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The Ultimate City Placement Guide for Civilization 6: Location, Location, Location!

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So, you’re ready to carve out your empire in Civilization 6? Fantastic! But before you go slapping down your first (or tenth) city, let’s talk about the golden rule of real estate in Civ 6: location, location, location! The best place to build a city in Civilization 6 isn’t a simple answer, but a strategic blend of factors. Ideally, you want a location that offers a combination of fresh water, production, food, defensibility, and access to strategic and luxury resources. Finding the perfect spot is rare, so prioritizing based on your civilization, victory condition, and current game state is crucial.

Generally, aim for locations that:

Are adjacent to a river or lake (for Housing): Early game growth is king.
Have access to at least one hill (for Production): Production is always important, even with flat land cities.
Have at least one or two bonus resources (like wheat or sheep) or luxury resources nearby: These provide food and amenities, respectively.
Are within range of strategic resources (like iron or niter): These resources are essential for military units and some late-game buildings.
Offer defensible terrain (hills, rivers, or other natural barriers): Early game protection is paramount.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of city placement and explore some frequently asked questions.

Deciphering the Best Terrain for Your City

Prioritizing Production

As the original article rightly pointed out, settling on a Plains (Hills) tile is a strong opening move. That +1 Production from the get-go can significantly accelerate your early development. However, don’t become blinded by this alone. A plains hill tile in the middle of nowhere with no other resources might be inferior to a tile with fresh water and other production possibilities.

Look for clusters of hills near rivers. This allows for future Industrial Zone placement with adjacency bonuses. Later in the game, consider the potential of Strategic Resources. Access to coal, oil, and aluminum can outweigh the initial +1 Production.

The Importance of Fresh Water

Fresh water is the lifeblood of your early cities, providing crucial Housing for population growth. Settling adjacent to a river, lake, or oasis is almost always preferable. Without fresh water, you’ll need to build an Aqueduct, which takes time and Production. Some civs can ignore this a bit more easily; Egypt gets bonus housing from building next to rivers, while Inca can build on mountains.

Food, Glorious Food!

A starving city is a stagnant city. Look for tiles that provide bonus food yields, such as Wheat, Rice, Cattle, or Sheep. These resources will help your city grow quickly. Later, farms and fishing boats can supplement your food supply, but a strong food base from the start is a significant advantage.

Defensive Considerations

While not always the top priority, defensibility should be considered. Placing your early cities on or near hills, rivers, or other natural barriers makes them harder to conquer. This is especially important if you are playing a warlike civilization or are surrounded by aggressive neighbors.

FAQs: Mastering the Art of City Placement

How close should my cities be to each other?

The general rule of thumb is to have four tiles between city centers. This allows each city to fully utilize its surrounding resources. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to settle closer to secure a valuable resource or strategic location. If you can guarantee Loyalty, especially with Magnus’s Vertical Integration ability, closer cities are generally a good idea.
How many cities should I aim to have?

The optimal number of cities varies depending on your chosen victory condition and civilization. However, a good target to aim for is 10 cities by turn 100. In general, going wide (more cities) is better than going tall (fewer, larger cities) in Civ 6.
Should every city have an Industrial Zone?

Not necessarily. Industrial Zones are extremely powerful, but they require a significant investment of Production. Focus on building Industrial Zones in cities with good adjacency bonuses (e.g., next to mines, quarries, or other districts).
What are adjacency bonuses, and why are they important?

Adjacency bonuses are extra yields (Science, Culture, Faith, Gold, or Production) that districts receive for being placed next to certain tiles or other districts. Maximizing adjacency bonuses is key to maximizing the effectiveness of your districts.
Is it better to settle on a hill or next to a hill?

This depends on the circumstances. Settling on a hill provides a Production bonus from the start and defensive advantages. However, settling next to a hill allows you to build a mine on the hill, providing even more Production, and potential district adjancency. Early game, on a hill can be better; later game, next to a hill is often better.
What if I can’t find any fresh water?

If you absolutely cannot find a location with fresh water, you will have to research and build an Aqueduct. Alternatively, some civilizations have unique abilities that mitigate the need for fresh water (e.g., the Inca).
Should I prioritize settling near Natural Wonders?

Yes, absolutely! Natural Wonders often provide significant adjacency bonuses to districts and can offer unique benefits to your civilization.
What is the best civilization for beginners?

Rome is often considered a great civilization for beginners due to its strong infrastructure bonuses. However, Canada and Germany are also excellent choices.
How important is it to improve tiles around my city?

Tile improvements are essential for maximizing your city’s yields. Prioritize improving tiles with bonus, luxury, or strategic resources.
When should I build my first Settler?

Generally, you should build your first Settler as soon as your capital city reaches a population of 2 or 3. This will allow you to quickly expand your empire and claim valuable territory.
Is it worth conquering city-states?

It depends. Conquering city-states can provide valuable territory and resources, but it also incurs a diplomatic penalty with other civilizations. Only conquer a city-state if its location is strategically important or if its bonuses are not beneficial to your strategy.
What Governors should I prioritize?

Pingala is an excellent early-game governor for boosting Science and Culture. Magnus is a must have for chopping and production. Other governors are situational.
Should I open my borders to other civilizations?

Opening your borders to other civilizations can increase Tourism, which is important for a Culture Victory. However, it also allows their units to move freely through your territory.
What’s the best way to get Gold in Civ 6?

Trade Routes and Mines on luxury resources are excellent sources of Gold. The civilization led by Mansa Musa (Mali) is particularly adept at generating Gold.
What should I build first in a new city?

The first few builds in a new city should focus on increasing population and Production. A Monument is almost always a great first build, as it boosts Culture. After that, a Granary or Water Mill is good for growth, or Slingers for defense.

Ultimately, the best place to build a city in Civilization 6 is a dynamic decision that depends on your specific circumstances. By considering these factors and adapting to the unique challenges of each game, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving empire. Remember to keep learning and experimenting to discover what works best for you. You can delve deeper into game-based learning and its impact on society by visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Good luck, and happy building!