Ikariam Barracks & Militær

The Barracks

The barracks is unlocked through the military research Weaponry and enables the recruitment of land units. Each upgrade level significantly reduces recruitment time — at high levels, units are completed in minutes rather than hours. Soldiers incur ongoing upkeep costs in gold, so you should plan your budget carefully.

Build the barracks initially to level 3 to 5. Høyer levels are only worthwhile for regular mass recruitment for coordinated alliance attacks. Each level uses a building slot — a scarce resource in small towns.

Unit Overview

Militær Strategi for Beginners

In Ikariam, it is not the largest army that wins, but the smartest composition. Use phalanx units as the front line, with archers behind them for the main damage. Steam giants are excellent for town defence, as they absorb enormous damage behind the wall.

The battle formation runs automatically in three rows. Heavy units stand at the front and absorb damage. Ranged units stand at the back and are protected as long as the front holds. The town wall adds a fixed bonus to all defenders.

Upkeep and Pris-Effectiveness

Every stationed unit costs gold per hour — even without combat. Militia and swordsmen are cheap, steam giants and gyrocopters are expensive. Calculate beforehand whether your gold income can sustain the upkeep long-term.

Cooks are underrated: they lower the upkeep cost multiplier. From 50 to 100 units onwards, 5 to 10 cooks pay off significantly. They do not fight, but in the long run they save more gold than they cost.

When to Attack, When to Defend?

Defensive players need fewer troops. A well-upgraded town wall with a small garrison of phalanx and archers is enough against most casual attackers. Offensive players need to invest more, but benefit from plundered resources that offset the upkeep costs.