Something dangerous is rising in Anno 117: Pax Romana—and it’s not just your empire.
On April 23, the Prophecies of Ash DLC drops, introducing a massive volcanic island that can either destroy your civilization… or make it stronger than ever.
A New Island That Changes Everything
The expansion introduces Cinis, the largest island ever seen in the Anno franchise. But this isn’t just about more land.
At the center of Cinis sits a volatile volcano that constantly reshapes gameplay. Instead of being a background element, it becomes a living system that directly impacts your economy, city planning, and survival.
You’re no longer just building a city—you’re reacting to nature.
When the Volcano Awakens
Eruptions don’t just look dramatic—they hit your empire in waves.
Buildings take damage. Fires spread. Ash clouds blanket the land. Production slows across farms, mines, and fisheries.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Once the chaos settles, the land becomes richer. Soil fertility increases, turning farmland into high-output zones. Every eruption brings risk—but also a long-term advantage if you survive it.
Planning Becomes More Important Than Expansion
This DLC shifts the focus from expansion to preparation.
Keeping your population stable during disaster phases becomes critical. Resource shortages can spiral quickly if you’re not ready.
Storage upgrades, trade routes, and efficient production chains become your backbone. The smarter your planning, the less damage each eruption causes.
At the same time, deity choices now play a bigger role:
- Vulcan boosts mining efficiency
- Ceres improves farming output
- Neptune strengthens fishing production
These decisions directly shape how your economy recovers after each eruption.
Obsidian: The Resource You Can’t Ignore
After every eruption, new opportunities emerge.
Obsidian deposits refill across the island, unlocking powerful production chains and bonuses. This resource isn’t just another material—it’s a strategic advantage.
It can also be traded for rare specialists, giving you access to production capabilities your island normally wouldn’t support.
That flexibility can completely change how you build your economy.
A Hidden Advantage Players Might Miss
The most interesting twist? The volcano actually makes your empire stronger over time.
Each eruption increases soil quality, pushing agricultural productivity higher and higher. Over multiple cycles, your farms can become significantly more efficient than before.
So while early eruptions feel punishing, experienced players will learn to use them as growth cycles.
Not a Fan of Chaos? There’s an Option
If you prefer a pure city-building experience, the DLC allows you to disable volcanic activity entirely.
But there’s a catch.
Without eruptions, obsidian won’t regenerate—meaning you lose access to some of the DLC’s most powerful systems.
It’s a trade-off between stability and depth.
Release Details
Anno 117: Pax Romana – Prophecies of Ash launches on April 23 for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
The DLC is available separately or included in the Gold Edition, Season Pass, and Ubisoft+ Premium.
Why This DLC Feels Different
Unlike traditional expansions that just add content, this one changes how you think.
It forces you to adapt, prepare, and take calculated risks.
And that’s what makes it stand out.
Because in this version of Anno, survival isn’t about avoiding disaster—it’s about mastering it.