Understanding Freeholds in Ashes of Creation: What Players Need to Know

Freeholds are the highest tier of player housing in Ashes of Creation, and they bring together personal expression, economic power, and gameplay prestige. For players who are considering pursuing a Freehold, understanding how they work in practice can save a lot of confusion and effort. This guide breaks down the key questions around Freeholds based on how most players experience them.

What Is a Freehold?

In simple terms, a Freehold is a large plot of land—roughly 1.5 acres (about 100m x 60m)—that a player can own within the Zone of Influence (ZOI) of a village-stage settlement or higher. Freeholds allow you to:

  • Build housing and other structures.

  • Place furniture.

  • Grow crops and raise livestock.

  • Provide services or run small player-based businesses.

Unlike other housing options in Ashes of Creation, Freeholds are not instanced or phased. This means anything you build is visible to other players in the open world. Many players enjoy Freeholds because they let you leave a personal mark on the world and even roleplay with unique surroundings.

How Do You Get a Freehold?

Acquiring a Freehold is one of the more challenging achievements in the game. There are several ways to gain one:

  1. Auctions or Player Sales: Other players may sell or auction their Freeholds. The currency required varies—some auctions accept gold, others require settlement-specific currency. This system allows players of different playstyles to compete for Freeholds.

  2. Quest Rewards: Freeholds can also be obtained as rewards for completing specific quests. Usually, the quest must be completed before you are eligible to purchase or receive a Freehold.

  3. One Per Account: Keep in mind that ownership is limited to one Freehold per account. This makes them exclusive and highly sought after.

In general, most players will need to prepare substantial resources and effort to secure a Freehold. It is considered a major accomplishment because of the time, planning, and economic knowledge involved.

Why Are Freeholds Important?

Freeholds are not just about having a fancy house. They play a central role in the game’s economy, especially in artisanship. There are three primary functions that make Freeholds significant:

  1. Processing Materials: Freeholds allow the highest level of resource processing in the game. While you can gather materials in the wild or process some items in nodes, the best processing is only possible in a Freehold. For players focused on crafting and trading, this makes Freeholds an essential economic hub.

  2. Business Opportunities: Freeholds allow players to provide services to others. For example, you can set up a farm that sells crops or livestock, or run crafting stations that other players use. Because Freeholds exist in open-world zones, location matters. Most players choose plots strategically near high-traffic areas to attract other adventurers.

  3. Expression and Prestige: A Freehold is a visible sign of accomplishment. You can customize it to reflect your style and make it a unique landmark in the world. Other housing types, like inns or apartments, are easier to acquire but do not offer the same level of economic or creative potential.

It’s worth noting that Freeholds are subject to taxes and upkeep, which are calculated based on the number of building permits and the types of structures you place. This adds an extra layer of strategy for players managing their plots.

What Can You Build on a Freehold?

Freeholds give players wide-ranging options for customization:

  • Housing and Interiors: You can place furniture, decorations, and create themed spaces.

  • Farms and Livestock: Crops like wheat, corn, and tomatoes can be planted, and animals like cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens can be raised. Many players combine farms with processing buildings to produce high-quality goods.

  • Processing Buildings: Blueprints are required to construct these. Buildings can turn raw materials into crafting components, which are valuable for other players.

Most players combine farming and processing for maximum efficiency. For example, raising pigs and processing them into cured meats, or growing wheat and turning it into flour.

Challenges and Considerations

Owning a Freehold is a major commitment. Players should consider:

  1. Resource Investment: High-quality processing requires both time and materials. Gathering these efficiently often involves participating in other nodes, crafting, or trading. Some players even purchase resources from trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold to supplement their efforts.

  2. Competition: With a limited number of Freeholds per server—usually in the low thousands—plots can be hard to come by, especially in desirable locations. Freehold auctions can be highly competitive.

  3. Maintenance: Taxes and building upkeep are ongoing responsibilities. Mismanaging your Freehold can reduce its profitability and effectiveness.

  4. Solo vs Group Play: Freeholds are intended to work well with families or groups, but skilled solo players can still achieve one. Most successful solo Freehold owners focus on careful planning, resource management, and strategic location.

  5. Technical Limitations: Freeholds cannot modify terrain, and sloped areas will result in structures being placed on stilts. The system is still developing, so some features, like full interaction with furniture, are being gradually implemented.

Alternatives to Freeholds

If the Freehold feels too ambitious, there are other housing options:

  • Apartments or Inns: Easier to acquire and still allow some customization.

  • Node Housing: Static in-settlement housing gives players a place to store items and decorate without the high cost of a Freehold.

Most players choose these alternatives while working toward Freehold ownership or if their main focus is adventuring rather than artisanship.

Freeholds in Ashes of Creation are more than just a house—they are a combination of prestige, economic power, and creative expression. Securing one requires effort, resources, and planning, but it provides unmatched benefits for processing, business, and personalization. While the process can be challenging, players who plan strategically and leverage the Freehold system effectively can gain a strong advantage in both the economic and social aspects of the game.

For most players, the pursuit of a Freehold is a long-term goal, but it is achievable through dedication, careful resource management, and smart placement. Whether you want to run a high-end crafting operation, raise livestock, or simply have a visible mark on the world, a Freehold represents the pinnacle of player housing in Ashes of Creation.