Greetings, adventurers!

Thank you for all the questions you left for us on Steam and Discord for Of Ash and Steel. With today we conclude our Q&A Session with the Devs with Part 4, but we will repeat this for sure in the future!

Q: Is Of Ash and Steel a linear game, or can players deviate from the main objective and alter the outcomes?
A: Of course, it’s an RPG. Everything is in your hands, and your decisions will affect many things.

Q: How deeply are interactivity and immersion developed in Of Ash and Steel?
A: As much as possible. From small activities like fishing to simply sitting down and playing the guitar.

Q: Will NPCs sleep at night so the player can rob their houses and chests?
A: Yes. But it’s better to come during the day when everyone is at work...

Q: Will there be many quests with branching paths? How many of these will be part of the main storyline? Are there any unique or even secret solutions in quests?
A: Quite a lot. We’ve paid great attention to this. You can expect many tasks that require careful exploration.

Q: Will there be enemies (among humans) larger than the main character, like "big guys"?
A: Yes, the big guys are here.

Q: How big is the game world?
A: It’s big enough to keep exploring interesting even after 100 hours, but not so bloated that exploration feels like a chore.

Q: Are the seven islands and seven gods somehow connected?
A: Everything is connected. And there are seven days in a week too...

Q: Will the game feature real estate and the ability to customize it?
A: Yes! At some point, you’ll be able to purchase your own estate in a dilapidated state and gradually improve it, gaining great bonuses and even rare herbs from your garden. And where there’s a flourishing estate, there are people who want to take it from you...

Q: Will the game have survival elements, like the need to sleep or eat?
A: Yes, but within reason. At the start, you’ll need to monitor hunger, thirst, and fatigue, but over time, these stats will grow. At that point, survival mechanics will feel more like an opportunity to buff your character before a tough fight.

Q: Will there be a library in the city? What about arenas or brothels?
A: Yes, you can find all of these along the way, including a library and a bookstore in the city.

Q: Will there be crafting for jewelry (rings, amulets)?
A: Of course.

Q: Will we encounter underground monster bosses in the game, like the Minecrawler Queen from Gothic?
A: Yes. Beware of crypts, and don’t go in without a torch.

Q: Will the game feature crossbows, or only bows?
A: You’ll find both crossbows and bows in the game.

Q: How are crossbows different from bows in the game?
A: Crossbows take longer to reload but offer a wider variety of ammunition and greater stopping power.

Q: Will weapons bounce off heavy armor when struck and produce different sounds depending on the armor type?
A: Generally, the sturdier the armor looks, the more damage it absorbs. Sounds depend not only on the armor type but also on the weapon type you use to attack — we’ve put a lot of effort into this.

Q: Will weapons wear out and break? If so, will broken weapons be irreparable if left unfixed?
A: No, weapons don’t wear out. However, you can reinforce weapons and armor, making them permanently better.

Q: How is lockpicking implemented?
A: We have two types of locks: standard and complex. For standard locks, you need to turn the lockpick to the end while carefully adjusting its angle as you feel resistance. For complex locks, you’ll need to find a special key and turn it in the correct directions the proper number of times.

Q: What about stealing and stealth mechanics?
A: We have a mini-game for this. Approach a character and start rummaging through their pockets. You’ll see a pouch with 9 slots. Carefully feel around to find the items you need while avoiding danger zones. The higher your agility, the lower your chances of being caught.

Q: Can players roleplay as villains and scoundrels?
A: You can’t play as an outright sadist or villain, but you can roleplay as a cunning and money-hungry character. Plus, some of your decisions will determine the fate of entire communities.

Q: Will there be an option to perform stealth kills and hide bodies?
A: The game offers plenty of ways to reduce enemy numbers through dirty tricks, such as dropping barrels on their heads or collapsing unstable structures. However, hiding bodies is not possible.

Q: In one of the trailers, the hero used acceleration to deliver a surprise attack behind an enemy. The movement was highlighted with a magical silhouette. Is this Ancient Knowledge? If I play as a warrior, can I complete the game without using such magical abilities?
A: That’s one of the skills, yes. You can avoid using it in combat, but for warriors, it costs nothing to use, although it does have a long cooldown.

Q: Will there be dirty fighting skills, like throwing sand in an enemy's eyes or kicking them?
A: Yes! The survival skill tree covers this. You’ll be able to throw sand, make quick dagger throws, coat weapons with poison, use the environment to your advantage, and more.

Q: Is there a punishment system for crimes?
A: Yes, and each region has its own system of law and order.

Q: Can players commit crimes and go unpunished if done discreetly?
A: A good thief is one who doesn’t get caught.

Q: Will the game be optimized for weaker PCs?
A: We’re doing our best to optimize everything possible. This is an important point for us.

Once again, thank you for your questions and interest in the project, we can't wait to reveal you more about Of Ash and Steel!