Anno 1404 Complete Guide (129 Sections) | AntMag

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Welcome to Anno 1404, a deep city-builder where you'll master the art of medieval trade and resource management. From establishing your first settlement on a new island to navigating complex trade routes and fulfilling the demands of your citizens, you'll be constantly balancing production, consumption, and expansion. It's a historical simulation that rewards careful planning and efficient logistics.

This guide is here to help you conquer the early-game challenges, optimize your trade networks, and ensure your settlements thrive. We'll cover the essential steps to get your economy running smoothly and tackle the key objectives that will set you on the path to success in this rich RTS experience.

Wii Version:

Alright, so you've got Anno 1404 and you're playing on the Wii. No worries, it's pretty straightforward! You can use just the Wii Remote, or the Remote with the Nunchuk. Honestly, the Nunchuk doesn't add anything new, so I usually just stick with the Wii Remote by itself. It handles everything you need.

Wii Remote Controls:

Point: This is your main cursor. Use it to move around the map, especially when you're grabbing and scrolling.
A Button: This is your 'select' button in menus. It's also how you'll grab the map to move it (when you're not trying to select a building), examine buildings you're hovering over, and build stuff when you're in build mode. Plus, it scrolls through text and lets you select soldiers or change their numbers in military mode. Oh, and it's how you move your ship when you're captaining it!
B Button: This is your 'cancel' button in menus. It's also how you open the build menu if you're hovering over empty space, and you can even duplicate a building if you're hovering over an existing one.
D-pad Up: Quick access to tooltips – super handy for checking what things do.
D-pad Left/Right: These let you cycle through your warehouses.
D-pad Down: Switches you into Military Mode.
+ Button: Zoom In.
- Button: Zoom Out. Keep holding it, and you'll eventually open up the full map view.
1 Button: Opens the Map.
2 Button: Opens the Main Menu.

Nunchuk Controller:

Control Stick: Just scrolls the map around.
Z Button: Zooms In.
C Button: Zooms Out, eventually opening the map view like the '-' button on the Wii Remote.

Now, here's a neat trick: you can use a second Wiimote for a limited

DS Version:

Walkthrough

1
Use the stylus to tap items in menus, drag on empty space to scroll the map, and select buildings from the build menu.
2
To build, select from the build menu, drag the building to the desired location, lift the stylus, and tap the checkmark.
3
Tap on buildings to view options like clone and demolish.
4
Hold the stylus on a building or menu item to see a tooltip.
5
In Military Mode, tap to add Soldiers to your cursor.
6
Tap a ship and drag to move it.
7
Use Dpad Up or the X Button to scroll between Ships.
8
Use Dpad Down or the B Button to scroll between Warehouses.
9
Use Dpad Right or the A Button to open the Trade Menu.
10
Use Dpad Left or the Y Button to open the Build Menu.
11
Use the L Button or R Button to zoom in and out.
12
Press the Start Button to open the main Menu.

Tips

The buttons offer shortcuts, but there are fewer than in the Wii version, requiring more frequent use of menus.
All button shortcuts are the same regardless of which hand you use.

Goods

Goods are the most important aspect of Anno 1404; without them, you cannot have inhabitants, which means no taxes and no money. Many parts of the game's story mode also involve fulfilling certain goods quotas.

Essentially, your inhabitants have certain needs and demands for goods and Influence Buildings (covered later). Their demands are always equal to the needs of the level above them; for example, Pioneers demand the needs of Settlers. Your inhabitants will incrementally consume goods corresponding to both their needs and demands, if available.

Goods are broken down into three fundamental types.

Resources:

This guide covers the core gameplay mechanics of Anno 1404, applicable to continuous games, scenarios, and campaigns. It focuses on establishing and expanding your settlements efficiently.

Starting Out: If you begin with only a ship or an escort, purchase all available wood from Lord Northburgh's Warehouse. For an aggressive start, also buy all available tools.

Island Selection: Look for large, flat islands with no lakes, close to neutral ports, centrally located, and possessing Cider and Hemp fertility, along with at least two deposits each of Stone and Iron Ore. Settle on the southern end for initial deliveries.

First Settlement: Immediately build three woodcutters connected to your warehouse. Construct two Fisherman's Huts. Build a Marketplace and surround it with as many houses as you have wood for. Increase taxes to 'Happy' or 'Calm' as your population grows. Once you have 60 peasants, build one or two Cider farms to increase tax revenue and enable citizen ascension.

Exploration: Use your Flagship to explore the archipelago and claim desirable islands. Visit Northburgh to buy a Diplomatic Scroll and more wood and tools. Deliver the scroll to Al Zahir to receive a Caravel with essential supplies.

Resource Production: Prioritize producing Stone and Tools independently. Build Stonemason's huts and an Iron Ore mine, Charcoal burner, and Tool maker's workshops. Limit housing upgrades to conserve tools until production is stable.

Citizen Needs: Once Tools production is stable, satisfy Citizen needs for Linen Garments (Hemp Farms, Weavers Hut) and Ropes (Hemp Farms, Rope Yards). Set up a second Tools chain. Implement fire protection using Carpenters or Fire stations once your population exceeds 355.

Developing the Orient: Settle a large Oriental island with Spice and Date fertility. Build 10 Nomad Houses to enable Spice production. Establish Date plantations and deliver Spices to your northern island. Aim for 440 Nomads to unlock buildings and build Milk farms. Consider a Stonecutter's hut for local construction needs.

Northern Expansion: With Spices secured, your Citizens can ascend to Patricians. Settle new northern islands with Brine deposits, rivers, and Crop/Herb fertility. Establish production chains for Bread (Crop Farms, Mill, Bakery), Beer (Monastery Garden, Crop Farm, Monastery Brewery), and Leather Jerkins (Pig Farms, Salt Mine, Salt Works, Charcoal Burner, Tannery). Upgrade trading fleets with Honor points to improve trade frequency and volume.