How Are Leadership Powers Granted?
Mayoral powers are granted through mandates, which are special abilities tied directly to your office. Unlike some other MMO systems, these powers cannot be delegated. That means if you’re a mayor, the responsibilities and tools are yours alone. You are in control of initiatives ranging from economic development to defensive planning.
In practice, this means you’ll need to balance your time between administrative duties and strategic decisions. Many players find that keeping a clear set of priorities helps avoid mistakes in areas like tax rates or construction planning.
Economic and Resource Management
One of the most immediate ways mayors influence a settlement is through economic decisions. Mayors can adjust settlement taxes, including those applied to tavern games and other local services. Tax revenue is strictly restricted to funding settlement development, so most players focus on projects that offer long-term benefits, such as service building expansions or defensive upgrades.
Mayors also have the ability to initiate buy orders using gold from the settlement treasury. This allows for direct investment in materials needed for development projects. In practical gameplay, experienced mayors often coordinate with influential players or guilds to ensure that resources are efficiently used. Some players even opt to buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N to ensure their settlement can fund immediate upgrades, though this is entirely optional and based on personal preference.
Development and Construction Powers
Building and upgrading structures is another major responsibility. Mayors can:
Initiate construction of service buildings and expansions.
Upgrade defensive structures like walls, gates, traps, and siege equipment.
Hire mercenary NPCs for settlement defense during sieges.
In general, most players find that prioritizing defensive upgrades early is crucial if their settlement is in a contested area. Offensive strategies, such as declaring war on other settlements, require additional resources and preparation, so mayors must weigh the benefits carefully before engaging in conflict.
War and Defense
Declaring war in Ashes of Creation isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Resources must be gathered and spent on preparation. Mayors can initiate special commissions to gather these resources and rally citizens to support the cause. This ensures that wars are meaningful events and not just constant PvP chaos. Chris Justo, one of the game’s developers, highlighted this by explaining that maintaining balance is essential—declaring war will always have a tangible cost.
Settlement Policies and Communication
Governance isn’t just about buildings and gold—it’s also about community. Mayors can propose settlement policies that are voted on by citizens. While there’s no formal polling system, mayors can communicate via message-of-the-day services or settlement chat channels. Mayors often have special colored names in chat to signify their leadership status.
Most players use these tools to guide decision-making, announce upcoming events, or encourage citizen participation in development or defense projects. Setting clear communication channels usually leads to a more engaged and cooperative community.
Trade and External Relations
Mayors also control settlement-to-settlement interactions. You can:
Enter into trade agreements.
Define trade routes between settlements.
Initiate mayoral caravans to trade commodities, which can be exchanged for service building upgrades or buffs.
In general, settlements that actively participate in trade tend to grow faster, as these agreements provide both resources and strategic advantages. Experienced mayors often negotiate with nearby settlements to ensure mutually beneficial arrangements, helping their community thrive over the long term.
Miscellaneous Powers
Finally, mayors have some additional tools that add both flavor and utility:
Activate or deactivate settlement relics.
Set a message-of-the-day for important announcements.
Maintain offices in the town hall.
While these might seem minor compared to taxes or construction, most players find that even small touches, like managing relics or clear messaging, contribute to a more smoothly run settlement.
Being a mayor in Ashes of Creation is about balance. You’re managing resources, defending your people, guiding development, and fostering a community. Most players who succeed in these roles focus on clear communication, strategic use of resources, and gradual growth rather than rushing every project at once. Leadership powers give you the tools, but how you use them defines your settlement’s success.
Whether you’re planning defensive upgrades, trade agreements, or tax policies, understanding these leadership powers is essential for anyone looking to make an impact on the world of Verra.
