Zone of Influence in Ashes of Creation: How Settlements Really Grow
In Ashes of Creation, settlements do not grow randomly knowing how the system works. Almost everything that happens in the world is tied to something called a Zone of Influence, usually shortened to ZOI. Most players hear the term early on, but many do not fully understand how it affects settlement growth, nearby nodes, and even long-term world development.
This guide explains Zones of Influence in a practical way, based on how players usually interact with the system during normal gameplay.
What Is a Zone of Influence?
A Zone of Influence is the predefined geographic area that belongs to a settlement. Every settlement in the world has one. If you are inside that area and doing anything productive, your actions are being counted toward that settlement’s progress.
In general, you do not see clear borders on your map. The ZOI is mostly invisible. But the game is constantly tracking what players do inside each zone.
Most players interact with Zones of Influence without thinking about it. Questing, killing mobs, gathering resources, crafting, raiding, and even helping with settlement construction projects all feed experience into the settlement tied to that zone.
How Player Activity Affects a Zone of Influence
Player activity inside a ZOI is weighted and counted toward the settlement’s advancement. This means not all actions contribute equally, but most normal gameplay still matters.
In practice, this is what usually happens:

• Players quest near a node because content is available there
• Gatherers farm nearby resources because it is convenient
• Crafters produce items using materials sourced from the area
• Groups raid nearby content because travel time is shorter

All of that activity pushes experience into the settlement that controls that ZOI. Over time, the settlement gains enough experience to level up.
Most players are not deliberately “feeding” a specific settlement at first. They are just playing the game. But their combined actions shape which settlements grow and which ones stay small.
Why Settlements Are Called “Listening Zones”
One of the core design ideas in Ashes of Creation is that settlements “listen” to what players do. Think of a settlement as an invisible system that tracks activity rather than something you manually upgrade.
When players gain experience from killing enemies, completing quests, or crafting items, the settlement inside that Zone of Influence also gains experience.
Once enough experience is accumulated:

• The node levels up
• More NPCs move in
• More services unlock
• The settlement expands its influence

This makes the world feel reactive. Instead of developers deciding where cities appear, players decide through everyday behavior.
Settlement Growth and Zone Expansion
As settlements grow, their Zones of Influence expand. This is where things get more competitive.
Higher-level settlements need more space. They also require more player activity to sustain their growth. In general, advanced settlements will absorb more land and exert pressure on nearby nodes.
Most players notice this when:

• A nearby node stops progressing
• A small settlement never becomes a town
• One dominant settlement controls a large region

This is not random. It happens because advanced settlements block or absorb the Zones of Influence of nearby settlements.
How Neighboring Settlements Limit Each Other
There can only be a limited number of settlements at each stage of advancement in the world. This creates scarcity.
When one settlement grows too strong, it can lock out nearby settlements from progressing. Those smaller nodes may remain stuck at a lower level or be fully absorbed into the dominant settlement’s Zone of Influence.
In practice:

• Settlements compete indirectly through player activity
• Players unintentionally choose winners by where they play
• Regions develop unique power structures over time

Most players will not see every node reach its maximum potential. Some areas will always be underdeveloped because neighboring settlements took priority.
Parent Settlements and Vassal Settlements
Zones of Influence also define the relationship between parent settlements and vassals.
A vassal settlement always exists within the Zone of Influence of its parent settlement. This means:

• The parent controls the broader region
• Vassals operate under that influence
• Growth of the parent affects the vassals

In general, vassal settlements benefit from being part of a larger structure, but they also lose independence. Most players living in vassals are indirectly supporting the parent settlement through their actions.
Why Zones of Influence Matter for Long-Term Players
Understanding Zones of Influence helps players make smarter decisions.
Most experienced players pay attention to:

• Where they quest long-term
• Which settlement their guild supports
• Which regions are likely to dominate later

If you want a specific settlement to grow, you usually need consistent player activity in that ZOI over time. One-time events rarely make a difference.
Some players also plan their economic gameplay around this. As settlements grow, they unlock better services, crafting stations, and NPCs. That can influence where players choose to trade, craft, or even store resources. This is one reason some players look for ways to prepare early, including planning resources carefully or, in some cases, choosing to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N to speed up early progression in competitive regions.
Common Misunderstandings About Zones of Influence
Many players misunderstand how Zones of Influence work.
Here are some common assumptions that are usually wrong:

• You do not need to register as a citizen for your actions to count
• You cannot manually “turn off” influence by avoiding quests
• Settlements do not grow because of NPC actions alone
• Developers do not pre-select which settlements become major cities

In general, player behavior drives everything. Even casual players contribute just by playing.
How Most Players Interact With ZOI Without Realizing It
Most players never open a map and say, “I am going to level this settlement.”
Instead, they:

• Follow quest chains
• Farm resources near safe routes
• Play near friends or guildmates
• Return to areas with familiar content

Over time, these habits decide which settlements thrive. This is why early server behavior matters so much. The first few weeks often shape the political and economic structure of entire regions.
Final Thoughts on Zone of Influence
Zones of Influence are one of the core systems that make Ashes of Creation different from traditional MMOs. They connect player activity directly to world change.
In general, if players are active in an area, something will grow there. If they leave, that area will stagnate. There is no reset button and no guaranteed outcome.
Understanding this system helps players make informed choices, whether they are casual adventurers, dedicated crafters, or organized guild members. The world reacts to what players do, and the Zone of Influence is how the game listens.