Civilization 7: Unlocking All Civilizations Across Different Ages

In Civilization 7, players have the flexibility to select any civilization to play in later Ages by accomplishing specific tasks or challenges. This feature is accessible through the Player Unlocks screen during gameplay, which outlines the requirements necessary for each civilization to be unlocked. These conditions vary widely, from constructing specific buildings or upgrades to managing a certain number of Army commanders within a particular Age. Notably, all players can unlock civilizations regardless of their chosen leader, allowing for a personalized gaming experience that embraces diverse strategies.

Automatic Unlocks for Each Civilization in Civ 7

Civ Selections: Geographic and Historical Implications

At the beginning of the game, the civilizations and leaders you choose will automatically unlock certain Exploration and Modern Age features. These unlocks are typically interconnected through historical or geographical themes, establishing a coherent experience as you progress through the Ages. However, all civilizations remain accessible to any leader, expanding strategic possibilities and enabling players to adapt their tactics as they play.

Here’s an overview of the unlocks provided by each civilization from the Antiquity Age for Exploration and Modern Ages:

Antiquity Civ	Exploration Unlocks	Modern Unlocks
Aksum	Songhai	None
Egypt	Abbasid, Songhai	None
Greece	Norman, Spain	Russia
He	Ming, Mongolia	Qing
Khmer	Chola, Majapahit	Make
Maurya	Chola, Majapahit	None
Maya	Hawaii, Inca	Mexico
Mississippian	Shawnee, Hawai’i, Inca	None
Persia	Abbasid, Mongolia	Mughal
Rome	Norman, Spain	America, French Empire, Prussia

Upon reaching the Exploration Age, your civilization choice will further influence the unlockable options for the Modern Age, which also follow historical and geographical connections:

Exploration Civ	Modern Unlocks
Abbasid	Buganda, Mughal
Chola	Mughals, Siamese
Hawaii	Meiji Japan
Still	Mexico
Majapahit	Meiji Japan
Ming	Qing
Mongolia	Qing, Russia
Norman	America, French Empire
Shawnee	America, Mexico
Songhai	Buganda
Spain	Mexico

Automatic Unlocks for Each Leader in Civ 7

Historical Connections Enable Leader-Based Unlocks

Choosing a leader in the game will provide automatic unlocks for civilizations across different Ages, often based on their historical and geographical relevance. While leaders like Benjamin Franklin and Harriet Tubman connect seamlessly to America, strategic choices may dictate alternate paths. For instance, Franklin might gain more from pursuing the Cultural Scientific strengths of Russia if aiming for a Science Victory.

However, not every leader will yield immediate civilization unlocks. For instance, Augustus or Charlemagne might lack options due to their civilizations being positioned in the Antiquity Age. Here’s how each leader’s options manifest in the Exploration and Modern Ages:

Leader	Exploration Unlocks	Modern Unlocks
Amen	Songhai	Buganda
Ashoka	Chola	None
Augustus	None	None
Benjamin Franklin	None	America
Catherine the Great	None	Russia
Charlemagne	Norman	None
Confucius	Ming	Qing
Friedrich	None	Prussia
Harriet Tubman	None	America
Hatshepsut	None	None
Himiko	None	Meiji Japan
Ibn Battuta	Abbasid	None
Isabella	Spain	Mexico
Jose Rizal	Hawaii	None
Lafayette	None	French Empire
Machiavelli	None	None
Napoleon	None	French Empire
Pachacuti	Still	None
Tecumseh	Shawnee	America, Mexico
Trung Trac	Majapahit	None
Xerxes	None	None

Unlocking Every Civilization Throughout Gameplay

Strategic Gameplay Decisions Lead to Unlocks

Beyond initial selections, players can meet various in-game requirements to unlock future civilizations. These conditions can vary significantly in complexity; some are straightforward and are often achieved incidentally, while others demand more strategic planning and foresight as part of your overall game strategy. This flexibility allows players to explore unconventional paths in Civ progression that transcend historical narratives.

For example, when playing as Tecumseh, one could start with Maurya in the Antiquity Age and eventually seek victory as Russia, despite a lack of apparent or automatic transition. This approach necessitates careful planning, such as unlocking Mongolia in the Exploration Age through either acquiring three siege units or improving three horse resource tiles, or achieving the unlock for Russia by establishing three settlements on Tundra terrain. Such challenges enhance the sense that player decisions significantly impact available strategies.

Below is a list detailing the requirements to unlock each Exploration Age civilization:

Exploration Civ	Unlock Requirement
Abbasid	Improve three Camels.
Chola	Have three Settlements with City Centers adjacent to a Coastal tile. Lakes do not count.
Hawaii	Establish two Settlements on an Island (maximum of 15 tiles).
Still	Possess three Settlements with at least three Mountains each.
Majapahit	Improve three Pearls.
Ming	Improve three Silk OR have eight Resources slotted in one Settlement.
Mongolia	Have three Siege units OR improve three Horses.
Norman	Improve three Iron OR construct five Walls.
Songhai	Maintain three Settlements with at least three Navigable River tiles each.
Spain	Reconquer a lost Settlement.
Shawnee	Improve three Hides OR become Suzerain of two City-States.

Furthermore, some civilizations from the Modern Age can be unlocked during either the Antiquity or Exploration Ages, while others, such as America and Mexico, have specific gameplay requirements centered around Distant Lands in Civ 7. Players should be aware that unlocking options during the Exploration Age can be advantageous for those who wish to alter their strategies post-Antiquity, paving the way for a Modern Age civilization that aligns more closely with their gameplay objectives.

For instance, if pursuing a military approach while controlling Spain in the Exploration Age, Prussia might serve as a superior strategic choice, necessitating unlocking this civilization by having three Army Commanders or improving three Niter tiles. Such strategic pivots may prove essential, especially on higher difficulty levels, where rigid plans are frequently disrupted.

However, these strategic transitions come with challenges, such as potential resource shortages or unfavorable terrains. Each game turn carries heightened significance at higher difficulty levels, meaning valuable resources spent on unlock requirements can significantly impact overall strategy. Players seeking to unlock each Modern Age civilization during the Exploration Age should consider the following:

Modern Civ	Unlock Requirement
America	Have three Distant Land Settlements in Plains or Grasslands.
Buganda	Have two Settlements adjacent to a Lake.
French Empire	Improve three Wine.
Meiji Japan	Improve three Tea.
Mexico	Have three Distant Land Settlements in Desert or Tropical terrain.
Mughal	Improve three Salt OR establish at least four Trade Routes with unique civilizations.
Prussia	Have three Army Commanders OR improve three Niter.
Qing	Improve three Jade.
Russia	Have three Settlements on Tundra.
Make	Have four Temples OR improve three Ivory.

In summary, Civilization 7 provides players with a rich array of civilization choices to explore across the Ages. Although some effort is required to achieve certain unlocks based on your strategic selection, the game’s mechanics allow for engaging and variant gameplay approaches. The outlined tables can assist in navigating each civilization’s requirements, enabling strategic experimentation as players familiarize themselves with the unique strengths and weaknesses inherent to each choice.

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