What is a Freehold?



A Freehold in Ashes of Creation is a large plot of land that players can claim and develop. Each Freehold is approximately 1.5 acres in size, which translates to roughly 100 meters by 60 meters. This is significantly larger than earlier estimates that suggested Freeholds were only half an acre, making them a serious investment in terms of resources and effort.



Unlike some housing systems in other MMOs, the footprint of a Freehold does not change based on settlement progression. Whether the nearby city is level 1 or fully developed, your Freehold will maintain its full size, giving you consistent space for buildings, crafting stations, and decorative elements.



How Many Freeholds Are There?



The number of Freeholds available on each server is limited. Developers are targeting “the low thousands” per server, but this number can vary depending on player actions and node progression. In practice, this means that Freeholds are relatively scarce, and competition for them is likely to be high.



Most players should understand that securing a Freehold is not just about luck; it involves strategic planning and active participation in the game’s node and economy systems.



Costs and Taxes



Freeholds are not free. They are subject to settlement taxes, which are calculated based on the number of permits issued for buildings on the property. Additionally, buildings that require permits come with upkeep costs, which increase your ongoing investment.



This system ensures that Freeholds remain a meaningful, long-term commitment. Players pursuing one should be prepared to manage both the initial investment and ongoing maintenance.



Building and Crafting on a Freehold



One of the key reasons players aim for Freeholds is crafting potential. To build structures on a Freehold, you need blueprints. These buildings allow you to process resources into crafting materials more efficiently than any other method in the game.



While some resource processing can be done at nodes or through other player housing, the best processing is done on Freeholds. This is a deliberate design choice to make Freeholds a centerpiece for crafting artisanship and the in-game economy. As game director Steven Sharif has explained, the difficulty in obtaining a Freehold is intentional—it gates the influence players can have over the processing market and makes ownership a monumental achievement.



Because of this, some players choose to buy Ashes of Creation gold for leveling on U4N to speed up resource acquisition and reduce the grind associated with preparing for a Freehold. This is especially common among players focused on high-level crafting and economic dominance.



Alternatives to Freeholds



Not every player needs a Freehold. The game offers other housing options, such as inns, apartments, and static in-settlement housing. These alternatives are much easier to obtain and still allow for personalization, furniture placement, and functional storage.



In practice, most players use these options while working toward a Freehold, or as a permanent choice if they are more interested in combat, exploration, or other gameplay systems rather than high-end crafting. While these alternatives don’t offer the same level of processing efficiency, they are perfectly adequate for most day-to-day needs.



The Effort Required



Obtaining a Freehold is widely regarded as a monumental achievement. Players usually need to invest significant amounts of time, effort, and resources. The process requires careful planning around node progression, resource gathering, and crafting skill development.



In general, Freeholds serve as both a personal achievement and a functional hub for the player-driven economy. Those who manage to secure one often find it becomes central to their in-game identity, whether through crafting, resource processing, or even social influence within a settlement.



Summary



To summarize, Freeholds in Ashes of Creation are:



Large plots of land (approx. 1.5 acres) used for housing and crafting.



Limited in number, with availability affected by server activity and node progression.



Subject to taxes and building upkeep, which players must manage.



Key for high-level crafting, offering the best resource processing capabilities.



Difficult to obtain, requiring a large investment of resources and effort.



Not the only housing option, with apartments, inns, and static housing serving as viable alternatives.



For most players, Freeholds are a long-term goal rather than an immediate acquisition. Planning, patience, and strategic gameplay are essential if you aim to secure one. Understanding the system now can save frustration later and help you make informed decisions about your in-game housing and crafting strategy.