Of Ash and SteelGuide
Of Ash and Steel character creation

Character Creation

Build your survivor and choose your path

Character Creation Overview

Of Ash and Steel features a classless character system where your build is determined by how you allocate attribute points and which skills you learn from NPC teachers. There are no predefined classes, allowing for maximum flexibility and hybrid builds. However, initial choices significantly impact your early game experience.

⚠️ Important: Skills Require NPC Teachers

Unlike many RPGs, you cannot simply purchase skills when you level up. You must find NPC teachers who will train you in specific skills for money, provided you meet the required attribute values. Plan your attribute allocation with this in mind.

The Five Core Attributes

Of Ash and Steel uses five primary attributes that define your character's capabilities. Expert players recommend choosing two as your core stats and distributing a few points to others as needed.

💪 Strength

Primary Effects: Melee damage, heavy weapon usage, lifting capacity

What It Does:

  • Increases melee weapon damage
  • Allows use of bulkier weapons and armor
  • Improves ability to lift heavy objects
  • Essential for frontline melee combat

Best For: Melee fighters, tanks, heavy armor users

Source: TheGamer

🎯 Dexterity

Primary Effects: Movement efficiency, ranged weapon damage, fancy swordwork

What It Does:

  • Crucial for bows and high-damage blade techniques
  • Improves movement and dodging ability
  • Better utilization of ranged weapons
  • Enables more agile combat styles

Best For: Archers, agile fighters, dual-wielders

Source: TheGamer

⚡ Stamina

Primary Effects: Running, swimming, dodging, fighting duration

What It Does:

  • Increases stamina pool for extended actions
  • Allows longer periods of running and swimming
  • More dodges and combat actions before exhaustion
  • Essential for all physical activities

Best For: All builds (universally important)

Source: GameSpot

🧠 Insight

Primary Effects: Critical hits, perception, dialogue advantages

What It Does:

  • Increases critical hit chance and damage
  • Improves perception and awareness
  • Provides advantages in dialogue choices
  • The "thinking player's stat" for clever tactics

Best For: Tactical players, diplomats, critical-focused builds

Source: TheGamer

🛡️ Fortitude

Primary Effects: Maximum health, damage resistance

What It Does:

  • Increases maximum health pool
  • Improves damage resistance
  • Enhances overall survivability
  • Critical for staying alive in dangerous encounters

Best For: Tanks, frontline fighters, beginners

Source: TheGamer

Community-Verified Starting Builds

These builds are based on community research and player experiences. Remember: choose two core stats and distribute supporting points to others.

🛡️ Strength Tank (Beginner-Friendly)

Playstyle: Frontline melee fighter with high survivability

Core Attributes:

  • Strength: Primary (heavy weapons, damage)
  • Fortitude: Primary (health, resistance)
  • Stamina: Secondary (combat endurance)
  • Dexterity: Minimal
  • Insight: Minimal

Advantages: Extra health and high Fortitude create room for mistakes. Best for learning the game.

Strategy: Absorb damage, use heavy weapons, wear the best armor you can find.

Recommended by: TheGamer Community Guide

⚡ Dexterity Skirmisher (Advanced)

Playstyle: Fast, agile fighter focused on speed and precision

Core Attributes:

  • Dexterity: Primary (speed, ranged damage)
  • Insight: Primary (crits, awareness)
  • Stamina: Secondary (mobility)
  • Strength: Minimal
  • Fortitude: Minimal

Advantages: High mobility, excellent ranged damage, critical hits. Veteran players love this path.

Strategy: Keep distance with bows, dodge frequently, exploit critical hits.

Popular among experienced players

⚔️ Balanced Warrior

Playstyle: Versatile fighter with no major weaknesses

Core Attributes:

  • Strength: Moderate
  • Dexterity: Moderate
  • Stamina: Moderate (essential for all builds)
  • Fortitude: Moderate
  • Insight: Light investment

Advantages: Flexibility to adapt to any situation. Can use most weapons and playstyles effectively.

Strategy: Adapt your approach based on the enemy and situation.

🎯 Precision Hunter

Playstyle: Long-range specialist with critical focus

Core Attributes:

  • Dexterity: Primary (bow damage, accuracy)
  • Insight: Primary (critical chance)
  • Stamina: Secondary (positioning)
  • Strength: Minimal
  • Fortitude: Minimal

Advantages: Maximum ranged damage, high critical hits, safe from a distance.

Disadvantages: Vulnerable in close combat, ammo-dependent.

Skill System and NPC Teachers

🎓 Critical Information: Finding Teachers

Of Ash and Steel does NOT allow you to buy skills on level-up like typical RPGs.

Instead, you must:

  1. Find an NPC teacher who trains in the specific skill you want
  2. Have enough gold to pay for the training
  3. Meet attribute requirements - certain attributes must be at specific values

This means you should plan your attributes around which skills you want to unlock, not just raw combat power.

Source: Antberry Character Guide

How Skills Work

  • Weapon Skills: Improve effectiveness with specific weapon types
  • Crafting Skills: Allow creation of better items and unlock recipes
  • Survival Skills: Camping, skinning, alchemy, and resource gathering
  • All skills must be learned from NPCs before you can use them

Leveling and Progression

What We Know About Progression

Note: Detailed leveling mechanics are still being documented by the community. Here's what we know:

  • You gain experience from combat, crafting, discovery, and completing objectives
  • Attributes can be improved through leveling (exact rate unconfirmed)
  • Skills improve through use and training from NPCs
  • No confirmed information on respecs or attribute reallocation

If you have verified information about the leveling system, please share it with the community!

Common Build Mistakes to Avoid

  • Spreading Too Thin: Focus on 2 core stats rather than distributing points evenly.
  • Ignoring Stamina: All builds need stamina. It's essential for combat, running, and dodging.
  • Not Planning for NPC Teachers: Consider which skills you want and what attributes they require.
  • Forgetting About Fortitude: Even agile builds need some survivability.
  • Min-Maxing Too Hard: Having extremely low stats creates exploitable weaknesses.

Tips from the Community

🎮 Player-Verified Advice

  • Listen to NPCs: They give hints about where to find items, other NPCs, and quest objectives.(NeonLightsMedia)
  • Use NPCs in Combat: If uncertain about defeating a creature, run toward villagers or guards - they'll help you fight.(NeonLightsMedia)
  • The Strength Tank build is the easiest path for beginners - extra health and high Fortitude create room for mistakes.
  • Veteran players tend to love the Dexterity Skirmisher path for its high skill ceiling.
Beginner GuideCombat System
Advertisement