Ashes of Creation Commission Board Quests Guide
Ashes of Creation, the highly anticipated MMORPG by Intrepid Studios, offers a living, breathing world where player actions directly shape the environment. One of the most dynamic systems in the game is the node system-player-driven settlements that evolve from humble campsites into sprawling metropolises based on activity, quests, and contributions. At the heart of this system lies the Commission Board, a set of repeatable quests designed to provide quick progression, encourage exploration, and feed the growth of the world itself. Understanding how to navigate, prioritize, and efficiently complete these commissions is crucial for new and veteran players alike. This guide will walk you through every aspect of Commission Board quests, from accessing boards to maximizing rewards and node impact.
What Are Commission Board Quests
Commission Board Quests, also called commissions or tasks, are simple, single-objective quests that players can complete repeatedly. Unlike the elaborate story-driven or hidden side quests that reward exploration and lore, commissions act as bite-sized objectives designed for rapid engagement. They provide:
Character XP for adventuring progression
Artisan profession XP for crafting and gathering
Glint currency (Dull or regular) for gold or gear purchases
Items including materials or consumables
Node contributions, helping settlements grow
Commissions encourage players to participate in multiple aspects of the game world-combat, gathering, crafting, and exploration-while dynamically responding to world states like weather, time of day, and in-game events. Boards refresh roughly every 30 minutes, ensuring a steady stream of activities to engage players continuously.
Accessing Commission Boards
Commission Boards are typically found in nodes, which are central settlements that grow as players contribute. For beginners, Lionhold is a perfect starting point. The primary board is located on the north side of the town, next to Billmaster Harold. Interacting with the glowing UI on the board opens a menu of available commissions.
As nodes evolve, additional boards become accessible based on the node's stage and the presence of service buildings:
Level 1 (Crossroads) - Adventure board only
Level 2 (Encampment) - Adventure + Artisan boards
Level 3+ (Village/Town) - Adventure, Artisan, Hunting, and Mayoral boards
Specific Board Locations
Hunting Board - Found outside the Hunting Lodge (look for dragon statues on the roof), providing combat-oriented quests.
Artisan Boards - Typically near marketplaces, focusing on resource gathering or item delivery.
Mayoral Board - Outside City Hall, offering strategic tasks that affect the entire node.
These specialized boards ensure that players of all playstyles can find relevant content. The commission board UI categorizes quests by type and rarity, allowing players to quickly identify suitable objectives.
Types of Commissions
Commissions are divided into several categories, each marked with an icon for easy identification:
1. Adventure/Exploration (Spyglass Icon)
These quests encourage players to survey areas, reach specific locations, or perform light gathering. Adventure commissions often introduce players to new regions and hidden mechanics in the game world.
2. Hunting/Combat (Skull Icon)
Combat-focused tasks require players to defeat mobs, bosses, or groups of enemies. For example, a repeatable quest might instruct you to hunt "The Bone Crusha", a nearby miniboss. These commissions are ideal for XP farming or testing combat strategies.
3. Artisan (Crate Icon)
Artisan commissions revolve around gathering resources, crafting items, or delivering goods. While gathering progress often tracks automatically, deliveries must be turned in at a nearby Artisan Commission Depot. These quests help level crafting professions while simultaneously contributing to the local economy.
4. Mayoral
These tasks are issued by the elected mayor of a node and focus on strategic, large-scale goals. Completing them provides reputation, buffs, unique vendors, and storage access, benefiting the entire settlement. Mayoral commissions tie player activity to the larger community, making them unique among commission types.
Rarity Tiers
Commissions come in three rarity tiers, which influence difficulty and rewards:
Grey - Easiest, basic rewards
Green - Moderate difficulty and XP
Blue - Challenging, best XP, and Glint rewards; often worth grouping for completion
All commissions are repeatable, meaning they provide steady progression for both personal character growth and node advancement.
Accepting, Tracking, Completing, and Turning In Commissions
Accepting Commissions
Interact with the board and browse available quests. Players can accept up to ~5 commissions initially, while the journal can hold up to 30 quests at once.
Track desired commissions in your Journal by pressing J. You can track up to 9 quests for map markers. Extra quests can be manually located via map or community resources.
Completing Commissions
Travel to the objective zone indicated in the commission. Most objectives include killing mobs, exploring locations, or gathering items.
Progress is tracked automatically, particularly for kills and gathering.
Turning In Commissions
Adventure and Hunting commissions typically do not require returning to the board. Complete the objective, open your journal, and click "Complete Commission" to claim rewards.
Artisan deliveries require a Commission Depot turn-in. Be cautious with high-value or rare items, as submitting them may waste resources.
Rewards and Node Impact
Commissions reward more than just XP. Completing them affects your character and the world:
Character XP - Helps level adventuring abilities
Artisan XP - Progresses gathering and crafting professions
Glint Currency - Used to buy gear or sold for Ashes of Creation gold at equipment vendors
Items - Materials, consumables, and occasionally rare items
Node Contributions - Pushes settlements toward higher levels, unlocking new buildings, services, and citizen benefits
Higher rarity commissions, especially blue ones, offer superior rewards. Mayoral commissions are especially rewarding, granting Script currency, buffs, and city-wide benefits.
Importantly, completing commissions collectively advances node progression, shaping the game world and drawing players to active zones.
Tips and Strategies for Efficiency
Early Game
Focus on grey repeatable quests for fast XP. For example, hunting "The Bone Crusha" near Lionhold is a great starting point.
Combine commission objectives with general grinding or gathering.
Tracking Optimization
Stick to 9 tracked commissions for optimal map navigation.
Use the "Show on Map" function for extra quests outside the main tracked list.
Grouping
Form parties for blue rarity or boss kills to speed completion and reduce risk.
XP Maximization
Accumulate multiple commissions before turning them in, then activate Adventuring XP scrolls to maximize gains.
Economic Tips
Sell Glint regularly to acquire armor or weapons.
Avoid submitting rare materials to Artisan Depots unless specifically needed.
Exploration Synergy
Commissions often lead to dynamic world content, including hidden events or side quests. Stay alert while completing tasks.
Daily Flow
Accept a batch of commissions, complete them efficiently in loops (combat zones or gathering routes), turn in, then repeat.
Leverage node loyalty and citizen perks for bonus rewards.
Mayoral Commissions: Strategy and Community Impact
Mayoral commissions provide a layer of strategy beyond personal XP or loot. Citizens completing these quests help the mayor achieve city-wide goals, such as unlocking services, buffs, and unique vendors. Participation in mayoral commissions ties individual effort to community success, encouraging cooperative gameplay and node development planning. Players who engage actively in these tasks shape the political and economic landscape of their nodes.
Commission Board quests are the backbone of Ashes of Creation's progression system. They offer a seamless blend of personal growth, world exploration, and node development. From beginner-friendly grey quests to challenging blue hunts and strategic mayoral missions, commissions provide something for every type of player. Mastering the boards early ensures efficient leveling, strong artisan profession growth, and meaningful contributions to node development.
In a world where player actions directly influence the environment, Commission Boards keep the game dynamic, rewarding, and community-oriented. By understanding their mechanics, prioritizing efficiently, and engaging with the evolving world, players can maximize both personal and communal benefits. Whether you're grinding for XP, crafting rare Ashes of Creation items, or shaping a node's future, mastering commissions is key to thriving in the living, breathing world of Ashes of Creation.
MMOexp AoC Team