---
title: "Century: Age of Ashes: Complete Guide"
game: "Century: Age of Ashes"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/century-age-of-ashes"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Maps", "Classes"]
summary: "A player's guide to Century: Age of Ashes, the free-to-play dragon combat game: how flying and fighting work, every rider class, the game modes and current rotating events, the maps, and how to climb from rookie to…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/century-age-of-ashes-complete-guide-c9b0b8bf"
published: "2026-09-27T17:55:08.894Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:55:08.894Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Century: Age of Ashes: Complete Guide

A player's guide to Century: Age of Ashes, the free-to-play dragon combat game: how flying and fighting work, every rider class, the game modes and current rotating events, the maps, and how to climb from rookie to legendary Dragoneer.

*Researched September 2026. Current as of the Infernal Chase event (24 September to 4 October 2026). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **It's free, and purchases are cosmetic only.** Skins and packs don't change stats. Wins come from skill and teamwork.
2. **Your two core attacks are fireballs and fire breath.** Fireballs are your ranged projectile. Fire breath (the flamethrower) is a short-range stream for finishing fights. Learn to lead your fireballs.
3. **Pick a class that matches your role.** Windguard supports and shields, Marauder tracks and destroys, Phantom stealths and traps, Stormraiser rushes with thunder, Thornweaver traps with vines, and Rimeblood (added in Season 3) controls with ice.
4. **Every class has a kit of Passive, Power, Ability and Rage.** Rage is the big one. Build it up and pop it at a decisive moment.
5. **Grab pickups.** Wind Blessings and Shields are scattered around maps and win fights.
6. **Never fly in a straight line under fire.** Dodge, turn and use terrain. Canyons, arches and ruins block shots.
7. **Stick with your team.** 6v6 and 3v3 modes reward focus fire. Lone dragons get hunted.
8. **Play the current event.** Playwing rotates limited-time modes almost every few weeks, often with exclusive rewards.
9. **Try Outbreak (PvE) to learn.** It's a low-pressure way to practise aiming and abilities.

## Platforms and Business Model

- Released in **Early Access on PC on 2 December 2021**, then on Xbox Series X/S (March 2022), Xbox One (July 2022), PlayStation (September 2022), and iOS and Android (June 2023).
- **Crossplay** is supported.
- **Free-to-play** with **cosmetic-only** purchases. Steam lists 17 cosmetic DLC packs.
- There's a premium currency bought with real money plus soft currencies earned by playing (check the in-game Shop for current names and rates). Spend premium currency only on cosmetics you actually want.
- Progression: a seasonal **Dragon Pass**, plus the free **Dragoneer's Advent** track (launched 15 April 2025, with 50 levels of free rewards).

## Combat Fundamentals

### Attacks

| Attack | Use |
|---|---|
| Fireball | Ranged projectile. Lead your target, since dragons are fast |
| Fire breath / flamethrower | Short-range stream. Finish damaged dragons and fight at close range |
| Class abilities | Passive, Power, Ability and Rage. Each class is different |

### Movement

- **Speed boosts** (and pickups like Wind Blessings) let you engage or escape.
- **Evasive manoeuvres** make you harder to hit. Use them when you see a fireball incoming or when you're being chased.
- **Altitude** is a tactical choice. Diving gains speed. Terrain breaks line of sight.
- **Tight turns** at speed let you swing around behind a chaser.

Controls differ between keyboard and mouse, controller and mobile, so check the in-game controls menu to see which button does what on your platform. Rebind evasive moves to something you can hit instantly.

### Pickups

- **Wind Blessings:** speed and movement boosts.
- **Shields:** absorb damage.
- In some event modes (for example Kingslayer), the King can't use pickups.

## Rider Classes

| Class | Role | Key identity |
|---|---|---|
| **Windguard** | Support/defence | Shields allies and disorients enemies. **Salvation Surge** gives a short speed boost followed by a shield buff |
| **Marauder** | Hunter/damage | Tracks and destroys targets. Its passive cooldown shortens further by killing NPCs in Spoils of War |
| **Phantom** | Stealth/trap | Goes invisible and sets traps. Great for ambushes and flag stealing |
| **Stormraiser** | Rusher | Charges in and thunder-shocks opponents. Added in Season 1 |
| **Thornweaver** | Control/defence | Vines and thorns. **Numbing Retaliation** (Passive) fires slowing projectiles; **Verdant Bulwark** (Power) is a defensive stance that releases poisonous spikes; **Bramble Wall** (Ability) creates a wall of thorns; **Verdant Bastion** (Rage) boosts defence and speed. Added in Season 2 |
| **Rimeblood** | Control/ice | Added in Season 3 ("Path of The Beast"). Uses **Hallowed Hailstorm** (Power) and **Hallowed Blizzard** (Rage) to slow enemies. Its slow duration was reduced after it was found too strong |

### Choosing a class

- **New players:** Marauder is straightforward damage. Windguard teaches team play.
- **Objective modes:** Phantom for Gates of Fire flag carries. Thornweaver or Rimeblood to slow carriers.
- **Deathmatch (Carnage):** Marauder and Stormraiser for picks. Windguard to keep teammates alive.
- **Survival (FFA):** Classes with escape tools and self-sustain.

## Game Modes

| Mode | Type | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| **Carnage** | PvP team deathmatch | Killing spree with special power-ups |
| **Gates of Fire** | PvP objective | Hold the flag and fly through gates to score |
| **Spoils of War** | PvP objective | Steal gold from carriers and the enemy while protecting your nest |
| **Survival** | PvP free-for-all | Every Dragoneer for themselves |
| **Outbreak** | PvE | Protect the towers of Hel's Breach against waves of enemies |
| **Racing** | Free-for-all race | Eight Dragoneers, three laps, pickups (event mode) |
| **Last Team Standing** | Team survival | Three teams of four, no respawns, revive fallen teammates (event mode) |

### 2026 event calendar so far

| Event | Dates | What it was |
|---|---|---|
| Trials of the Dragon (Lunar New Year) | From 12 February | Team event with the Thousand Lights Sanctuary map (festive version of Valkürian Sanctuary) |
| Crowning of Flames | 12 March to 2 April | Kingslayer variant of Carnage. One King per side in a Berserk state, one-minute reigns |
| Feast of Claws | From 9 April | Chaos free-for-all on Hunavatn Lake, Aldrün Sanctuary and Sarghildian Creek |
| Gold Rush (Plunder) | Until 28 May | Spoils of War variant where gold carriers don't respawn, so you steal from enemy coffers |
| Last Team Standing | From 2 July | Three squads of four, no respawns |
| The Last Bastion | 30 July to 20 August | Outbreak-style defence: 10 waves, or face the Parasite Queen |
| Circuit of Champions | 27 August to 17 September | Dragon Racing returns: eight racers, three laps |
| **Infernal Chase** | **24 September to 4 October** | Gates of Fire in 4v4 battles |

Events usually come with exclusive cosmetics and rewards, so check the in-game event tab.

## Maps

Maps referenced in official posts include **Hunavatn Lake**, **Aldrün Sanctuary**, **Sarghildian Creek**, **Valkürian Sanctuary** (and its Lunar variant **Thousand Lights Sanctuary**), **Eilean Càirn**, **SnaerFell Rift**, **Morag Marshlands** and **Titan's Alley**.

Map tips:

- **Learn pickup locations.** Shields and Wind Blessings respawn.
- **Use canyons and ruins** to break line of sight.
- **Know the gate routes** in Gates of Fire and the nest approaches in Spoils of War.

## Mode Strategy

### Gates of Fire (and the Infernal Chase event)

- **The flag carrier is the win condition.** Protect yours and hunt theirs.
- **Phantoms and fast classes** make good carriers.
- **Slow the enemy carrier** with Thornweaver or Rimeblood.
- **Chain gates** to rack up points before escorts arrive.

### Spoils of War

- **Kill the gold carriers** (NPCs), then bank the gold at your nest.
- **Guard your nest.** Losing gold to raids swings games.
- **In Plunder**, carriers don't respawn, so the game becomes raiding the enemy.

### Carnage

- **Focus fire.** Two dragons on one target wins trades.
- **Grab power-ups** and deny them to enemies.

### Outbreak

- **Defend towers together.** Split only when waves split.
- **Save Rage for big waves or bosses** like the Parasite Queen in The Last Bastion.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Flying straight.** You're an easy target.
- **Ignoring pickups.** Shields and Wind Blessings win trades.
- **Solo diving** into multiple enemies.
- **Using Rage too early.** Save it for team fights.
- **Picking the wrong class for the mode.**
- **Buying cosmetics expecting power.** They're purely cosmetic.
- **Skipping events.** They give free rewards.

## Advanced Tips

- **Lead fireballs.** Aim where the dragon will be.
- **Bait with terrain.** Chasers crash into obstacles or lose line of sight.
- **Coordinate Rage.** Two Rages at once wins fights.
- **Use fire breath to finish.** It's strong up close.
- **Watch the kill feed and scoreboard** for who's fed and needs focus.
- **Communicate** with your team via pings and chat.
- **Practise in Outbreak and custom games.**

## FAQ

**Is Century: Age of Ashes free?**
Yes. It's free-to-play with cosmetic-only purchases.

**Is it crossplay?**
Yes, across supported platforms.

**What's the best class?**
It depends on the mode and team. Marauder for damage, Windguard for support, Phantom for objectives, Thornweaver or Rimeblood for control.

**What's the current event?**
Infernal Chase (24 September to 4 October 2026): Gates of Fire in 4v4 battles.

**Is there PvE?**
Yes. Outbreak, and The Last Bastion as an event variant.

**Does it have a battle pass?**
Yes, seasonal Dragon Passes, plus the free Dragoneer's Advent track.

**Is Century on mobile?**
Yes. iOS and Android versions launched in June 2023.

## Sources

- [Century: Age of Ashes on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/918570/Century_Age_of_Ashes/)
- [Century: Age of Ashes Steam news (events, patch notes, class changes)](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/918570)
- [Century: Age of Ashes on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century:_Age_of_Ashes)