Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide – Tips & Tricks

by Falagar / Articles, Misc. Guides / 19 Feb 2022

Are you new to the world of Civilization VI and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different options and strategies at your disposal? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With its complex systems and deep gameplay, Civilization VI can be intimidating for new players.

Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy game in which you build and manage a civilization from the ground up, starting in the ancient era and advancing through the modern age. You’ll need to make strategic decisions about which technologies to research, how to allocate your resources, and which factions to ally with or conquer.

This beginner’s guide will provide you with an overview of the key concepts and mechanics in the game, as well as some tips and strategies to help you get started. So if you’re ready to embark on a journey to greatness, read on and let’s get started!

Make sure you understand the importance of your starting location

Your starting location in Civilization VI can have a huge impact on your success in the game. The terrain, resources, and strategic position of your starting location will all play a role in how well your civilization develops. For example, starting near a river can provide valuable access to fresh water and make it easier to irrigate your crops, while starting near a mountain range can provide access to valuable minerals and make it easier to defend your civilization. Take some time to consider the various factors that can affect your starting location before making a decision.

Take advantage of your civilization’s unique abilities

Every civilization in Civilization VI has its own unique abilities and bonuses that set it apart from the others. These abilities can greatly influence your gameplay strategy, so it’s important to make the most of them. Some examples of unique abilities include:

England’s naval supremacy: The English civilization’s unique ability allows them to build naval units faster and cheaper than other civilizations. This can give them a significant advantage in naval warfare and allow them to more easily defend their coastal cities.

Mongolia’s nomadic lifestyle: The Mongolian civilization’s unique ability allows them to move their capital from city to city, taking advantage of the resources and bonuses of each new location. This can be a great way to quickly expand and explore the map.

Brazil’s jungle fever: The Brazilian civilization’s unique ability allows them to build rainforest tiles into useful improvements, giving them a significant advantage in areas with dense jungle cover.

Use diplomacy and alliances to your advantage

Diplomacy and alliances are an important part of Civilization VI, and using them effectively can give you a major advantage in the game. By building and maintaining good relationships with other civilizations, you can secure valuable resources, technology, and support for your own goals.

One of the key things to remember when it comes to diplomacy and alliances is that they are fluid and can change over time. Just because you have a good relationship with a civilization today doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Be sure to keep an eye on your relationships and make adjustments as needed to ensure that you are getting the most out of your alliances.

It’s also important to remember that diplomacy and alliances are not the only way to achieve your goals in the game. Sometimes, it may be necessary to go to war in order to achieve your objectives. However, by using diplomacy and alliances effectively, you can often achieve your goals without resorting to war, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Focus on your priorities

As you progress through the game, you’ll have a lot of different things vying for your attention. It’s important to prioritize your actions and focus on the things that will have the greatest impact on your civilization’s growth and success. This could be anything from expanding your territory and building new cities, to researching new technologies and constructing wonders.

Pay attention to your districts and buildings

Districts and buildings are an important part of your city’s growth and development. Each district and building provides specific bonuses and benefits that can greatly impact your civilization’s progress. For example, the Campus district provides bonuses to science and research, while the Commercial Hub district provides bonuses to gold and trade.

To get the most out of your districts and buildings, you’ll need to carefully consider the placement of each one. Each district and building requires a certain number of tiles, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough space to accommodate all of your desired buildings and districts. Additionally, certain districts and buildings provide adjacency bonuses when placed next to other specific districts or buildings. For example, a Theater Square district provides a bonus to culture when placed next to a Campus district.

Use your spies effectively

Spies are a powerful tool in Civilization VI that can be used for a variety of purposes, including stealing technology, sabotaging enemy cities, and gathering intelligence. Here are some tips for using your spies effectively:

Choose your spy’s missions wisely: Each spy can be assigned a different mission, so make sure to choose the mission that will most benefit your civilization. For example, if you’re behind in technology, sending a spy to steal technology from an enemy civilization can give you a significant advantage.

Protect your spies: Spies can be captured and executed by enemy civilizations, so make sure to keep an eye on their movements and protect them if necessary. You can also use your spies to sabotage enemy spies and protect your own cities from enemy sabotage.

Use your spies to gather intelligence: Spies can also be used to gather intelligence on enemy civilizations, allowing you to better predict their movements and plan your own strategies accordingly.

Use your Great People wisely

In Civilization VI, Great People are powerful units that can be used to unlock unique abilities and bonuses for your civilization. These can range from cultural or scientific boosts to military advantages. It’s important to plan ahead and carefully consider how you want to use your Great People. Do you want to use them to unlock a new technology or civic? Or do you want to use their unique abilities to gain an advantage in combat? Be sure to think about how your choices will impact your overall strategy.

Expand your territory wisely

Expanding your territory is an important part of any Civilization game, and Civilization VI is no exception. However, it’s important to think carefully about how you expand your territory. You’ll want to make sure you have enough resources and production to support your growing civilization, and you’ll also need to consider the strategic value of the tiles you’re settling.

One key factor to consider is the tile’s yield, which is the resources it provides to your civilization. Tiles with high yields in resources like food, production, and gold can be especially valuable. You’ll also want to pay attention to the terrain type, as some terrain types provide specific benefits or penalties. For example, hills provide a bonus to production, while deserts provide a penalty to food.

Make the most of your trade routes

Trade routes are a great way to generate income and acquire new resources. Make sure you’re taking full advantage of them by establishing routes with as many of your cities as possible, and by sending your trade caravans to civilizations with whom you have a good relationship. You can also use your trade routes to spread religion and culture, which can be incredibly helpful in your quest for victory.

Keep an eye on your civilization’s happiness

Happiness is an important aspect of Civilization VI that you’ll need to manage carefully. Your civilization’s happiness level determines how quickly your cities grow and how well your units perform in combat. If your happiness level is low, your cities will grow slowly and your units will suffer penalties in combat.

To improve your happiness level, you’ll need to focus on a variety of factors. These include things like providing amenities for your citizens, building certain wonders and buildings, and making sure you have a good balance of different types of resources. You’ll also need to pay attention to your civilization’s amenities balance, which is a measure of how much access your citizens have to amenities like entertainment, religion, and education.

Build wonders

Wonders are special structures that provide unique bonuses to your civilization and can be a game-changer in Civilization VI. You should aim to build as many wonders as possible, and prioritize those that provide bonuses to your civilization’s production, science, and culture.

Don’t neglect your military

While Civilization VI is primarily a game of economic and cultural development, military strength is also an important factor to consider. Neglecting your military can leave you vulnerable to attacks from other civilizations, and it can also make it difficult for you to expand your territory or defend your own. Make sure you’re building and training a strong military force, and consider using your military to make strategic attacks on enemy civilizations or defend your own borders.

These are just a few advanced tips and tricks to get you started in Civilization VI. There are many other strategies and tactics that you can use to succeed in the game, and the best way to learn is to simply start playing and experimenting with different approaches. With some practice and experience, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful civilization in Civilization VI.

Falagar

He is the founder and editor of Magic Game World. He loved gaming from the moment he got a PlayStation 1 with Gran Turismo on his 7th birthday.
View all posts