How to start playing Ashes of the Colony

1. Choose how to play

Training grounds (play now): instant, offline, no account — but nothing is saved. Online characters: create an account to keep characters; the shared online world is still in testing.

2. Learn the controls

• Move: WASD / arrow keys, or the joystick on touch screens.
• Target: click or tap a monster.
• Basic attack: Space. Skills: keys 1–4 or the action-bar buttons.
• Panels: I for inventory, J for quests, M for the map, Esc to close.
• Talk to NPCs by walking up to them and using the talk button that appears.

3. Pick a class

Knight is the safest first pick; Archer rewards keeping distance; Sorcerer hits hardest but dies fastest. Full numbers on the classes page.

4. Your first quests

1. Welcome to Greenhaven — Speak with Guide Elowen beside the village fountain. Reward: 30 XP, 20 gold.
2. Forest Cleanup — Defeat five Forest Slimes in Whispering Forest. Reward: 120 XP, 45 gold.
3. A Hunter’s Request — Collect three Forest Hides from boars and wolves. Reward: 140 XP, 60 gold.
4. Lost Supplies — Find the supply chest by the forest river. Reward: 100 XP, 35 gold.
5. The Forgotten Ruins — Reach level 3, enter the ruins and defeat a Ruin Guardian. Reward: 260 XP, 100 gold.

5. Combat tips

• Fight one slime at a time at first; Forest Slimes are the weakest monsters.
• Watch mana — basic attacks are free, skills are not.
• Buy Health Potions from the village trader before heading to the ruins.
• Reach level 5 to unlock your fourth skill.

6. Where to go next

Follow the road east into the Whispering Forest, then the Forgotten Ruins. Read about every region on the world page.