Finding the perfect starting location in Anno 1404: Venice (or Dawn of Discovery) is a rite of passage for any serious governor. Whether you are playing the classic version or the History Edition
, map seeds are the key to securing huge islands, abundant resources, and strategic fertility layouts.
The following seeds are consistently ranked among the best for building massive metropolises and efficient production chains. Top-Tier Map Seeds for Anno 1404: Venice Seed: 12421
Highlights: A favorite for the History Edition, this seed provides a huge map with the largest possible islands. Seed: 14885
Highlights: Best used in the Venice History Edition with "Volcano = On" and all settings set to max. It offers a massive building area for late-game expansion. Seed: 39950
Highlights: Features its largest island almost in the center of the map. It includes 6 river spots for construction, Cider and Hemp fertility, and the neutral power Brother Hilarius who sells wood and tools. Seed: 18030
Highlights: Recommended for medium island settings. The main Occidental island is conveniently located right next to an Oriental island that provides Spices, Dates, and Quartz. Seed: 59766
Highlights: A "huge" map configuration that places two giant isles near Kingsport and Al-Zahir’s port. It is ideal for rapid advancement into Oriental production chains. Pro-Tips for Choosing Your Seed
To ensure these seeds work as described, pay close attention to your World Settings during setup:
Island Size: Most of these seeds are optimized for "Large" or "Huge" settings. Changing this will alter how the seed generates the terrain.
Volcano Status: In the Venice expansion, toggling the Volcano on or off can completely shift which islands spawn in specific locations.
Neutral Powers: Some seeds are prized specifically because they place helpful NPCs like Brother Hilarius or Izmir on or near your starting island.
If you find a layout you love, you can always check your current map number in the menu to save it for a future playthrough. Anno1800 - Map Types and Best Map Seeds! : r/anno
Finding the perfect map in Anno 1404: Venice (also known as Dawn of Discovery) can transform your experience from a struggle for resources into a masterclass in empire-building. Whether you are using the original version or the History Edition, map seeds determine the layout, fertility, and strategic positioning of your world. Top Map Seeds for 2024–2026 anno 1404 venice best map seeds new
While "new" seeds are rare for a classic title, the following seeds remain the gold standard for players seeking maximum space and efficiency: Key Features 59766
Large map with two giant islands near North and South ports. Includes Copper, Iron, and Reefs. Mega-Cities 39950
Huge central island with 6 river spots and 3 Iron mines. Proximity to Brother Hilarius for early wood/tools. Resource Efficiency 12421
Features the largest possible islands for the History Edition. Maximum Build Space 18030
Oriental and Occidental islands are adjacent, featuring Spices, Dates, and Quartz right at the start. Beginners 8882
Exceptional layout where 3 main islands form a tight triangle, making trading routes lightning fast. Fast Progression Strategic Map Considerations
The "Volcano" Variable: When entering a seed, remember that toggling the Volcano setting "On" or "Off" can completely change which islands spawn. For a stable city, many players prefer turning volcanoes off to avoid random destruction.
Island Size vs. World Size: In Anno 1404, the world size is less critical than Island Size. For monuments like the Imperial Cathedral, always set island size to Large to ensure enough flat land for the footprint.
Map Types: The Archipelago and Corners map types typically offer the most buildable land, whereas "Atoll" can be restrictive for large-scale production. Optimization Tips
Production Layouts: To make the most of your seed, use optimized 4-farm layouts for Cider, Hemp, and Spices.
Neutral Powers: Look for seeds like 39950 that place neutral NPCs (like Brother Hilarius) near your starting island. This allows you to buy essential construction materials early without waiting for your own production chains. If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:
Are you playing the History Edition or the Original/Gold edition?
Do you prefer a sandbox/peaceful build or a map with heavy AI competition? Finding the perfect starting location in Anno 1404:
Are you aiming for a specific population goal (like 10k+ Nobles)?
I can provide more tailored seeds or specific island coordinates based on your playstyle.
Finding a great map seed in Anno 1404: Venice can completely change your experience, whether you're looking for massive building space or perfect resource clusters. Top Recommended Seeds
Seed 18030: Widely considered one of the best for a smooth start. It features a main Occidental island with a large river and essential resources (Stone, Iron, Brine) right next to an Oriental island providing Spices, Dates, and Quartz.
Seed 61376: Excellent for late-game population giants. It is known for having a massive number of Brine deposits (up to 35), allowing you to support a Noble population of over 100,000.
Seed 69420: Offers one of the largest unrestricted building areas, perfect for players who want to build a sprawling "megacity" without being blocked by mountains or rivers.
Seed 2782: Features a starter island that perfectly fits the "Big World's Fair City" layout commonly found on community wikis. Important Tips for Using Seeds
Settings Matter: The layout of a map is not just determined by the seed number. You must also match the original settings for Map Size (e.g., Large), Island Size (e.g., Huge), and Island Type to get the exact same results.
History Edition: These seeds generally work in the Anno 1404 History Edition, which includes the Venice expansion and optimization for modern systems.
NPCs and Pirates: Adding or removing AI competitors or pirates can sometimes shift the resources or fertilities on specific islands, even if the general landmass shapes remain the same.
For more specific island data, you can check the community-maintained Anno 1404 Wiki.
Finding the perfect map in Anno 1404: Venice (also known as Dawn of Discovery: Venice) is the first step toward building a massive metropolis. The right map seed determines the size of your islands, the availability of mineral deposits, and whether you'll have the space to build a world-class Cathedral or Sultan's Mosque.
For players using the Anno 1404 History Edition, these seeds are still the gold standard, as the 64-bit update preserves the classic map generation mechanics while fixing memory-related crashes on large maps. Top Map Seeds for Anno 1404: Venice Start a new continuous game or multiplayer match
While every map is playable, these specific seeds are highly rated for their massive islands and strategic resource placement.
Seed 59766 (Huge Map, Large Islands): This is widely considered one of the best "megacity" maps. It features two giant islands located very close to the neutral NPC ports of Kingsport (Lord Northburgh) and Al-Zahir. It provides a main Oriental island with copper, iron, and reef fertilities for dates, spices, and silk.
Seed 39950 (Venice Only): A favorite for those who want a centralized power base. The largest island is positioned almost exactly in the center of the map. It is rich in resources, boasting 2x Stone, 1x Brine, 2x Coal, 3x Iron, and 3x Bear's Caves. It also provides 6 river spots for industry.
Seed 14885 (Max Settings, Volcano On): Recommended for high-end production games. It is noted for having an abundance of brine deposits on islands that aren't ideal for housing, allowing you to use those islands as dedicated industrial hubs for salt and iron production.
Seed 18030 (Medium Islands): Ideal for a balanced start. Your main Occidental island is directly adjacent to an Oriental island that has Spices, Dates, Quartz, and Clay fertilities, significantly shortening early-game trade routes.
Seed 12421 (Huge Map): A veteran choice for players looking for the largest possible landmasses for unrestricted building. Key Settings for Best Results
The seed number alone doesn't guarantee the exact island layout. To ensure these seeds look as described, use the following world settings during setup: Map Size: Huge Island Size: Large Island Distribution: Mainly Large Islands
Difficulty: Normal or Easy (to ensure abundant mineral deposits) Resources: Plentiful/Abundant Strategic Tips for Map Selection Continuous Game | Anno 1404 Wiki
Here’s a properly structured piece on the best map seeds for Anno 1404: Venice, focusing on balance, resources, and expandability.
In Venice, you can become Doge. Once you have a seed you love, build your Senate on the island with the highest Tax Revenue potential (usually your starting island). Do not build it on a resource colony.
Best for: Hard difficulty competitive play vs. AI
Why it’s great: In Venice, water control is power. This circular atoll map places you in the "Ring" while three hard AI opponents spawn outside the ring. You control the chokepoints. You have exactly two large islands inside your lagoon (one Occident, one Orient) with perfect fertility: wheat/hemp on the west island, indigo/spices on the east.
Before we dive into the numbers, why do these seeds matter? In Anno 1404, the map generator is consistent. A specific seed number always produces the exact same world. We look for seeds that offer: