How do I declare war on another Governor in Anno 117?

War is typically declared through the **Diplomacy Menu**, accessed by interacting with another Governor's portrait or through the diplomacy tab. You must select the 'Declare War' option, which requires your relationship to be at a certain negative threshold.

What are the consequences of declaring war?

Declaring war will immediately halt all **trade agreements** and **alliance benefits** with that Governor. Expect them to launch military attacks, and your reputation with other neutral parties may be negatively affected.

What are the basic military units available for combat?

Anno 117 features land and naval units. Land units follow a rock-paper-scissors mechanic, including **Infantry**, **Ranged fighters**, and **Cavalry**, alongside siege weapons like **Artillery** for breaking fortifications.

Anno 117 How To Declare War

© gamerblurb.com | Published on 11/13/2025 at 12:05 AM CST (USA)

Anno 117: Pax Romana

If you want to expand your empire or settle a long grudge, you will eventually look up how to declare war in Anno 117. The game hides the feature a little, so it helps to know the exact steps before you march in.

The Direct Answer

You declare war through the Diplomacy menu, then choose between Limited War and All Out War. Each option changes how the Emperor reacts and what targets you are allowed to attack.

Understanding the War Tools

Declaring war in Anno 117 is simple once you know where everything sits. The game lets you set the tone of the fight, and each choice has different penalties and rewards. The Diplomacy screen is the main spot where you handle everything from trade agreements to full invasions.

When you open the panel, look for the War Declaration option in the GB-Proxy menu. It brings up a menu with a few choices. You can review enemy strength, check the reputation cost, and confirm the type of conflict you want to start. Nothing happens until you hit the final confirm, so you can safely study the numbers.

War Types and What They Change

Limited War

This is the more controlled option. Limited War stops you from attacking civilians or civilian ships. You can only target military units and military structures. The Emperor dislikes this choice less, and other leaders view it as a smaller conflict. It is useful when you want to pressure someone without creating a huge diplomatic mess.

All Out War

This is the full invasion mode. You can destroy anything, including civilian buildings and civilian ships. The Emperor reacts strongly to this one, and your reputation drops fast. Use this when you are ready to commit hard and finish the enemy completely.

Checking Your Reputation Penalties

The game shows you how much standing you will lose before you confirm the war. This includes your rating with the Emperor, rival leaders, and your overall diplomacy profile. Strong prestige or a high military rating can soften the blow, but there is always a cost.

What Happens After You Declare

Once war begins, your military units can move in and start hitting targets allowed by your chosen war type. Capturing the enemy Villa is the key moment. When you take it, the island falls under your control and you get several options.

Post War Outcomes

Take the island by spending denarii or reputation
Raze the island and leave it empty for future settling
Set up a vassal and let them keep running it under your command
Keep the island but clear the land so you can build your own layout

These choices let you control the region without forcing a single playstyle.

Strategy Tips When Planning a War

Prep Before You Hit Diplomacy

Make sure your supply routes have enough tools and timber for repairs. War drains resources fast and you never want your frontline warehouse to run dry.

Watch Your Navy

Most early wars rely on ships more than ground units. Keeping a few extra ships in reserve helps you finish a siege faster.

Scout the Island

Use a ship to check what produces income for your enemy. If you hit the right targets, you break their economy long before you break their walls.

Final Blurb

War in Anno 117 feels clean once you understand where the menus live and how the two war types work. Take your time, plan your strike, and the island usually falls faster than you expect.