The Castle System Explained: How Territory Control Works in Lineage 2

If you've ever wondered how the castle system works in Lineage 2, you're not alone. Many players see castles as just fancy buildings on the map, but they're actually the backbone of the game's economic and political systems. Let me break down everything you need to know about castles, taxes, and why controlling one can change your entire gameplay experiance.

Understanding the Basic Castle Structure

When you look at the map in Lineage 2, you'll notice several key locations: Gludio Town and Gludio Castle, Giran Town and Giran Castle, Dion Town and Dion Castle. The pattern might seem obvious at first, but here's where it gets intresting—not every town has its own castle.

Some castles actually control multiple towns, creating a web of economic influence across the game world. However, in most cases, the relationship is pretty much one-to-one. Each major town typically falls under the jurisdiction of one primary castle, which becomes incredibly important when we talk about taxes and economic control.

How Castle Ownership Works

Here's something many new players don't realize: when a server first starts, all castles are controlled by NPCs. They're neutral territory, waiting to be conquered. This is where the real game begins.

To take control of a castle, your clan needs to participate in a castle siege. This isn't something you can just walk into—you need to officially sign up for the siege, gather your forces, and compete against other clans who want the same prize. The clan that successfully completes the siege becomes the proud owner of that castle and, more importantly, gains control over all the towns that castle governs.

Let's take Giran Castle as an example. When a clan conquers Giran Castle, they gain control over Giran Town. Now, you might think "okay, so what?"—but this is where things get really interesting from an economic standpoint.

The Tax System: Where Real Power Lies

Once your clan owns a castle, you gain the ability to set up taxes in all the cities that castle controls. Every NPC shop in those towns becomes subject to your tax rates. When players buy items from NPC merchants, a portion of that transaction goes directly to the castle's coffers.

The system works like this: aproximately 60% of the collected taxes flow back to the castle treasury. Now, I'll be honest with you—the tax revenue itself isn't necessarily going to make you rich overnight. The amounts can be modest depending on server activity and player population.

However, and this is crucial, tax control is extremely important for reasons beyond just the immediate revenue. It gives your clan economic leverage, influences server politics, and creates a steady income stream that can fund your clan's activities, wars, and development.

Why Castle Ownership Matters

Beyond the taxes, controlling a castle gives your clan several strategic advantages. You control the economic heartbeat of entire regions. Players who operate in your territories are essentially contributing to your clan's wealth with every transaction. This creates a power dynamic that extends far beyond simple combat superiority.

The prestige alone can attract strong players to your clan. Everyone wants to be part of the ruling power, and castle ownership signals that your clan has the organization, strength, and strategic thinking to compete at the highest level.

Strategic Considerations for Castle Sieges

If you're thinking about participating in a castle siege, preparation is everything. You need to coordinate with your clan members, understand the siege mechanics, and have a clear strategy going in. Remember, you're not just fighting NPCs in the initial takeover—you're establishing your clan as a major power on the server.

Once you own a castle, defending it becomes your next challenge. Other clans will want what you have, and castle sieges can become regular events where you need to prove your dominance repeatedly.

Making the Most of Your Castle

If your clan successfully takes a castle, smart tax management is key. Set rates too high, and you might drive economic activity to other towns. Set them too low, and you're leaving resources on the table. Finding the right balance requires understanding your server's economy and player behavior.

The castle system in Lineage 2 creates a dynamic, player-driven political and economic landscape. Whether you're fighting to take your first castle or defending one you've held for months, understanding these mechanics gives you a significant advantage over clans who just see castles as another objective to check off.