Should I Build Farms in Civ 6? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely should build farms in Civ 6, but with a crucial caveat: strategic placement is key. Farms are not simply about food; they are vital for housing growth, especially in the early to mid-game. Ignoring farms completely will severely stunt your city populations, hindering science, culture, production, and everything else that makes your civilization thrive. However, mindlessly spamming farms everywhere is also a recipe for disaster. The ideal approach involves a careful balancing act.
The common misconception is that farms are primarily for food production. While food is certainly important, and farms contribute to that, their more impactful role lies in providing much-needed housing. Think of food as the engine that drives population growth, and housing as the cap on how big that engine can get. Without sufficient housing, your cities will plateau, no matter how much food you produce.
Therefore, farms should be considered a housing investment as much as a food source. This perspective completely changes how you approach their construction. The traditional advice to prioritize other districts and improvements remains sound, but only up to a point. Once you have your essential districts (Holy Site, Campus, Industrial Zone, etc.) in place, and you’ve exhausted readily available housing from other sources (Granary, Aqueduct), farms become crucial.
The key is to optimize farm adjacency bonuses. Farms gain significant bonus food when placed adjacent to other farms. This is where the “triangle” strategy comes into play. Arrange three farms in a triangular shape, and each farm will receive a +1 food bonus from the other two. This exponentially increases their effectiveness. Furthermore, the Feudalism civic unlocks Serfdom, granting +1 food to farms. With optimal farm triangles and Serfdom, those farms can be surprisingly helpful.
Farms also become more valuable later in the game with the Civil Engineering civic, which unlocks Neighborhoods. Neighborhoods provide additional housing, but their effectiveness is greatly increased by having high Appeal. Farms lower Appeal, so you might need to adjust your farm strategy later in the game to make way for Neighborhoods.
Remember, fresh water access provides base housing as well. Settling on a river or lake is always a good idea, and building an Aqueduct is a high-priority early project if fresh water isn’t readily available. Granaries also add +2 Housing and are generally worthwhile.
In summary, farms are not simply “food tiles.” They’re a vital, often overlooked tool for managing housing and boosting city growth, especially when cleverly placed to maximize adjacency bonuses. Just don’t overdo it; balance is everything in Civ 6. Remember that cities grow in population to work tiles, so farms and good tile yields complement each other to create strong cities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Farms in Civ 6
What exactly do farmers do in Civ 6?
In Civ 6, the Builder unit is the one who actually constructs farms (and other improvements). The “farmer” is more of a conceptual worker, representing the population of your city dedicated to agricultural labor. Building farms provides food, which fuels population growth, and housing, which sets the maximum population size.
How many farms should I build per city?
Aim for 2-3 farms per city initially. This is a general guideline, and the exact number will depend on your city’s location, available resources, and strategic goals. Focus on creating farm triangles for maximum efficiency. You can build more when your city’s population is hitting the housing cap.
When should I prioritize building farms over other improvements?
Prioritize farms after you’ve secured your core infrastructure: Granary, Aqueduct (if necessary), and your essential districts (Holy Site, Campus, Commercial Hub, Industrial Zone, etc.). Once those are established, farms become critical for unlocking population growth.
How important are adjacency bonuses for farms?
Extremely important. Adjacency bonuses dramatically increase farm efficiency. Always strive to create farm triangles or other configurations that maximize the number of adjacent farms. These are essential for maximizing the utility of farms.
How does fresh water affect my need for farms?
Cities with fresh water access (river or lake) gain bonus housing, reducing the initial need for farms. However, fresh water housing is limited, and you’ll still need farms eventually to reach higher population levels.
What is the best way to plan my farm placement?
Scout your surroundings carefully before settling cities. Look for areas where you can create farm triangles or clusters. Consider the long-term implications for district placement and Appeal.
Do farms affect the Appeal of tiles?
Yes, farms negatively affect Appeal. This is crucial to consider when planning the placement of Neighborhoods and other districts that benefit from high Appeal. Later in the game, you may want to remove some farms to make space for Neighborhoods and amenities.
How do farms interact with the Feudalism civic and Serfdom card?
The Feudalism civic is a game-changer for farms. It unlocks the Serfdom policy card, which grants +1 food to farms. This significantly boosts their effectiveness and makes farm triangles even more potent.
Should I build farms on hills?
Generally, no. Hills are more valuable for mines and production. Prioritize building farms on flat land, where they receive adjacency bonuses more easily. But later in the game, it’s possible to build farms on terrace farms on hills, for more housing.
What is the best terrain for farm placement?
Flat grassland and plains are ideal for farm placement. They allow for easy creation of adjacency bonuses. It’s possible to build on other types of terrain, such as desert farms with Petra, but usually the best terrain is flat, with plenty of farmable land.
Should I chop down forests or rainforests to build farms?
This is a situational decision. In the early game, chopping forests or rainforests can provide a much-needed production boost for building essential structures. However, consider the long-term implications for Appeal and district placement. If you chop, make sure the resulting tile is a good location for a farm and that you will be able to use it effectively for the rest of the game.
How do farms contribute to a specific victory type?
Farms primarily support all victory types by enabling population growth. Larger populations translate to more science, culture, production, and military power.
Should I ever remove farms later in the game?
Yes, definitely. As your cities grow and your needs evolve, you may need to remove farms to make way for Neighborhoods, Wonders, or other improvements. Consider the trade-off between housing and other benefits.
Are there any unique civilizations or leaders that benefit specifically from farms?
Some civilizations have unique improvements that synergize well with farms. For example, the Khmer get extra food and faith from farms adjacent to Aqueducts and Holy Sites. Also, civilizations like the Dutch benefit from surrounding their pasture tiles with farms because of their special ability.
How can I learn more about Civ 6 strategies and mechanics?
Explore online forums, watch gameplay videos, and read strategy guides. For a deeper understanding of game design and learning principles, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding the “why” behind game mechanics can significantly improve your gameplay.
By understanding the nuanced role of farms in Civ 6, you can leverage their potential to drive population growth, fuel your economy, and ultimately lead your civilization to victory. Happy building!