Liberating City-States in Civilization VI: A Guide for the Benevolent Ruler
Yes, you absolutely can liberate city-states in Civilization VI! This act of restoring independence to a conquered city-state not only earns you significant diplomatic favor but also bestows upon you the title of their Suzerain. Liberating a city-state is a strategically important decision, impacting your relationships with other civilizations and shaping your path to victory. It’s a pivotal move for a diplomatic victory but can also contribute to other victory conditions.
The Art of Liberation: Why and How
Why Liberate?
Liberating a city-state is a powerful diplomatic tool. When you free a city-state from the clutches of another civilization, you are instantly recognized as a benevolent leader. This act provides the following key benefits:
- Suzerainty: You immediately become the Suzerain of the liberated city-state, granting you their unique bonus and open borders.
- Diplomatic Boost: Other civilizations, especially those who value peace and order, will view you more favorably. This can be crucial for forming alliances and securing beneficial trade deals.
- Reduced Warmongering Penalties: Liberating a city-state essentially wipes the slate clean in terms of warmongering penalties with that city-state. This doesn’t affect your overall warmongering score with other civs for other actions.
- Strategic Advantages: The city-state, once liberated, can serve as a valuable ally, providing resources, military support, and cultural or scientific boosts depending on its type.
How to Liberate: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Conquer the City: You must first capture the city-state from the civilization that conquered it. This involves laying siege to the city and ultimately taking control.
- The Liberation Option: After capturing the city, you’ll be presented with several options: Annex, Puppet, Raze, or Liberate. Choose “Liberate.”
- Reap the Rewards: The city-state will reappear on the map as an independent entity, and you will automatically become its Suzerain. Enjoy the benefits of your newfound alliance.
Strategic Considerations
While liberating city-states offers numerous advantages, it’s essential to consider the strategic implications:
- Victory Condition: Liberating city-states is essential for a diplomatic victory. It gains you favor with other civs and gives you an edge in the World Congress.
- Opportunity Cost: By liberating, you forgo the opportunity to annex the city-state and gain its territory and resources for yourself. Carefully weigh the benefits of liberation against the potential gains of annexation.
- Potential for Conflict: Liberating a city-state may provoke the civilization that originally conquered it, potentially leading to further conflict. Be prepared to defend your new ally.
- Loyalty Issues: Sometimes, a city-state might be surrounded by cities with loyalty pressure that will make the liberated city state struggle to maintain its independence. In that case, it might be best to not liberate and annex instead.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Liberating City-States in Civ VI
1. Does liberating a city-state remove all warmongering penalties?
No, it only removes warmongering penalties associated with that specific city-state. Your warmongering score with other civilizations remains unaffected by previous actions.
2. What happens immediately after I liberate a city-state?
You become the Suzerain of the city-state, gaining access to its unique bonus and open borders. Your units will be evicted from the city-state territory for one turn, then your open borders will be applied.
3. Can I liberate a city that I originally conquered?
No, you can only liberate a city-state that was conquered by another civilization. If you took it first, the liberation option won’t be available.
4. Is it always better to liberate than to annex?
Not necessarily. The decision depends on your overall strategy, victory condition, and the specific benefits offered by the city-state. Annexing provides immediate territory and resources, while liberation offers diplomatic advantages and a long-term ally.
5. What if another civilization conquers the city-state I liberated?
You’ll need to recapture it from the new conqueror to liberate it again. This can lead to prolonged conflicts and strategic maneuvering.
6. Does liberating a city-state affect my relationship with other city-states?
Yes, other city-states will generally view you more favorably, increasing your chances of becoming their Suzerain as well.
7. Can I liberate a Free City?
No, Free Cities were never actual city states, it would be the same as conquering a city from another civ.
8. How do I become Suzerain of a city-state without liberating it?
You can become Suzerain by sending Envoys to the city-state and accumulating more than any other civilization.
9. What benefits do I get as Suzerain of a city-state?
The benefits vary depending on the city-state type, but they often include bonus resources, military units, cultural boosts, or scientific advancements.
10. Can I lose Suzerainty of a liberated city-state?
Yes, another civilization can send more Envoys and surpass your influence, taking over the Suzerain status.
11. Is there a limit to how many city-states I can liberate?
No, there is no limit. You can liberate as many city-states as you can capture from other civilizations.
12. Does liberating a city-state give me Diplomatic Victory Points?
No, liberating doesn’t directly award Diplomatic Victory Points. However, it improves your relations with other civs, which can lead to alliances and votes in the World Congress that do grant Diplomatic Victory Points.
13. How does liberating a city-state impact my government?
There is no direct impact on your government type. However, the diplomatic bonuses can strengthen your position and stability, indirectly benefiting your chosen government.
14. Can I use spies to help liberate a city-state?
Spies cannot directly liberate a city-state, but they can be used to destabilize the conquering civilization by disrupting their economy or sabotaging their military, making it easier for you to conquer the city-state and then liberate it.
15. Is there a mod that changes how liberation works in Civ VI?
Yes, there are various mods available that tweak the mechanics of liberation, such as altering the diplomatic bonuses or adding new options.
Conclusion: The Power of Choice
Liberating city-states in Civilization VI is a powerful and strategic decision. It’s a cornerstone of a diplomatic victory, providing significant diplomatic advantages and forging valuable alliances. However, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits of liberation against the potential gains of annexation and the risks of provoking other civilizations. By understanding the mechanics and strategic implications, you can effectively use liberation to shape your empire and achieve your desired victory condition.
For more insights on strategic gameplay and educational resources, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. These resources can give you an edge in Civ 6 and other games!