How Many Players Are in a Castle Siege Match?
Each castle siege match supports up to 200 players, split into two teams of 100 versus 100.
In practice, this is one of the main reasons the mode exists. Large-scale PvP creates stress on servers, movement systems, and combat calculations. Most players notice that fights are chaotic, especially near choke points like gates, walls, and capture zones.
Players can usually invite up to 20 guildmates into a match. This means you might see small organized groups inside much larger teams. In general, guild coordination helps, but it does not fully control the flow of a 100-player team.
How Long Do Castle Siege Matches Last?
Castle siege matches are expected to last around 30 to 35 minutes.
However, the actual match length can change depending on control points captured during the match. In general, teams that capture and hold objectives efficiently can shorten or extend the match time.
Most players find this length reasonable. It is long enough for multiple pushes and counterattacks, but short enough that losing early does not feel hopeless.
Where Do Castle Sieges Take Place?
Castle sieges take place in and around large, destructible castles.
These castles are not just visual backdrops. Walls, gates, and structures can be damaged or destroyed. In general, this changes how players move through the battlefield over time.
Early in a match, defenders usually rely on walls and narrow entrances. As the siege progresses, broken sections create new paths, forcing defenders to adapt. Most players notice that the battlefield feels more open and dangerous near the end of a match.
How Does Gameplay Work During a Siege?
Gameplay in Apocalypse castle sieges focuses on capturing and defending control points while managing large-scale combat.
In general, attackers push toward objectives inside the castle, while defenders try to slow them down using positioning and numbers. Most players spend a lot of time fighting over gates, stairways, and interior courtyards.
Unlike small PvP modes, individual performance matters less. Usually, success comes from group movement, timing pushes together, and maintaining pressure on objectives.
What Role Do Class Kits Play?
Class kits are used during Apocalypse castle siege testing instead of full MMO class progression.
This means players choose from predefined kits with specific abilities and roles. In general, this keeps the testing environment controlled and makes it easier to compare performance across matches.
Most players notice that class kits encourage clear roles, such as frontline fighters, ranged damage, and support. However, because this is a test environment, balance is not final, and some kits may feel stronger or weaker depending on the situation.
Can Guilds Challenge Each Other Directly?
There has been discussion about allowing players to host siege sessions and challenge specific opponents or guilds after the launch of the castle siege mode.
If implemented, this would mainly support organized testing and competitive play. In general, most players expect this feature to be more useful for guild training or structured events rather than casual matchmaking.
During Apocalypse testing, most matches are formed automatically, with limited control over team composition.
How Is This Different From Castle Sieges in the MMORPG?
Apocalypse castle sieges are a smaller-scale slice of what the full Ashes of Creation MMORPG aims to deliver.
According to developer explanations, the overall flow of attacking and defending a castle is intended to remain similar. However, several systems are missing or simplified in Apocalypse.
In the MMORPG, sieges are expected to include:
Settlement influence over available defenses
Crafting and deploying custom siege weapons
Summoning siege monsters
Long-term consequences tied to world progression
In general, Apocalypse removes these layers so players and developers can focus on core combat and objective mechanics.
How Did Alpha-1 Castle Sieges Use Apocalypse Systems?
The Alpha-1 implementation of castle sieges in the MMORPG was largely based on Apocalypse siege testing.
This means many mechanics, such as player counts, control points, and destructible environments, were first explored in Apocalypse. Most players who participated in both noticed familiar patterns in movement, combat flow, and choke point design.
In general, Apocalypse served as a proving ground, allowing developers to identify technical limits and gameplay issues before integrating sieges into the persistent world.
How Do Players Usually Approach Castle Siege Matches?
Most players approach Apocalypse castle sieges with a short-term mindset.
Because there is no long-term progression tied to the mode, players usually focus on:
Practicing large-scale PvP
Learning positioning and group movement
Testing class kits in chaotic fights
Some players also use the mode to prepare for future MMORPG sieges. Others simply enjoy the structured large battles without the risk of long-term loss.
It is also common to see players experimenting with builds or strategies they would not risk in the main game.
Does Progression or Economy Matter in Siege Mode?
In Apocalypse castle siege mode, progression and economy are mostly disconnected from the experience.
Unlike the MMORPG, players do not gather resources, build settlements, or manage long-term wealth. In general, this keeps the focus on combat mechanics rather than preparation.
That said, discussions about the MMO often lead players to think about future resource needs. You may sometimes see unrelated mentions in the community, such as players talking about how they plan to buy AoC gold online with fast delivery from U4N, but this has no direct impact on Apocalypse siege gameplay itself.
What Is the Main Purpose of Apocalypse Castle Sieges?
The main purpose of Apocalypse castle sieges is testing.
They help developers understand:
How 200-player battles perform
How destructible environments affect flow
How objectives shape large-scale combat
For players, the value usually comes from experience rather than rewards. Most players treat the mode as a preview of what large sieges could feel like in the full MMORPG.
Castle Siege Mode
Ashes of Creation Apocalypse castle siege mode is best viewed as a functional test rather than a finished feature.
In general, it gives players a clear idea of how castle sieges might work, while leaving out deeper systems that belong in the MMORPG. Most players who enjoy large-scale PvP find it useful for learning positioning, coordination, and the chaos of siege combat.
As development continues, the lessons learned from Apocalypse siege testing are expected to shape more complex and meaningful castle sieges in the final game.