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Master Anno 1404 with our comprehensive walkthrough. Learn to find perfect islands, manage resources, satisfy citizens, and expand your empire from settlement to nobleman.

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.