How Settlement Taxes Work

In Ashes of Creation, each settlement has a treasury, and the mayor or settlement leader can set tax rates for the population. These taxes are not just flat fees—they are dynamic and can be adjusted based on the type of activity or the stage of the settlement.

Most players will encounter several types of taxes in practice:

• General Settlement Tax: This is a base tax that applies to the overall population. It's visible on the world map, so players can check before deciding to move to or interact with a settlement.

• Activity-Specific Overrides: Mayors can set specific taxes on different activities, such as artisanship, commerce, or amenities. For example, a settlement that focuses on crafting might lower artisan taxes to attract more crafters, while raising commerce taxes to balance the economy.

• Property Taxes: Freehold properties are taxed based on the number of building permits issued. Citizens who own property need to consider this when expanding their holdings.

As settlements advance, mayors gain access to more advanced taxation controls. This system allows them to incentivize certain player behaviors without imposing rigid population caps. In practice, this means settlements can shape their economy and activity focus based on the types of players they want to attract.

How Taxes Affect Citizens

While it might seem like taxes would directly impact every player, the reality in Ashes of Creation is a bit more nuanced. Individual citizens' taxes are influenced by the settlement they live in and the settlement’s stage when they became a citizen.

For example:

• Early citizens might pay lower property taxes because the settlement is in an early stage.

• Players joining a more developed settlement will see higher taxes as the settlement grows.

• Citizenship dues and other recurring fees scale similarly based on the settlement stage.

The goal here is to exert financial pressure naturally as a settlement develops. Rather than restricting population with hard caps, higher taxes encourage players to make thoughtful decisions about where to live and what activities to pursue. Most players notice this effect when comparing younger settlements with thriving, advanced cities.

Parent and Vassal Settlements

Another important aspect of taxation in Ashes of Creation involves the relationship between regent settlements and their vassals. Regent settlements take a cut of taxes from various activities that occur within their vassal settlements.

This doesn't necessarily affect individual citizens directly, but it does impact the settlement’s overall finances. In general, this system allows larger, more established nodes to support smaller nodes, creating an interconnected economy that feels alive and dynamic. Players who pay attention to these relationships can use them to plan trade routes, property investments, and where to establish crafting hubs.

Practical Tips for Players

For most players, the main concern is how taxes impact your gameplay experience. Here are some practical tips:

1. Check tax rates before settling: Hover over settlements on the world map to see current tax levels. Moving to a low-tax settlement might save money, but high-tax settlements often have better infrastructure or amenities.

2. Plan crafting and commerce wisely: Artisanship and commerce taxes can differ widely between settlements. If your character relies heavily on crafting or trading, find a node that supports your activity.

3. Monitor settlement development: Taxes tend to increase as settlements advance, so what seems affordable early may become expensive later. Some players even adjust their activities seasonally or relocate to manage tax costs.

4. Leverage advanced controls as a mayor: If you are leading a settlement, consider using tax overrides strategically. Lowering taxes in targeted areas can attract the right type of player population to your node.

Interestingly, some players even take steps to supplement their resources online. For instance, in certain cases, players might choose to buy Ashes of Creation gold from U4N to help manage their taxes and finance their expansion without interrupting their gameplay flow. While not essential, this option highlights how taxation ties directly into the economy and player strategies.

Visibility and Funding

Tax rates are always visible on the map, so there’s transparency in how settlements manage finances. Importantly, all tax revenue is funneled back into settlement development—mayors or other players cannot withdraw it for personal gain. This ensures that taxes directly contribute to creating better infrastructure, more amenities, and a more engaging environment for citizens.

This setup makes taxation feel like part of the gameplay rather than a punitive measure. Most players notice that when taxes are high, settlements are better developed, offering more resources, quests, and crafting opportunities.

Key Takeaways

Taxes in Ashes of Creation are more than just a cost—they are a tool that shapes the settlement economy and guides player behavior. Here’s a quick summary of how taxes work in practice:

• Mayors can control both general and activity-specific taxes.

• Property and citizenship taxes scale with settlement stage.

• Tax revenue is reinvested into settlement growth.

• Parent and vassal settlements share taxes, influencing regional economies.

• Players should plan their activities around tax rates to maximize efficiency.

Understanding taxation gives players an edge, whether you’re looking to minimize expenses, capitalize on crafting opportunities, or lead a thriving settlement. Most experienced players pay close attention to tax systems, as it’s often the difference between a profitable settlement and one that struggles to attract and retain citizens.