Exploring the Distant Lands in Civilization 7’s Exploration Age

Exploring the Distant Lands in Civilization 7’s Exploration Age

The game Civilization 7 is structured across three distinct Ages, each offering unique features and gameplay mechanics. During the Antiquity Age, players navigate a constrained portion of the map. However, as they transition into successive Ages, new lands become accessible through advancements such as shipbuilding and naval exploration—most notably, during the Exploration Age. This Age is particularly intriguing, as it introduces the Distant Lands, which are critical to various strategies represented by four individual Legacy Paths, encapsulating a historical era characterized by technological progress, mercantilism, and colonial pursuits.

As players advance through the Exploration Age, they can opt to prioritize one or more of the four Legacy Paths: Economic, Military, Science, and Culture. Players will begin crossing open oceans, although this journey is fraught with peril that could result in damaging encounters. Strategic elements such as treasure fleets, trade opportunities, and the expansion of empire reach are integral components of gameplay during this Age. Understanding the significance of the Distant Lands is essential for unlocking new potential and navigating the challenges that lie ahead.

Exploring the Distant Lands in Civ 7’s Exploration Age

Characteristics of the Distant Lands: Independent Powers, Treasures, and Unmet Civilizations

Antiquity Age Civilization
Khmer Artwork
Napoleon in Civilization 7
Exploration Age Tech Tree

The Distant Lands unlock once players transition into the Exploration Age, revealing previously unreachable areas of the game map. Essential technologies such as Cartography and Shipbuilding become accessible during this Age, enabling travel across the open seas, which was impossible in the Antiquity Age. Notably, the Distant Lands house a special resource known as Treasures, which players can utilize to create Treasure Fleets and connect to new Settlements. Players will also encounter undiscovered Wonders and civilizations, both unmet and independent.

It’s important to note that the Distant Lands will manifest differently based on the selected map type, as indicated by the developers during the Exploration Age livestream. Whether the Distant Lands mirror the homeland areas or offer entirely new terrains, they play a vital role in all Legacy Paths—most critically in the Economic and Military strategies. Players must adapt their civilization’s unique traits and leaders to capitalize on the opportunities presented by exploration.

The Importance of the Distant Lands for Civ 7 Legacy Paths

Harvest Treasures and Capture Settlements in the Distant Lands

Scientific Legacy Path
Economic Legacy Path
Cultural Legacy Path
Military Legacy Path

When it comes to the Legacy Paths, the Distant Lands hold the most significance in the realms of Economic and Military pursuits. Players can achieve milestones along the Economic Legacy Path by amassing 30 Treasure Fleet Points through returning treasures from the Distant Lands. This endeavor requires sending out naval units, establishing Treasure Fleets, and successfully retrieving treasures. To accomplish these tasks, players must prioritize researching key technologies like Cartography, Astronomy, and Shipbuilding; thus, focusing on Science is paramount in quickly unlocking naval capabilities.

In the military domain, the Military Legacy Path necessitates equal attention to the Distant Lands. Through the Non Sufficit Orbis project, players earn points based on Settlements in the Distant Lands. They can either dispatch Settlers to these new territories or conquer existing Settlements from rival civilizations or independent entities. If a Settlement is conquered, or if it follows the player’s Religion, points are doubled; if both conditions are satisfied, the points quadruple. Religion plays a crucial role for the Cultural Legacy Path, particularly with the Toshakhana project, which focuses on establishing a Religion and gathering Relics by spreading that faith to Distant Land Settlements.

Once players select their Beliefs, they can create Apostles and Missionaries who will spread their Religion. By converting Settlements, players earn Relics, which can be displayed within their civilization and serve as a testament to their religious conquests.

The Scientific Legacy Path emphasizes the Enlightenment era. Although participants may choose to focus on the Distant Lands, they might find it more beneficial to concentrate on developing their core cities. Completing this path requires players to maintain five non-City Center districts that collectively yield at least 40 resources, necessitating significant investment in technology and careful management of Specialists who enhance urban tile production.

Strategic Implications of the Distant Lands in Civ 7

Strategizing Around the Distant Lands for Each Legacy Path

Xerxes pointing while in armor in Civilization 7.

Success in Civilization 7 involves strategic planning regarding the utilization of the Distant Lands. If players choose to pursue the Economic or Militaristic Legacy Paths, they must delve deep into exploration and invest in naval technology. Conversely, for a Cultural focus, the emphasis shifts to developing Civics and nurturing Religious units to gather Relics.

Ultimately, the decisions made during the Antiquity Age shape the player’s approach in the Modern Age. Effective navigation among Legacy Paths is crucial; strategically choosing to focus on fewer paths could yield better results. While aiming for a wider array of Legacy Paths necessitates thorough planning and potentially some luck, focusing entirely on domestic development in pursuit of the Scientific Legacy Path—effectively embracing Enlightenment ideals—remains a viable strategy, reminiscent of the classic “tall play”style from earlier Civilization titles.

In summary, the Distant Lands are pivotal in the Exploration Age of Civilization 7, influencing strategies that span various Ages and enriching the gameplay experience.

Source: Civ Streams: The Exploration Age / Civilization/YouTube

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