Anno 117: Pax Romana – How to Start (Beginner’s Guide)
Build your Roman province the right way with this streamlined beginner path. Learn province selection, logistics, happiness, early economy, and military basics for a strong early game start.
Outline
| Main Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Anno 117: Pax Romana Beginner’s Guide | Introduction |
| Choosing Your Starting Province | Italia • Gaul/Britannia • North Africa |
| Early Supply Chains | Essential resources • Ratios • Production setup |
| Managing Citizen Happiness | Food • Entertainment • Religion • Security • Taxes |
| Logistics & Road Efficiency | Warehouse placement • Road layout • Industrial blocks |
| Early Trading Strategy | Best exports • Imports • Trade routes |
| Basic Military Management | Defensive buildings • Auxiliaries • Expansion timing |
| Building a Functional City Layout | Starter layout • District planning • Space management |
| Progression Phases (Rome Roadmap) | Survival • Growth • Expansion • Empire stage |
| Quick Tips for Success | Efficiency rules • Stabilization • Province specialization |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Comparisons • Military timing • Money strategies |
Anno 117: Pax Romana – Beginner’s Guide
Starting your first settlement in Anno 117: Pax Romana can feel overwhelming. Logistics matter more than ever, population classes interact deeply with production chains, and Roman infrastructure requires careful planning. This guide gives you a clean, practical roadmap to avoid early mistakes and build a thriving province from day one.
Choosing Your Starting Province
Picking the right province determines your entire early game pace.
Italia
Great for first-time players.
- Very balanced resource distribution
- Stable political environment
- Shorter trade routes and low danger
- Strong early food + construction economy
Perfect for learning the fundamentals safely.
Gaul / Britannia
More chaotic but extremely rewarding.
- Higher conflict and more raiders
- Richer mid-game resource variety
- Logistics become challenging but profitable
Best for players wanting a military-forward experience.
North Africa
Ideal for trade-driven strategies.
- Excellent export goods
- Ports everywhere → commercial powerhouse
- Must import timber + metals early
Requires clever planning but scales extremely well.
Focus on Clean Early Supply Chains
Rome depends on structure — so do your citizens.
Core Early Resources
- Wood → housing upgrades, workshops
- Clay & Bricks → roads, buildings
- Wheat & Livestock → basic food stability
- Olives / Grapes → highly profitable exports
A reliable rule:
2 raw production → 1 processing → 1 refinement.
This keeps bottlenecks from forming.
Keep Your Citizens Happy (Or Else…)
Population groups differ by province but typically include:
- Roman citizens
- Provincials
- Slaves
- Patricians (later)
Happiness Factors
- Food variety
- Entertainment (Baths, Theatres)
- Religion (Temples)
- Security (Watchtowers, Forts)
- Fair taxation
Tip: Avoid heavy taxes early. Growth collapses instantly if happiness drops.
Roads & Logistics Matter More Than Ever
Transport defines your output speed.
Best Practices
- Place warehouses generously — they’re the lungs of your economy
- Build straight main roads with short industrial side roads
- Keep industries clustered together
- Place markets between housing blocks
In Anno 117, distance affects production efficiency significantly more than in Anno 1800.
Trade Early, Trade Often
Early exports fuel growth.
Best Early Export Goods
- Olive Oil
- Wine
- Stone Blocks
- Textiles
If you lack a resource, don’t hesitate: import it and focus your workforce where you’re strong.
Set up stable trade routes early to snowball your economy.
Military Basics
Not a full war game — but you must defend your territory.
Early Defense Strategy
- Watchtower at each road entrance
- Train Auxiliaries for cheap infantry
- Maintain a reserve squad to suppress riots
When to Start Expanding
- Taxes are stable
- Production chains can support weapons
- Border provinces become economically attractive
City Layout Tips
A clean design prevents long-term headaches.
Simple Starter Layout
- Central Forum → administrative + market area
- Housing blocks in a neat grid
- Industrial zones separated by a main road
- Military + service buildings on the outer ring
Plan ahead: late-game arenas, aqueducts, and monuments require huge space.
Progression Strategy (The Rome Roadmap)
Phase 1: Survival (0–30 minutes)
- Build first housing block
- Secure food and bricks
- Establish your first trade route
Phase 2: Growth (30–90 minutes)
- Unlock next population tiers
- Build entertainment + temples
- Expand early industries
Phase 3: Expansion (90 minutes–3 hrs)
- Capture new regions
- Form a trained army
- Produce advanced goods (glass, armor, fine wine)
Phase 4: Empire (Late Game)
- Construct major monuments
- Automate trade networks
- Fill high-tier residential districts
Quick Tips for Smooth Success
- Stabilize before expanding
- Use multiple warehouses — seriously
- Maintain class diversity for unlocks
- Avoid early over-taxation
- Specialize each province (military, trade, agriculture, etc.)
FAQ
Is Anno 117 more like Anno 1800 or the older Anno games?
Closer to 1800, but slower and heavier on logistics.
Do I need military early?
Only enough to deter bandits. Real wars come mid-game.
What’s the best early money strategy?
Export wine or olive oil; import cheap raw goods.