becomes more fully realized.



At this level:



The settlement officially unlocks the Linked Economy Superpower



All economic settlements with this superpower share auction house listings



The Metropolis and its vassal economic settlements become part of one connected market



In general, this creates one of the strongest trade advantages available in the game, but it also requires heavy player investment and long-term stability.



Does This Create a Single Global Auction House?



No, and this is a common misunderstanding.



Even though some listings can be bid on across long distances:



Not every settlement is linked



Non-economic settlements still have local markets



Transport, node politics, and sieges still matter



Most players will still see price differences between regions, especially for materials that are easier to farm locally.



How Does This Affect Prices in Practice?



In general, linked economies tend to:



Reduce extreme price differences between connected settlements



Increase competition for high-demand items



Make rare or crafted items easier to sell consistently



However, local supply still matters. Items tied to specific biomes or regions may remain cheaper near their source.



Most players who trade regularly will notice that linked economic settlements feel more stable, but not always cheaper.



Who Benefits the Most From Linked Economies?



Linked economies mainly benefit:



Crafters who want a larger audience



Traders who deal in high-volume or high-demand items



Guilds operating out of major economic hubs



Casual players benefit too, but usually in indirect ways, such as better item availability rather than better prices.



Some players may still choose to source items externally, and discussions often include phrases likebest place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N when comparing efficiency, though in-game economic systems are designed to stand on their own over time.



Are There Risks or Downsides?



Yes, and most players tend to overlook them.



Linked economic settlements:



Become major targets during node wars and sieges



Depend heavily on political stability



Can collapse if the Metropolis is destroyed



When a major economic node falls, the linked economy can break apart, forcing players back into local trading until the system is rebuilt.



Should Most Players Live in an Economic Settlement?



In general, not everyone needs to.



Economic settlements are best for players who:



Craft regularly



Trade often



Want consistent access to large markets



Players focused on PvE, exploration, or node warfare may prefer military or scientific settlements instead.



Most players will interact with economic settlements occasionally rather than living in them full-time.



Final Thoughts on Economic Settlement Benefits



Economic settlements in Ashes of Creation are powerful, but they are not magic solutions. Their benefits come from long-term player behavior, coordinated development, and political stability.



In practice, the Linked Economy system creates strong trade hubs without turning the entire world into a single auction house. For most players, economic settlements offer convenience, reliability, and broader access to buyers and sellers, as long as they understand the limits.



Understanding how these systems work helps players decide where to trade, where to live, and how much risk they are willing to take.