Ashes of Creation Phase 3 went live on August 26 after delays from its initial May 1 target, and the excitement among returning players has been noticeable. The introduction of the Anvil’s biome as a new starting area adds a fresh experience, especially for those who have already explored the Riverlands extensively. While the environment offers a stunning atmosphere and improved lighting effects, the inconsistent global illumination settings require constant tweaks to achieve the intended visuals.

Questing within the new biome starts strong, offering a natural flow where objectives link smoothly, guiding players out of the starting cave while unlocking mounts and gathering tools early. However, once outside, many noticed the limited points of interest compared to the Riverlands, a concern that Intrepid Studios had partially addressed during NDA tests. For newcomers unaware of this imbalance, the initial exploration experience can feel unexpectedly sparse.

Crafting Challenges and Economy Adjustments

Crafting in Ashes of Creation Phase 3 has been one of the most debated topics among players. Recipes often require components sourced from other regions like the Riverlands, adding complexity for those starting fresh in the Anvil’s biome. Early-game crafting feels particularly tedious due to several gold sinks built into the system, from processing materials to purchasing essential components like smoldering ash and binding resin.

August Development Update – 11 AM PT Friday, August 29, 2025
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While some criticized the process as unnecessarily drawn out, others appreciated how the new system added weight and meaning to crafted gear. Intrepid Studios has already responded to community feedback by slightly increasing gear drop rates, creating a better balance between farming, crafting, and progression. Despite this, optimizing resource paths and adjusting early-game costs remain ongoing priorities, as crafting even basic level-zero gear can drain funds quickly.

PvP, Lawless Zones, and Player Conflict

PvP activity in Ashes of Creation Phase 3 has significantly increased compared to previous testing phases. With limited gear availability and high crafting costs, scarcity drives players toward looting and open-world clashes. Lawless POI events were designed to encourage PvP with better rewards and XP, but frequent domination by large guilds has left solo players and smaller groups struggling to compete.

Compounding the challenge, a known bug currently prevents players from stunning flagged opponents, disrupting combat flow during PvP events. Intrepid Studios has acknowledged the issue, and while fixes are expected in future patches, it continues to limit competitive strategies in these zones. The resulting friction has intensified conflicts between players, especially when groups fight over scarce mobs or high-value POIs.

Looking Ahead: The Harbinger Update and Beyond

The upcoming Harbinger update, set for November 18, marks a significant shift in Ashes of Creation’s development approach. This major content drop will introduce corrupted zones and harbinger events — large-scale PvX activities where players must prevent spreading corruption by defeating waves of enemies. It also teases the long-awaited summoner archetype, expanding combat and class diversity.

Instead of lengthy roadmaps that often miss targets, Intrepid Studios plans to focus on shorter development milestones spaced one to three months apart. This shift promises more predictable updates and faster delivery of key features while still allowing flexibility for testing and community-driven feedback. Although the full release remains distant, Phase 3 showcases steady progress toward realizing the game’s ambitious vision.