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Choosing the right server in Ikariam is one of the most consequential decisions you will make, defining your entire gameplay experience. Each server is an independent game world with its own islands, players, and alliances, named after Greek gods and having different ages—from recently opened to long-established worlds. This choice determines your starting conditions, competition level, and long-term progression path.
Understanding the Key Differences
New Servers
A new server offers the most balanced starting conditions. Everyone begins at the same point, with no established players holding advantages accumulated over years. This creates fair competition during the first few months when all players are building cities, developing research, and forming alliances simultaneously.
The primary drawback is that production levels on islands are initially very low, making early resource gathering slower. It can take months to build your towns because the islands’ production levels will be low. However, many players consider this worthwhile for the fresh start experience.
Old Servers
Old servers feature established communities with high-level mines and quarries, providing significantly better resource production from the start. The economy is mature, and the islands are much more developed.
The significant drawback is the risk factor. On an old server, you may be an easy target for many veteran players, and the good island spots will be largely occupied. If you are attacked, you will be at an overwhelming disadvantage against accounts that have accumulated years of experience and development.
The Reality of Server Mergers
Server merges are a regular feature of Ikariam’s lifecycle. When servers have low activity, they are periodically consolidated to ensure lively worlds with enough active players. During a merger, all cities, troops, and resources are preserved. The layout of the world, resources on islands, locations, and miracles remain the same.
These merges have significant implications. In a merged server, accounts from servers that have been running for a long time come together, often with vastly different account ages. A new player who joined a fresh server might find their 1-year-old account merged with accounts that are 5-6 years old, creating massive power imbalances.
2026 Server Merge Settings
The upcoming 2026 server merge introduces distinct server settings that players can choose from, affecting gameplay significantly:
For communities retaining 2 servers:
- Setting A: Wood and Marble production +35%, buildings built 25% faster, trade ships 25% faster, but troops and ships built 50% slower and cost twice as much
- Setting B: Wood and Sulphur production +50%, Wine production +20%, buildings 10% faster, troops and ships 25% faster, land units 25% cheaper and move 50% faster
For communities retaining 4 servers:
- Setting C: No bonuses—”like they used to be back in the good old days”
- Setting D: Similar to Setting A (Wood/Marble bonus with military penalties)
- Setting E: Wood, Crystal, Wine +25%, buildings 25% faster, scientists +25% research points
- Setting F: Similar to Setting B (Sulphur/Wood/Wine bonuses with military advantages)
Strategic Recommendation
For a new player or someone returning after a long break, a new or recent server is generally the best choice. These offer the most balanced experience where everyone starts from zero. Starting on a fresh server gives you the opportunity to grow alongside other players, form alliances on equal footing, and avoid the overwhelming power disparity found on established servers.
If you are a veteran player, an old or merged server may be worth considering for its established economy and developed islands. However, even experienced players often prefer new servers for the fresh competition and balanced start.
The key consideration is your goal: if you want fair progression and a level playing field, choose a new server. If you are willing to face established powers for the benefit of developed resources, an older server may suit your playstyle. In either case, understanding your server’s age and likely future (merges are inevitable) will help you plan your long-term strategy effectively.
