When stepping foot onto the vast and dynamic world of Civilization VII, one of the most pivotal decisions players will make is where to establish their very first city. With myriad new features and mechanics to explore, founding this initial settlement can significantly shape the course of the game. Understanding how to strategically pick this location is key to longevity and success.
To start, players should pay careful attention to the settings before they even begin playing. By turning on several visual aides, known as Lenses, players will be able to identify potential city sites at first glance. The three main Lenses to activate—Yields, Resources, and Settler View—are practically indispensable. By selecting the Lenses button located above the bottom-left minimap and enabling the relevant options under Decorations, players will reveal hidden gems across the map. These will visually highlight the yield of each tile as well as pinpoint any valuable resources.
"Cities can only expand and work tiles within a 3-tile radius," as stated by Civ VI Game Mechanics, and this basic gameplay mechanic should be at the forefront as players evaluate potential sites for their new city. Upon loading the map, typically, explorers can only see about three tiles surrounding their start point. If these initial revealed tiles lack significant resources or feasible yields, the first city will be limited and unable to expand effectively. It begs the question: Is it safer to restart the game for a more favorable location?
When considering resources, there are several elements players should prioritize. Initially, yields such as Food and Production should take precedence over Gold or Silver, since early growth is often more advantageous. Resources like Sheep and Cotton can significantly contribute to this early game push. The importance of these resources cannot be overstated, as they will help develop necessary city power quickly and efficiently.
"Fresh water grants a major bonus to Happiness," highlights Civ VI Guide, underscoring another factor players should not overlook—settling near fresh water sources is indispensable. Access to rivers or lakes not only promotes growth and boosts happiness but can also offer additional options for future expansions. Particularly for those who aim to explore the ocean once the Antiquity age begins, scouting out the coastline can open avenues for colonization.
It's also imperative to keep environmental factors at the forefront of decision-making when choosing where to settle. Certain terrains can create obstacles for unit movement, causing frustration early on if cities are established near Rough Terrain tiles, which could be detrimental. To mitigate this, players should become mindful of their surroundings and not simply rush to choose the first appealing location they see.
Further to these strategic elements, players are encouraged to adopt certain gameplay practices to optimize their early development. For example, keep an eye on specific yields and associated resources. Notably, resources such as Incense or Silk can provide additional benefits to key city stats, helping keep the civilization on track toward victory.
All of this early groundwork creates the bedrock upon which future success can be built. When paired with the flexible strategy possibilities offered by well-chosen leaders, players can assure themselves of engaging gameplay free from unwarranted setbacks. Leveraging the unique properties tied to different leaders is another avenue through which players can tailor their civilizations accordingly.
Understanding not only how to leverage the initial conditions but how they've evolved over previous iterations can significantly enrich the current gaming experience. Experienced players of Civilizations past need not reinvent the wheel, contemplating successful tactics to meld those ideas with innovations uniquely found within Civilization VII.
A comprehensive approach to founding your first city is about more than just picking the right tile to settle; it's about cultivating sustainable growth throughout the ages. Players should remain mindful of the surrounding environment, resource availability, and how these factors will influence happiness, productivity, and potential outcomes as they guide their civilization to glory.