Combat in Anno 117: Land Warfare, Naval Raids & When to Fight vs. Trade

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In the sprawling Roman Empire of Anno 117: Pax Romana, the phrase “Pax Romana”—Roman Peace—was often maintained through power, discipline, and sometimes brutal conquest.

While Anno 117 is primarily a city-builder, it hides an impressively deep combat system beneath its marble façades and bustling markets. Whether you’re defending your shores from pirates or expanding your influence through conquest, knowing when to draw your sword—or when to extend a trade agreement—can define the legacy of your province.

This guide covers everything you need to know: from raising legions and outfitting warships to deciding whether to wage war or forge alliances.

⚔️ The Roman War Machine: Land Combat Returns

Building Your Legions

In Anno 117, you don’t just click a button and summon troops. Every soldier represents a real investment in your city’s economy.

Combat in Anno 117

To train Auxilia spearmen, you’ll need forges producing weapons. For Legionaries, armor and higher-tier goods are required. Elite units like heavy cavalry demand access to advanced Military technologies within the Discovery Tree—tying your military expansion directly to your research and production capabilities.

Rock-Paper-Scissors Strategy

The land combat system rewards tactical planning with clear unit counters:

  • 🛡 Auxilia: Great vs. cavalry.

  • 🏹 Archers/Slingers: Ideal for ranged pressure but vulnerable up close.

  • 🐎 Cavalry: Excellent for flanking and disrupting ranged lines.

Balancing your forces through combined-arms tactics is key to minimizing losses.

Morale Matters

Morale plays as big a role as raw health. Troops who lose heart may flee, triggering chain routs that can collapse your entire army. Keep morale high through formations, leadership units, and careful positioning—panic spreads fast on Roman soil.

⚓ Ruling the Waves: Naval Combat & Fleet Customization

Customizable Warships

Your fleet isn’t just decoration. Ships can be outfitted at the Shipyard with various combat modules:

  • Archer Towers – Rapid, short-range attacks against light units.

  • Scorpions – Balanced firepower and range.

  • Catapults – Devastating against structures but slow to reload.

Mixing ship types allows you to adapt to different enemy fleets or defensive challenges.

The Navy’s Role in Invasion

Naval power is essential for coastal dominance. Use ships to:

  • Clear beachheads before land invasions.

  • Provide fire support during sieges.

  • Block enemy troop transports before they land.

A strong navy can win wars before the first soldier even touches land.

🏰 Fortifying Your Empire: The Art of Defense

Walls and Towers

A wealthy empire draws envy. Start with wooden palisades, then advance to stone fortifications for superior defense. Place towers strategically to create cross-fire zones, softening invaders before they reach your villa.

Defend the Heart

Your Governor’s Villa is the ultimate objective in invasions. Always position it in defensible terrain with layered defenses and stationed troops. Losing your villa means losing your city—so protect it like Rome itself.

⚖️ The True Cost of War: Economy and Logistics

The Triple Burden

Every soldier and ship carries three ongoing costs:

  1. Production Resources – The upfront materials for recruitment.

  2. Maintenance Fees – Continuous gold drain from your treasury.

  3. Workforce Commitment – Citizens permanently tied to the military.

Workforce Drain & Desertion

When soldiers are drawn from your population, they can’t contribute to factories or services. Losing an island that supplies workforce can even cause desertion among units over time. A militarized economy is powerful—but fragile.

Risk of Bankruptcy

Going all-in on war can backfire fast. Maintenance costs pile up, and even mighty empires can crumble into debt. Build an army that matches your economy—not your ego.

🕊️ The Governor’s Dilemma: Fight or Trade?

The Case for Trade

Trade is the lifeblood of peace and prosperity. Since each island specializes in unique resources, establishing trade routes is crucial for development.
Form alliances, sign trade pacts, and automate your routes for steady income without the bloodshed.

The Case for War

Sometimes, diplomacy isn’t enough. Conquest can be the fastest path to rare resources or strategic dominance. Strike when:

  • A rival controls a vital island.

  • You’re threatened by an expansionist neighbor.

  • You can cripple a long-term competitor.

Diplomacy as an Alternative

Anno 117 allows for nuanced diplomacy—send gifts, complete quests, or negotiate truces with pirates. You can even disable hostile factions entirely for a more relaxed city-building experience.

🏺 Conclusion: The Balanced Governor

In Anno 117: Pax Romana, greatness lies in balance. True leaders know when to build, when to bargain, and when to strike.

A wise governor maintains defenses, nurtures trade, and wages war only when necessary. Whether you rise as a conqueror, a merchant prince, or a master of both, your name will echo through history—etched in marble and memory alike.      

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