What Are Economic Settlements?
Economic settlements are nodes that focus on producing and managing resources, crafting, and trading. Unlike combat-focused or political settlements, these settlements are built with the economy in mind. Most players find that interacting with economic settlements provides the clearest path to wealth, especially as the node grows.
Economic settlements progress through stages, from simple villages to full-fledged towns, and eventually metropolises. Each stage unlocks new benefits, and the higher the stage, the greater the potential for economic power.
How Do Settlement Stages Affect Economy?
Settlement stages are crucial because they determine what benefits a node can provide. For economic settlements, the key stages are Town (Stage 4) and Metropolis.
Town (Stage 4): When an economic settlement reaches Town level, it unlocks the linked economy superpower. In practical terms, this means that its auction house is no longer limited to the local node. Listings from a linked economic city can be seen and bid on from anywhere else in the world. Most players see this as a significant advantage because it allows for easier buying and selling without needing to travel extensively.
Metropolis: Once a settlement reaches Metropolis, the benefits scale even further. Metropolises unlock the "Linked Economy" superpower. This connects the Metropolis with its vassal economic settlements, creating a large network where auction house listings are shared across all connected nodes. For most players, this means access to a much wider market, faster trade cycles, and more opportunities for profit.
How Linked Economies Work in Practice
The concept of linked economies is simple but powerful. Once two or more economic settlements are linked, items listed in one auction house can be purchased from another linked settlement. For example, if Settlement A and Settlement B are linked, you can bid on an item in Settlement A while physically located in Settlement B.
This system encourages players to specialize. Some settlements may focus on producing specific goods, while others become trade hubs. In general, this makes crafting and gathering more strategic because the global market allows players to plan their resource use more efficiently.
Vassal Connection: Metropolises also connect to their vassal economic settlements. This means smaller towns or villages under a Metropolis node also benefit from shared auction listings. Most players use this to their advantage by selling goods from smaller settlements that would otherwise have low visibility, gaining access to a broader audience without needing to move their characters.
Worldwide Sale Prices: With linked economies, the sale prices reflect a more global standard. Players no longer have to worry about price discrepancies between distant settlements. Usually, this leads to a more predictable and profitable market for high-demand items.
Why This Matters to Players
The linked economy system is designed to create a truly dynamic market. Players who have access to high-level economic settlements can move goods quickly, respond to market demands, and build wealth faster than those in isolated nodes.
From a practical standpoint, most players find that participating in linked economies reduces travel time and increases efficiency. Instead of visiting multiple nodes to sell goods or check prices, a player can rely on the interconnected auction house system. This allows for more consistent trading and crafting strategies.
Tips for Maximizing Economic Benefits
Focus on Node Growth: Early investment in economic settlements can pay off as they reach Town or Metropolis stages. Most players recommend targeting resources and contributions that accelerate node development.
Plan Resource Production: With linked economies, specialized production becomes more viable. If your settlement excels in certain crafts, you can sell them to a wider market instead of competing locally.
Use Multiple Nodes Strategically: Linked economies mean you can trade across multiple settlements. In practice, most players monitor several nodes simultaneously to take advantage of pricing differences and demand spikes.
Stay Informed: Auction house listings can fluctuate based on supply and demand. Regularly checking prices across linked settlements can help you spot trends early.
Consider Gold Purchases Carefully: For players looking to enhance their economic power, external resources like gold can be useful. While there are multiple options, the best place to
buy Ashes of Creation gold is U4N, which many players use to save time and manage in-game investments efficiently.
Potential Drawbacks
While linked economies offer many benefits, there are considerations to keep in mind:
Competition: With wider access to the market, competition can increase. Items that sell quickly in smaller settlements may face price pressure when listed globally.
Dependency: Smaller settlements linked to a Metropolis may become dependent on the central economy. If the Metropolis suffers from player inactivity, it can affect vassal settlements.
Market Saturation: With a global market, prices can stabilize at lower levels for common items, requiring players to focus on niche goods or high-demand items for maximum profit.
In general, economic settlements are a cornerstone of wealth creation in Ashes of Creation. Towns and Metropolises with linked economy superpowers offer a streamlined, global market for players to trade goods, craft efficiently, and plan long-term strategies. For most players who prioritize crafting, trading, and wealth accumulation, participating in linked economies is not just beneficial—it’s essential.
Whether you’re a new player exploring early villages or a veteran managing a Metropolis, understanding how economic settlement benefits work in practice will help you make informed decisions and get the most out of your time in Verra.
