Should I Agree to Open Borders in Civ 6? A Strategic Guide

Open Borders in Civilization 6: is it a gift, a curse, or just another tool in your diplomatic toolbox? The answer, as with most things in Civ 6, is a resounding “it depends.” Generally, agreeing to Open Borders is a strategically sound move, especially early in the game. The benefits of early exploration and the potential boost to Tourism later on usually outweigh the risks. However, a shrewd player will always weigh the specific circumstances before clicking that “Accept” button. A blanket acceptance of all Open Border proposals is a recipe for disaster.

Consider these factors:

• Your current relations with the other civilization: Are they friendly and trustworthy, or are they known for backstabbing and warmongering?
• Their civilization’s unique abilities and tendencies: Some civilizations, like the Zulu, are inherently aggressive and might use Open Borders to scout your territory for potential invasion routes. Others, like England, benefit greatly from early exploration.
• Your own strategic goals: Are you focusing on Tourism? Do you need to explore quickly to secure valuable land or resources? Are you vulnerable to a surprise attack?
• The game era: Early game Open Borders are generally low-risk, high-reward. Late game, with more advanced units and heightened tensions, the risks increase dramatically.

In short, evaluate the specific situation meticulously. A blanket acceptance or rejection of Open Borders is rarely the optimal strategy. Think of it as an informed risk assessment: what do you stand to gain, what could you potentially lose, and is the risk worth the reward? Don’t underestimate the intelligence of the AI as it is constantly being updated.

The Pros and Cons of Open Borders

Before diving into specific scenarios, let’s outline the general advantages and disadvantages of agreeing to Open Borders:

Pros

• Exploration: This is the biggest advantage, especially early game. You can scout out the map much faster, discover Natural Wonders, find City-States, and claim valuable land before your rivals do. This early advantage can snowball into a significant lead.
• Tourism Boost: Open Borders provide a 25% bonus to Tourism output towards that civilization. This can be crucial for a Cultural victory.
• Improved Relations: Agreeing to Open Borders generally improves your diplomatic standing with the other civilization, at least in the short term. This can open the door to more beneficial trade deals and alliances.
• Trade Routes: Having Open Borders often allows you to establish trade routes with more cities and potentially cities in other civilizations. This can generate significant gold, science, culture, or faith.
• Strategic Insight: You get a glimpse into their empire, potentially revealing their strengths, weaknesses, and strategic plans.
• City-State benefits: If you are Suzerain over a City-State you get the ability to get open border with them.

Cons

• Enemy Scouting: The AI can use Open Borders to scout your territory, identify weak points in your defenses, and plan an invasion. Be especially wary if the civilization has a history of warmongering.
• Religious Pressure: If the other civilization has a strong religion, their missionaries and apostles can freely spread their faith within your borders, potentially converting your cities.
• Espionage: Enemy spies can enter your territory more easily, making it harder to protect your cities and infrastructure.
• Unit Clutter: Having enemy units roaming your territory can be annoying and slow down your own unit movements. It can also make it difficult to track and intercept enemy armies.
• Unwanted settlers: They can settle close to you, causing Loyalty issues.

Strategic Considerations

Here are some specific scenarios to consider:

• Early Game: Almost always agree, unless the other civilization is known for early aggression (e.g., Montezuma, Shaka). The exploration advantage is simply too valuable to pass up.
• Mid Game: Evaluate based on your relations and their military strength. If you are at war with another civilization, denying Open Borders to their allies can be a smart move.
• Late Game: Be very cautious. The risks of espionage and military infiltration are high. Only agree if you have strong defenses and trust the other civilization. Especially be wary if they have a large standing army and they are close to you.
• Cultural Victory: Open Borders are essential for maximizing Tourism. Prioritize Open Border agreements with civilizations that have high culture output.
• Religious Victory: Be very careful about accepting Open Borders from civilizations with strong religions that you do not share.
• Warmongering: If you are planning a war, break off Open Border agreements before declaring war to deny the enemy scouting information.
• City States: Open borders with city states is almost always beneficial.

Checking Open Border Duration

The article mentions the Open Borders agreement lasts for 30 turns, but it can be easily forgotten in the late game. To check the remaining duration, simply navigate to the Diplomacy screen with that civilization. The Open Borders agreement will be listed, and you can hover over it to see how many turns remain.

FAQs About Open Borders in Civ 6

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Open Borders, drawing from the initial text and expanding upon key concepts:

1. What exactly are Open Borders in Civ 6? Open Borders is a diplomatic agreement that allows military and civilian units of one civilization to freely enter the territory of another civilization without triggering a declaration of war.

2. How do I get Open Borders with another civilization? You can request Open Borders through the Diplomacy screen by selecting the civilization you want to negotiate with and proposing the agreement. It usually requires a small payment of gold or resources, or an equivalent exchange.

3. How long does Open Borders last in Civ 6? The standard duration for an Open Borders agreement is 30 turns on standard speed.

4. Does having Open Borders guarantee peace? Absolutely not. Open Borders is simply an agreement about movement rights. The other civilization can still declare war on you at any time, even with Open Borders in place. This is one of the biggest risks!

5. Does Open Borders increase Tourism in Civ 6? Yes, having Open Borders with another civilization provides a +25% bonus to your Tourism output directed towards that civilization.

6. Does Open Borders affect Trade Routes? Having Open Borders usually enables longer and more profitable Trade Routes between your civilizations. It allows you to send routes to more cities.

7. Are there any civilizations that automatically have Open Borders with me? Some civilizations, such as Portugal (led by João III), have unique abilities that grant them Open Borders with City-States.

8. Can I cancel an Open Borders agreement before it expires? Yes, you can cancel an Open Borders agreement, but doing so will negatively impact your diplomatic relations with that civilization. You might even receive a warmongering penalty.

9. Should I offer Open Borders in a peace treaty? Offering Open Borders in a peace treaty can be a good way to improve relations with the other civilization and potentially increase Tourism. However, make sure you can defend yourself in case they break the peace later on.

10. Do City-States offer Open Borders? City-States grant Open Borders to civilizations that are their Suzerain (have the most envoys invested in them) or when the player has adopted the “Gunboat Diplomacy” policy card.

11. How does Open Borders affect religious spread? Open Borders allows religious units (missionaries, apostles, etc.) to freely enter your territory, potentially converting your cities to their religion.

12. Are there any policy cards that affect Open Borders? Not directly. However, policy cards that increase Tourism or improve diplomatic relations can indirectly enhance the value of Open Borders.

13. Should I accept Open Borders if I’m planning a surprise attack? No. Break off the Open Borders agreement first to deny the enemy scouting information.

14. If I want a Cultural victory should I get as many open borders as possible? It is highly recommended. Be sure to have the Rock Band tourism multiplier policy cards for an easier time.

15. Where can I learn more about the science of gaming and how it relates to learning? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to explore research and resources on the intersection of games and education.

Conclusion

Open Borders is a nuanced diplomatic tool in Civilization 6. It’s not inherently good or bad; its value depends entirely on the context of the game. A careful assessment of your diplomatic relations, strategic goals, and the other civilization’s tendencies is crucial for making the right decision. Master the art of Open Borders and you’ll be one step closer to conquering the world, whether through military might, cultural influence, or scientific prowess.