Understanding Freehold Buildings in Ashes of Creation



Ashes of Creation offers a unique system of player housing through Freeholds, allowing players to build and customize their own personal spaces. For new and experienced players alike, Freehold buildings are more than just decorative—they’re functional assets that can support your crafting, housing, and business ambitions. This guide explains how Freehold buildings work, including naming, cosmetics, and practical use, based on how most players approach them.



Can I name my Freehold buildings?



Yes. One of the features that Ashes of Creation supports is building names. Each building can be given a custom name, which will appear as floating text when it is targeted in the game world. Most players tend to name their key buildings in a way that makes them easy to identify—like “Main Workshop” or “Guest House”—especially if they have multiple structures on their Freehold. Naming is purely cosmetic but can improve organization, particularly for large Freeholds with several buildings.



How do building blueprints work?



Before you can construct a Freehold building, you need its blueprint. Each building type requires a specific blueprint to begin the construction process. Blueprints are obtained in-game, and in general, players start with basic homestead blueprints before progressing to artisanship or business buildings. Once a blueprint is placed, it shows a non-functional, “under construction” version of the building. You then need to supply the required materials to complete construction.



Most players prioritize buildings that provide crafting or resource benefits early on, as this setup allows the Freehold to support personal or guild economies effectively.



What about building cosmetics and skins?



Cosmetic skins for Freehold buildings are a major customization feature. They allow players to change the appearance of a building without affecting its function. These skins were originally offered through Kickstarter or Summer crowdfunding rewards, and some were included in pre-order packs. However, most skins can now also be obtained in-game.



Cosmetics are tied to building categories: housing, artisanship, or business. You cannot apply a skin from one category to a building in another—for example, a housing skin cannot be applied to a blacksmith workshop. However, within a category, players have flexibility. Family members with permission can also apply cosmetics to buildings, which helps in shared Freeholds.



A planned feature may allow one large cosmetic skin to cover multiple buildings, visually unifying parts of your Freehold while keeping the underlying functional buildings intact. This system isn’t fully implemented yet, but it shows the direction the game is heading.



It’s important to note that cosmetics cannot be sold or traded with other players. Most players treat skins as a personal investment in their Freehold aesthetics rather than a tradable commodity.



In practice, a popular approach is to first build the functional structure with the required materials, then apply the cosmetic skin. This ensures the Freehold remains useful while looking the way you want. Some players even supplement their gameplay by using a trusted U4N shop for Ashes of Creation gold to accelerate material acquisition, which can speed up building completion.



How do cosmetics interact with Freehold placement and space?



Space management is an essential part of Freehold planning. Cosmetics, especially larger ones, may take up multiple building plots visually. This means players need to consider both functionality and appearance when designing layouts. Most players try to group similar building types together, not only for aesthetic coherence but also to streamline material delivery and crafting workflows.



Currently, Baronies do not impose appearance restrictions on Freehold buildings, which gives players freedom to design without worrying about zoning limitations.



Which buildings benefit most from customization?



In general, players prioritize cosmetics on homestead buildings first because these are the most frequently seen and interacted with. Artisanship and business buildings are more functional in nature, but applying a cosmetic skin can still provide satisfaction and personalization.



Players often focus on:



Housing buildings: for visual appeal and personal enjoyment.



Artisanship buildings: to make crafting hubs look more impressive.



Business buildings: mainly for thematic or roleplay purposes, since these usually provide economic benefits.



Practical tips for managing Freehold buildings



Plan before building: Decide which blueprints and cosmetics you want, as rearranging later can be resource-intensive.



Focus on functionality first: Build essential crafting or storage structures before decorative buildings.



Coordinate with family members: If your Freehold is shared, assign permissions for cosmetic applications to avoid conflicts.



Use resources efficiently: Materials can be hard to gather, so prioritize buildings that bring immediate benefits.



Consider long-term upgrades: Some skins and large cosmetics can replace multiple buildings in the future, so leave space for potential changes.



Most players find that balancing function and appearance is key. A Freehold that looks good but lacks essential buildings quickly becomes inefficient, while a fully functional Freehold without any cosmetics can feel impersonal.

Freehold buildings in Ashes of Creation offer a layered system of customization, functionality, and aesthetics. Naming buildings, obtaining blueprints, applying cosmetics, and planning layouts are all essential steps in creating a personal space that supports your gameplay goals. By understanding the mechanics and seeing how most players prioritize building functionality before appearance, you can design a Freehold that’s both efficient and visually satisfying.