Can You Relocate Your Dreams? District Placement in Civilization 6

The burning question on every Civ 6 player’s mind at some point: Can you change the location of a district once you’ve laid the foundation? The answer, delivered with a heavy heart for strategists and perfectionists, is a resounding no. Once a district is placed, it’s there for good (or ill!).

Think of district placement as erecting a monument. Once those bricks are laid, the mortar sets, and the foundations settle, there’s no going back without some serious demolition – a feature sadly absent from the core game mechanics. This means you’ve got to be absolutely certain of your district’s location before you commit, factoring in everything from adjacency bonuses to future city planning. Consider it a lesson in foresight and strategic planning! So, plan wisely, and may your cities prosper!

The Unmovable Feast: Understanding District Permanence

The permanence of districts is a core design element of Civilization 6, forcing players to make thoughtful, long-term decisions about city layouts. This design has pros and cons. On one hand, it adds a layer of strategic depth, demanding careful consideration of terrain, resources, and potential adjacency bonuses. On the other hand, it can be frustrating when unforeseen circumstances arise, rendering a previously optimal placement less than ideal.

The immovable nature of districts amplifies the importance of careful planning, resource management, and anticipating potential disruptions.

Why Can’t I Move My Districts?

The reasons behind this design choice are multifaceted.

• Strategic Depth: The inability to move districts elevates the strategic element of city planning. It forces players to analyze their terrain, forecast future needs, and prioritize long-term development over short-term gains. It’s not just about the now, but about how your city will evolve over centuries.
• Balance and Complexity: Allowing district relocation could introduce balance issues and significantly increase the game’s complexity. Imagine constantly shifting districts to maximize temporary bonuses; it would potentially devalue long-term planning and create an overly micro-management-focused experience.
• AI Challenges: From a development perspective, programming the AI to effectively manage and relocate districts would be a monumental task. The AI would need to analyze complex factors, anticipate future needs, and make strategic decisions about when and where to move districts, a challenge that could significantly impact game performance.

District Strategy: Plan Ahead

Since you can’t move districts, you need to get placement right the first time. Here’s a quick rundown of key placement considerations.

• Adjacency Bonuses: Districts gain significant bonuses from being placed next to certain terrain features (mountains, rivers, geothermal vents) and other districts. Optimize these bonuses for maximum output.
• Resource Availability: Some districts benefit from being near specific resources (e.g., Campuses near strategic resources).
• City Growth: Consider how your city will expand over time and ensure that your district placement won’t hinder future development.
• Strategic Placement: Think about how your districts might contribute to your overall victory strategy. For instance, placing Holy Sites near Natural Wonders can boost your faith generation, aiding a religious victory.
• Natural Disasters: While you can’t move districts, be aware of areas prone to flooding or other natural disasters. Flood Barriers, for example, might become a necessary build if your river-adjacent Industrial Zone keeps getting wiped out. Remember that districts on floodplain tiles are particularly at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions: District Dilemmas Solved

Here are 15 common questions players have about districts in Civilization 6:

1. Can I cancel building a district in Civ 6? Yes, you can cancel building a district before it’s completed. However, you will not receive a full refund of the production cost.

2. How do I change regions in Civ 6? Changing regions is related to Steam’s download region settings. Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads, and change your download region. Restart Steam to apply the changes. This affects the servers you connect to for multiplayer, not district placement.

3. Does the city center count as a district in Civ 6? Yes, the City Center is considered a district. This means it provides adjacency bonuses to other districts placed next to it. However, unlike other districts, you cannot build new buildings while the city center is flooded.

4. How many cities should I build in Civ 6? There’s no magic number, but aiming for around 10 cities by turn 100 is a good starting point. Wide empires (many cities) are generally more effective than tall empires (few, large cities).

5. How many districts can you build in Civ 6? The number of districts you can build in each city is limited by the city’s population. You can build a maximum of one district for every three citizens, not including the City Center.

6. Can you flip cities in Civ 6? Yes! The Loyalty system can cause cities to flip to different players without military force. High Loyalty pressure from nearby cities can lead to cities revolting and joining your empire.

7. Can you choose your starting location in Civ 6? While you can’t pinpoint a specific tile, you can reroll your starting location until you find a suitable spot. Prioritize freshwater access (rivers or lakes) and productive tiles (hills, resources). The Settler lens is invaluable for finding ideal spots.

8. Is Civ 6 region locked? Certain versions of Civ 6 are region locked. Check the game’s details on the platform you purchased it from (Steam, etc.) to confirm if it’s locked to specific regions.

9. What is the best settling location in Civ 6? A plains hills tile near freshwater is generally considered excellent. Hills provide production, plains offer food, and freshwater is essential for early growth. Being next to a river is advantageous for building Dams in the future.

10. Do city-states build districts in Civ 6? Yes, city-states do build a district corresponding to their type. Cultural city-states build Theater Squares, industrial ones build Industrial Zones, militaristic ones build Encampments, etc.

11. What is the best city setup in Civ 6? Generally, settle cities relatively close together (3-4 tiles apart) to maximize adjacency bonuses and Loyalty pressure. Going wide with many smaller cities is usually more effective than going tall.

12. Can districts flood in Civ 6? Yes, districts located on Floodplains tiles near rivers are susceptible to flooding. This can damage or destroy buildings and improvements within the district. Protect those floodplain districts to avoid disaster.

13. What is the difference between buildings and districts in Civ 6? Districts are the foundational infrastructure of your city, each dedicated to a specific purpose (science, faith, production, etc.). Buildings are constructed within those districts to enhance their function. You need a district first before you can build buildings within it.

14. How do you stop losing a city in Civ 6? Increase Loyalty pressure in the city. Build a Monument, assign a Governor (especially someone like Reyna or Amani), and ensure the city has amenities. Cities close to your capital and other loyal cities are less likely to rebel.

15. How many tiles away from a city can you buy in Civ 6? You can purchase tiles up to 3 hexes away from the City Center. This allows you to expand your territory and claim valuable resources.

Hopefully, that answers most of your questions about Districts in Civilization 6!

Mastering the District Game

The inability to move districts is a challenge, but also an opportunity. It forces you to become a more strategic player, to think ahead, and to carefully consider the long-term consequences of your decisions. Embrace the challenge, learn from your mistakes, and remember that even the most carefully laid plans can be disrupted by unforeseen events. Adapt, improvise, and conquer!

The world of gaming extends far beyond virtual conquests and simulated city management. Organizations like the Games Learning Society dedicate themselves to exploring the educational and social impact of games. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.