When Do Settlement Elections Happen?
Settlement elections start once a node reaches the Village stage. At this point, the government system comes online for the first time. The process begins with a one-week cooldown period after the village stage is reached. This cooldown is crucial because it gives players time to establish citizenship in the new settlement.
Establishing Citizenship: During this week, players may need to renounce citizenship in another settlement to become citizens of the new village. Most players take this period to ensure they are officially recognized, which is required to participate in elections.
Election Period: After the cooldown, the initial election lasts one week. Following the first election, future elections occur monthly, maintaining a predictable cadence that players can plan around.
It’s important to note that settlement sieges cannot be declared for 21 days after a settlement advances to any stage, though this was originally mentioned only for villages. This means that for three weeks after leveling, elections and the settlement itself are generally safe from attack, giving players time to organize politically.
Who Can Participate?
Only citizens of a settlement can vote in its elections or run for mayor. Each account can declare citizenship in only one settlement per server realm, so players must choose carefully. Kings or queens of the realm can also become mayors if they meet the other requirements.
Election notices are mailed directly to the accounts of citizens, so it’s important to regularly check your in-game messages to stay informed. Most players make sure they are registered before the election period to avoid missing their chance to vote.
Election Timelines in Practice
In practice, settlement elections operate with clear registration and voting periods:
Regular Monthly Elections: Registration opens five days before the 1st of each month, and voting runs from the 1st to the 5th.
Unscheduled Elections (UE): Triggered if a mayor loses citizenship, deletes their character, or is banned. In this case, registration and voting are shortened to 24 hours each.
Election Skipping: If the current mayor has served 20 days or less before a scheduled election, the election may be skipped.
Voting is limited to one vote per account, and only the last vote from a character on the same account counts. Players should be aware that renouncing citizenship during an election removes their votes entirely.
Types of Settlement Elections
Settlement election methods vary depending on the settlement type, and each method reflects the thematic focus of that node:
Academic Settlements: Mayors are elected via ranked-choice popular vote. Most players participate based on community reputation and engagement with local academic activities. Records of who voted for whom are not published, keeping the process confidential.
Divine Settlements: Elections are based on the citizen who earns the most PvE favor by completing religious quests. This method is usually individual-focused, meaning outside support or alliances have minimal impact.
Economic Settlements: Mayors are elected through a blind-bid auction. The citizen who bids the most gold wins, making this a significant gold sink in the game economy. Public accounting of campaign funds is encouraged to maintain transparency. Players often look for a
trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold to ensure they can participate in these auctions without issues.
Military Settlements: Elections are determined through trial by combat. During election week, the settlement enters an open-PvP battleground state in hour-long periods. Candidates and their supporters compete to gain points by killing opposing supporters and securing objectives. The player with the most points at the end of the week becomes mayor. Most players participate actively, forming temporary alliances to maximize points.
It’s worth noting that settlement types with different election methods will expand in future Alpha phases, but the core principles remain the same: citizenship is key, and participation requires preparation.
Tips for Participating Effectively
Plan Ahead: Because elections happen monthly, most experienced players track election dates and registration periods carefully.
Citizenship Choices Matter: Changing citizenship can be costly in terms of time and resources, so decide where you want to be politically active.
Engage in Local Activities: Especially in divine and academic settlements, completing tasks and quests early can give you an edge.
Coordinate in Military Settlements: Trial by combat requires coordination. Forming alliances with other citizens can increase your chances of winning.
Manage Resources in Economic Settlements: Keep an eye on your gold and make sure to participate in auctions responsibly.
What Most Players Experience
In general, the initial village elections can be a bit chaotic as players adjust to the new system. Most players focus on either community-building, PvE progression, or economic advantages when choosing where to participate. Over time, elections tend to stabilize, with regular citizens and active players often dominating local politics. The system encourages active engagement and provides meaningful consequences for political decisions, especially in economic and military settlements.
Settlement elections in Ashes of Creation are a fundamental part of gameplay once a node reaches Village stage. Understanding the cooldown period, registration requirements, voting mechanics, and different election types is essential for players who want to influence their community. By planning citizenship, participating in relevant activities, and tracking election schedules, most players can navigate this system effectively and make a meaningful impact in their settlement.
