Anno 1404
Anno 1404

Campaign Walkthrough

Navigate the Anno 1404 campaign. This walkthrough covers chapter objectives, building placement, faction interaction, and strategies for outwitting rivals.

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Campaign Walkthrough

Welcome, aspiring Anno 1404 governor! This comprehensive walkthrough will guide you through each chapter of the main campaign, ensuring you overcome challenges, establish a thriving empire, and uncover the mysteries of the Orient. We'll cover key objectives, optimal building placements, crucial interactions with the various factions, and strategies to outwit your adversaries. Prepare to navigate political intrigue, manage complex production chains, and master the art of trade.

Chapter 1: A New World

The campaign begins with a foundational introduction to Anno 1404's core mechanics. Your primary goal is to establish a basic European settlement, fulfill the initial needs of your citizens, and learn the ropes of resource management under the benevolent guidance of Lord Richard Northburgh.

Initial Settlement & Basic Needs

  • Landing & Warehouse: Upon Lord Northburgh's instruction, sail to the designated island. Immediately construct a Warehouse (shortcut: 'W') near the coastline. This is your central hub for all goods and trade.
  • Housing: Build 5-10 Peasant Houses (shortcut: 'H') in a cluster around your Warehouse. This will attract your first inhabitants. Ensure they are within the influence radius of the Warehouse for goods delivery.
  • Food Production (Fish): Construct a Fisherman's Hut (shortcut: 'F') along the coast. Place it where you see fish icons in the water to maximize its efficiency. This fulfills the Peasants' "Food" need.
  • Drink Production (Cider): To provide "Drinks" for your Peasants, you need Cider.
    • Build 2-3 Cattle Farms (shortcut: 'C') on fertile land (indicated by green squares).
    • Construct a Small Tanner (shortcut: 'T') near the Cattle Farms. The Tanner processes hides from the Cattle Farms into leather, which is then used to produce Cider.
  • Tools: Initially, Lord Northburgh will provide you with a starting supply of Tools. These are essential for constructing most buildings. Manage them carefully.

Meeting Lord Northburgh's Quests

Lord Northburgh will issue several introductory quests. Completing these is vital for progressing and earning initial capital and resources.

  • Deliver Tools: He will often request a small quantity of Tools. Load them onto your ship from your Warehouse and deliver them to his flagship.
  • Deliver Fish: Similarly, he might ask for Fish. Ensure your Fisherman's Hut is producing steadily.
  • Expanding Your Influence: As your population grows and their needs are met, they will upgrade from Peasants to Citizens. This increases tax income but also introduces new demands. Keep a close eye on the "Needs" bar above your houses.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

  • Resource Management: Always monitor your resource bars at the top of the screen. Red indicates a deficit, green a surplus.
  • Building Placement: Pay attention to fertility (for farms) and resource deposits (for mines). Buildings like the Fisherman's Hut require specific placement.
  • Roads: Connect all production buildings and houses to your Warehouse via roads (shortcut: 'R') for efficient transport of goods.
  • Balance Income & Expenses: Your initial income will be low. Avoid overbuilding unnecessary structures. Focus on meeting basic needs to generate tax revenue.

Chapter 2: The Sultan's Request

This chapter introduces you to the exotic Oriental faction, their unique culture, goods, and the necessity of establishing trade routes to new territories. You'll begin your journey eastward under the guidance of Grand Vizier Al Zahir.

Establishing an Oriental Outpost

  • New Island Selection: Lord Northburgh will task you with sailing to an Oriental island. Look for an island with good fertility for Dates and Spices (indicated by specific green icons on the island overview map).
  • Oriental Warehouse: Upon arrival at your chosen Oriental island, immediately construct an Oriental Warehouse.
  • Nomad Housing: Build several Nomad Houses (shortcut: 'N') around your Oriental Warehouse to attract inhabitants.

Oriental Goods Production

The Nomads have different needs than your European Peasants. You must establish new production chains.

  • Food (Dates): Construct 2-3 Date Plantations (shortcut: 'D') on fertile ground. Dates are the staple food for Nomads.
  • Drinks (Milk): Nomads require Milk.
    • Build 2-3 Goat Farms (shortcut: 'G') on fertile land.
    • Construct a Milk Processing Plant (shortcut: 'M') near the Goat Farms.
  • Spices: This is a crucial Oriental good, demanded by your European population as they advance.
    • Build 2-3 Spice Plantations (shortcut: 'S') on fertile ground.
    • Ensure they are connected to your Oriental Warehouse.

Establishing Trade Routes

To benefit from Oriental goods, you must set up an efficient trade route between your European and Oriental islands.

  1. Acquire a Trading Ship: If you don't have one, build a Small Trading Ship at your European Shipyard.
  2. Set Up Route:
    • Click on your ship, then click the "Create Trade Route" button.
    • First Stop (Oriental Island): Add your Oriental island's Warehouse. Set the ship to Load Spices (e.g., 20 tons) and Load Dates (e.g., 10 tons).
    • Second Stop (European Island): Add your European island's Warehouse. Set the ship to Unload Spices and Unload Dates.
    • Optional Return Cargo: To support your Oriental settlement, you can set the ship to Load Tools (e.g., 5 tons) at your European island and Unload Tools at your Oriental island.
  3. Monitor & Adjust: Keep an eye on the supply and demand. You may need more ships or adjust cargo quantities as your cities grow.

Sultan's Ship & Reputation

Grand Vizier Al Zahir will appear with his flagship, often requesting specific Oriental goods, most commonly Spices. Fulfilling these requests promptly will improve your reputation with the Orient, unlocking new buildings and trade opportunities.

  • Deliver to Flagship: Load the requested goods onto your ship and deliver them directly to Al Zahir's flagship.
  • Reputation Rewards: High reputation with the Orient is essential for acquiring advanced Oriental buildings and technologies later in the campaign.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

  • Ship Capacity: Early trading ships have limited capacity. Prioritize essential goods like Spices.
  • Pirates: Be aware that pirate ships may appear and attack your trade routes. Consider building a small military ship for escort if this becomes an issue.
  • Oriental Building Costs: Oriental buildings often require different resources (e.g., Wood, Bricks, Tools) and sometimes Oriental goods for construction.

Chapter 3: The Venetian Conspiracy

This chapter plunges you into political intrigue with the cunning Venetian merchant, Giacomo Garibaldi. You'll need to develop your military, manage diplomacy, and uncover a sinister plot that threatens the stability of the realm.

Garibaldi's Extortion

Giacomo Garibaldi will make demands for goods, threatening your trade routes or settlements if you refuse. It is generally advisable to refuse his initial demands. Giving in often emboldens him and leads to further exploitation.

  • Refuse Demands: Politely decline his requests. This will likely trigger hostile actions, but it's crucial for maintaining your independence and reputation.

Naval Defense & Military Buildup

Refusing Garibaldi will almost certainly lead to pirate attacks. You must establish a naval defense.

  • Shipyard: Construct a Shipyard (shortcut: 'Y') on your main European island. This requires Citizen-level population.
  • Military Ships: Build 2-3 Small Warships. These are effective against early pirate vessels.
    • Cannons: Ensure your Shipyard has access to Cannons, which are produced at a Cannon Foundry (requires Iron Ore and Coal from mines).
    • Sailcloth: Also ensure a supply of Sailcloth, produced from Hemp at a Ropewalk.
  • Patrol Routes: Assign your warships to patrol your trade routes and key islands to deter and engage pirate ships.
  • Island Defenses: Consider building a Watchtower (shortcut: 'W', under military tab) on vulnerable islands to provide early warning and some defensive fire.

Diplomacy with the Sultan & Grand Vizier

Maintaining a strong relationship with Grand Vizier Al Zahir and the Sultan is paramount. They can offer crucial assistance, unique items, and powerful military units.

  • Complete Quests: Always prioritize quests offered by Al Zahir. These often involve delivering Oriental goods or transporting specific individuals.
  • Trade: Continue to trade with the Orient, ensuring a surplus of goods that can be sold to Al Zahir's warehouse for reputation points.
  • Reputation Rewards: High reputation unlocks advanced Oriental buildings, unique items at the Sultan's Palace, and even military support.

Uncovering the Plot

The campaign will guide you through a series of quests to uncover Garibaldi's true intentions and his alliance with Cardinal Lucius. These often involve:

  • Transporting Characters: You may need to transport specific NPCs (e.g., spies, informants) between islands.
  • Delivering Documents: Certain quests will require you to deliver sensitive documents to Lord Northburgh or Al Zahir.
  • Investigating Suspicious Activity: Follow quest markers to specific locations where you might find clues or engage in naval skirmishes.

Advanced European Needs & Production Chains

As your European population advances to Citizens and then Patricians, they will demand more complex goods, requiring new production chains.

  • Clothes (Linen Garments):
    • Hemp Plantations: Grow Hemp on fertile European land.
    • Weavers' Huts: Process Hemp into Linen Garments.
  • Herbs (Medicinal Herbs):
    • Herb Gardens: Cultivate Herbs.
    • Apothecaries: Process Herbs into Medicinal Herbs.
  • Books:
    • Forestry: Requires Wood.
    • Paper Mills: Process Wood into Paper.
    • Printing Houses: Process Paper into Books.
  • Tools (Advanced): You will need to produce your own Tools.
    • Iron Ore Mines: Mine Iron Ore from mountain deposits.
    • Coal Mines: Mine Coal from mountain deposits.
    • Iron Smelters: Process Iron Ore and Coal into Iron.
    • Toolmakers: Process Iron into Tools.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

  • Maintaining Balance: As your population grows, so do their needs. Ensure your production chains can keep up with demand to avoid stagnation and revolts.
  • Warehouse Capacity: Upgrade your Warehouses to increase storage capacity and the number of carts for faster transport.
  • Island Specialization: Consider specializing islands for specific production (e.g., one island for all metal production, another for textiles).
  • Save Regularly: Political intrigue and naval battles can be unpredictable. Save your game frequently.