Should You Raze a City in Civilization? A Comprehensive Guide
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Whether to raze a city in a Civilization game is a complex decision, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best response to “Should you raze a city?” is: it depends. Consider your overall strategy, your current situation, and the long-term consequences. Razing can offer short-term advantages, like removing a strategic liability or punishing an aggressive opponent, but comes with significant drawbacks, including warmonger penalties, lost potential resources, and the displacement of populations. A savvy ruler carefully weighs these factors before ordering the destruction of a city. This article will explore when and why razing a city is the right (or wrong) choice, delving into the nuances of this strategic decision, particularly within the context of Civilization VI.
The Case for Razing
There are several situations where razing a city becomes a strategically sound decision, and can be a valuable tool in your arsenal for achieving victory. Let’s examine some of these scenarios.
Strategic Weakness
If a city is in a poor location offering little in the way of resources or defensibility, razing it is often the best option. A city surrounded by desert with no access to fresh water, for example, might be more trouble than it’s worth. Maintaining such a city drains resources that could be better used elsewhere.
Suppressing Aggression
Razing a city as a form of punishment can send a powerful message to aggressive neighbors. If an opponent launched an early war against you, and you manage to push back, razing one of their cities can deter them from further aggression. This weakens them economically and militarily, providing crucial breathing room.
Preventing Loyalty Issues
In Civilization VI, loyalty is a critical factor. If a newly captured city is surrounded by cities of another civilization and constantly faces loyalty pressure, it might rebel and become a Free City. Razing eliminates the risk of rebellion and prevents the city from falling into enemy hands.
Focusing Military Efforts
Defending conquered cities can stretch your military thin, especially when fighting on multiple fronts. Razing a city that is likely to be retaken allows you to concentrate your forces on more strategic objectives. This is particularly crucial in a domination victory scenario.
The Case Against Razing
While razing can be tempting, it’s essential to understand the significant downsides and why, in many cases, it’s a suboptimal decision.
Warmonger Penalties
Razing cities, especially in Civilization VI, incurs substantial warmonger penalties. Other civilizations will view you as a ruthless aggressor, leading to diplomatic isolation, trade embargoes, and potential declarations of war. This can severely hinder your progress toward any victory type, especially diplomatic or cultural victories.
Lost Potential
Every city, even poorly located ones, has the potential to contribute to your empire. With careful planning, appropriate districts, and strategic trade routes, even a seemingly useless city can become a valuable asset. Razing eliminates this potential.
Resource Loss
Razing a city destroys any districts, buildings, and improvements within its borders. This represents a significant loss of production, science, culture, and other yields that could have benefited your empire.
Unnecessary Aggression
Sometimes, keeping a conquered city is better for generating amenities and luxuries in the long run. Warmongering is a double-edged sword.
Factoring in Civics and Policies
Certain civics and policies can influence the impact of razing. Some policies might reduce warmonger penalties or provide bonuses for capturing cities. Others might offer alternative ways to manage loyalty or mitigate the negative effects of occupying foreign cities. Always consider your current government and policies before making a decision to raze. For instance, taking the Autocracy or Fascism government forms can decrease the penalties from razing cities.
A Balanced Approach
Ultimately, the decision to raze a city requires a balanced approach. Weigh the potential benefits against the drawbacks, consider your overall strategy, and assess the specific circumstances of the situation. Sometimes, a compromise, such as pillaging a city to cripple its production before ultimately keeping it, can be a more effective solution. Remember to consider the long-term implications and avoid impulsive decisions based solely on short-term gains.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs that address specific aspects of razing cities in Civilization VI and related strategic considerations:
1. What exactly happens when I raze a city in Civ 6?
Razing a city completely removes it from the map. All districts, buildings, improvements, and population are destroyed. The tile becomes open land that can be claimed by another city.
2. How long does it take to raze a city in Civ 6?
The time it takes to raze a city depends on its population. Larger cities take longer to raze.
3. Does razing a city affect my diplomatic relations?
Yes, razing a city increases your warmonger penalty, negatively impacting your relations with other civilizations. The severity depends on the number of cities razed and the civilizations’ attitudes towards war.
4. Are there any civilizations that are less affected by warmonger penalties?
Some civilizations, like Genghis Khan’s Mongolia, have abilities that reduce the negative impacts of war and conquest, including warmonger penalties.
5. How can I reduce warmonger penalties after razing a city?
You can reduce warmonger penalties by:
- Releasing captured cities.
- Returning cities to their original owners.
- Apologizing to civilizations you have angered.
- Having diplomatic relationships with civilizations who share your grievances.
6. Can I raze a city that was founded by a city-state?
No, you cannot raze a city that was originally founded by a city-state. You can only liberate it or keep it under your control.
7. What are the alternatives to razing a city?
Alternatives to razing include:
- Keeping the city and managing its loyalty.
- Liberating the city to its original owner.
- Puppeting the city (in previous Civilization games, but not Civ 6).
- Giving the city to another civilization.
8. How does loyalty work in Civ 6, and how does it relate to razing?
Loyalty is a mechanic in Civ 6 that represents a city’s allegiance to its civilization. Cities with low loyalty are at risk of rebelling and becoming Free Cities. Razing a city eliminates the risk of loyalty issues, but also eliminates the city’s potential contributions.
9. What are Free Cities, and why should I care?
Free Cities are independent cities that have rebelled from their original civilization due to low loyalty. They are vulnerable to being conquered by other civilizations or reverting to their original owners.
10. Are there any specific governors who can help manage loyalty in conquered cities?
Yes, several governors can help manage loyalty. Victor is particularly effective at increasing loyalty in cities, while Reyna can generate significant gold to offset the costs of maintaining loyalty.
11. How close should I build my cities to prevent loyalty issues in conquered cities?
Building your cities within 6 tiles of a conquered city can exert loyalty pressure and help keep it under control. Cultural alliances can assist in this process, as well as religious pressure from your religion.
12. Does razing a city affect my tourism output?
Indirectly, yes. By destroying districts and wonders, you reduce the potential for tourism generation. However, if the city was constantly rebelling or draining resources, razing it might free up resources to boost tourism elsewhere.
13. Can I prevent a city from being razed by another civilization?
You can prevent a city from being razed by:
- Liberating it before it is razed.
- Capturing the city from the civilization that is razing it.
- Negotiating a peace treaty that prevents the city from being razed.
14. Are there any mods that affect the razing mechanic in Civ 6?
Yes, numerous mods alter the razing mechanic. Some mods may reduce warmonger penalties, speed up the razing process, or offer alternative options for dealing with conquered cities.
15. In a multiplayer game, is razing a city a more or less viable strategy?
In multiplayer, razing a city is a riskier strategy due to the increased likelihood of diplomatic backlash. However, it can still be viable in certain situations, particularly when dealing with an aggressive opponent or securing a strategic advantage. The decision ultimately depends on the specific dynamics of the game.