Anno and Warfare
[p]Historically, Anno games always had a warfare component; and while it – like other features as well – changed in scope and design from game to game, we very much believe it to be an important feature for the game.[/p][p]At the same time, Anno games are builder games: the main fascination (and therefore also the focus we put in terms of development) is coming from discovering the world, settling new islands, building ever-growing cities and all the logistics and productions required to support it.[/p][p]We also know we have a playerbase with sometimes strongly differing views on the topic: how important is warfare in Anno, should it be mandatory, how is it implemented, should there be land combat, etc.[/p][p]In short: it’s a discussion that’s been happening both in our team as well as in our community for many years already.[/p][p]In fact, back in the Anno 1800 days, our (back then) Creative Director Dirk wrote a great blog on the tradition of military in Anno games – we very much recommend you check it out: [/p][p][/p][p]https://www.anno-union.com/devblog-the-art-of-war-i/[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Now we’ve set the scene, time to take a look at how warfare looks like in Anno 117: Pax Romana and what this might mean for your cities and economy.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/45321681/80bfcba9706dada53a8e2830847560a95ba633c2.jpg"][/img][/p]Naval Units
[p]Let’s start on the ocean before we make our way to the land: Naval Combat![/p][p]Just a few weeks ago we talked about ship construction in detail: how you’re able to build your own ship setups via modules like additional sails, rowers and – of course – offensive modules like archer towers or catapults.[/p][p]Have a look at the dedicated DevBlog here.[/p][p]Different modules and other improvements can be researched via the Discovery Tree, to constantly increase the strength of your fleet.[/p][p]The three different offensive modules (archer towers, scorpions, catapults) differ in range, accuracy, rate of fire and damage, making them useful in rather different situations. Catapults are slow and inaccurate, but archers are limited in range and can’t destroy fortifications.[/p][p] [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/45321681/b99a42e22357b749df46e7fc80c15af1d29dfdda.jpg"][/img][/p]Land Combat
[p]Let’s invade someone! If you have a neighbour you really don’t like (in the game!) or if they have an island that should be yours (in the game!), sending an army is a valid solution.[/p][p] [/p][p]Broadly, we separate land units into four types – infantry, ranged units, cavalry, artillery – with their own recruitment buildings.[/p][p]As you might have guessed, you will also need to produce certain resources in order to train units in the first place: A group of Auxilia (medium infantry with spears), for example, requires weapons – for which you’ll first need to set up a production chain with a furnace, smith, and of course iron and coal production. Legionaries, on the other hand, also require expensive to produce armour.[/p][p] [/p][p]While you start with a smaller selection of unit types, like the aforementioned Auxilia, as well as Archers, more unit types can be researched via the Discovery Tree. This allows you to later field the highly disciplined legionaries or heavy cavalry, as well as other specialised units.[/p][p]The Discovery Tree also features a variety of upgrades, boosting aspects like unit morale, attack against fortification or accuracy.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/45321681/c9a7ea07c113db4e50afc2dd711545d20120c64b.jpg"][/img][/p][p]A healthy mix of different unit types is one of the keys to victory: Auxilia with their spears are effective against cavalry, while Slingers or Archers are great to keep enemies at a distance. Cavalry is especially useful to flank opposing units or attack unprotected ranged units of your enemy. In short: we are using the good old stone-paper-scissors system here.[/p][p]And then there’s artillery: the accuracy of Scorpios makes them great against individual units, while Onagers excel at the destruction of fortification.[/p][p]In addition to the units’ health, you also have to keep an eye on their morale. If the morale becomes too low during combat, units might flee – and fleeing units can affect their nearby comrades, potentially leading to a larger rout. There is a chance for routed units to reform, otherwise they will ultimately vanish.[/p][p][/p]The Connections
Synergies
[p]Both naval and land units will be needed to bring down your opponents: if your enemy has built a villa on their island, taking it is your main objective – simply destroying the trading post is not enough in that case.[/p][p]Your ships will play a key role in not only shipping your troops to your opponent’s island, but also in clearing the landing by destroying defensive structures. Generally, as long as they are in reach, naval units can attack units and buildings on land, and land units can shoot back at naval units.[/p][p]That also means that you can stop an enemy’s invasion by destroying their transports before they reach your shores.[/p]Defences
[p]Defensive structures you say? Oh yes! We’re giving you some options to defend your precious islands from rival governors.[/p][p]Surround your island (or at least the important parts where the important people live) with a wooden palisade – or go the extra mile and research stone walls which require some proper artillery to take down.[/p][p]Additionally, you can place defensive towers that fire back at any invaders and further slow their advance until you have gathered your own forces.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/45321681/7f8b1f19d4932b57815cbfa7171e3455aa10c311.jpg"][/img][/p]Economy
[p]Every unit (naval and land) does cost:[/p]- [p]Resources and money to be built/recruited[/p][/*]
- [p]Money in maintenance[/p][/*]
- [p]Workforce in maintenance[/p][/*]
