In the early hours of Anno 1800, your starting island feels comfortable and familiar—but it won’t take long before you hit resource limits. As your population grows and you unlock higher-tier needs, you will eventually reach bottlenecks your main island simply can’t solve. That’s when you will have to look outward.
Here’s a quick overview on how to settle new islands, the cost, and how to decide between early options like Cudslip and Cragmore.
Also Read: Anno 117: Pax Romana – How to Unlock All Deities
How to Settle New Islands
Your first settlement forms the backbone of your empire, but expansion is key. The sea yields access to new resources, new gods, and room for fresh growth.
How to Found a New City (Sandbox Mode)
Settling an island works the same way across most game modes:
- Sail a ship towards an uninhabited, unclaimed island.
- A blueprint of a Trading Post appears as you approach the coastline.
- Click it to see the building cost.
- Press Build Trading Post to officially settle.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Larger islands cost more, both upfront and in ongoing land tax.
- Your first Trading Post sets the direction of your new city, so choose a coastline that has enough open space to expand.
- Once built, you immediately get to farm, build houses, and extract resources unique to that island.
Story Mode Restrictions
In Story Mode, you can’t freely expand right away:
- Expansion unlocks after Act III.
- In Act IV, the game introduces settlement mechanics, and you will be asked to choose between Cudslip and Cragmore for your first outpost.
Also Read: Anno 117: Pax Romana – Garum Production Guide
Cudslip versus Cragmore: Which is Best for You?
Both islands have their own types of fertility and deposits. The choice depends entirely on what your main island is lacking and which production chains you want to unlock next.
Resource Comparison
| Resource | Cragmore | Cudslip |
| Barley | ✔ | ✔ |
| Herbs | ✔ | — |
| Dye Plant | — | ✔ |
| Saltwort | — | ✔ |
| Small Birds | ✔ | — |
| Iron Deposit | ✔ | ✔ |
| Copper Deposit | ✔ | ✔ |
| Silver Deposit | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mountain Slot | ✔ | ✔ |
| Marsh Slot | ✔ | ✔ |
How to Decide
Here’s a quick way to approach it:
Choose Cragmore if you want:
- Early access to Herbs
- Small Birds for food chains
- A more “natural resources-heavy” start
Choose Cudslip if you want:
- Dye Plant and Saltwort for more advanced production
- Establishing a stronger foundation for artisan or luxury goods later on.
