Civ 7: Essential Actions to Take at the Start of Each Era

Civilization 7 has introduced a transformative approach to gameplay with its new Age advancement system, presenting both challenges and opportunities for seasoned players. Unlike previous titles in the franchise that focused primarily on progressing through the Technology Tree without firm transitions, Civ 7 features clear divisions marked by distinct Ages. This shift may require even the most experienced players to rethink their strategies upon entering each Age. For newcomers, understanding how to navigate these shifts is key to a successful game experience.

Within Civilization 7, players will encounter three primary Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age necessitates unique strategic approaches and unlocks distinct victory conditions. Additionally, the introduction of diverse leaders affects the civilizations available at different stages of the game. Selecting the right civilization is crucial when transitioning into a new Age, as is planning the initial moves effectively.

Understanding Civ 7’s Age Advancement

The Structure of Ages in Civ 7

Civ 7 Tecumseh Shawnee Exploration Age End

Civilization 7 is divided into three distinct Ages, beginning with the Antiquity Age. Players can progress through these Ages by completing various objectives within Civ 7’s Legacy Paths—specific quests related to core game aspects such as Science or Culture. Achieving milestones within a civilization will advance the Age for all players simultaneously. This system ensures that while certain civilizations may thrive, no player gets left behind in giant leaps, fostering a balanced competitive environment.

Throughout the transition between Ages, certain units and upgrades will persist, but others will not carry over. Players can transfer a maximum of six units into the next Age, which could strategically impact gameplay. Furthermore, a critical element of the Age transition is the availability of different civilizations, significantly influencing gameplay dynamics and strategies.

Unlike previous game versions where players aligned with a single civilization throughout the entirety of play, Civ 7 allows engagement with multiple civilizations across different Ages. Each civilization presents unique bonuses, units, and upgrades, making the choice of civilization impactful on overall gameplay.

Starting Strategies for the Antiquity Age

Found Your Capital and Forge Alliances

At the onset of the Antiquity Age, civilizations start with a single Founder unit. Prioritizing the establishment of your capital city is crucial.Founding the capital at the earliest opportunity is advisable, even if the initial location isn’t ideal. This decision helps to accelerate production and city expansion, particularly critical on more challenging difficulty settings where resource production may be boosted for opposing civilizations.

After the initial city is secured, constructing a Scout should be your first production choice. Scouts are essential for exploring the terrain, identifying potential locations for future Settlements, and locating resources. Building relationships with neighboring civilizations and independent states from the start is also advantageous. Establishing diplomatic ties with independent cities can discourage early aggression and facilitate a smoother setup phase. Likewise, positive relationships with other civilizations can yield beneficial bonuses, complementing early game progression.

Familiarizing yourself with the Legacy Paths early on is key, as recognizing which paths synergize with your chosen civilization and leader enhances your path to victory. While flexibility in strategy is permissible later in the game, excelling in a specific Legacy Path during the Antiquity Age can lay a solid foundation for future success.

Starting Strategies for the Exploration Age

Explore and Strategize Your Approach

In the Exploration Age, players gain the ability to navigate Civ 7’s Distant Lands—regions previously inaccessible during the Antiquity Age due to expanses of deep Ocean. This stage opens the possibility of crossing these deep waters, subsequently revealing vast areas of the game world.

Embracing exploration is vital during this Age. Prioritizing the research of Cartography within the Technology Tree allows more units, including Settlers, to traverse deep Ocean tiles. This can be instrumental in establishing footholds on new continents or enhancing the capacity to explore and develop relationships with new civilizations through trade routes.

Conversely, if a player opts for territorial dominance, initiating research on Machinery is recommended. This grants access to the first siege unit, facilitating castle construction for safeguarding Settlements. Nonetheless, launching exploratory vessels remains wise for broadening horizons and establishing contact with other civilizations.

As with the Antiquity Age, gaining an understanding of the Legacy Paths is critical for success in the Exploration Age. Reviewing potential paths and their requirements can prove beneficial, even if your focus evolved differently during Antiquity. Being aware of available options fosters successful strategies and preparation for competing civilizations’ objectives.

Starting Strategies for the Modern Age

Define Your Victory Condition

The Modern Age in Civ 7 presents players with the greatest variability in early game strategies, especially as approaches will differ based on each player’s previous decisions. A crucial initial action for all players in the Modern Age is selecting which of Civ 7’s new victory conditions to pursue.

Even civilizations with diverse focus across multiple Legacy Paths should consider narrowing their objectives. Many of Civilization 7‘s victory conditions become accessible exclusively during this final Age. Locking onto a definitive goal enables more strategic navigation toward that victory condition. As all civilizations begin positioning themselves for their respective goals, the urgency to hone in on a specific path becomes paramount.

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