Unlock and Master Ships in Anno 117 Complete Fleet Guide (November 2025)

I’ve spent countless hours navigating the Mediterranean waters in Anno 117: Pax Romana, and let me tell you – the naval system in this game is absolutely revolutionary. Unlike previous Anno games, Ubisoft has introduced a modular ship system that completely transforms how we approach naval warfare, trade, and exploration.

The seas aren’t just blue spaces between islands anymore – they’re your empire’s lifelines. Every decision you make about your fleet will impact your economy, military strength, and expansion capabilities. What makes this system special is its historical authenticity combined with deep strategic gameplay mechanics that will challenge even veteran Anno players.

Why I Love Playing Anno 117’s Naval Game?

There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching your custom-built fleet sail across the Mediterranean, each ship perfectly tailored for its role. I remember my first playthrough where I made the classic mistake of building generic ships for everything. My trade routes were constantly raided, and my military campaigns were disastrous.

But once I discovered the modular system? Everything changed. I started experimenting with different module combinations, and suddenly I was outmaneuvering pirates, optimizing trade routes, and projecting power across the region like a true Roman governor. The freedom to customize each vessel based on its intended purpose creates a level of strategic depth that I haven’t experienced in any other city-builder.

How to Unlock and Build Your Shipyard?

Before you can command the seas, you need access to ships. Here’s exactly how I unlocked my first shipyard and started building my fleet:

Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites

You can’t just build a shipyard immediately. I learned this the hard way after searching my construction menu for hours! You need to:

• Reach a specific City Status level (usually early Plebeians)
• Have sufficient Plebeians or tier-two residents in your city
• Complete the early-game campaign objectives that introduce naval concepts

Step 2: Locate and Build

Once unlocked, here’s what I did:

1. Open the Harbour Building tab in your construction menu
2. Find the Shipyard building (it’s hard to miss with its distinctive Roman architecture)
3. Place it directly on the coastline with deep water access – this is crucial!
4. Ensure you have enough workforce available (ships consume workers during construction and operation)

Step 3: Start Production

Your shipyard is now operational! I recommend starting with a basic Penteconter to get familiar with the system before investing in larger vessels.

Understanding Ship Hulls and Progression

The foundation of Anno 117’s naval system lies in three hull types, each unlocking as you progress through the game. I’ve tested all of them extensively, and here’s what I’ve discovered:

Penteconter (Small Ship)

• Modification Slots: 2 slots
• Best For: Early exploration, basic trade routes
• My Experience: Perfect for your first naval expeditions. I used mine primarily for scouting nearby islands and establishing initial trade routes. They’re quick to build and don’t strain your workforce too much.
• Module Combinations: Up to 16 different combinations possible

Trireme (Medium Ship)

• Modification Slots: 3 slots
• Best For: Balanced trade and combat operations
• My Experience: This became my workhorse ship. I found the perfect balance between cargo capacity and combat effectiveness. The additional slot really opens up strategic possibilities.
• Module Combinations: 60 different combinations possible
• Special Feature: Two slots are fixed as cargo, giving you guaranteed transport capacity

Quinquereme (Large Ship)

• Modification Slots: 4 slots
• Best For: Late-game dominance, major military operations
• My Experience: These are my pride and joy! Expensive and workforce-intensive, but absolutely devastating when properly configured. I use them for my most important trade routes and as the core of my battle fleet.
• Module Combinations: 114 different combinations possible
• Consideration: Slower acceleration, so plan your routes accordingly

Mastering Ship Modules: The Heart of Customization

This is where Anno 117 truly shines, and where I’ve spent most of my experimental time. Each module transforms your ship’s capabilities, and choosing the right combination is an art form. Here’s my complete breakdown:

Movement Modules

Mast Module

• What it does: Increases speed when sailing with the wind, boosts maximum speed, and improves performance when sailing between regions
• My Strategy: I equip these on ships dedicated to long-distance trade routes between regions. The wind bonus really adds up over time!
• Best On: Triremes and Quinqueremes for maximum efficiency

Rows Module

• What it does: Improves general speed, increases minimum speed and acceleration, reduces turn radius
• My Strategy: Perfect for combat ships and short-range operations. I love these for patrol vessels and ships that need to maneuver in tight spaces.
• Best On: Penteconters and Triremes for hit-and-run tactics

Defense Modules

Reinforced Hull

• What it does: Increases hit points and overall durability
• My Strategy: Non-negotiable for ships entering dangerous waters. I learned this after losing several valuable trade ships to pirates!
• Best On: All ship types, but essential for military vessels

Combat Modules

Archer Tower

• What it does: Fires multiple arrows in all directions at short range
• My Strategy: Excellent for close-quarters combat and defending against boarding attempts. I use these on ships that might get surrounded.
• Limitation: Short range only

Scorpio

• What it does: Fires high-precision spears with high damage at medium range, side-mounted only
• My Strategy: My favorite for ship-to-ship combat. The precision damage can quickly disable enemy vessels.
• Tactical Note: Position your ships carefully to bring side weapons to bear

Onager

• What it does: Launches rocks with the highest range and damage, but low accuracy, front-mounted only
• My Strategy: Perfect for bombarding coastal installations and starting engagements from maximum range.
• Consideration: The low accuracy means you need to get relatively close anyway

Advanced Fleet Management Strategies

Building ships is one thing; managing them effectively is another. Here are the advanced strategies I’ve developed through trial and error:

Workforce Management

Unlike previous Anno games, ships in Anno 117 require continuous workforce to operate, not just during construction. This changes everything about fleet management:

My Workforce Strategy:

1. Never overbuild early: I made this mistake initially and crippled my city’s development
2. Share workforce between islands: If you have multiple islands, you can assign workforce from islands with surplus to ships
3. Prioritize essential ships: Not all ships need to be active 24/7. I deactivate non-essential vessels during workforce shortages

Fleet Composition

A balanced fleet is crucial for success. Here’s my proven composition strategy:

Early Game (First Island):

• 2-3 Penteconters (exploration and basic trade)
• 1 Trireme (defense and heavier trade)

Mid Game (Multiple Islands):

• 3-4 Penteconters (scouting and light trade)
• 2-3 Triremes (main trade routes and defense)
• 1 Quinquereme (flagship and heavy operations)

Late Game (Empire Stage):

• 2-3 Penteconters (fast scouting and raiding)
• 4-5 Triremes (backbone of trade and military)
• 2-3 Quinqueremes (dominance and projection of power)

Specialized Ship Configurations

I’ve developed several go-to configurations for specific roles:

The Trader Special:

• Hull: Trireme
• Modules: Mast, Mast, Cargo
• Purpose: Maximum efficiency for safe trade routes
• My Results: 30% faster trade runs compared to generic ships

The Raider:

• Hull: Penteconter
• Modules: Rows, Archer Tower
• Purpose: Fast hit-and-run attacks and scouting
• My Results: Perfect for harassing enemy supply lines

The Battleship:

• Hull: Quinquereme
• Modules: Reinforced Hull, Scorpio, Onager
• Purpose: Naval dominance and coastal bombardment
• My Results: Can take on multiple smaller ships simultaneously

The Explorer:

• Hull: Trireme
• Modules: Mast, Rows, Cargo
• Purpose: Long-range exploration and initial island settlement
• My Results: Excellent balance of speed, range, and cargo capacity

Trade Route Optimization

One area where I’ve gained a significant advantage is trade route optimization. Here’s my systematic approach:

Route Planning

1. Analyze resource flows: Use the Ctrl+Q statistics screen to identify surpluses and deficits
2. Plan circular routes: Minimize empty return trips by ensuring your ships always carry valuable cargo
3. Consider wind patterns: Ships with Mast modules perform better on certain routes

Automation Strategies

I’ve found that automating trade routes is essential for managing large empires:

Setup Process:

1. Establish Trading Posts on all major islands
2. Configure automated buy/sell orders for consistent goods
3. Assign specialized ships to each route based on distance and danger level

My Most Profitable Routes:

• Latium to Albion luxury goods: High profit margin but requires protection
• Inter-island construction materials: Lower margin but high volume
• Food redistribution: Essential for maintaining population happiness across islands

Naval Combat Tactics

Combat in Anno 117 requires more than just having bigger ships. Here are the tactics I’ve developed through numerous engagements:

Formation Flying

I’ve learned that ship positioning is crucial:

• Line Ahead: Best for approaching enemy fleets with broadside weapons
• Line Abreast: Maximizes firepower when engaging multiple targets
• Wedge Formation: Perfect for breaking through enemy lines

Target Prioritization

In fleet engagements, I prioritize targets based on:

1. Command ships (usually Quinqueremes)
2. Support ships (vessels with ranged weapons)
3. Transports and traders (economic targets)

Environmental Awareness

The wind and terrain play crucial roles:

• Use the wind: Ships with Mast modules gain significant advantages
• Coastal cover: Use islands to shield your approach
• Narrow passages: Funnel enemy forces into kill zones

Advanced Tips from My Playthroughs

After hundreds of hours, I’ve discovered some advanced techniques that aren’t obvious from the basic tutorials:

Save Your Configurations

Each Shipyard has 2 save slots per ship type (6 total). I use these to store my proven configurations:

• Slot 1: Standard trade configuration
• Slot 2: Military configuration
• Build additional Shipyards if you need more saved configurations

Workforce Sharing Between Islands

This is a game-changer I discovered late:

1. Select any ship
2. Click the three-button menu
3. Choose workforce from islands with surplus
4. This allows you to maintain larger fleets without crippling individual islands

The Pause Button Advantage

Unlike previous Anno games, you can access all menus while paused. I use this to:

• Plan complex fleet movements
• Adjust trade routes in real-time
• Manage multiple naval engagements simultaneously

Downgrade Strategy

Sometimes less is more. I regularly downgrade ships when:

• Workforce is limited
• I need to rebalance my economy
• Ships are no longer needed for their original purpose

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my naval campaigns. Here are the biggest ones to avoid:

1. Overbuilding Early Game

Building too many ships too quickly will cripple your workforce and economy. I recommend starting with just 2-3 ships and expanding gradually.

2. Ignoring Module Synergy

Don’t just randomly add modules. Each combination should serve a specific purpose. I wasted many resources on ineffective combinations before developing my specialized configurations.

3. Neglecting Ship Maintenance

Ships require ongoing workforce and maintenance costs. I learned to factor this into my economic planning rather than treating ships as one-time investments.

4. Poor Fleet Composition

Having all military ships or all trade ships creates imbalances. A mixed fleet is essential for long-term success.

FAQs About Anno 117 Ships

Q: Why can’t I build a Shipyard?

A: You need to reach a specific City Status level and complete early-game objectives. Check your quest log for guidance.

Q: What’s the best ship in Anno 117?

A: There’s no single “best” ship. The Quinquereme is the most powerful overall, but a well-configured Trireme often provides better value for most situations.

Q: Can I change modules after building a ship?

A: No, module configuration is locked during construction. Plan carefully before building!

Q: How do I get more workforce for my ships?

A: Grow your population by providing housing and fulfilling their needs. You can also share workforce between islands using the ship management menu.

Q: What’s the most profitable trade route?

A: Luxury goods between Latium and Albion typically offer the highest margins, but require protection. Construction materials provide steady, lower-risk profits.

Q: How do I protect my trade routes?

A: I recommend escort ships with combat modules, particularly those equipped with Scorpios for precision strikes against pirates.

Conclusion

Mastering the naval system in Anno 117: Pax Romana has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in the series. The modular ship system adds incredible depth and strategic possibilities that weren’t present in previous games.

From my first hesitant Penteconter to commanding a fleet of customized Quinqueremes, every step of the journey has taught me something new about naval strategy, resource management, and empire building. The key is to start simple, experiment with different module combinations, and gradually expand your fleet as your empire grows.

Remember, the seas are your empire’s lifelines. A well-managed fleet isn’t just a military asset – it’s the foundation of your economy, the key to your expansion, and ultimately, the difference between a struggling province and a thriving Roman empire.

Now it’s your turn to set sail and conquer the Mediterranean! What ship configurations will you try first? Share your naval strategies and let’s build the ultimate Roman fleet together!

Looking for more gaming guides? Check out our complete gaming guides section for tips on your favorite games, or explore our hardware recommendations to optimize your gaming setup.