Part 9

Learn about managing fish, iron, grain, cattle, sheep, and bees in The Settlers: Rise of an Empire. Optimize your resource production and settlement growth.

This section covers various resource-gathering buildings and their mechanics in The Settlers: Rise of an Empire.

Fish: Fishermen's huts gather fish, which respawn over time but can be overfished. Winter may freeze water, halting fishing, but stockpiles usually suffice. Fish are primarily used by the Smokehouse. Most settlements need only one hut.

Iron Miner: Iron mines function like stone quarries but yield iron ore, which does not replenish. Each mine starts with 250 iron. Placing two miners per mine doubles income and is crucial for quickly depleting mines in contested outer territories to prevent enemy capture. Iron is vital for military units (swords, bows, siege engines) and the blacksmith (decorations). A blacksmith uses a maximum of 35 iron total, even in large settlements, and is optional.

Grain Farm: Grain farms require wood to plant fields on fertile ground. Planting on trees prevents their regrowth. Each field yields 1 unit of grain and needs time to regrow. Fields may not grow in winter. Generally, 3-4 fields support one grain farm, which can service 1-2 bakers.

Cattle Farm: Similar to grain farms, cattle farms require fertile ground for pastures. Cattle can be found wild in unclaimed territories or purchased from villages. Once in a pasture, cows produce milk if the trough has water. Each cow yields 1 unit of milk, and a pasture holds 4-5 cows. One cattle farm supports 1-2 pastures (8-10 cows), which can supply 1-2 dairy retailers (cheese makers). Cattle can be milked year-round.

Sheep Farm: Like cattle farms, sheep farms require fertile ground for pastures. Each sheep produces 1 unit of wool. A pasture holds 4-5 sheep. One sheep farm supports 1-2 pastures (8-10 sheep), which can supply 1-2 weavers and 1 banner maker. Sheep can be shorn year-round. Sheep pastures are distinct from cattle pastures.

Beekeeper: Beekeepers function like grain farms, requiring fertile ground for bee hives (costing 3 wood each). Hives must be accessible. Each hive produces 1 unit of honey/wax. One beekeeper can manage 3-4 hives and support 2-3 taverns and 1 candle maker, potentially with excess honey. Bees hibernate.