Leveling in Ashes of Creation is slow by design, but you can still make it much faster if you play smart. You do not need to rush blindly or grind the wrong mobs for hours. If you plan your route, pick the right fights, and use your class strengths, you can save a huge amount of time.
This guide focuses only on adventuring levels. You will learn how to gain XP faster, where to grind solo, when to group up, and how to avoid common mistakes that slow you down.
How To Level Up Fast in Ashes Of Creation
The leveling speed mainly depends on three factors, which are killing speed, downtime, and moving between good spots. Wandering around in Ashes is not going to pay off. The game is about focus.
Using only one method will not be sufficient; instead, mix grinding, short quest bursts, and smart positioning.
Focus on PvE Grinding First
Grinding mobs is the most dependable and routine way to get XP. The respawn times are short, XP per kill is constant, and you are the one controlling the pace.
This is very effective when you are fighting mobs that you can kill within seconds without losing much health. Long fights lead to decreased hourly XP even when the mob is granting more XP.
You should aim for mobs that:
- Die fast
- Spawn close together
- Do not force you to rest often
Early on, simple creatures like creepers, flayers, frogs, spiders, and shardlings are far more efficient than elites.
Use Quests to Unlock Key Progress Early
Questing is not the fastest XP method, but it is still important early on. You should use quests mainly to:
- Reach level 3 quickly
- Unlock your first mount
- Get early gear and basic supplies
After that, quests are best used in short bursts when they are close to your grind area. Do not chase quests that send you far across the map unless they unlock something important.
Commission Board quests are the most useful since they often align with things you are already doing, like killing mobs or gathering.
Grouping Can Be Faster in the Right Situations
You do not need a group to level fast, but grouping helps in specific cases. XP is shared, but the game adds a group bonus that makes it worth it if kills are faster.
Grouping works best when:
- Farming elite mobs
- Clearing dense camps
- Using AoE-heavy builds
- Pairing DPS with a healer or tank
If your group slows down or fights over pulls, solo grinding is usually faster.
Do Not Ignore Side XP
Side XP does not replace grinding, but it stacks up over time. Gathering, crafting, and first-time actions all give XP.
You should always:
- Gather nodes while traveling
- Claim first-craft bonuses
- Do simple commissions near your grind zone
This keeps your XP flowing even when you are moving between spots.
How To Level Up Fast in Ashes Of Creation
Level 1–3: Starter Area and Mount Unlock
Go through the town’s quick tasks until you get a mount. A mount will save you hours of traveling time if you get it early.
Just do not stress out with this stage. Go on as soon as you can.
Level 3–7: Korra’Loch Bridge Area
This place is perfect for solo players, and ranged classes will especially love it. You can kite and have a safe fight with several mobs without getting affected if you have a good location.
Do not leave until you are sure the fights are no longer fast for you.
Level 7–10: Graveyards, Roads, and Outskirts
At this point of the game, you look for steady pulls that are not dangerous. Undead are good for the healers, while goblins and bandits are okay for most classes.
Make sure you stay away from mobs that deal serious damage or take a long time to recover from.
Level 10–15: Frog Areas Near the Hall of Judication
This spot is one of the best places to solo for XP in the game. Frogs provide good XP, have a low threat level, and drop important glint.
The self-healing classes can easily pull a lot of enemies to fight at once. Others should be pulling small groups but continuously moving.
Level 15–17: Carphin Island
Minotaurs and ravens respawn quickly and are easy to manage with decent gear. Rotate your route to avoid waiting on spawns.
This is a good time to upgrade gear using glint you have saved.
Level 17–21: Web Weavers Near Ursine Caves
These mobs are weak for their level and very AoE-friendly. You can run tight loops and keep killing without downtime.
This zone works well for almost every archetype.
Level 20–25: Shardlings in Lawless Zones
Shardlings offer some of the best XP per hour if you can survive. Self-healers shine here, while fragile classes should play carefully.
If this area feels too dangerous, return to spiders until your gear improves.
Best Classes for Fast Leveling
Classes that take shorter breaks between fights level up faster than those that take bigger breaks.
Currently, the strongest solo levelers are Bards because of their ability to heal passively, and they stay in combat longer than other classes. Fighters are close behind Bards, and level up fast thanks to their sustain and cleave damage.
As for Mages, they level up quickly as well, but they need to be using AoE and crowd control spells, especially in pairs.
Rangers bust down opponents quickly, but need to be more careful about their positioning. Clerics are slower, but they are slower and more safe than other classes.
Tanks are also slower because they kill opponents a lot more slowly, but they are more durable. Rogues are strong as well but are more effective if you manage the positioning and DoTs well.
If you are going for speed, the best class to choose is one that allows you to stay in combat more and not take breaks.
Smart Leveling Tips That Save Time
Small habits make a big difference over long grinds.
Spend your glint instead of hoarding it. Better gear means faster kills. Use shrines to reposition instead of walking long distances. Clear your inventory often so you do not have to stop mid-session.
Pull multiple weak mobs instead of one strong enemy. AoE damage almost always wins for XP per hour.
Above all, reduce downtime. Every second spent healing, running, or sorting bags is lost XP.
