What is the first building on a freehold?
The first building that must be constructed on any freehold is the homestead. This acts as the central hub of your property and anchors all other structures. Most players prioritize building the homestead in a central or accessible location to leave enough room for additional buildings, livestock pens, and crop rows.
How many buildings can you place?
In general, a freehold can accommodate:
1 Homestead (mandatory)
Up to 6 additional artisan or business buildings
The six additional buildings can be a mix of artisan or business types, depending on your goals. However, larger buildings take up more space, which can reduce the total number of structures you can place. Most players recommend planning your freehold layout before acquiring all permits to avoid running out of space.
How are building permits and taxes handled?
To place any building beyond the homestead, you need freehold building permits. These permits are acquired from the settlement where your freehold deed was obtained. The number and type of permits determine how many buildings you can place on your plot.
Taxes on a freehold are calculated based on the number of permits you have. This means the more buildings you plan to construct, the higher your ongoing tax cost will be. In general, players balance the number of buildings with tax affordability, often starting with just a few artisan structures before expanding.
Can I customize building placement?
Yes. Most players enjoy customizing their freehold layouts. The placement system allows you to:
Adjust the orientation of buildings and props.
Place livestock pens, crop rows, and other functional elements around buildings.
Use a grid-based system to line up structures and props neatly.
However, there are some limitations. Players cannot modify the terrain itself. Sloped areas will automatically have stilts under structures to keep them level, which can affect the aesthetic or placement options.
What else can I place on a freehold?
Unused space on a freehold is often filled with:
Livestock pens for farmable animals
Crop rows for farming
Props like flags, banners, or functional items such as targeting dummies
Most players use the extra space to enhance functionality rather than just decoration. For example, crop rows and livestock can provide steady resources without needing to leave your freehold.
Practical layout tips from Alpha-2 testing
Based on what players observed during Alpha-2:
Centralize your homestead. Placing it near the center gives more flexibility for other buildings.
Cluster artisan buildings. If you plan to make a crafting hub, grouping artisan buildings together saves space and reduces travel time.
Reserve space for props and crops. Even if you have all permits, some freehold space is better used for livestock or crops than cramming in extra buildings.
Plan for growth. Freehold rules may change as the game develops, so consider leaving some open space for future updates.
Consider aesthetic flow. Orientation adjustments can make your freehold look organized and functional.
In general, most players who take a few minutes to plan their layout end up with a more usable freehold, rather than randomly placing structures as permits are obtained.
Additional player considerations
Iterative design: Many players test different layouts before finalizing their freehold. Experimenting in Alpha phases gives a sense of scale and spacing.
Resource management: Buildings like mills or artisan shops can help produce materials for leveling and crafting. Some players also choose to buy Ashes of Creation gold for leveling on U4N to accelerate their progression while working on their freehold.
Community advice: Observing other freeholds in your settlement is a common strategy. You can see what layouts work well in practice and adapt ideas to your own space
Freehold building placement in Ashes of Creation is a balance of planning, function, and aesthetics. Understanding the limits on buildings, using permits wisely, and leaving space for farming and props can help you make the most out of your plot. Most players benefit from centralizing the homestead, grouping functional buildings, and keeping some flexibility for future changes. While the system is still evolving through testing, careful planning now will pay off once the full game launches.
