What Does Temperature Mean in Civ 6?
In Civilization 6, temperature is an environmental factor that primarily affects the generation of weather events, especially blizzards and droughts. It is not directly modifiable by the player and is a fixed characteristic of each tile at the start of the game. Warmer temperatures generally decrease the likelihood of blizzards but increase the likelihood of droughts, while colder temperatures do the opposite. Temperature also indirectly influences the likelihood of floods due to its effect on the melting of ice. Ultimately, temperature determines the frequency and type of natural disasters experienced in a particular location on the game map.
Understanding Temperature’s Role in Civilization 6
Temperature in Civ 6 isn’t simply a cosmetic detail; it’s an integral part of the game’s Disaster Intensity system, which adds a layer of realism and strategic depth. Understanding how temperature interacts with other environmental factors is crucial for making informed decisions about city placement, infrastructure development, and overall civilization management.
The Disaster Intensity System
The Disaster Intensity game mode, which must be enabled at game setup, amplifies the impact of environmental events. This system assigns a certain intensity level to each region of the map, influenced by factors like temperature, rainfall, and elevation. Higher intensity levels translate to more frequent and more severe natural disasters.
Temperature directly feeds into this intensity calculation. Colder regions tend to have higher blizzard intensity, while warmer regions are more prone to droughts. This means that civilizations located in these areas will face the challenge of mitigating the effects of these disasters, such as food shortages, production losses, and infrastructure damage.
Impact on City Planning and Development
Knowing the temperature of a region is paramount for strategic city planning. For instance, settling near a river in a warm region may seem ideal due to fertile land. However, that river will be more prone to droughts, reducing irrigation benefits and potentially causing famine. In contrast, settling near mountains in a cold region might seem risky due to lower food yields. However, if the city’s production is more crucial than its food output, dealing with an occasional blizzard may be a manageable trade-off.
Furthermore, understanding temperature affects the choice of city improvements and wonders. Building a Dam can help mitigate flood risks caused by melting ice in colder regions (where temperatures are increasing over the game’s course due to climate change). Building a Canal might be less advantageous in regions prone to severe droughts, since river navigation could be interrupted by a lack of water flow.
Climate Change and Temperature Fluctuations
While the initial temperature of each tile is fixed, climate change can significantly alter temperature patterns throughout the game. As civilizations advance through the eras and increase their carbon emissions, the global temperature will rise. This rise has far-reaching consequences:
- Increased frequency and severity of droughts in already warm regions.
- Melting of polar ice caps, leading to rising sea levels and coastal flooding.
- Potential desertification of previously fertile lands.
- Changes in the distribution of resources, such as strategic resources appearing in new locations due to temperature shifts.
Adapting to these changes requires a long-term strategic vision. Investing in renewable energy sources, implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions, and developing infrastructure to protect coastal cities are all crucial for mitigating the negative effects of climate change.
Utilizing Natural Disasters to Your Advantage
While natural disasters are generally seen as a negative, savvy players can sometimes turn them to their advantage. Floodplains and volcanic soil tiles, while susceptible to floods and volcanic eruptions respectively, often provide incredibly high yields after these events. By accepting the risk of occasional disaster, you can reap the benefits of exceptionally fertile land. The Preserves district, which grants adjacency bonuses to breathtaking tiles, becomes especially valuable in areas prone to dramatic weather patterns, effectively monetizing the visual appeal of those tiles while improving the city’s overall amenities.
FAQs: Temperature in Civ 6
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that further explore the nuances of temperature in Civilization 6:
1. Can I see the temperature of a tile directly in the game?
No, the game does not explicitly display temperature values for each tile. Players must infer temperature based on the biomes present (e.g., desert is warm, tundra is cold) and the frequency of weather events in an area.
2. Does temperature affect unit movement or combat?
No, temperature does not directly impact unit movement, combat effectiveness, or attrition.
3. Does temperature influence the spread of disease?
No, temperature is not linked to the spread of diseases in the game. Diseases are triggered by different conditions unrelated to temperature.
4. Does temperature influence resource distribution besides weather event frequency?
While the initial distribution of some resources is related to biomes (which are temperature-related), the game doesn’t dynamically change resource locations based on temperature, with the exception of Climate Change altering the map later in the game.
5. How does temperature impact tile yields?
Indirectly, temperature impacts yields through its influence on weather events. Droughts reduce food yields on farms, while blizzards can damage improvements and reduce tile yields overall. However, floods and volcanic eruptions can enrich the soil.
6. Does temperature affect the growth of forests or jungles?
Yes. Temperate and warm tiles can support forest and jungle growth, while cold tiles generally cannot. Desert tiles are unable to support jungle or forest growth, regardless of any other modifiers.
7. Does temperature affect the Great Bath wonder?
Yes, the Great Bath wonder prevents floods in the city it is built in. Since temperature influences the amount of flooding, it indirectly influences the utility of the Great Bath.
8. Can I use mods to view or change temperature?
Yes, there are mods available that display temperature data on the map and some that even allow you to modify temperature values. However, these mods may affect game balance.
9. What happens if I settle a city in a very cold region?
You will likely face frequent blizzards, which can damage improvements and reduce tile yields. However, you may also benefit from fewer droughts and lower flood risks (before climate change melts the ice).
10. What happens if I settle a city in a very warm region?
You will likely face frequent droughts, which can reduce food production. You may also benefit from fewer blizzards and longer growing seasons.
11. Does temperature affect the cost of irrigation?
No, temperature does not directly affect the cost of irrigation. Irrigation costs are primarily determined by technology and city development.
12. Does global warming affect regions with colder temperatures?
Yes. While colder regions might not initially be as drastically affected as warmer regions by global warming, they will still experience rising temperatures, leading to the melting of permafrost and the release of greenhouse gasses. Furthermore, rising sea levels from melting ice sheets will impact all coastal cities, regardless of their initial temperature.
13. Does building the Mahabodhi Temple wonder affect weather events?
No, the Mahabodhi Temple wonder doesn’t alter temperature or weather event frequency. It mainly provides religious benefits and relics.
14. Does temperature affect the use of the Soothsayer unit?
No, the Soothsayer unit’s abilities, such as triggering natural disasters for strategic gain, are not directly influenced by temperature. They are activated at the player’s discretion.
15. Are some civilizations better suited for dealing with extreme temperatures?
Yes, some civilizations have unique abilities that can help them thrive in extreme environments. For example, Canada gains benefits from settling in tundra and snow tiles, while Mali gets additional food for each desert tile.
By understanding the impact of temperature on the game world, players can make more informed decisions about city placement, infrastructure development, and long-term environmental strategies, ultimately leading to a more rewarding and engaging Civilization 6 experience.