I'm stuck at Canned Food

[Sito]

So I am not new to Anno. This is my 5th Anno version so I know how things work. But I am completely stumped at how to get Canned Food going on this 1800 game.

My main island with Artisan workers has no pepper fertility. So naturally like other Anno games I go to build my production on another island that does. But I can't build the goulash or canning because I have no Artisan workers over there. Why not? I have over 200. Then I notice that the other productions that required farmers and workers I could build one or two but the populations show only a few left. No way to build more chains.

So at this point I could ship one pepper and one meat and do the rest of the chain on my main island but I could never expand the chain.

Are workers not global? How heck I get workers to the island? Or how get fertility on main island? Which in previous Anno you want all production off your main island.

[Gregomoto]

You have to build the commuter pier on your islands to share workforce or you build paprika farms and meat farms on the island (only farmers needed for this) like you did and ship it to your main island for further production, if you run out of farmers, built the commuter pier or build farmer houses and provide them with fish at least.
Also you could by an trade union item to provide paprika fertility on your island (late game: you can research to change fertility on an island in the research institute).

[General Malaise]

Early game, I normally need look for an island with Hops, and one with Pepper, then I need one with Furs, Salt Peter and, and Grapes.

You only need a few workers, which takes no effort at all. Later, you get some 'Free' Farmers/Workers/Artisans/Engineers if you have enough islands.

The Commuter Piers are very expensive, you won't be able to afford them until you get Investors.

Eventually, you can get Chef Michel from The Prison guy. He uses Pigs instead of Goulash. Costs around $300,000 though, so you probably can't afford him right now.

[Tankfriend]

Originally posted by Sito:

Are workers not global? How heck I get workers to the island? Or how get fertility on main island? Which in previous Anno you want all production off your main island.

Workers are not global. Once you advance into Engineers enough, you can build the commuter pier in the old world and all islands that have a pier share their work force. Before that, you'll need to settle people on other islands, as well.
One other benefit of spreading your population: Royal tax evasion. For everyone above 1000 of a given population level on a given island, you lose income. Spreading your population around also allows you to optimize your income by evading tax.

[Chaosium]

Have a ship sitting at Eli's harbor and pray to find Chef Michel who trivializes Canned Food, or an Actor who's even better at the job

[Sito]

ok thanks for the suggestions. I will keep plugging away at it.

[DocFrog1789]

"So at this point I could ship one pepper and one meat and do the rest of the chain on my main island but I could never expand the chain."

Why could you not expand the chain?

Transportation of goods is an important part of Anno1800 beyond the early game. At some point, you won't have all the necessary raw materials on a single island anymore, and you need to ship goods around.

So, build your artisan kitchens and cannerys on an island where you have the necessary employees... and transport any raw material you need there.
You can expand on that island as much as your workforce allows... and then in turn, ship the canned food to other islands where it is needed.

At some point, this will get much too complex to do manually. That is what trade routes are for. These, too, need a bit of learning... but that's part of the game.


Another method is the use of trade union and town hall items. These can provide valuable bonuses, or even change productions or needs completely.
For artists and canned food, there are the two main options that were already mentioned.

First is the "actor". This is a blue item that can be bought at Eli Bleakworths - or found in rescue expeditions - and fills the need for canned food (and rum, very convenient) for every house within the radius of the townhall she is in, that has also access to a variety theater.

Second is "Chef Michel". He is a purple item, thus a bit more difficult to find, but he also can be bought at Eli's, or be gotten as a rescue expedition reward. He is placed in a trade union, and changes the input of canneries from goulash to pigs. Thus he does away with the need for cattle, pepper and the artisan kitchen.
He's the much better choice when it comes to feed larger numbers of artisans... so if you can get one... grab him immediatly!
He is used

[General Malaise]

Even if you secure Chef Michel, you'll still want to keep an island with Peppers, because when you get around to building a World Fair, you'll need Goulash for that.

[Gregomoto]

Originally posted by General Malaise:

Even if you secure Chef Michel, you'll still want to keep an island with Peppers, because when you get around to building a World Fair, you'll need Goulash for that.

Just to add: if you want to fulfill lifestyle needs, you’ll need beef for workers; so i’ve never used the pig replacement option in my games.

[Sito]

I am starting to recall all the little tricks of the Anno series. I haven't played for a long time. I will keep levelling up despite lack of some needs and see what happens, then likely start over with more insight and get further. My usual Anno play style.
I am trying for Chef Michel for now but I am hoping that getting enough Artisans to unlock Engineers will get me the commuter pier. If not I start over and think it through.

[Sito]

I remember there was one Anno game that you had to buy enough beer or whatever to satisfy the population to get a brief window to level up to one Merchant. Then you could unlock a bunch of stuff to proceed.
Anno on the ipad. One of my favourite games of all time.
Yes I am old.

[General Malaise]

Originally posted by Sito:

I am starting to recall all the little tricks of the Anno series. I haven't played for a long time. I will keep levelling up despite lack of some needs and see what happens, then likely start over with more insight and get further. My usual Anno play style.
I am trying for Chef Michel for now but I am hoping that getting enough Artisans to unlock Engineers will get me the commuter pier. If not I start over and think it through.

I'd try and find an island with Peppers, and preferably another thing you'll need, like Furs, Saltpetre, or Grapes. You only need 8 Steel and 50 wood to settle and start up a new island. You will also need a lot more coal and minerals later, so it's best to claim what islands you need now. Even then, you'll likely covet those of the AI - I always do, and generally get them.

But yes, Chef Michel is definitely worth having - when you can afford. Commuter piers are $1000 each maintenance. I doubt you can afford them right now. Nothing wrong with starting over. I have many, many times.

:D

[pemmons1]

Basically, you need labor on an island to get any production from it. But if you own enough islands, you get an "influence bonus" of some free labor of each class: first 50, then 100, then 200. You can do a lot with this labor, especially if you're mainly interested in farms and mines. I enjoy making the most of it as long as I can stay out of the red.

There are also items that reduce labor force by a percentage. These are especially valuable to work more gold mines in the new world. Finally, late in the game you can get transmuted items from Old Nate that provide electricity for certain industries, or perhaps get lucky enough to acquire other items with the same effect.

Islands with neither inhabitants nor commuter piers are never susceptible to fires or explosions. This is another advantage.

If you are using the Docklands DLC, at least put spare farmers to work as lumberjacks.
Just six will probably produce 600 tons between visits of Captain Tobias, and you can trade the lumber for whatever and soon make a profit. I've done some comparison, and trading lumber away seems to be the best return on investment and expenses, slow but sure.

[Sito]

Ok thanks everyone. I think I have made some fatal mistakes along the way and will restart. Good way to learn and I am not shy to do so but it is a shame since I have over 1.5 million and making about $3000 with my well balanced population and production but I messed up on not knowing workers were not global and trying to put a whole canning chain on an island.

[General Malaise]

Originally posted by Sito:

Ok thanks everyone. I think I have made some fatal mistakes along the way and will restart. Good way to learn and I am not shy to do so but it is a shame since I have over 1.5 million and making about $3000 with my well balanced population and production but I messed up on not knowing workers were not global and trying to put a whole canning chain on an island.

There's a tab at the top shows your Balance, click that and then Production, then on Consumer Goods, and you will see if you're making enough stuff.

Then when you want a new factory, you can see what your income is and what it costs in maintenance, and if you can afford it. If you can't, increase your population or upgrade them.

I have a bit of difficulty affording Steel Works etc. It is good to get onto making Windows as soon as you get Artisans, and Concrete as soon as you get to Engineers, but it is quite expensive

Also try to take islands you're going to need. I try and buy some steel from Archie if I can, just station a ship there, and buy 1 ton every time it becomes available. The AI will nab it otherwise.