Welcome to the ultimate beginner’s guide for leveling up quickly and efficiently in Ashes of Creation! Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your early journey, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate quests, mounts, combat, and grinding zones to hit level 10 smoothly.

Step 1: Initial Setup

• Upon spawning, talk to a Gate Watcher to obtain The Shining Gateway Medallion.
• Walk around the spawn area and collect all the free items available.
• Equip your preferred primary weapon (e.g., sword) and a secondary weapon (e.g., bow).
• Tip: You gain XP for both weapons when in combat, even if you only use one. For example, if you gain 100 Sword XP, you’ll also gain 100 Bow XP.
• Use the Grave Key to switch between weapons.

Step 2: Choose Your Direction

• Head west to Lionhold (recommended) or east to Soma’s Hope.
• Tip: Lionhold is better because you can obtain your first mount there early.
• Kill goblins along the way for extra XP and glint (currency).
• Loot every corpse you kill for bonus rewards.

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Step 3: Understanding Combat Modes

• Press Z to toggle between two combat modes:
  • Hotkey Mode: Skill-based.
  • Mouse Mode: Right-click to block, left-click to attack.
• Review all hotkeys in settings.

Step 4: Lionhold Progression and First Mount

• Upon arriving at Lionhold, talk to Official Tahad and complete the Ember Spring Quest.
• Next, talk to Trades Master Falson to begin the quest line leading to your first horse mount.
• Important: Complete the snowdrop powder quest and immediately go to Stable Master Pile to claim your horse. Missing this step could lock you out of obtaining it!
• Once obtained, your mount will appear in your inventory. Right-click to summon or store it.

Step 5: Early Leveling Tips

• After obtaining your mount, visit the Western Workshops rather than Bri Moore Farms.
• Fight mobs along the way—always check their HP and level by left-clicking.
• Mob Color Guide for XP Efficiency:
  • White: Too easy (reduced XP).
  • Blue: Slightly easy (okay XP).
  • Orange: Ideal match (optimal XP).
  • Red: Too hard (dangerous and low XP).
• Tip: HP indicators are better than color for judging fight difficulty.

Step 6: Basic Equipment and Inventory Management

• Equip dropped armor from humanoid enemies.
• Use Shift + Mouse Hover to compare item stats.
• Buying novice armor is optional if you loot enough from mobs.
• Visit Lionhold’s equipment vendor for armor and satchels.
• Satchels:
  • Equip two satchels at a time.
  • Prioritize hunting or mining satchels for most slots.

Step 7: XP and Quests

• Pick up the Rain of Rocks quest from Captain Finn Hogan.
• Kill goblins on the walls to collect rock sacks.
• Completing this quest five times rewards solid XP boosts.

Step 8: Commissions for Fun and XP

• Visit the Commission Board in Lionhold.
  • Regular commissions provide XP and gear.
  • Artisan commissions (gathering/fishing/etc.) also give XP.
• Commissions refresh every 30 minutes.

Step 9: Participate in Events

• Watch for events like Ambush Caravan Down.
• Engage in three enemy waves alongside other players.
• Reward: Thousands of XP and valuable loot.

Step 10: Skill Development

• Press K to open your skill tree.
• Mouse over skills to learn what they do.
• Earn skill points at level milestones (25%, 50%, 75% of level).
• Allocate skill points to weapons under the dropdown menu.

Step 11: Efficient Combat Tips

• Always range mobs first to secure XP credit.
• Avoid “social pulling” multiple mobs accidentally.
• Use abilities strategically as mobs close in.
• Enable Auto Attack in settings for easier sustained combat.
• Nighttime spawns stronger mobs—travel and fight more cautiously at night.
• Stay near roads for easier mobs; forests and mountains contain harder enemies.

Step 12: Resource Management

• Sell glint at the Laboratory Vendor.
• Use earnings to buy useful Scrolls (e.g., Strength Scrolls for fighters).
• Repair gear regularly at any vendor.
• Buy fresh salads at the Cookhouse for combat stat boosts.

Step 13: Recommended Grind Area

• Set your spawn point at Ember Spring.
• Travel towards Gem Spring, fighting mobs along the way.
• Kill Web Weavers for ~1,000 XP each.
• Watch for Ravens and Molers; retreat if they excrete poison on death.

Step 14: Inventory Optimization

• Right-click to condense glint into dim glint.
• Condense further to manage space better.

Step 15: Death Penalty Warning

• Death results in:
  • 2-4% XP debt.
  • Loss of 20-30% of gatherables and glint.
• You can retrieve items from your grave—but beware, others can loot it too.

Goal

• Grind in this area until Level 10.

Congratulations! You are no longer a beginner and are now ready for more advanced adventures in Ashes of Creation.