What Is the First Step in Building a Freehold?
The first building that must be placed on any freehold is the homestead. This is essentially your personal home, and it serves as the central anchor for the rest of your freehold. Most players start by positioning the homestead in a way that leaves enough room for future expansion, particularly if they plan to add artisan or business buildings later.
After the homestead, players can add additional structures, but there are limits. In general, a freehold allows a total of six additional artisan or business buildings on top of the homestead. These can include buildings like mills, smithies, or shops. Larger buildings take up more space, so careful planning is important to avoid overcrowding.
How Are Freehold Buildings Placed?
Freehold buildings and props are placed on your plot by the landowner. Most players use a grid-based system for alignment, which makes it easier to keep structures organized and visually appealing. Players can also rotate buildings to better fit the available space, though you cannot alter the terrain itself. If your freehold is on sloped land, structures will automatically be placed on stilts to stay level.
Unused space on a freehold plot can be valuable. Many players use open areas for livestock pens, crop rows, or decorative items. This allows you to make your freehold both functional and aesthetically pleasing. In some alpha testing, the placement of props like banners, flags, or even targeting dummies has been possible, giving players additional ways to customize their land.
How Do Permits and Taxes Work?
Before placing any artisan or business buildings, you need to acquire freehold building permits from the settlement where your freehold deed was obtained. These permits control the number and type of buildings you can place and directly affect the taxes on your freehold. Each building you add increases your tax burden, so most players plan their construction carefully to balance income potential with cost.
It’s also worth noting that the types of buildings allowed and the number of permits may change over time. During Alpha-2 testing, the system is still being refined, so players should expect adjustments as the developers gather feedback on building placement and freehold functionality.
Practical Tips for Building Placement
Plan Your Layout First: Most players sketch out or mentally map the freehold before placing anything. Decide where your homestead will go, then consider the orientation of artisan and business buildings.
Consider Function Over Decoration: While decorative props are fun, functional buildings usually take priority. For example, a mill or smithy may generate resources or income, which is more impactful than a purely decorative structure.
Use Open Space Wisely: Crop fields and livestock pens can fit around buildings, but make sure paths and access routes are clear. Crowding buildings together can make it harder to expand later.
Rotate Buildings Strategically: Orientation matters. Some players rotate buildings to align doors or windows with paths or other structures, improving accessibility and aesthetics.
Check Permits Before Committing: Always confirm the number and type of permits available. Running out of permits mid-project can force you to redesign your freehold layout, which is frustrating.
Balance Taxes and Income: Since freehold taxes are based on building permits, consider which buildings generate income versus which are purely decorative or functional. Many players supplement in-game income by occasionally using services like a trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold, though this is a personal choice and should be approached cautiously.
Common Player Approaches
In practice, most players start by placing their homestead near the center or slightly off-center of the freehold plot. This gives flexibility for future expansion on either side. Artisan buildings often cluster together to simplify resource production and storage, while business buildings are usually positioned near entrances for ease of access by other players.
Players also tend to leave some space open for flexibility. Freeholds aren’t static, and you may want to add new buildings or props as the game evolves. During Alpha-2, experimentation is common, with players frequently rearranging items to find the most efficient and visually pleasing setup.
Things to Keep in Mind
Alpha Testing Changes: The number of allowed buildings, placement rules, and prop functionality are still subject to change. What works now may be different in future patches.
Functional vs. Cosmetic: While decorations add personality, functional buildings provide resources, crafting options, or other advantages. Many experienced players prioritize functionality first, decoration second.
Community Tips: Watching how other players set up their freeholds can provide useful ideas. Layouts often reflect both personal taste and practical gameplay considerations.
Freehold building placement in Ashes of Creation is a mix of strategy, aesthetics, and planning. Understanding the limits on building numbers, permits, and taxes is key to making the most of your plot. By carefully planning homestead placement, organizing artisan and business buildings efficiently, and leaving room for props or functional items, players can create freeholds that are both practical and visually appealing.
Whether your goal is maximizing income, farming resources, or simply having a well-designed personal space, most players find that early planning pays off in the long run. And for those who want to supplement in-game resources, using a trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold can sometimes be a practical choice, though it should be approached thoughtfully.
