Navigating the Shadows: Understanding Dark Ages in Civilization VI
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A Dark Age in Civilization VI is triggered when you fail to accumulate enough Era Score during the previous era to meet the threshold for a Normal Age. It’s essentially the game’s way of saying you haven’t been making enough significant progress in exploration, expansion, or technological/civic advancement compared to your competitors. Falling into a Dark Age can have significant consequences for your empire, impacting loyalty, policies, and overall stability.
What Exactly is Era Score?
The Currency of Progress
Era Score is a numerical representation of your civilization’s accomplishments throughout an era. It’s earned by achieving Historic Moments, which are milestones like discovering natural wonders, circumnavigating the globe, being the first to build a certain wonder, or converting a rival civilization’s holy city. Each Historic Moment adds a certain amount of points to your Era Score. The higher your score, the better your chances of entering a Golden Age in the next era. Conversely, a low score can lead to a Dark Age.
Era Score Thresholds: The Key to Avoiding Darkness
Each era has different thresholds for Dark, Normal, and Golden Ages. These thresholds increase as the game progresses, reflecting the increasing difficulty of achieving significant milestones. The exact number of Era Score needed to avoid a Dark Age also depends on factors like game speed, the number of cities you control, and whether you’ve previously experienced a Dark Age or Golden Age (which slightly adjusts the requirements).
The Downside of Darkness
Entering a Dark Age is not the end of the world, but it does present significant challenges. One of the biggest consequences is reduced loyalty in your cities. Cities with low loyalty are at risk of rebelling and becoming Free Cities, or even joining another civilization. This can destabilize your empire and significantly hamper your progress. However, Dark Ages can set you up for a Heroic Age.
The Unique Policies of the Dark Ages
While Dark Ages may seem negative, they do offer unique policy cards that are more powerful than normal policies but also come with significant drawbacks. These policies can be risky but can also provide a much-needed boost to your civilization if used strategically.
FAQs: Mastering the Era System in Civilization VI
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and implications of Dark Ages in Civilization VI:
1. How do I see my current Era Score?
Your current Era Score is displayed on the top of the screen, along with an indicator of whether you’re on track for a Dark, Normal, or Golden Age. You can also access a more detailed breakdown of how your Era Score was earned through the Era Tracker in the game’s menu.
2. What are some easy ways to earn Era Score in the early game?
Focus on exploration early on. Discovering natural wonders, meeting new civilizations, and circumnavigating the globe are all relatively easy ways to earn significant Era Score in the early game. Building your first government building, training a certain number of units, and constructing early wonders also contribute.
3. Does difficulty level affect Era Score thresholds?
No, the difficulty level does not directly affect the Era Score thresholds for Dark, Normal, or Golden Ages. However, playing on higher difficulties makes it inherently harder to earn Era Score, as the AI is more competitive and efficient.
4. What happens if I’m in a Dark Age and then earn enough Era Score to reach a Golden Age threshold?
Unfortunately, you won’t immediately jump into a Golden Age mid-era. Your fate is sealed at the beginning of each era based on your Era Score at that time. You’ll have to endure the Dark Age until the next era begins.
5. How does the Dramatic Ages game mode change Dark Ages?
The Dramatic Ages game mode significantly alters the impact of Dark Ages. In this mode, entering a Dark Age causes a number of your cities with the lowest loyalty to immediately rebel and become Free Cities. This can quickly destabilize even a strong empire, making it crucial to avoid Dark Ages at all costs.
6. Can I trigger a Dark Age on purpose?
Yes, you can intentionally trigger a Dark Age by avoiding Historic Moments and keeping your Era Score low. This can be a strategic move if you want to leverage the powerful Dark Age policies or make it easier to achieve a Heroic Age in the following era.
7. What is a Heroic Age, and how do I get one?
A Heroic Age is a special type of Golden Age that can only be achieved after experiencing a Dark Age. To enter a Heroic Age, you must earn enough Era Score to qualify for a Golden Age despite having been in a Dark Age in the previous era. Heroic Ages grant you the ability to choose three Dedications, making them incredibly powerful.
8. Do certain civilizations have an easier time avoiding Dark Ages?
Yes, some civilizations have unique abilities or bonuses that make it easier to earn Era Score or maintain loyalty, reducing their risk of falling into a Dark Age. For example, civilizations with strong early-game bonuses, like Rome or Germany, can quickly expand and achieve early milestones that generate Era Score.
9. How does the number of cities I have affect Era Score requirements?
The required Era Score to avoid a Dark Age or achieve a Golden Age increases slightly with the number of cities you control. This is because a larger empire is expected to achieve more significant milestones.
10. What are Dedications, and how do they relate to Eras?
Dedications are special bonuses that you choose when entering a Golden Age or Heroic Age. They provide powerful, era-specific benefits that can significantly boost your civilization’s progress.
11. Can I get stuck in a cycle of Dark Ages?
It’s possible to get stuck in a cycle of Dark Ages, but it’s not inevitable. Consistently low Era Scores across multiple eras can make it increasingly difficult to escape the cycle. However, strategic planning, smart use of Dark Age policies, and a focus on achieving Historic Moments can help you break free.
12. How do city-states impact Era Score?
City-states themselves do not directly grant Era Score. However, suzerain bonuses from city-states can indirectly contribute to your score by boosting your culture, science, or military strength, which can then help you achieve Historic Moments.
13. What are some common mistakes that lead to Dark Ages?
Common mistakes include neglecting exploration in the early game, focusing too much on internal development and not enough on external expansion, failing to keep up with technological and civic advancements, and getting bogged down in unproductive wars.
14. Is a Dark Age always a bad thing?
No, a Dark Age is not always a bad thing. It can be an opportunity to adopt powerful Dark Age policies, pivot your strategy, and set yourself up for a Heroic Age in the following era.
15. Where can I learn more about Civilization VI strategies?
Numerous online resources offer in-depth guides and strategies for Civilization VI. Websites like Reddit’s r/Civ, CivFanatics, and YouTube channels dedicated to Civ VI gameplay can provide valuable insights. You might also find the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org a great resource for understanding the strategies of games.
Understanding the mechanics of Era Score and Dark Ages is crucial for success in Civilization VI. By focusing on exploration, expansion, technological advancement, and strategic policy choices, you can minimize your risk of falling into a Dark Age and maximize your chances of leading your civilization to a glorious future. Good luck, and may your eras be ever golden!