What Counts as a Coastal or Island Settlement?



In general, a coastal settlement is any node that develops along the shoreline of a continent. Island settlements are nodes that form on islands or island chains connected to the naval map.



These settlements are tied to nearby water zones, but not all water is treated the same. The coastline and shallow sea areas near land are considered part of the settlement’s playable environment. The open sea, however, is handled differently.



Island chains are also a core part of naval gameplay. They usually sit between continents or further offshore and support exploration, combat, and resource gathering tied to ships and sea travel.



How Is Coastal Water Content Different From the Open Sea?



Most players assume that all nearby water affects a coastal settlement, but that is not how the system works.



In practice, only water content close to the coastline counts toward the settlement’s influence. This includes coastal waters, reefs, shore-adjacent fishing areas, and nearby islands that fall within the node’s influence zone.



The open sea does not contribute to the advancement of coastal settlements, even if it technically falls within the settlement’s zone of influence. This distinction matters because open sea content is designed more for long-distance travel, naval combat, and exploration rather than settlement progression.



This rule may change during testing, but the current design separates coastal gameplay from true open ocean gameplay.



What Kind of Content Do Coastal Settlements Offer?



Coastal settlements usually unlock water-oriented services and activities as they grow.



In general, players can expect:



Sea-related questlines focused on fishing, exploration, or naval threats



Services that support ships, trade, or coastal crafting



NPCs and storylines connected to the sea rather than inland themes



Most players living in these nodes will naturally spend more time on or near the water. Fishing, small-scale naval combat, and coastal PvE tend to become part of daily gameplay.



These settlements also feel different visually and mechanically. The presence of docks, harbors, and shoreline structures changes how players move through the area compared to landlocked nodes.



How Do Coastal Settlements Affect Nearby Sea Creatures and Events?



One important mechanic many players overlook is spawn table modification.



When a coastal settlement advances, it can change what spawns in nearby water. This includes:



Different sea creatures



Event triggers tied to the settlement’s stage



Changes in difficulty or resource availability



In general, the more developed the settlement, the more specialized the surrounding water content becomes. This encourages players to defend and grow coastal nodes rather than abandoning them after early progression.



Events tied to coastal settlements may include pirate activity, sea monster encounters, or trade-related objectives. These events usually pull players into the water whether they planned for naval gameplay or not.



Can Coastal Settlements Be Sieged From the Sea?



This is a common question, and the answer is usually misunderstood.



Coastal settlements are not directly siegeable by attacking the settlement itself from the sea. Players cannot simply sail up and destroy the node from the water.



Instead, naval gameplay is tied to harbors.



Harbors act as objective points during settlement sieges. If a settlement owns a harbor, that harbor can become one of the objectives attackers and defenders fight over. This is where naval combat matters.



This design avoids balance problems that would come from allowing ships to directly attack settlements while still giving naval-focused players a meaningful role in sieges.



How Do Harbors Work During Sieges?



Harbors are points of interest that can be claimed by settlements as they grow. In some areas, multiple nodes may compete over a single harbor.



In general:



Several nodes may be eligible to claim a harbor



The first node to reach a certain stage usually adopts it



Once claimed, the harbor becomes part of that settlement’s siege objectives



During a siege, controlling or disrupting the harbor can affect the outcome. Naval objectives might influence supply lines, reinforcements, or siege progression.



Most players involved in these sieges split roles. Land-focused groups push traditional objectives, while naval players fight over harbor control. This creates a layered siege experience without forcing every player onto ships.



Are Island Chains Important for Non-Naval Players?



Even players who do not plan to specialize in naval combat will likely interact with island chains.



Island chains are part of core naval content, but they also support:



Resource gathering



Exploration rewards



Quest progression



Strategic control over sea routes



In general, guilds that ignore islands completely tend to lose influence over coastal regions. Control of island chains often affects trade, travel safety, and long-term regional power.



Most players engage with islands casually at first, then more seriously once naval conflicts and trade routes become relevant.



Why Do Players Choose Coastal Settlements?



Most players choose coastal settlements for practical reasons rather than roleplay.



Common reasons include:



Access to both land and sea content



Trade and travel opportunities



Naval gameplay options without committing fully to open-sea life



Strategic importance during sieges



Coastal nodes often feel busier than inland ones, especially on active servers. The mix of land players, sailors, and traders creates a steady flow of activity.



That said, coastal settlements also carry risk. Harbors become siege objectives, and valuable sea routes attract conflict. Players who prefer quiet progression may find inland nodes more stable.



How Does Economy Tie Into Coastal Gameplay?



Coastal settlements often sit at the center of regional trade. Fish, sea-based resources, and transported goods move through these nodes more than most others.



Players frequently discuss efficiency and progression in these areas, sometimes bringing up unrelated topics like where gold circulation tends to concentrate. You may occasionally see comments such as best place to buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N mentioned in general discussions, but these claims are usually player opinions rather than part of the game’s actual systems.



In practice, coastal economies rise and fall based on node progression, player activity, and control of nearby waters rather than any single external factor.



What Should New Players Know Before Settling on the Coast?



For most new players, coastal settlements offer variety but require flexibility.



You should expect:



More PvP exposure due to trade and naval routes



Content that pulls you onto ships even if you prefer land combat



Sieges where naval objectives matter



If you enjoy adapting to changing conditions and interacting with many playstyles, coastal nodes are usually a good fit. If you prefer predictable routines, inland settlements may feel more comfortable.



Final Thoughts on Coastal and Island Settlements



Coastal and island settlements in Ashes of Creation are designed to bridge land and sea gameplay. They are not just visual set pieces but active systems that influence spawns, sieges, trade, and player behavior.



In general, these settlements reward players who engage with both naval and land content. They also create some of the most dynamic conflict zones in the game.



Most players who spend time in coastal regions agree that they feel different from anywhere else on the map. Whether that difference is appealing depends on how much risk and variety you want in your daily gameplay.

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