Comprehensive Guide to Every Difficulty Level in Civilization 7

Civilization 7 presents players with six distinct difficulty settings, yet it lacks transparency regarding what each level entails. Unlike games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which offers a clear visual representation of difficulty variations, Civ 7 provides no guidance on how its difficulty tiers differ upon game setup. This obscurity can pose a challenge for newcomers deciding which difficulty is best suited for their skill level.

Notably, Civ 7 introduces key adjustments compared to its predecessors, particularly in preventing players from becoming overly dominant in the game. A prevalent issue in earlier Civilization titles was the phenomenon known as “snowballing.” Civ 7 tackles this problem through innovative Age mechanics. However, this does not imply that Civ 7 is an easy game; mastering the higher difficulty settings such as Immortal and Deity demands a robust strategy. Players aiming to successfully complete Civ 7’s Legacy Paths before AI opponents must be prepared to implement effective tactics.

Understanding Difficulty in Civ 7

NPC Bonuses With Increased Difficulty

Civ 7's set up screen where difficulty settings are

The difficulty system in Civ 7 is primarily based on providing bonuses or penalties to NPC civilizations across various game aspects, including resource acquisition, combat effectiveness, and production speeds. At the lowest level, Scribe, NPCs face penalties, affording players a significant advantage. In contrast, the Governor setting has neither bonuses nor disadvantages for AI civilizations, while all subsequent levels grant NPC bonuses. For those interested in specific numerical values of these bonuses, YouTuber TheCivShow has analyzed game files to offer detailed insights.

RomanHoliday's Civ 7 Difficulty and AI Reveal (And how to beat it!) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik3ZDd20TDE)

It’s crucial to note that varying AI levels in Civ 7 don’t necessarily equate to more strategic behavior. Instead, AI opponents gain statistical advantages in almost all aspects of gameplay as difficulty increases. Governor is the only level where all civilizations compete under equal conditions. Consequently, to thrive at higher difficulty levels, players must have a firm grasp of Civ 7’s mechanics and strategizing abilities, as each difficulty tier offers significantly different gameplay experiences.

Experiencing Each Difficulty Level

A Range of Challenges for Varying Skill Levels

The following gameplay experiences were derived from using the same Civ 7 leader, Himiko, High Shaman of Greece, while attempting to maintain consistent decisions for the first 25 turns. Although absolute control over all gameplay variables was unfeasible, the selections provide a clear illustration of the differences found at each difficulty tier.

Scribe Difficulty

Navigating a Scribe game is quite manageable. Defending against external threats is relatively straightforward due to combat penalties imposed on NPCs at this difficulty level. The production advantages allow players to establish new settlements rapidly, leading to a substantial cultural edge over AI opponents.

For seasoned players, Scribe may feel too simplistic. However, newcomers seeking to familiarize themselves with Civilization 7 should consider this difficulty, as it provides a supportive environment for learning the game mechanics while the AI operates with inherent disadvantages.

Governor Difficulty

At the Governor level, players can still secure slight advantages in resources, such as Culture, while maintaining parity across most metrics. The absence of a combat debuff for independent states creates additional challenges, but they remain manageable.This level is suitable for those with previous Civilization knowledge who wish to explore new victory mechanics within Civ 7.

Viceroy Difficulty

Viceroy marks the initial stage where AI bonuses are applied, and their impact becomes apparent. While it’s possible to keep pace with NPCs in certain yields, any area not prioritized may lag behind. Experienced players may consider Viceroy the “normal”mode, given the advantages AI enjoys; overcoming these is still achievable, especially for those familiar with the series.

Sovereign Difficulty

At the Sovereign setting, the bonuses granted to NPCs become quite significant. While players can manage some resource generation, achieving equilibrium across all metrics becomes challenging. The combat strength advantage requires faster military production, and by turn 20, notifications often indicate that distant civilizations have gained substantial technological advancements.Strategic efficiency is critical for success at this level.

Immortal and Deity Difficulty Levels

Transitioning from Immortal to Deity brings a substantial increase in challenge; both levels are unforgiving. Early-game opponents will quickly accelerate ahead, thanks to their extensive bonuses. Players may feel confined to a small portion of their continent and risk being overtaken by more advanced civilizations leveraging potent combat advantages.

Determining the Right Civ 7 Difficulty Level

Recognizing When a Difficulty is Too Challenging

Given the length of Civilization 7 games, even at accelerated speeds, players want to avoid engaging in a match that seems unwinnable. Recognizing signs that indicate whether a difficulty setting is appropriate or if an adjustment is needed can be beneficial.

New players should prioritize lower difficulties while they acclimate to the mechanics of Civilization 7. Although Civ 7 is more streamlined than its predecessor, Civ 6, a grasp of its numerous components is essential for success. While initial setbacks may be inevitable due to NPC bonuses, the primary indicator that a setting might be too tough lies in a persistent lack of progress in the mid to late game.

Source: TheCivShow/YouTube

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