Anno 117: Pax Romana’s Land Combat Offers The Best of Both Worlds

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As a long-time fan, I’ve always loved the naval battles in the Anno games. You usually start with just a ship and an island, and then you have to build up your little paradise while defending it from other players controlled by the game. That almost always meant building a fleet of ships to take down anyone who tried to mess with your territory. Anno 117: Pax Romana keeps that tradition going, but it’s really exciting because it’s the first time since 2009 that we also get to command a land army alongside our ships!

Man, it’s been a long time! The last Anno game with actual land battles was Anno 1404 way back in 2009, and honestly, it wasn’t the smoothest system. Now, with Anno 117: Pax Romana, they’ve brought land combat back, and it’s a really solid addition to the game. But if you’re one of us who just loves building and trading – the classic Anno feel – don’t sweat it, you can still totally enjoy the game without getting into the battles.

Anno 117: Pax Romana’s Land Combat Is Exactly What You Make It

Land Combat Adds a New Layer of Strategy to Anno 117

While the land battles in Anno 117: Pax Romana are straightforward once you learn them, it can take some time to master the system. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:

  • Start by creating a small fleet of ships capable of transporting troop units, such as the Penteconter or Trireme
  • Build a barracks and start training soldiers
  • Once formed, lead the army from the barracks to the shore, and load them onto the ships
  • Send those ships to an enemy island
  • Unload troops, set their ‘Stance’ to aggressive, and unleash them on the enemy

While not as detailed as games like Total War or with as many troop types as Age of Empires, Anno 117’s land battles add a significant new level of strategy to the Anno series, something missing in Anno 1800. Instead of simply building ships and sending them out, players now need to carefully customize their vessels for specific tasks. For example, you can outfit a ship with a catapult (Onager) to break down enemy defenses and protect your troops, or add an Archer Tower to give your land forces better ranged support.

Directly controlling troops in battle adds more depth, challenge, and strategic options to Anno 117: Pax Romana. While the combat system isn’t overly complex, players still need to carefully plan troop landings and how to break through enemy defenses, allowing for interesting tactics like attacking from the sides. If you’re interested in land battles in Anno 117, you’ll find enough here to make it worthwhile.

Land Combat Doesn’t Interfere Too Much With The Classic Anno Experience

Ultimately, land battles in Anno 117: Pax Romana aren’t essential to the game. On easier settings, you’ll likely avoid them altogether, focusing instead on diplomacy and trade – the core of what Anno games are known for. Even on harder difficulties, while you’ll need to defend your island, it shouldn’t drastically change the familiar Anno gameplay.

Battles in Anno 117: Pax Romana are more straightforward to manage than in Anno 1404, keeping them from becoming overly time-consuming. Building an army is simplified – you just need to produce weapons and train your workforce as soldiers. Unlike Anno 1404, which required setting up camps near enemy lands before giving orders, Anno 117 lets you simply select your troops and attack with a click. This leads to immediate and direct combat.

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2025-11-19 00:04