Civilization 7has reworked how time advances in the game, which may leave even veteran players questioning what they should do as they enter each of the game’s distinct Ages. Previous installments of theCivilizationfranchise didn’t have the same hard breaks in their gameplay, so the advancement of time wasn’t as big of a focus as advancement on the game’s Technology Tree was. While first-timeCivplayers won’t need to adjust from one style of game to another, they will likely still want to know how to start each Age off right.
The new Age mechanic is one of the mostsignificant changesCiv 7has madeto previous titles. The game’s three Ages - Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern - each require different strategies and even offer some unique ways to win the game that are exclusive to that period.Civ 7’s many leadersalso have new ramifications for the type of civilizations that one can choose from as the game advances. Knowing the right civilization to choose is an integral part of starting any new Age, as is knowing what to do on the first few turns.
How Civ 7’s Age System Works
Civ 7 Is Broken Into Three Distinct Ages
Civilization 7is broken up into three distinct Ages, starting with the Antiquity Age. The game’s current Age can be progressed by completing steps along one ofCiv 7’s Legacy Paths, a series of quests dedicated to different aspects of the game, such as Science or Culture. A single civilization reaching certain milestones will advance the Age for the entire game, and Ages transition for all players at once. This means that, while some civilizations may get ahead in a given Age, and earn some advantages for the next one, no civilization will ever be left too far behind.
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Certain Ageless units and upgrades will carry over at the end of each Age, but others will be lost to time. Civilizations can also only carry over six units from one Age to the next, so even if one civ has a massive army going into the next Age, it will be cut down in size. However, the most significant change between ages is in what civilizations are available for play.
Each Age inCiv 7has its own roster of available civilizations to choose from. In the past, players would simply pick one civilization and play it for the entire game, but now players will play three different civilizations throughout a single game. Each civilization has its own unique bonuses, units, and upgrades, so the chosen civilization will have a big impact on the rest of the game.
What To Do At The Start Of The Antiquity Age
Establish A Capital And Relationships With Nearby Neighbors
Each civilization will begin the Antiquity Age with just a Founder unit, which will be used to create their first City.Founding a capital city right away is likely the best moveat the beginning of the Antiquity Age. Even if a Founder doesn’t start in the perfect spot, it will expand pretty quickly, and it is better than getting too far behind on turns in terms of production and City growth. This is especially true on harder difficulties where other civilizations will get a boost to their resource production.
After founding the first city,a good first production is a Scout. It’s nice to get a lay of the land, to know where the next Settlement should go, and the available resources in the area. Meeting other civilizations and independent states early on is also a good way to start establishing solid diplomatic relationships. Befriending independent cities can help prevent them from constantly attacking, which can make it hard to get set up early on. Making nice with other civilizations can offer bonuses and help advance through the early game more quickly.
This is also a good time to familiarize oneself with the Legacy Paths, since seeing which path works best for a chosen civilization and leader combination will make it easier to determine a potential road to victory. While there can be some flexibility in strategy later on if need be, maxing out a given Legacy Path in the Antiquity Age can be very helpful in establishing a road to victory.
What To Do At The Start Of The Exploration Age
Get A Feel For The Wider World And Start Developing A Strategy
The Exploration Age is the first time that players can travel toCiv 7’s Distant Lands. This is the name for the parts of the world that were inaccessible during the Antiquity Age because they were separated from the player’s starting point by deep Ocean tiles. The Exploration Age opens up the ability to cross these tiles and, therefore, the rest of the world.
Leaning into the exploration aspect of this Age can be a good way to start. Researching Cartography on the Technology Tree will allow more units to travel across deep Ocean terrain, including Settlers. This can help civilizations establish a foothold on a new continent, or at least make it easier to explore the rest of the world and establish relationships and trade routes with new civilizations.
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Alternatively, if players want to lock down control of their starting continent through domination,they canstart by researching Machinery. This will give them their first siege unit and put them on the path toward creating castles to protect their Settlements. That said, it’s probably still best to send out at least a few exploratory ships just to meet new civilizations and get a feeling for the wider world.
As with the Antiquity Age, understanding the Legacy Paths is again vitally important to success in the Exploration Age, so checking there is a good early step. Looking at every path and its requirements is a good idea, even if they weren’t your initial Antiquity Age focus. It’s good to understand both what options there are for success in the new Age, and what other civilizations may be working toward accomplishing.
What To Do At The Start Of The Modern Age
Pick How You Want To Win The Game
Civ 7’s Modern Age is the most difficult to have concrete first steps for because it will vary the most between players. What the best thing to do is at the start of this Age will be largely dependent on your strategy up until this point. That said, there is one thing all players should do at the start of the Modern Age, and that is deciding which ofCiv 7’s new victory conditionsto pursue.
Even if a civilization has split its attention between multiple Legacy Paths up until this point, it is probably best to lock down and choose one as an end goal at the start of the Modern Age as most ofCivilization 7’s victory conditions become available during this final Age. Having a single-minded focus will make it easier to more quickly reach one’s goal and open up a victory condition. With all other civilizations now working toward their path to victory, there is less time to try and do a little bit of everything.
