How to Seize Cities Peacefully in Civilization VI: A Master Strategist’s Guide

So, you’re tired of the endless bloodshed and warmongering penalties in Civilization VI? You dream of a world united under your banner, but without a single shot fired? It’s ambitious, but entirely possible! The secret lies in Loyalty pressure, a powerful mechanic that allows you to flip cities to your control without declaring war. The primary method is to exert enough Loyalty pressure on a nearby foreign city to force it to become a Free City, then increase Loyalty pressure on it from your Civ, until it swings into your control. Let’s delve into how to become a master of peaceful annexation.

Understanding Loyalty Pressure: The Key to Peaceful Conquest

Loyalty is essentially a measure of a city’s contentment with its current ruler. If Loyalty drops too low, the city will rebel and become a Free City, independent from its original empire. Then, the real game begins. You can use your own Loyalty pressure to draw that Free City into your sphere of influence, eventually claiming it for your own without a single troop crossing the border.

Factors Influencing Loyalty

Several factors contribute to a city’s Loyalty:

• Distance from the Capital: Cities farther from their capital are more susceptible to Loyalty pressure.

• Amenities: Happy citizens are loyal citizens. Lack of Amenities can severely impact Loyalty.

• Governors: A well-chosen Governor can provide a significant Loyalty boost.

• Civics and Policies: Certain Civics and Policies provide empire-wide Loyalty bonuses.

• Religion: If your religion is dominant in a city, it will be more loyal to you (provided your civilization also follows that religion).

• Dark Ages/Golden Ages: Entering a Dark Age weakens Loyalty, while Golden Ages strengthen it.

• Adjacent Cities’ Loyalty Pressure: This is the most crucial factor for our strategy. Cities exert Loyalty pressure on nearby cities. A city with high Loyalty will weaken the Loyalty of nearby cities.

Mastering Loyalty Pressure: The Art of Persuasion

The key to peaceful conquest is maximizing your Loyalty pressure on the target city while minimizing theirs. Here’s how:

1. Strategic City Placement: Found cities as close as possible to your target. The closer your city, the greater the Loyalty pressure it exerts. This is the cornerstone of the strategy.

2. Maximize Population Growth: A larger population exerts more Loyalty pressure. Focus on food production in your cities bordering the target.

3. Governors are Your Best Friends: Appoint a Governor with Loyalty-boosting abilities, such as Victor (the best choice) or Amani, to your cities near the target. The earlier you can station a governor, the more impact it has on your loyalty pressure.

4. Bread and Circuses: Ensure your cities are happy! Build Entertainment Complexes and Water Parks, trade for luxury resources, and enact policies that improve Amenities. A happy population is a loyal population.

5. Religion Rules: If possible, convert the target city to your religion. This significantly increases their loyalty to you (assuming you follow your civilization’s religion).

6. Golden Ages are Golden Opportunities: Golden Ages provide a significant boost to Loyalty. Plan your Dedications carefully to maximize their effect on Loyalty.

7. Counter Their Pressure: If the target civilization is also exerting Loyalty pressure, try to counter it. Spies can be used to destabilize their cities near your borders.

Capitalizing on Free Cities

Once a city flips to a Free City, it’s a race against time. Other civilizations will likely try to claim it, too. Immediately focus all your Loyalty-boosting efforts on the Free City. Keep your military units nearby to deter any opportunistic attacks from other civs. If your pressure is strong enough, the Free City will eventually request to join your empire. Victory!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Loyalty in Civ 6?

Loyalty in Civ 6 is a mechanic that represents how content a city’s population is with its current rule. Low loyalty can lead to rebellion and the formation of Free Cities.

2. How do I increase Loyalty in my cities?

You can increase loyalty by:

• Assigning Governors with Loyalty bonuses
• Increasing Amenities (happiness)
• Ensuring proximity to your capital
• Adopting Civics and Policies that boost Loyalty
• Dominating the city’s religion.

3. What happens when a city becomes a Free City?

When a city becomes a Free City, it becomes independent from its original empire. It is neutral and can be conquered or flipped through Loyalty pressure.

4. Can I conquer a Free City with military force?

Yes, you can conquer a Free City like any other city.

5. How long does it take for a city to flip through Loyalty pressure?

The time it takes for a city to flip varies depending on the strength of the Loyalty pressure. It can take anywhere from a few turns to several decades in-game.

6. What are the best Civs for a peaceful annexation strategy?

Civs with Loyalty bonuses are ideal, such as:

• England (Eleanor of Aquitaine)
• France (Eleanor of Aquitaine)
• America (strong government)
• Rome (early roads)

7. What are the best Governors for Loyalty?

Victor is the best governor for loyalty, followed by Amani.

8. Do Wonders affect Loyalty?

Yes, certain Wonders, such as the Statue of Liberty, can provide Loyalty bonuses.

9. How does the Golden/Dark Age affect Loyalty?

Entering a Golden Age strengthens Loyalty, while entering a Dark Age weakens it.

10. How can I stop other Civs from flipping my cities?

Ensure your cities have high Loyalty. Station Governors, provide Amenities, and defend against their Loyalty pressure.

11. What is the role of Spies in Loyalty warfare?

Spies can be used to destabilize enemy cities, reducing their Loyalty and making them more susceptible to flipping.

12. Are there any Civics or Policies that boost Loyalty?

Yes, numerous Civics and Policies provide Loyalty bonuses. Look for those that specifically mention Loyalty or Amenities.

13. How does distance from the capital affect Loyalty?

Cities further from the capital suffer from reduced Loyalty.

14. How many cities should I found for a successful Loyalty strategy?

As many as you can support, especially near your target. The more cities you have exerting Loyalty pressure, the better. In general, it is not really possible to have too many cities in Civilization 6, and players should continue to establish them freely for as long as they like.

15. What if the city I want to flip is too far away?

Focus on flipping cities closer to you first, then use them to exert Loyalty pressure on more distant targets. The strategy is most effective on neighbors.

Conclusion: The Art of Peaceful Expansion

Taking cities without war in Civilization VI is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By mastering the mechanics of Loyalty pressure, you can expand your empire without the cost and consequences of military conflict. It requires careful planning, strategic city placement, and a focus on the well-being of your citizens. Embrace the power of persuasion, and watch as cities willingly join your thriving civilization. Remember, the pursuit of knowledge and strategic gameplay contributes to a deeper understanding of complex systems, a principle celebrated by organizations like the Games Learning Society. You can find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society fosters innovative research in games and learning.