Ubisoft Mainz released Anno 1800 on 16 April 2019 and built it around five Old World population tiers that each demand more goods than the one below. Sunken Treasures followed on 30 July 2019 with Cape Trelawney and Crown Falls, a continental island roughly three times the size of anything in the base game and 103 Influence to settle. Later sessions add the New World, the Arctic and Enbesa, each with its own residents, goods and shipping problem.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | A | Balanced | Schooner | Yes |
| Workers | A | Balanced | Clipper | Yes |
| Artisans | A | Balanced | Cargo Ship | Yes |
| Engineers | A | Balanced | Ship of the Line | Yes |
| Investors | A | Balanced | Monitor | Yes |
New player? Start with Workers. See our beginner's guide for why.
Farmers
Farmers is a strong option in Anno 1800.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Schooner |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Five Old World population tiers |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Schooner
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Old World to learn Farmers-specific mechanics
- Focus on Five Old World population tiers. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Schooner as your first major upgrade
- See our full Farmers build guide for the optimal gear progression
Workers
Workers is a strong option in Anno 1800.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Clipper |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Island-wide shared workforce |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Clipper
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Old World to learn Workers-specific mechanics
- Focus on Island-wide shared workforce. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Clipper as your first major upgrade
- See our full Workers build guide for the optimal gear progression
Artisans
Artisans is a strong option in Anno 1800.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Cargo Ship |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Influence spent on islands and ships |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Cargo Ship
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Old World to learn Artisans-specific mechanics
- Focus on Influence spent on islands and ships. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Cargo Ship as your first major upgrade
- See our full Artisans build guide for the optimal gear progression
Engineers
Engineers is a strong option in Anno 1800.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Ship of the Line |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Trade Union item slots |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Ship of the Line
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Old World to learn Engineers-specific mechanics
- Focus on Trade Union item slots. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Ship of the Line as your first major upgrade
- See our full Engineers build guide for the optimal gear progression
Investors
Investors is a strong option in Anno 1800.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Monitor |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Expeditions to other sessions |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Monitor
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Old World to learn Investors-specific mechanics
- Focus on Expeditions to other sessions. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Monitor as your first major upgrade
- See our full Investors build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Workers is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Farmers is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Schooner for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Investors offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Engineers shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Anno 1800 Guides
- Anno 1800 Anno 1800 Overview
- Anno 1800 Best Builds
- Anno 1800 Tier List
- Anno 1800 Walkthrough
- Anno 1800 Beginner's Guide
- Anno 1800 Tips & Tricks
- Anno 1800 Weapons Guide
- Anno 1800 Combat Guide
- Anno 1800 Boss Guide
- Anno 1800 Maps & Locations
- Anno 1800 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
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- Cities: Skylines Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Manor Lords Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Timberborn Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
