10 Essential Gameplay Tips for Civilization 7 for First-Time Players

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII presents a captivating grand strategy experience, demanding considerable time and commitment to grasp its intricate gameplay mechanics. Though the Civilization series has a storied history, the refreshing reimagining in Civ 7 is primed to attract both new and returning players to its immersive world. Whether you are new to the 4X strategy genre or this is your first delve into Civilization, we have compiled essential tips to help you navigate Civ 7’s complex systems and rules effectively.

This guide focuses on vital gameplay strategies for newcomers, enabling you to acclimate without feeling overwhelmed by the game’s multifaceted elements.

10 Don’t Skip the Tutorials

Civ 7’s Tutorials and Advisors Are Invaluable

Civilization 7 features an integrated tutorial that provides a step-by-step guide through the gameplay. This invaluable resource breaks down fundamental mechanics, including city building, resource management, and understanding Technologies and Civics. It’s crucial to invest time in these tutorials to gain a comprehensive understanding of the game.

Additionally, Civ 7’s advisors offer ongoing support, directing you throughout your gameplay. Pay close attention to their guidance and the associated icons representing various advice areas: purple note for Cultural, red sword for Military, green coins for Economic, and blue beakers for Scientific.

9 Setting Up Your First Civ 7 Campaign

Embrace Playing on the Scribe Difficulty Level

If you’re new to the Civ series, the initial setup can be daunting. Start by selecting a familiar leader, even if their abilities seem unclear at first. Opt to begin in the Antiquity Age, aligning with one of the recommended civilizations, such as Greece or Rome for Catherine the Great.

While new players may find it beneficial to disable Crises initially, as you grow more comfortable, integrating them can deepen your strategic engagements as ages transition.

For first-time players, difficulty levels like Scribe or Governor are advisable until you become better acquainted with the game’s mechanics. Start with a standard or quick game mode, choosing Continents or Continents Plus on a small or tiny map, ensuring that Disaster Intensity is set to Light, and consider turning off Crises for the opening campaign.

8 Think in Chapters & Learn the Ages

Understanding the Three Distinct Ages in Civ 7

Civilization 7 is structured into three distinct Ages, defined as Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Each Age represents a critical “chapter”in your gameplay, featuring unique civilizations, mechanics, and objectives. Familiarizing yourself with the elements of each Age will immensely aid your strategic planning.

Transitioning between Ages is pivotal for achieving Victory, as selecting the right civilization and Legacy bonuses can greatly boost your progress. Remember, various elements reset with each Age, making it essential to understand what persists and what does not.

7 Utilize the Civilopedia

The Civilopedia: Your Go-To Reference Tool

A hallmark of the Civilization franchise is the Civilopedia, serving as a comprehensive in-game reference. Civ 7’s Civilopedia offers rich resources for both new and seasoned players, featuring extensive entries related to the game’s mechanics.

Each entry is specific to the Age you are in, allowing you to look back but not forward to later Age entries. While it might require specific search terms or category navigation to find particular topics, this tool remains an essential asset during your campaigns.

6 Pursue a Legacy Path

How Legacy Paths Direct You Toward Victory

Legacy Paths within Civ 7 are categorized into Science, Culture, Economic, and Military. Identifying and aligning with a path suitable for your chosen leader enhances your chance of success— for instance, opting for a Scientific path for Confucius.

By achieving milestones along your Legacy Path, you earn Legacy Points to be utilized at the beginning of the subsequent Age, steering you toward specific Victory Conditions in the Modern Age.

5 Understanding Victory Conditions

Unique Projects Follow Each Legacy Path

New players often ponder how to secure a win in Civ 7. Victory hinges upon completing a Legacy Path’s unique project in the Modern Age. Once you successfully navigate through the Legacy Path, you’ll need to complete a specific project before your rivals can do the same.

For instance, players pursuing the Scientific Legacy Path must undertake Space Race Projects, involving the launch of satellites and preparation for the First Staffed Space Flight to claim victory.

4 Familiarize Yourself with Commander Units

Enhance Combat Engagement with Commander Units

Combat is inevitable in Civilization, especially for those still mastering the intricacies of diplomacy. Commander units play a pivotal role, particularly if you’re aiming for a Military Victory. These units offer significant benefits to the combat units within their command radius, enhancing their effectiveness.

Importantly, Commander units are designed to persist throughout the Ages, ensuring they are valuable assets in your military strategy. Although their loss in battle results in a temporary setback, they will respawn, ready to support your endeavors.

3 Balance Your Cities and Towns

Towns Are Crucial for Sustaining Your Economy

Post-establishment, settlements initially function as towns (excluding the capital created by the Founder unit).Towns are vital for an economy, transforming production into Gold. The ideal balance is one town for every city, which is vital for maintaining overall happiness and sustainability across your civilization.

As you accrue Gold, upgrading towns into full-fledged cities is advisable, but ensure that you maintain enough reserves for city maintenance and overall unit costs throughout the game. Utilize the Global Yields Breakdown to monitor income and expenditure effectively.

2 Embrace Losing as a Learning Opportunity

The Reality of Legacy Paths Not Always Leading to Success

Civ 7 Operation Ivy Detonation Military Victory

Progressing through the Legacy Paths to reach the Modern Age does not guarantee victory; you may still encounter defeat from rival civilizations. While this is less likely on easier settings, maintaining awareness of other civilizations’ advancements, particularly during the Modern Age when Victory Conditions become critical, is essential.

In case of missteps or the desire to adjust strategies, utilize previous save files or the auto-save options to revert to earlier turns. Remember, losses are a natural part of the learning curve inherent in Civilization games— taking the time to grasp the game’s complexities is key to improvement.

1 Embrace Trial & Error

Mistakes Are Integral to the Civ 7 Experience

For newcomers embarking on their Civ 7 journey, the element of surprise awaits. Whether it’s your first Civilization game or not, mistakes are a fundamental component of enhancing your understanding of the game. The nuances reveal themselves gradually as you progress through each Age, and initial choices may not always yield the best results as you uncover the always-evolving landscape of gameplay.

Engaging in trial and error is a powerful strategy for mastering Civ 7, especially since it’s nearly impossible to grasp all aspects without experiencing some failures. While the journey through Civilization 7 is filled with thrilling challenges, applying these gameplay tips will significantly assist in easing your level of familiarity and comfort with the game.

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