How Reputation Works in Ashes of Creation
Reputation in Ashes of Creation is a settlement-specific mechanic. This means that each city or node tracks your reputation separately. You can gain or lose reputation through a variety of actions, and the effects can be quite meaningful.
Positive reputation is usually gained by completing:
Buy orders
Commissions
Quests
Caravan trips, either within the node or involving other locations
These actions are considered “good” because they support the settlement’s economy and growth. The more of these tasks you complete, the higher your reputation becomes, which often unlocks rewards such as access to rare commissions or better pricing from vendors.
Negative reputation, on the other hand, can result from failing quests, performing harmful actions, or otherwise acting against the interests of a settlement. If your negative reputation becomes extreme, you could be labeled an enemy of the state. This has practical consequences:
Vendors may charge higher prices
NPCs, especially guards, may attack on sight
Some quests may only become available if your reputation is low, often involving more morally ambiguous or “darker” storylines
Most players find that reputation is not just a number—it directly affects gameplay and opportunities. You are essentially shaping how the node’s society sees you.
Reputation for Citizens and Non-Citizens
One important point is that reputation applies regardless of whether you are a citizen of the settlement. You don’t need to own property or have an official status to gain influence. Simply interacting with the settlement through quests, commissions, or trade can earn you positive reputation.
For example:
Completing a caravan trip to deliver goods from one node to another can increase your reputation in both nodes.
Finishing commissions that help improve the settlement can open access to rarer vendors or commissions.
Most players tend to focus on one or two settlements to maximize benefits, especially early in the game, because spreading yourself too thin can make reputation gains slower.
How Reputation Affects NPC Interactions
Reputation isn’t just about quests or rewards—it also affects social interactions in meaningful ways. NPCs react differently depending on your standing:
High reputation: Vendors may offer rarer goods, better prices, or access to services that are unavailable to outsiders.
Low reputation: NPC guards may attack on sight, and some vendors may refuse service entirely.
Faction-specific reputation: Certain social organizations or religious factions within a node may require reputation levels to grant access to their resources or quests.
In practice, this means that a single poor choice could limit what you can do in a settlement, while consistent, positive actions can unlock a lot of content. Most players notice that the difference is especially significant in nodes that are heavily populated or developed.
Positive vs. Negative Reputation in Practice
Positive reputation is generally straightforward: complete tasks that benefit the settlement. However, negative reputation is nuanced. Some players actually seek it out to explore alternate questlines or gain unique story experiences. Here’s what to expect:
Minor negative reputation: Some vendors may offer slightly worse prices. Certain quests may be unavailable.
Severe negative reputation: NPC guards and even hired mercenaries may attack on sight. Access to key services could be blocked entirely.
Opportunities in the shadows: A few questlines and interactions only appear for characters with low reputation, allowing players to explore the darker, seedier side of the world.
Many players find it useful to manage reputation deliberately. You might maintain high reputation in one node to access premium vendors, while experimenting with low reputation in another to explore hidden questlines.
Tips for Managing Reputation
Focus on consistent actions: Regularly completing commissions, buy orders, and caravan trips in a settlement steadily increases reputation.
Be mindful of negative actions: Failing key quests or harming the settlement’s interests can quickly lower your reputation.
Plan node-specific goals: Decide which settlements you want to maintain high reputation in, and which you might explore for lower-reputation content.
Monitor NPC reactions: Pay attention to how NPCs behave around you. This gives a practical indicator of your current standing.
Economic benefits matter: High reputation often unlocks better vendor pricing or rarer items. In fact, some players even look for a safe place to buy AoC gold U4N, ensuring they have the resources to invest in commissions and other reputation-building activities without risking setbacks.
Settlement reputation in Ashes of Creation is more than just a hidden stat—it’s a dynamic system that shapes your interactions with the world. Most players will find that reputation affects not only their ability to complete quests and commissions but also access to vendors, pricing, and even which NPCs might attack them. By understanding how to gain and manage reputation, you can make deliberate choices that enhance your experience, whether you prefer a path of civic contribution or exploring the darker corners of the game’s world.
