Ships are an essential part of Anno 1800 and the backbone of both the trading and warfare systems in the game.
Contents
Gameplay
Obtaining ships
Ships can be produced in shipyards or bought from other factions. Players need a trading agreement to be able to buy ships from others. The ships up for sale depend on the amount of citizens players have. If the population on their islands is high enough, they can buy certain ships earlier than they could otherwise have built for themselves.
Pirates sometimes have special ships for sale that can't be obtained in any other way. Pirate ships typically are slightly modified versions that are slightly better in combat than the regular versions.
Transporting cargo
A ship typically has one or more cargo holds, each able to contain up to 50 tons of a single type of good at a time (the only exception to this being the Oil Tanker, which can transport up to 400 tons of oil). Ships can also carry items in their cargo holds, but by equipping them in specialized item slots, the ship will make use of their special effects. Ships can only equip Ship Items, with some of them only available for military ships.
Settling islands
Any ship can build a Warehouse on an unsettled island if it has the required building materials on board (10 and 8
) and if the player has enough Influence. If the ship moves in range of an empty coast, the blueprint for a Trading Post will appear. Clicking on it and then on the "build" button in the menu that comes up, will construct the Trading Post. All goods that were on the ship will automatically be transferred onto the island. How much Influence is needed to settle an island, island depends on the island's size.
Wind direction

The wind direction shown in the upper-left corner of the minimap.
Sailing ships have to consider wind direction. If a ship sails against the wind, its speed is greatly reduced, whereas if it sails with the wind in its back, it will get a boost. Steam ships aren't affected by wind direction, and the Flagship, being a hybrid, is less affected by wind than other sailing ships. You can check the wind direction by looking at the arrows in the top-left corner of the minimap.
Naval warfare in Anno 1800 can play an integral part in the game depending on player's preferences. Although the focus of the Anno series is to build an empire based on strong economy and trade, warfare can work to the player's advantage in securing vital resources as well as forging diplomatic relations with the AI. With this in mind, various types of warships are obtainable at different stages in the game making warfare a viable option for the player.
Each naval ship type has its advantages and disadvantages in naval combat depending on its parameters. Some of these parameters are weapon range, hit points, weapon accuracy, firepower, and the aiming direction of the weapons. E.g. a ship-of-the-line has more firepower than a battle cruiser, but the weapons of a battle cruiser possess a longer range and are more accurate. Consequently, in most situations, a battle cruiser will win a one-on-one sea battle against a ship-of-the-line due to its superior range. However, if a ship-of-the-line can get close enough to a battle cruiser, then the odds can turn in its favor and the battle cruiser may go down in defeat.
Trade Routes
For more details see: trade routes
Expeditions
For more details see: expeditions
Statistics and ship comparison
Construction and upkeep costs
Icon |
Ship type | Description | Constr.
Cost/Time |
Prerequisite or Vendor | Purchase/Sell Value | Upkeep Cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sail ships | |||||||||||
![]() |
Schooner![]() |
Two-masted trade ship with a medium sized cargo hold. | 20![]() 10 ![]() 03:00 |
150![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−15![]() 1 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Gunboat![]() |
Very fast, one-masted military ship with a small cargo hold. Armed with a front howitzer, though not the sturdiest. | 10![]() 20 ![]() 7 ![]() 03:00 |
150![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−25![]() 2 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Frigate![]() |
Fast, three-masted military ship with a medium sized cargo hold. Armed with side cannons. | 40![]() 20 ![]() 15 ![]() 06:00 |
1![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−100![]() 4 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Clipper![]() |
Fast, four-masted trade ship with an increased cargo hold. | 40![]() 30 ![]() 06:00 |
750![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−175![]() 2 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Ship-of-the-line![]() |
Slow, four-masted military ship with a medium sized cargo hold. Armed with side cannons. | 60![]() 30 ![]() 30 ![]() 12:00 |
750![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−250![]() 8 ![]() | ||||||
Steam ships | |||||||||||
![]() |
Cargo Ship![]() |
A sturdy and reliable trade ship, with a large cargo capacity. | 20![]() 20 ![]() 09:00 |
500 ![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−500![]() 3 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Battle Cruiser![]() |
A slow but powerful military ship, armed with advanced turrets designed for long range attacks. | 60![]() 20 ![]() 25 ![]() 15:00 |
500 ![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−850![]() 12 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Monitor![]() |
A heavily armored steam-powered military ship capable to carry a low amount of cargo. Armed with a heavy mid-range turret. | 40![]() 10 ![]() 10 ![]() 12:00 |
1 ![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
−300![]() 6 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Oil Tanker![]() |
Designed and built to carry oil barrels, and nothing else. | 20![]() 20 ![]() 09:00 |
500 ![]() Sold by Blake |
−500![]() 5 ![]() | ||||||
Hybrids | |||||||||||
![]() |
Flagship | Hybrid steam and sail ship, useful in any situation. | Cannot be constructed | 150 ![]() Sold by Blake and Sarmento |
0![]() 0 ![]() | ||||||
Airships | |||||||||||
![]() |
Airship![]() |
A trading vessel that flies! Very fast and suitable for long-distance trades, but high cost and 'only' 4 cargo slots. Cannot be attacked. Content from The Passage DLC | 25![]() 50 ![]() 25 ![]() 40 ![]() 15:00 |
750 ![]() |
−1200![]() 4 ![]() | ||||||
Special ships | |||||||||||
![]() |
Extravaganza Steamer![]() |
Larger, more durable Cargo ship with an extra item hold. | 20![]() 20 ![]() 09:00 |
Specialist: Anna Union Sold by Pirates |
−100![]() 6 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Pirate Gunboat![]() |
Pirate version of the classic Gunboat with increased speed and dps. | 10![]() 20 ![]() 7 ![]() 03:00 |
Specialist: Gideon Small Sold by Pirates |
−25![]() 2 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Pirate Frigate![]() |
Pirate version of the classic Frigate with increased speed and dps. | 40![]() 20 ![]() 15 ![]() 06:00 |
Specialist: Petra Piper Sold by Pirates |
−100![]() 4 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Pirate Ship-of-the-line![]() |
Pirate version of the classic Ship of the Line with increased speed and dps. | 60![]() 30 ![]() 30 ![]() 12:00 |
Specialist: Shih Yang Sold by Pirates |
−250![]() 8 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Royal Ship-of-the-line![]() |
Royal version of the classic Ship of the Line with increased damage and durability. | 60![]() 30 ![]() 30 ![]() 12:00 |
Specialist: Sir Milfoy Credenza-Belfry-Guscott Sold by Pirates |
−250![]() 8 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Pirate Monitor![]() |
Pirate version of the classic Monitor with increased speed and dps. | 40![]() 10 ![]() 10 ![]() 12:00 |
Specialist: Maria Pizarro Sold by Pirates |
−600![]() 6 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Pyrphorian Monitor![]() |
40![]() 10 ![]() 10 ![]() 12:00 |
Specialist: Stilton Snood Sold by Pirates |
−600![]() 6 ![]() | |||||||
![]() |
Pyrphorian Warship![]() |
50![]() 15 ![]() 15 ![]() 12:00 |
Specialist: Slinky Sinistra Sold by Pirates |
−800![]() 9 ![]() | |||||||
![]() |
Pyrphorian Battle Cruiser![]() |
60![]() 20 ![]() 25 ![]() 15:00 |
Specialist: Suspicia Slyhood Sold by Pirates |
−1000![]() 12 ![]() | |||||||
![]() |
Great Eastern![]() |
Legendary Trade Ship with 8 cargo slots | 1 Permit 60 ![]() 30 ![]() 18:00 |
Quest after first World's Fair, Aquired from Sir Archibald Blake Alternatively: Research |
−1000![]() 10 ![]() | ||||||
![]() |
Salvager![]() |
Content from Sunken Treasures DLC | Cannot be constructed | Aquired from Old Nate | N/A |
Ships statistics
Icon |
Ship type | Cargo/Item slots | Hitpoints | Dmg per shot
(per second) |
Attack Range | Speed | Navigation/
Naval Power |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sail ships | |||||||
![]() |
Schooner | 2/1 | 1000 | - | - | 4.4-15.8 | 20/0 |
![]() |
Gunboat | 1/2 | 850 | 105 (21) | 40 | 4.0-18.0 | 20/10 |
![]() |
Frigate | 3/2 | 2000 | 140 (28) | 55 | 4,2-18.7 | 10/20 |
![]() |
Clipper | 4/1 | 2500 | - | - | 5.5-19.8 | 20/0 |
![]() |
Ship-of-the-line | 3/3 | 4000 | 525 (53) | 68 | 3.2-14.4 | 0/50 |
Steam ships | |||||||
![]() |
Cargo Ship | 6/2 | 4000 | - | - | 10.4 | 20/0 |
![]() |
Battle Cruiser | 3/4 | 6000 | 280 (40) | 84 | 9.0 | 0/70 |
![]() |
Monitor | 2/2 | 3000 | 93 (31) | 48 | 10.6 | 20/30 |
![]() |
Oil Tanker | 1(400t for ![]() |
5000 | - | - | 9.0 | 0/0 |
Hybrids | |||||||
![]() |
Flagship | 3/2 | 2000 | 175 (44) | 55 | 8.0-18.0 | 15/20 |
Airships | |||||||
![]() |
Airship | 4/2 | 1200 | - | - | 9.4-32.8 | ?/0 |
Special ships | |||||||
![]() |
Extravaganza Steamer | 6/3 | 5000 | - | - | 10.4 | 20/0 |
![]() |
Pirate Gunboat | 1/2 | 850 | 105 (26) | 40 | 4.8-21.6 | 20/10 |
![]() |
Pirate Frigate | 3/2 | 2000 | 140 (35) | 55 | 5.0-22.5 | 10/20 |
![]() |
Pirate Ship-of-the-line | 3/3 | 4000 | 525 (70) | 68 | 3.8-17.3 | 0/50 |
![]() |
Royal Ship-of-the-line | 3/3 | 5000 | 650 (65) | 68 | 3.2-14.4 | 0/50 |
![]() |
Pirate Monitor | 2/2 | 3000 | 93 (39) | 48 | 12.7 | 20/30 |
![]() |
Pyrphorian Monitor | 2/2 | 5000 | 55 (37) | 24 | 10.6 | 20/30 |
![]() |
Pyrphorian Warship | 2/2 | 6000 | 45 (45) | 33 | 10.6 | 20/30 |
![]() |
Pyrphorian Battle Cruiser | 3/4 | 8000 | 145 (50) | 42 | 9.0 | 0/70 |
![]() |
Great Eastern | 8/3 | 6500 | - | - | 11.0 | 20/0 |
![]() |
Salvager | 6/3 | 4000 | - | - | 10.6 | 10/0 |
|