ArcheAge Chronicles Trading and Trade Runs

How Trade Runs Work

XLGAMES kept the familiar trade mechanics from the original ArcheAge. You create trade goods, load them on a wagon or cart, and sell them in a different region. The official Trade Run Gameplay video shows a wagon on an open-world route.

XLGAMES says new variables have been designed into the transport process. Testers reacting to the footage noticed the wagons now have more physics instead of moving like a solid block.

• Make trade goods
• Load them on a wagon or cart
• Travel an open-world trade route
• Sell them in another region

Trading and Crafting

A developer blog calls trading an essential mechanism for supplying the materials crafting needs. That ties trade runs directly to the player economy. If you plan to craft, trading feeds it.

See the crafting guide for gathering tools, recipes and material tiers.

Defending Trade Routes

Steam and the Xbox Store both describe trading and defending open-world routes with allies. Running goods with friends or a guild makes the route safer. Company and guild activities are part of Early Access.

Parties hold up to four players and stay together across channels. See the PvP guide for how channels work.

Risk, Reward and Trade-Route PvP

XLGAMES has said trade runs will involve risk and reward, with PvP encounters becoming more likely as the stakes rise. It wants competition to grow more intense in higher-level trade zones.

That trade-route PvP is still early planning. In Early Access, PvP only happens in opt-in Conflict channels, which you join at a Nui Statue.

Trading Wasn't in the Demo

The Steam Next Fest demo left out both housing and trading, which were a big part of the original ArcheAge. Both are included in the November 3 Early Access launch.

That means no one has public hands-on details of Early Access trade runs yet. We will add specific routes and goods once players map them.

What Is Still Unconfirmed

Several systems from the original game haven't been confirmed for Chronicles. That includes the Labor resource and ocean trade with ships. Don't assume they work as they did before.

XLGAMES plans expanded life and community content during Early Access. A development roadmap is expected around launch.

Getting Started With Trading

Follow the main story, which starts with joining a trading company, and gather materials as you go. Buy the gathering tools early from the Wayfaring Camp. Team up with friends or a guild for longer runs.

The map guide covers the three regions trade goods move between, and the housing guide covers the other big life system.

Company and Guild Activities

Company and guild activities are part of Early Access. In PvP channels, members of your party and guild can't attack you, which matters on dangerous routes. Parties hold up to four players and stay together across channels.

XLGAMES hasn't detailed every company feature yet. Since the story begins with you joining a trading company, expect trade to sit close to the main questline.

Trading Checklist

Until players map exact routes and prices, these general steps come from what XLGAMES has shown.

• Gather and craft the materials your trade goods need
• Make trade goods
• Load them on a wagon or cart
• Bring friends or guildmates to defend the route
• Sell in another region

Official Trailer

▶ Official media

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