Mastering the Early Game in Civilization 6: Your Guide to Domination
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The early game of Civilization 6 is a crucial foundation upon which your entire empire will be built. Prioritizing strategic expansion, securing resources, and establishing a strong economy and military are paramount. This means focusing on scouting to reveal the map, founding well-placed cities, developing key technologies and civics, and forging essential diplomatic relationships. A strong start will set you on the path to victory, regardless of your chosen path.
Building Your Foundation: Key Early Game Priorities
The first few turns in Civ 6 can feel overwhelming, but focusing on these core elements will ensure a prosperous and competitive beginning:
- Strategic City Placement: Look for fresh water (rivers, lakes, oases), resources (bonus and luxury resources), and terrain suitable for districts (mountains, rainforests, reefs). Each city should have access to a variety of tiles to maximize its potential. Settle on Plains Hills for the extra production.
- Scouting and Exploration: Your Scout is your eyes and ears. Use it to explore the surrounding area, discover city-states, locate other civilizations, and identify potential threats like barbarian camps. Early contact can provide valuable bonuses and insights.
- Early Production Focus: Prioritize building a Scout, then a Monument to kickstart culture. Following that, a Slinger for defense, and then a Settler to found your second city. These choices provide early defense, expansion, and cultural development.
- Tech and Civic Choices: Researching pottery to build a shrine to get early faith generation or animal husbandry for improved scouting is crucial. For civics, early empire offers valuable bonuses to growth and production.
- Defensive Measures: Protect your cities from barbarians. Keep a military unit (like a Slinger) near your capital and consider building a defensive district (Encampment) in a strategically important location. Clear barbarian outposts to ensure your city grows unmolested.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Early Game Strategy in Civ 6
1. Should I build a monument before a scout in Civ 6?
Generally, a Scout is preferable as your first build. The advantages gained from early exploration – discovering city-states, natural wonders, and other civilizations – often outweigh the immediate cultural boost from a Monument. However, if you start near a natural wonder, culture from meeting it can let you beeline state workforce and get the +1 production card quickly.
2. What is the best technology to research first in Civ 6?
The optimal first technology depends on your surroundings and civilization. If you have lots of animals around your capital, Animal Husbandry is ideal for improving your scouting capabilities. Otherwise, Pottery for the early faith generation can be a great boost, especially if you plan on aiming for a religion.
3. Is it better to settle on a hill or next to a river in Civ 6?
Freshwater is essential for city growth and housing, so settling next to a river is often the priority. If you can settle on a Plains Hill that is next to a river, that’s the best of both worlds. However, if you have a better river tile that’s not on a hill, that’s usually better, as hills can come later.
4. When should I build my first Settler in Civ 6?
As soon as you have addressed your immediate defense needs (usually one or two military units) and have completed building your first few basic units (Scout, Slinger), prioritize building a Settler. Aim to have your second city founded before turn 30.
5. How important are city-states in the early game?
City-states are extremely important in the early game. Gaining suzerainty early on can provide valuable bonuses like extra science, culture, or faith. Focus on completing their quests to earn influence.
6. What should I do if I encounter a powerful neighboring civilization early on?
Focus on building a stronger military and securing your borders. Send a delegation to establish friendly relations and avoid early conflict. Research technologies that improve your defenses and unit strength.
7. Should I focus on building wonders in the early game?
Building wonders can be tempting, but they are often a production sink that can delay your expansion and development. Only build wonders if you have a specific strategic reason (like the Great Bath for floodplains) or if your civilization has bonuses towards wonder construction.
8. How do I deal with barbarians effectively in Civ 6?
Scout your surroundings to identify barbarian camps early. Use your Warrior and Slinger to clear these camps before they can spawn too many units. Consider researching Bronze Working to build Spearmen, which are effective against early barbarian horsemen.
9. What is the best government to choose in the early game?
Chiefdom is your starting government, and Code of Laws is your first civic. This gives you access to Craftsmanship. The +1 production toward Ancient Era units policy can help get you rolling in the early game.
10. How do I maximize my gold income in the early game?
Build trade routes as soon as possible. Trade with city-states or other civilizations to generate gold. Research technologies like Writing to build a Campus district, which can generate science and gold.
11. What district should I build first in my new cities?
The ideal first district depends on your surroundings and victory strategy. A Holy Site is generally a good choice for faith generation, while a Campus can boost your science output. The commercial hub can generate much needed gold to keep your economy flowing.
12. Should I prioritize building farms in the early game?
Farms are important for city growth, but they should not be your top priority early on. Focus on securing resources, expanding your territory, and building infrastructure first. Farms become more valuable as your cities grow larger.
13. Is it ever a good idea to declare war in the early game?
Declaring war in the early game is risky, but it can be beneficial if you have a specific strategic advantage (like a unique unit) or if you need to secure a valuable resource. Be prepared for the consequences of war, including diplomatic penalties.
14. How do I effectively use Great People in the early game?
Great People can provide powerful bonuses. Prioritize claiming Great People who provide early boosts to your science, culture, or faith output. Use their abilities strategically to maximize their impact.
15. How do I plan my district layout effectively in the early game?
Consider the adjacency bonuses for each district. Plan your city layout to maximize these bonuses. For example, placing a Campus next to mountains or rainforests can significantly increase its science output. You also want to be aware of other cities planned location to create inter-city district bonus connections.
The early game in Civilization 6 is about setting the stage for your future success. By focusing on strategic expansion, resource management, and early tech and civic choices, you can gain a significant advantage over your opponents. Good luck!
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