How Settlement Building Damage Works in Ashes of Creation

How Are Settlement Buildings Destroyed?

Settlement buildings, including player housing, have hit points. This means they can be damaged or destroyed under various circumstances:

NPC-Driven Events: Certain story arcs, settlement atrophy, or incursions from corrupted areas can lead to damage. For example, a corrupted zone invasion may target specific buildings, reducing their operational effectiveness.

Sieges and Settlement Wars: When a settlement is under attack, players or guilds may target specific buildings rather than attempting a full takeover. Precision attacks can disable buildings like temples, scholar academies, or quest hubs, affecting the node’s progression or the experience gain of its citizens.

Hazardous Events: Tornadoes, hurricanes, or other environmental hazards can damage or destroy buildings.

Player Decisions: Mayors can vote to demolish constructed buildings. This requires player buy-in and comes at a settlement mandate cost, ensuring that leaders cannot unilaterally destroy nodes for griefing purposes.

In general, destruction is not always about taking over a settlement. Most players use targeted attacks to slow down rivals, block progression, or disrupt services, rather than outright seizing control.

<hr> What Happens to Damaged Buildings?

When a building is damaged, it enters a state of disarray. In this state:

Any NPCs or services provided by the building become unavailable.

Players cannot use the building’s benefits, including housing, crafting, questing, or religious progression.

If maintenance isn’t paid or damage accumulates, buildings can eventually be destroyed, appearing as rubble on their plots.

Most players understand that disarrayed buildings significantly affect a settlement’s functionality. For example, destroying a scholar’s academy or quest hub slows citizen experience gains, making it harder for the node to reach higher stages quickly.

<hr> How Are Buildings Repaired?

Repairing disarrayed buildings is a collective effort. Players must contribute materials to restore a building to full functionality. In general:

Leadership must coordinate repairs, ensuring the right materials are available.

Some buildings have prerequisites, meaning higher-tier structures cannot function if their lower-tier counterparts are destroyed. Rebuilding can therefore be a chain process.

Until rubble is cleared, plots cannot be rebuilt, delaying the restoration of services.

It’s worth noting that in player-driven settlements, repair speed often depends on community engagement. Most active settlements have regular material donations to prevent long-term service disruptions.

<hr> What Happens During and After Sieges?

If a settlement siege is successful or buildings take significant damage:

Destroyed buildings become rubble.

Debris may contain lootable spoils for attackers or defenders.

Player housing destroyed during a siege can no longer be sold, although furniture and decorations are retained and can be replaced later.

Many players focus on specific strategic buildings rather than widespread destruction. Targeted attacks often aim at slowing node progression or limiting the rival settlement’s benefits, such as blocking access to quest hubs or religious progression.

<hr> Strategic Considerations for Attacking Players

When planning an attack, precision matters. For instance:

Targeting the temple can slow down the religious system’s progress.

Disabling the scholar academy can delay a settlement’s node stage advancement.

Hitting multiple service-oriented buildings prevents citizens from gaining experience at a normal pace.

Most experienced players coordinate attacks with a clear objective, rather than trying to take over a settlement outright. Strategic strikes are usually more impactful in the long term than simply attempting full destruction.

<hr> Strategic Considerations for Settlement Leaders

Settlement leaders must balance growth, repair, and defense:

Mayors must weigh the benefits of demolishing buildings versus the cost in settlement mandates and potential community backlash.

Maintaining sufficient resources for repairs is critical to avoid prolonged service disruptions.

Investing in defenses, such as siege-resistant structures or strategic placement of critical buildings, can reduce the impact of attacks.

In general, proactive maintenance and planning make a significant difference in how resilient a node becomes during sieges or other destructive events.

<hr> Economy and Practical Implications

The destruction of buildings has economic consequences. Services that generate materials, experience, or other benefits are temporarily unavailable, slowing the node’s progression and potentially affecting the broader player economy. For players who want to maintain a steady flow of resources, sometimes the fastest way to recover or prepare for repairs is to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N, which can help in acquiring materials quickly without relying solely on farming.

Settlement building destruction in Ashes of Creation is a complex, multi-layered system. It affects not only the physical layout of nodes but also player progression, resource distribution, and strategic planning. Understanding the mechanics behind damage, repair, and demolition helps both attackers and defenders make informed decisions. In general:

Buildings have hit points and can be damaged or destroyed.

Disarrayed buildings stop providing services until repaired.

Repairing buildings requires materials and coordinated effort.

Sieges often target strategic buildings rather than aiming for full takeover.

Mayors can demolish buildings with proper vote and mandate cost.

For players invested in their nodes, staying proactive about building maintenance and understanding siege mechanics is essential for long-term growth and resilience.