Ashes of Creation Fishing Tips and Strategies
Understanding Fishing in Ashes of Creation
Fishing is classified as a gathering profession in Ashes of Creation, alongside mining, lumbering, herbalism, and hunting. Unlike combat, fishing focuses on resource collection and artisan skill growth. Players can fish in rivers, lakes, ponds, and eventually in oceans, depending on the area and their skill level.
Catching fish contributes to your fishing skill progression, which unlocks new fishing rods, higher-tier fish, and improved catch rates. In addition to being a source of XP, fish serve multiple purposes: they can be processed into consumables, used in cooking recipes, sold to vendors or other players, or used in crafting materials or getting Ashes of Creation Gold. Fishing, therefore, is not only a way to level your artisan skill but also a source of in-game resources and potential profit.
Fishing also ties into node mechanics. Nodes are player-driven towns, and fishing within a node's influence can provide additional benefits, including local commissions, XP bonuses, and access to artisan stations for processing or crafting fish. Understanding how nodes work and integrating fishing with node progression is a key strategy for efficient artisan advancement.
Getting Started: Unlocking Fishing
To begin fishing, players must unlock the fishing skill from their artisan skill tree. Once unlocked, the skill can be placed on the action bar for easy access. This skill allows players to cast a line into any suitable body of water, initiating the catch process.
Acquiring Your First Fishing Rod
Early quests often provide a basic fishing rod as a reward, allowing players to start fishing immediately. For instance, starter area quests may include fishing-focused objectives that provide rods or unlock the fishing ability. Players can also craft basic rods using materials gathered through the artisan system once their fishing skill reaches the required level.
Basic Fishing Mechanics
Fishing in the current state of the game is relatively simple. Players stand near a body of water, use their fishing ability to cast a line, and wait for the catch to complete. A progress bar or animation indicates when a fish has been caught, and the fish appears in the inventory. While fishing is semi-AFK in early stages, players are encouraged to monitor their activity to prevent inactivity penalties.
Fishing Gear and Tools
Fishing rods are central to the fishing profession. The quality of the rod directly influences catch speed, success rates, and the rarity of fish you can catch. As players level their fishing skill, they can craft or acquire higher-tier rods that improve efficiency and unlock more advanced fishing opportunities.
In addition to rods, specialized gear such as artisan clothing can provide bonuses to fishing speed, XP gain, and resource quality. For example, fisherman shirts, pants, and belts enhance your artisan efficiency and are often rewarded through quests or node contribution. Using the best available gear ensures faster progression and higher-quality catches. You can get them with cheap Ashes of Creation Gold.
Fish Species and Uses
Ashes of Creation features a wide variety of fish species, each with different uses. Early-game fish, such as largemouth bass or bluegill, are primarily used for cooking or minor crafting recipes. As players progress, higher-tier fish become available, including species that are rarer and more valuable.
Once caught, fish can be processed at a node's artisan station or cooking house. Processing transforms raw fish into fillets or other intermediate materials, which are then used to create consumables or higher-tier recipes. Cooked fish can provide buffs, restore health or mana, or be sold for profit. Understanding the value of different fish and their uses is key to maximizing your gains from fishing.
Advanced Fishing Mechanics: Sport and Deep-Sea Fishing
Beyond basic fishing, Ashes of Creation plans to introduce more advanced mechanics, including sport fishing and deep-sea fishing. These mechanics introduce interactivity and skill-based challenges, rewarding players who master timing, lure selection, and positioning.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing involves an interactive mini-game where players must actively manage their catch. Certain nodes or fishing locations can be "chummed," attracting rare fish and creating opportunities for multiple players to fish simultaneously. During sport fishing, players engage in timing-based mechanics to reel in fish, with larger or rarer fish presenting more challenging sequences.
Lures play a critical role in sport fishing, influencing the type of fish attracted and the success rate. Choosing the right lure for the fish you target can significantly improve efficiency. Sport fishing also encourages community interaction, as multiple players can fish together in the same location, creating social or competitive experiences.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Deep-sea fishing introduces high-risk, high-reward content. Players can venture into the ocean, often requiring boats and crew coordination, to catch rare and valuable fish not available in inland waters. Open-sea fishing may involve PvP risks, as other players can target vessels carrying rare catches. The rewards for deep-sea fishing include high-value fish, exclusive crafting materials, and items used in elite consumables.
Deep-sea fishing integrates with other gameplay systems, such as naval exploration, trade, and node contribution, making it a strategic choice for advanced players seeking rare resources.
Maximizing Fishing Efficiency
To level fishing efficiently, players should focus on several key strategies:
Upgrade Your Rod Promptly: Using the highest-tier rod available improves catch speed, success rates, and access to rarer fish.
Process Fish Frequently: Transforming raw fish into fillets or other processed materials provides additional XP and expands their usefulness.
Complete Artisan Quests: Fishing quests often reward XP, gear, or unique items that boost artisan progression.
Coordinate Sport Fishing: Participating in chummed sport fishing areas maximizes catch potential and can provide rare rewards.
Optimize Location: Fishing within a node's influence can provide bonuses, reduce travel time, and grant access to processing stations.
Use Buffs and Consumables: Certain foods, potions, or scrolls can improve fishing speed, skill gain, or resource quality.
By combining these strategies, players can progress their fishing skill rapidly while also gathering valuable resources for crafting, cooking, and economic purposes.
Fishing and the Economy
Fishing has significant economic potential in Ashes of Creation. Rare fish and processed materials can be sold for high value at vendors or player markets. Consumables created from fish may be in high demand, especially for buffs, health restoration, or other gameplay advantages.
Sport and deep-sea fishing introduce competitive markets for rare catches, while artisan-crafted items like specialized lures or chum may also become valuable commodities. Players who invest in fishing early can establish a steady income stream and contribute to their node's economic growth.
Future Developments
As Ashes of Creation continues development, fishing is expected to become increasingly complex and rewarding. Planned updates include expanded fish species, interactive sport fishing mechanics, deep-sea content, and integration with naval exploration and trade systems. These additions will make fishing not only a relaxing pastime but also a strategic and economically significant activity within the game.
Players who master fishing early will have an advantage in artisan skill progression, access to rare resources, and the ability to influence node economies and social dynamics.
Conclusion
Fishing in Ashes of Creation is a multifaceted profession that combines relaxation, strategy, and reward. From basic river and lake fishing to advanced sport and deep-sea mechanics, fishing allows players to gather valuable resources, craft consumables, contribute to nodes, and engage with other players.
By understanding the game's fishing mechanics, upgrading tools and gear, processing catches, and participating in community and competitive fishing events, players can efficiently level their fishing skill while gaining materials, XP, and economic advantages. Whether you are a casual fisherman or an artisan-focused player, mastering fishing adds depth to your experience in Verra and provides a unique way to engage with the world of Ashes of Creation.