For over a decade, Anno 1404: Venice has remained the gold standard of city-building and economic simulation. Whether you are a meticulous perfectionist aiming for a 10,000 Noblemen metropolis or a ruthless Admiral hunting down Hassan Ben Sahid’s corsairs, the one variable that dictates your success or failure is the map seed.
In Anno 1404 Venice, the "seed" is the numerical DNA of your archipelago. It determines the placement of islands, the distribution of fertility (spices, wheat, hemp), the availability of ore (iron, quartz, gold), and the strategic depth of trade routes.
But with millions of possible combinations, which seeds actually deliver? After hundreds of hours of testing across the community and personal experience, this guide provides the definitive, full list of the best map seeds for Anno 1404 Venice.
Note: These seeds work best with the Venice expansion pack. For consistency, use Large Archipelago or Island Arc map types, Hard difficulty trade mechanics (to ensure resource scarcity is balanced), and Normal/High island density.
Don't care about efficiency? Just want a gorgeous harbor town for a cinematic screenshot?
Remember: If you load one of these seeds and the island looks small, ensure your "Island Size" setting is set to "Normal" or "Large," as "Small" or "Hard" settings will override the seed's generous geography.
Finding the perfect map in Anno 1404: Venice (also known as Dawn of Discovery: Venice) is the key to building a sprawling metropolis without the constant headache of fragmented supply chains. While seeds are powerful, remember that they are highly sensitive to your initial world settings—Island Size, Island Type, and whether Volcanoes are active will all change the final layout.
For the best results, use these seeds in a Continuous Game with Large Island Size and Large Map Size. Top Map Seeds for Anno 1404: Venice
Here are the most highly-regarded seeds for players looking for massive building space and optimal resource clusters:
Seed 39950: Widely considered one of the best for city-builders.
Features: Features a massive central island ideal for your main capital. It includes cider and hemp fertilities and houses Brother Hilarius, a neutral power who provides easy access to early-game tools and wood.
Resources: 2x Stone, 1x Brine, 2x Coal, 3x Iron, and 3x Bear's Cave.
Seed 59766: Perfect for those who want a strong presence in both the Orient and Occident right away. anno 1404 venice best map seeds full
Features: Two giant islands located directly next to Kingsport and Al-Zahir's port, making trade exceptionally fast.
Resources: The main Oriental island features dates, spices, and silk fertilities along with copper and iron.
Seed 18030: A classic "starter" seed for a relaxed continuous game.
Features: The main Occidental island sits directly adjacent to a lush Oriental island, giving you immediate access to Spices, Dates, and Quartz.
Resources: Includes 2x Brine, 2x Stone, 2x Iron, and 2x Bear's Caves.
Seed 12421: Highly recommended for the History Edition by community members seeking the absolute largest maps and island clusters.
Seed 14885: Use this for a "maxed out" challenge. It is best with all settings at maximum and Volcano = On to ensure the most diverse geography. How to Ensure Seeds Work
Map seeds in Anno 1404 are not standalone codes; they are instructions for the map generator. To get the exact maps described above, you must match the World Settings used by the original discoverer: Island Size: Set to "Large". Island Type: Usually "Mainly Large" or "Large".
Fertility/Minerals: Set to "Plenty" to maximize the yields described.
Volcanoes: Many high-tier seeds require volcanoes to be ON for the specific island patterns to trigger. Pro-Tip: Finding Your Own Seed
If you are currently playing a map you love and want to share it or restart it, you can find the seed by opening your save game file in Notepad. Search (Ctrl+F) for the word "Seed" to reveal the 5-digit number associated with that world. Continuous Game | Anno 1404 Wiki | Fandom
Map 39950 has its largest island almost in the center of the map. It has 2x Stone, 1x Brine, 2x Coal, 3x Iron, and 3x Bear's Cave. Anno 1404 Wiki·Contributors to Anno 1404 Wiki Anno 1404 Venice: The Ultimate Guide to the
In the pantheon of city-building strategy games, Anno 1404: Venice occupies a unique space. It is a game about logistics, aesthetics, and the slow, satisfying taming of wilderness. Yet, for all its complexity, the single most deterministic factor of a successful playthrough is not your build order or trade route efficiency—it is the map seed. A poor seed means sprawling, disconnected islands and endless, tedious ship voyages. A great seed, however, elevates the game from a resource puzzle into a symphony of interconnected systems. The quest for the “best” map seed is not a search for easy mode; it is a search for character, balance, and the subtle geometry of challenge and reward.
The "Best" map seed is subjective to your ambition.
In Anno 1404, the map is your canvas. Choose your colors wisely.
For Anno 1404: Venice (and the History Edition), map seeds are highly dependent on the world settings you choose. To get the results described below, ensure your settings are set to Huge World and Large Islands. Top Recommended Map Seeds
14885: Often cited as one of the best for high-density building. It features a high number of Brine deposits, allowing you to use non-productive islands for massive salt production. Most large islands have excellent resource counts, though you may need to buy Rose seeds as a large island with that natural fertility is missing.
59766: A classic choice for an easy start. This seed places two giant islands very close to the main trade ports (Kingsport and Al-Zahir), minimizing early-game travel time. It includes key Oriental fertilities like Dates, Spices, and Silk.
39950: Ideal for those who want a massive central island. The main island is centrally located and packed with resources: 3x Iron, 2x Coal, 2x Stone, and 6 river spots. It also features Brother Hilarius as a neutral power nearby for easy access to wood and tools.
61376: Specifically recommended for players who want to maximize production, as it has been noted to contain up to 35 Brine deposits across the map.
79661 and 13689: Frequently recommended as balanced seeds with a good distribution of large islands and diverse fertilities. Key Tips for Using Seeds
Settings Matter: Seeds are not universal. A seed will only look the same if you match the original creator's settings for island size, island difficulty, resources, and whether the Volcano is toggled on or off.
Find Your Own Seed: If you are currently playing a map you love and want to save the seed, go to your savegame folder (usually in Documents), open the .sww save file with Notepad, and use Ctrl+F to search for "Seed". It is typically a 5-digit number.
Resource Management: If a perfect seed is missing one specific fertility (like Grapes or Roses), you can usually purchase the corresponding seed items from neutral traders like Al-Zahir or Lord Northburgh to "unlock" that fertility on your chosen island. Note: These seeds work best with the Venice
For more detailed island breakdowns and community favorites, you can browse the Anno 1404 Wiki Venice Maps or check the Continuous Game guide for updated seed lists.
Anno 1404: Venice , the best map seeds focus on providing huge maps with the largest possible islands and high resource density. Because the
setting and map size affect how islands spawn, ensure you use the settings specified with each seed. Top Map Seeds for Anno 1404: Venice Seed 14885 (History Edition)
: A favorite for large-scale builds. Set everything to "max" with Volcano = On
. This seed features numerous large islands and is highly rated for its distribution of resources and space. Seed 61376 : Known for having an exceptionally high number of Brine deposits
(up to 35-43 with buffs). This makes it ideal for supporting massive populations of 100,000+ Nobles by providing enough salt for meat and fur production. Seed 12421
: Recommended for those seeking a "huge map" with the "largest islands possible." It provides a balanced start with good fertilities for early progression.
: Often cited as one of the best overall maps. It features a "Main Island" that has almost everything needed to reach Tier 4 quickly, supported by a nearby "Farmer Island" to the south and a "Workers Island" to the west. Seed 72731
: A popular choice found in community lists for its favorable island layouts. Key Settings for Optimal Maps To get the most out of these seeds, use the following Continuous Game Island Size Island Difficulty : Easy (for more flat building space) Fertilities/Minerals
: Enabled (This significantly changes the layout and allows for volcanic islands introduced in the Venice expansion).
For a visual guide on the top map layouts and island selections in Anno 1404 Venice: Venice, 1404 👉Top 5 best maps👈 #Special Guide ChristANNO YouTube• Jan 4, 2019
Which of these seeds are you planning to try first for your next