Ashes of Creation Leveling Guide

Welcome to our Ashes of Creation leveling guide, built to help you level up faster and smarter. This guide focuses on adventuring level progression—how to gain XP efficiently, upgrade your class abilities, and hit key gear milestones. It's not about artisan systems or node mechanics. Here, we’re all in on character power: grinding, gearing, and getting stronger.

We’ll cover the fastest ways to level, where to grind as a solo player, how to manage your gear upgrades, and what kind of builds give you the best edge during early content. We’ll also touch on what changes to expect in Phase 3, including the raised level cap, new archetype systems, and stability improvements.

By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear plan for getting to max level fast—whether you're going in solo, joining a group, or just farming your way through the zones. Let's get started with the best ways to earn XP.

Tired of grinding yourself? You can let our PROs level up your character in AoC instead of spending hours and days. Save your time and enjoy the game instead of boring XP farming. We guarantee the best price and the fastest completion time for your order.

Read our other Ashes of Creation guides:

• Gearing Guide
• Beginner's Guide
• Best PvE Builds
• Gear Sets Guide
• Best Classes Tier List

 

 

Fastest Ways to Level Up in Ashes of Creation

This game isn’t built for speed-leveling marathons. Level 50 is the cap at launch, and getting there is meant to take time. Developers expect the first half, from level 1 to 25, to require around 100 hours, while the full journey could stretch to roughly 225 hours. Early levels come faster, but the curve becomes noticeably steeper past level 15.

The game’s leveling experience leans more toward classic MMO design. There’s no boost, no AFK grinding, and no skipping past the learning curve. That said, you’ve still got a handful of Ashes of Creation best leveling methods, and proven paths that can push your XP gain higher:

Fastest Leveling Methods in Ashes of Creation:

• PvE Grinding
• Completing Quests
• Group Content
• Gathering, Exploration & Side XP

Let’s break down each method.

PvE Grinding

As far as Ashes of Creation fastest ways to level up go, grinding mobs is the most consistent way to earn XP at every stage of progression. It’s especially effective because most mob types respawn quickly, offer predictable glint drops, and are ideal for solo farming when you know where to go.

Why it works:

1. Mobs have ~6-second time-to-kill at solo pace
2. Efficient XP yield per kill
3. Certain creatures like frogs, spiders, and shardlings drop high-value glint
4. Can be scaled up with AoE pulls or kiting strategies

Top Mob Types for XP Farming (Levels 3–25):

Elite mobs and roaming monsters provide higher challenge and better loot, but are rarely worth it during early leveling unless grouped.

Completing Quests

Questing is the more structured way to gain XP. It brings story content, early gear upgrades, and steady experience. While not as fast as pure mob farming, it does help diversify the leveling routine and often leads players into new zones. While full story questlines aren't finished, the main source of quests is the Commission Board.

Efficiency Tips for Questing:

• Prioritize yellow quests for the best time-to-reward ratio
• Combine travel with gathering nodes or shrine pickups
• Use early quests to reach level 3 and unlock your mount quickly

Questing works best in short bursts or when interwoven with grinding loops. Skipping over harder or slower quests in favor of farming zones can help keep your momentum going without completely ignoring the narrative.

Group Content

Grouping up is optional, but often worth it—especially when it comes to faster mob clears or safer elite encounters. You absolutely can level up fast in Ashes when playing in a group, but there are a few things to know. XP is shared within a party, but the game applies a group multiplier (around 1.3–1.4x total) to make it worthwhile even with a split.

Why Grouping Can Be Efficient:

Groups can also help unlock tougher content early, like harder shardling farms or elite roamers near node zones. Still, grouping depends on availability—and for some, solo remains more consistent.

The group method shines in specific farming zones or during planned sessions with friends or guildmates. For those able to coordinate, it’s a solid step up in efficiency without sacrificing XP gain.

Gathering and Side XP

For supplemental Ashes of Creation Phase 3 leveling, you can turn to artisan activities like gathering, processing, and crafting. These won’t replace main leveling methods, but they’re a smart way to boost progress during downtime or while traveling between zones.

Bonus XP Sources to Keep in Mind:

This kind of XP adds up, especially if you’re taking a more immersive or hybrid playstyle. It's also great for players who prefer more passive progression while exploring the world.

Supplemental XP systems round out the leveling experience and give players more ways to feel rewarded while doing things beyond combat.

Ashes of Creation Max Level

The current level cap during Alpha-2 Phase 3 is expected to be level 35, giving players access to more advanced abilities and progression options than in earlier phases. This cap has been adjusted over time as the game moves through development milestones and broader systems come online. It’s also the point where class identity begins to deepen with secondary archetype mechanics.

At launch, the confirmed max level will be 50. This final cap is where full class builds come into play and the majority of high-end content becomes accessible. Level 50 characters will be eligible for sieges, large-scale PvP, advanced dungeons, and the most challenging world bosses.

Level caps also determine what gear tiers and augments players can access, and they tie directly into the pacing of the game’s narrative and node development. While other progression systems (like artisan professions or religious affiliations) have their own limits and milestones, level 50 remains the primary benchmark for overall character power.

Best Solo Leveling Spots

If you're leveling solo, choosing the right grind spots can make a massive difference in how fast you progress. Below is a curated path of efficient zones based on mob density, XP value, safety, and accessibility for all archetypes. Each area has been tested and favored by players during Alpha-2 and remains relevant for the leveling climb.

Level 1–3: Starter Zone & First Mount

Start by heading out of the spawn area and picking up the “Sweat of Your Brow” quest from the trades manager in Lion Hold. This quest grants your first mount and enough XP to hit level 2 or nearly 3.

Once mounted, you can either:

• Do a few nearby town quests to reach level 3
• Or immediately head into grinding spots if you're skipping side content

Getting your mount early makes every other leveling route much more efficient.

Level 3–7: Korra'Loch Bridge Kiting

One of the most efficient early-game solo grinds. Head to Coral Lock and find the bridge at the POI. Use it to kite Flares, who can't reach you when positioned correctly.

This safe-spot method allows you to pull:

• 3 Flares at once without taking damage
• Great XP per hour, especially for ranged classes

Stick here until level 7 for a fast, low-risk climb.

Level 7–10: Graveyards, Goblins & Easy Town Mobs

At this stage, you’ve got several options. Head southeast of Korra'Loch during the day if you have self-heals and grind the graveyard mobs, or check out the goblins scattered around nearby nodes.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

This range is quick to push through once you're familiar with mob spawns.

Level 10–15: Frog Pad North of Hall of Judication

This is one of the top XP-per-hour spots for solo players. The frogs here are passive, have low HP, and drop 750 XP each, making them ideal farming targets.

• Clerics and healers can AOE pull up to 10 at once
• Other archetypes can still farm 2–3 at a time safely
• Tons of glint drops for easy gearing at level 10

Expect to earn your full set of level 10 gear through glint farming here before moving on.

Level 15–17: Carphin Island – Minotaurs and Ravens

Take your upgraded gear and head to Carphin Island. The mobs here include:

• Minotaurs (Level 13–15) — low damage, decent loot
• Ashen creatures & Ravens — fast respawn rate, good XP
• Pull 2–3 mobs at a time, rotate up the mountain for the birds, and repeat.

If contested, check the mountain top for alternative pulls while you wait for respawns.

Level 17–21: Web Weavers – North of Ursine Caves

Solo-friendly and massively undertuned, the Web Weavers give great returns for little effort. Ideal for all archetypes.

Reasons this spot shines:

1. Low health mobs, high spawn density
2. Easy AOE pulls for quick grinding loops
3. Spider materials and gold add value to your XP farm

Do this in a cycle — by the time you finish one loop, the first spiders should already be respawning.

Level 20–25: Shardlings in Lawless Zone

This is the top solo grind spot if you can handle the heat. Shardlings drop excellent XP and glint, but come with a warning:

• Self-healers can handle up to 10+ pulls at once
• DPS classes should stick to 2–3 or bring a pocket healer
• Bring heavy gear if possible to reduce incoming damage

If you struggle here, circle back to the spiders for a bit until you're geared up.

Bonus: Crystal Golems (Level 25+ XP Grind)

Post-25, head east of Sunhaven and farm the Level 27 Crystal Golems for XP if you're aiming beyond the current soft cap or want to power-farm gear.

Golems drop:

• ~4,400 XP each
• Minimal damage taken with solid gear
• Decent glint for marketplace upgrades

They’re slower to kill than other mobs but give large XP chunks, perfect for prepping ahead of future level cap increases.

Best Classes for Fast Leveling in Ashes of Creation

Self-sustain, AoE potential, and mobility matter way more than raw damage or long-term group synergy. If your main goal is to reach higher levels quickly, here are some of the best classes for leveling in Ashes of Creation that stand out for solo players:

Bards are the leveling kingpin right now. They have the best sustain toolkit out of the gate, with passive healing and regen keeping them in combat while others have to sit and recover. Fighters come close, cutting down mobs fast and healing through lifesteal. Mages have high AoE damage and strong crowd control, though they shine even more in pairs. Rangers burst hard, but they struggle with recovery after fights. Clerics are solid and safe but not the fastest. Tanks are surprisingly mobile but slower when soloing.

If you're looking for the easiest ride to 25 and beyond, pick something that doesn’t need to stop every five minutes. Sustain beats burst. AoE beats single target. And Bard still beats everything else.

Ashes of Creation Leveling Tips

The early grind is long enough that even small optimizations can stack up fast. Knowing when to push, when to rest, and how to manage your gear, Glint can shave hours off your time to level 25 and beyond. So, here are a few Ashes of Creation leveling tips that will definitely come in handy:

1. Go for self-sustain – Archetypes with healing, barriers, or life leech (like Bard, Cleric, or Fighter) cut down on downtime and keep you moving.
2. Use shrines for fast resets – Instead of hiking back to town, use shrine respawns to quickly reposition across zones.
3. Stick to AoE where possible – Pulling several low-star mobs and cleaving them down beats dueling high-HP targets for XP.
4. Spend Glint early – Use it on consumables and basic gear upgrades instead of hoarding. Better stats = faster kills.
5. Clean your bags often – Overloaded inventory slows you down and cuts grinding sessions short. Drop junk, keep essentials.

Ranged classes make kiting easy in open zones, while melee shines in tighter spots with dense mob clusters. Pay attention to respawn timers and mob layouts, and take advantage of phase 3’s new augment testing to fine-tune your solo leveling strategy on the fly.

Ashes of Creation Leveling Changes in Alpha 2 Phase 3

If you want to know how to level up quickly in Ashes of Creation, you have to know about the latest changes to how this system works, so here’s a sneak peek into that. Phase 3 of Alpha-2 marks a major evolution in how progression feels across AoC. It’s not just about more zones and quests—Intrepid is dialing in the leveling system itself, laying the groundwork for what the game will feel like long-term.

• Raised Level Cap – One of the most direct changes: the level cap is going up. This unlocks new ability tiers and build depth, especially as players begin preparing for secondary archetype combinations. Expect expanded skill trees and the first wave of real endgame-style testing.
• Secondary Archetype System Begins – At level 25, characters can finally select a secondary archetype—introducing class augments and hybrid synergies. While only Cleric and Tank augments will be available early in the phase, this is the first time the 64-class matrix starts to take shape.
• New Zones = Fresh XP Paths – Two major regions, the Turquoise Sea and the Anvils, are being added. These areas are tuned for the higher-level content unlocked by the cap increase and offer updated XP values, new mob types, and more dynamic leveling routes.
• Persistence (Almost No Wipes) – Unlike earlier testing phases, Phase 3 is designed to be persistent. Wipes can still happen, but they’re now the exception. This is a key shift toward meaningful progression—your levels, gear, and node development should carry forward.
• XP & Performance Tuning – Behind the scenes, experience gain rates and server stability are being refined. This means smoother leveling curves, better uptime, and more balanced pacing from start to cap. Combined with reduced downtime and more frequent content injections, Phase 3 is the first time Ashes starts to feel like a live MMO.

Since players are finally able to add the second archetype at level 25, leveling your character becomes the main objective for this phase. Everyone will try to rush to level 25. So, we’ll keep updating this guide with more tips and insights as things develop.

Conclusion

Leveling in Ashes of Creation isn’t just about reaching the cap—it’s about unlocking the real depth of your character. With Phase 3 introducing the secondary archetype system at level 25, getting there quickly should be your top priority. The moment you hit 25, your build potential and class identity expand dramatically, giving you access to augments and more advanced playstyles. This guide is crafted to help you reach that milestone efficiently and with purpose.

Remember, though, character XP is just one piece of the progression puzzle. Ashes of Creation features several other systems that level up—some linear like crafting professions, and others more open-ended like node influence and social organizations. Smart players will consider these layers as part of their long-term path.

F.A.Q.