Systems guide

ArcheAge Chronicles Progression Explained

A plain-English summary of XLGAMES' October 15 progression post: levels, stats, weapon traits and the collectibles that feed them.

Updated October 23, 2026·By the AAC Atlas team·How we source data

How does progression work in ArcheAge Chronicles?

ArcheAge Chronicles splits progression into two tracks. Levels come from EXP — mostly quests, discoveries and points of interest — and every level gives stat points across Strength, Agility, Constitution, Intelligence, Talent and Endurance. Trait points are separate: they come from Raeven's Coilstones, each next to a powerful boss, and you spend them in a trait tree for each weapon. Traits add stats, unlock new skills or change how skills work, so two players with the same greatsword can fight very differently. On top of that, Nui Tears raise max HP at Nui Statues, chests give gear and recipes, field bosses drop accessories and unique materials, and finishing a zone's Hersander's Towers unlocks the timed Hereafter Challenge with a leaderboard.

Levels → stat points
Coilstones → trait points
One trait tree per weapon
Nui Tears → max HP
Hereafter Challenge leaderboard

Stats

Stat	Effect
Strength	Raises physical attack.
Agility	Raises critical hit chance and adds physical attack.
Constitution	Raises HP and resistance to critical hits.
Intelligence	Raises magic attack.
Talent	Supports magic attack and lets you use better equipment without penalties.
Endurance	Raises stamina and defense.

Weapon trait trees

Every weapon type has its own tree. Most nodes are small stat boosts; some add brand-new skills; some change an existing skill. XLGAMES' greatsword example: the damage branch unlocks Armor Break and turns Sunder into Sweeping Slash (hits twice with a wider arc), while the defensive branch adds Pummel Strike, an attack you can use while guarding that grants a damage-absorbing shield.

Where the power comes from

Thing	Gives	Where
Raeven's Coilstone	Trait points	Next to a powerful boss — open world, hidden, or quest-gated
Nui Tear	Max HP (at a Nui Statue)	Tucked all over the open world
Treasure chest	Gear, rare recipes	In plain sight or hidden; once per character
Field boss	Gear incl. accessories, unique materials	Roaming the open world
Hersander's Tower	Unique accessory + Hereafter Challenge	A set in every zone, each with a riddle
Dungeon	Challenge and loot	Instanced for up to 4; soloable

Track all of these on the collectibles checklist and the interactive map.

Hersander's Tower and the Hereafter Challenge

Hersander is the god of gambling. Each tower gives a riddle describing the item it wants. Satisfy every tower in a zone to get a unique accessory and unlock the Hereafter Challenge: a random, souped-up version of one of that zone's bosses, against the clock, with clear times on a leaderboard.

Subject to change

XLGAMES says point costs, tree layouts and which skills get alternate versions will likely change with player feedback during Early Access.

Frequently asked questions

Do you get trait points from leveling?＋

No. XLGAMES split traits off from character level; they come from Raeven's Coilstones.

Are traits per class or per weapon?＋

Per weapon. A class's two weapons have completely separate trees.

How many players can enter a dungeon?＋

Up to four. Dungeons are instanced, quest progress is shared, and you can also go solo.

Keep reading

Weapons & traits →

All eight weapons and what they do.

Collectibles checklist →

Coilstones, Nui Tears, chests, towers.

Beginner guide →

Your first hours, step by step.