Unleash Your Inner Conservationist: A Guide to Building National Parks in Civilization VI

A Naturalist in Civilization VI can build a National Park on a cluster of four contiguous hexes arranged in a vertical diamond shape that meet specific requirements. First, all tiles must have an Appeal rating of Charming or better. Second, all four tiles must be owned by the same city. Third, the tiles must be either natural wonders, Mountains, or tiles with an Appeal of Charming or better. Understanding these requirements is key to strategically planning where to place your cities and improve tiles for optimal National Park placement.

Maximizing Your National Park Potential

Finding ideal locations for National Parks is a rewarding challenge in Civilization VI. Here’s a breakdown of how to identify and create these havens of tourism and culture:

• Appeal is Key: Focus on improving the Appeal of your tiles. Use Preserves, Theater Squares with Wonders, and strategic placement of Holy Sites and Entertainment Complexes to boost the Appeal rating of surrounding tiles. Remember, Mountains and Natural Wonders inherently possess high Appeal.
• Territory Control: Ensure all four tiles of your prospective park fall within the borders of a single city. This might require some strategic city planning and border expansion using Culture.
• Natural Wonders and Mountains: These are your best friends! Natural Wonders automatically qualify, and mountainous regions provide ample opportunity to create parks, especially if you can enhance adjacent tiles with improvements.
• Strategic City Placement: When founding new cities, consider the potential for future National Parks. Settle near mountain ranges, Natural Wonders, or areas with high Appeal potential.
• Tile Improvements: Use improvements like Planting Forests and building Seaside Resorts and Ski Resorts (if you have the Gathering Storm expansion) to increase Appeal. Avoid anything that reduces Appeal, such as mines near your park area.

National Park Strategy Deep Dive

The placement of your Naturalist for park creation is also critical. The Naturalist must be able to stand on a tile that is adjacent to all four tiles you want to include in the National Park, it cannot occupy a tile that will form the National Park itself. Long, vertical mountain chains are fantastic for National Parks, just make sure there’s a place the Naturalist can stand to make the park.

The Appeal of Appeal

Managing tile Appeal is crucial for successful National Park creation. Here’s how you can manipulate it:

• Preserves: These districts significantly increase the Appeal of surrounding tiles, making them invaluable for National Park preparation. Constructing a Grove and Sanctuary within the Preserve further enhances Appeal.
• Eiffel Tower: This World Wonder grants all tiles in your empire +2 Appeal, a massive boost that can turn ordinary tiles into park-worthy locations.
• Strategic Improvements: Choose improvements that boost Appeal. Planting a forest provides Appeal, unlike some mines that may hinder Appeal.
• Remove Negative Influences: Clear features like Marsh or Jungle and remove pollution sources near your park area.

Economic and Cultural Benefits of National Parks

National Parks aren’t just for aesthetics; they provide significant Tourism and Culture yields. A well-placed National Park can significantly boost your culture victory.

• Tourism Boost: National Parks generate substantial Tourism, attracting tourists from other civilizations and fueling your cultural dominance.
• Culture Bonus: National Parks also provide Culture, further accelerating your progress through the civics tree.
• Appeal Synergies: Higher Appeal within your empire also benefits other Tourism sources, such as seaside resorts and ski resorts, creating a positive feedback loop.

National Park: A Case Study

Imagine you’ve settled a city near a mountain range with a few Natural Wonders scattered around. You strategically placed a Preserve between them, and have started planting forests on adjacent plains tiles. You’ve carefully managed tile ownership to ensure that four contiguous tiles with high appeal fall within the borders of a single city. Now, you can purchase a Naturalist with faith and use him to create a National Park, securing a valuable source of Tourism and Culture for your civilization.

National Parks are a powerful tool for cultural victories in Civilization VI, rewarding strategic planning, clever tile management, and a keen eye for natural beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About National Parks

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding National Parks in Civilization VI to further enhance your understanding and strategic gameplay:

1. What is the minimum Appeal required for a National Park tile? The minimum Appeal required is Charming or better. This includes Charming, Appealing, Picturesque, and Breathtaking.

2. Can I build a National Park on tiles that are not mountains or natural wonders? Yes, you can. As long as the tiles have an Appeal of Charming or better, form a vertical diamond shape, and are owned by the same city, they qualify.

3. How do I increase the Appeal of a tile? You can increase Appeal by building Preserves, Planting Forests, building Wonders, and removing negative influences like pollution. Some natural features like Mountains already have a high Appeal.

4. What happens if a tile within my National Park loses Appeal after the park is created? The National Park remains in place, but you should maintain high appeal as it may affect tourism output and you want to take advantage of adjacency bonuses. Focus on keeping the Appeal up to maximize its benefits.

5. Can other civilizations build National Parks within my borders? No, only you can build National Parks within your borders. A city can only have one National Park within its territory.

6. Does the placement of my National Park affect its output? Yes, adjacency bonuses from Wonders, resources, and districts can influence the Tourism and Culture yields of your park. Planning is key.

7. Can a volcano be a national park in Civ 6? Volcanoes are great places where you can build National Parks. Build preserves 2 tiles away from it, improve with the Grove and the Sanctuary and reap the spoils.

8. Are there any specific civics or technologies that boost National Parks? The Conservation civic unlocks the Naturalist unit required to build National Parks. Additionally, certain Wonders and civ abilities can enhance the yields and appeal of your park.

9. Can I remove a National Park after it’s been built? No, you cannot remove a National Park once it has been established. Think carefully about the location before committing.

10. Can I build improvements on tiles within a National Park? No, you cannot build improvements on tiles within a National Park. These tiles are dedicated to the park’s natural beauty and tourism potential.

11. How important are Governors for National Parks? Governors with Appeal-boosting abilities, such as Liang (the Surveyor), can significantly aid in creating National Parks.

12. Do Natural Wonders always guarantee a good spot for a National Park? Natural Wonders provide a strong foundation for parks due to their high Appeal, but you still need to ensure that adjacent tiles also meet the Appeal requirements and are within the same city.

13. How does the Eiffel Tower affect National Parks? The Eiffel Tower provides a +2 Appeal bonus to all tiles in your empire, making it much easier to find suitable locations for National Parks.

14. Can National Parks be pillaged or damaged? National Parks cannot be pillaged.

15. What is the best strategy for incorporating National Parks into my victory plan? Integrate National Parks into a broader cultural victory strategy. Combine them with other sources of Tourism, such as Seaside Resorts, Ski Resorts, and Great Works, to maximize your cultural influence. Prioritize Appeal-boosting improvements and districts to create a network of high-appeal tiles.

By understanding these nuances and implementing effective strategies, you can become a master of National Park creation in Civilization VI, leading your civilization to a glorious cultural victory! And remember, games and simulations can provide fun and accessible ways to learn about complex systems like resource management, urban planning, and cultural development. To find out more about the power of games and simulations to enhance learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.