Piracy & Raiding

Piracy in Ikariam

Piracy offers a lucrative alternative to classic resource trading. Through the Pirate Fortress, you launch missions that yield loot in the form of resources, gold or special items after a waiting period. The higher the Pirate Fortress level, the more lucrative the missions. Piracy is particularly attractive as passive income alongside your regular production.

The Pirate Fortress is unlocked through Seafaring research and occupies a building slot. Each level increases the maximum mission reward and the number of simultaneously available missions. Invest in the Fortress if you want a steady stream of additional resources without having to actively trade.

Barbarian Villages

Every island has barbarian villages — NPC settlements that can be attacked and raided. They offer a low-risk way to practise combat mechanics and capture resources. The defence scales over time, so they remain interesting even for experienced players.

Barbarian villages regenerate after some time and can be attacked again. Use them as a training ground for new armies before you take on real players. The captured resources are a welcome supplement, especially in the early phase when every load of wood counts.

Raiding Other Players

Raiding other player towns is also possible. Your troops capture resources after a victorious battle that were not protected by the Hideout. Bear in mind: raiding creates enemies and provokes retaliation. Choose targets carefully — do not attack alliance members or significantly stronger players.

Efficient raiding requires reconnaissance. Spy on the target beforehand: how many troops are stationed? How high is the wall level? How many resources are unprotected in storage? Only when the expected loot exceeds the attack costs and potential losses is the raid worthwhile. Professional raiders keep records of profitable targets and their defence patterns.

Optimising the Pirate Fortress

The Pirate Fortress is unlocked through Seafaring research and requires a building slot. Invest in upgrades before you start missions — low levels yield little loot with long waiting times. From level 5 to 8, missions become noticeably profitable. Upgrade it before pirate events for maximum event rewards.

Professional Raiding

Professional raiders specialise in inactive players or weakly defended towns. Use the player search for potential targets — players who have been offline for days often have full storage and weak garrisons. The profit must outweigh the losses and diplomatic consequences. Never attack alliance members or allied players.