As a gamer engrossed in the world of Civilization 7, I start expanding my dominion by deploying Settlers to establish numerous settlements. However, instead of just focusing on increasing the number of Settler Units, I can also seek to become the Overlord of a City-State. By building up Influence, I can skip the process of creating additional settlements and instead assimilate a City-State into my ever-growing empire, thereby gaining an alternative pathway to expansion.
Considering the apparent simplicity of acquiring a settlement, it’s crucial to weigh several aspects before taking that step. This guide aims to illuminate the advantages of establishing a City-State in Civ 7 and help you decide when remaining as Suzerain would serve your gameplay strategy better.
How to Incorporate City-States in Civilization 7
To begin the process of adding a City-State in Civilization 7, first locate an Independent Power and invest some Influence to initiate the Befriend Independent Project. Completion of this project, which typically takes around 30 turns at standard speed, will make you the Suzerain of a newly converted City-State. However, players have the option to expedite this process by spending extra Influence.
The base Influence costs to Befriend Independent Powers in a Standard speed game are:
- Antiquity Age: 170 Influence to begin, 100 Influence to Add Support with each additional Support action costing 10 Influence more than the previous did
- Exploration Age: 340 Influence to begin, 200 Influence to Add Support with each additional Support action costing 20 Influence more than the previous did
- Modern Age: 510 Influence to begin, 300 Influence to Add Support with each additional Support action costing 30 Influence more than the previous did
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After a player gains the title of Suzerain, it will require approximately 10 rounds (in a game played at standard speed) to Assimilate a City-State under these initial Influence expenses.
- Antiquity Age: 240 Influence
- Exploration Age: 480 Influence
- Modern Age: 720 Influence
If players choose to remain Suzerain, they can also spend Influence on the following Projects:
- Promote Growth: 30 Influence per Age to generate Food for the City-State
- Bolster Military: 60 Influence per Age to create a Military Unit for the City-State
- Levy Unit: Permanently take control of a Military Unit from the City-State, Influence cost varies based on the exact Military Unit
It’s beneficial to foster growth when players have the power to do so, but military projects depend on specific circumstances. When a City-State is annexed, its active military units will cease to exist. Players considering annexing a City-State might want to mobilize any remaining military forces prior to this action.
Should You Incorporate City-States in Civilization 7?
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Once the Befriend Independent Project concludes, players will be promptly required to select a Suzerain bonus. These exclusive perks are determined by the nature of the City-State that has been developed, such as those focused on Economy or Science, and numerous ones feature benefits directly linked to the number of City-States a Leader currently governs as a Suzerain.
At the start of every new era, Independent Powers revert back to their initial state, meaning that any advantages gained by controlling numerous City-States will need to be rebuilt again once a new age commences.
When deciding to establish a City-State, players should be aware that it comes with a significant Influence expense. However, this cost might be less than the constant investment needed to cultivate relationships with Independent Powers over the course of an entire Civilization VII game.
There are numerous methods to accrue additional Influence each turn, yet Independent Powers aren’t the sole sources where Influence becomes crucial. Civilizations and Leaders specialized in Diplomatic Ventures or Espionage will require their Influence for those tasks, but some also possess abilities that thrive when they rule over multiple City-States.
In some cases, City-States are not situated close enough to abundant Resources to be deemed significant settlements. Furthermore, annexing a City-State near another Leader’s border could potentially strain or harm that alliance over time.
During the Exploration Era, it’s generally not advantageous to establish a City-State within one’s Homelands. However, a coastal City-State situated in Faraway Lands, which enjoys access to Riches from the Treasure Fleet, could prove extremely profitable.
In essence, each game strategy will vary, but these tips should assist players of Civ 7 in determining when it’s advantageous to incorporate a City-State. To make an informed decision about whether to incorporate a City-State into a Leader’s domain, gamers should carefully consider the factors previously discussed.
- Settlement location
- Nearby opponents
- Nearby resources
- Available Influence
- Activated suzerainty bonuses
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2025-02-15 21:24