Open Borders in Civ 7: Pros, Cons, and Strategies Explained

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In Civilization 7, interacting with various Leaders is unavoidable and the manner of these interactions can influence the course of the game for quite some time. As you delve deeper into this new world, players may encounter scenarios where they must traverse an enemy’s domain or vice versa.

In the game “Civilization 7”, one of the initial Diplomatic Actions you’ll encounter is opening borders with neighboring civilizations, and there can be consequences associated with both proposing this action and responding to it. Since the relationships with neighboring Leaders play a significant role in the game, understanding what might happen when you open borders is crucial. So, let me explain some potential outcomes of opening borders in Civilization 7.

1. Establish Trade Routes: Opening borders allows you to establish trade routes between your civilizations, which can lead to increased gold and resources.

2. Improve Diplomatic Relations: Opening borders can also improve diplomatic relations with the neighboring civilization, making it easier to negotiate treaties, alliances, or other favorable agreements.

3. Risk of Aggression: By opening borders, you’re essentially welcoming the neighboring civilization into your territory and giving them an opportunity to potentially attack or spy on you. Be cautious about opening borders with civilizations that have hostile tendencies or are currently at war.

4. Shared Resources: When borders are open, resources such as gold and luxury resources can be shared between civilizations. However, this also means that your neighbor can take advantage of any resources in their reach.

5. Cultural Diffusion: Opening borders allows for cultural exchange between civilizations, which can lead to the spread of ideas, technologies, and Great People. Keep an eye on the cultural differences between your civilization and your neighbors to avoid unwanted cultural shifts or domination.

6. Military Movement: Open borders enable military units from both civilizations to move freely across each other’s territories, which can be beneficial for joint operations but also increases the risk of being attacked by enemy units.

7. Espionage and Sabotage: Keep in mind that opening borders makes it easier for your neighbor to send spies or saboteurs into your territory, potentially causing damage or stealing valuable resources.

8. Diplomatic Penalties: If you open borders with a civilization that has negative feelings towards you, they may respond by declaring war or imposing sanctions on your civilization.

In summary, opening borders in Civilization 7 can lead to numerous benefits and opportunities, but it also carries risks and consequences that should be carefully considered before making this decision.

What Does Open Borders Do in Civilization 7?

When you establish Open Borders in Civilization 7, it permits other civilizations to pass their troops through your land freely, without needing to wage war. Similarly, if another leader accepts your proposal for Open Borders, it can facilitate revealing hidden territories on the map and reducing the Fog of War.

In case of conflict with another civilization, your Explorer and Missionary units may not move into spaces currently controlled by their opposing unit.

Users may instigate an Open Borders proposal by navigating to a leader’s menu and choosing the relevant option within the Treaties category. The fundamental cost for making such a request is typically 30 Influence points per game era, though this amount might fluctuate. The primary determinant of this cost is often the state of the relationship between leaders; however, certain abilities that influence Diplomatic Actions can also alter it.

When Should You Accept Open Borders in Civilization 7?

Usually, opting for Open Borders when a leader asks for it doesn’t incur any penalty, provides you with Gold each turn, and subtly enhances your relationship with that leader. In many instances, these benefits make Open Borders an appealing choice.

One potential rephrasing could be: “The main concern with Open Borders is the possibility that another leader might use this opportunity to gather intelligence on your civilization before launching a military attack. However, if such an event occurs, you might still find that the benefits in terms of gold outweigh the risks.

The “Open Borders” feature is active for a limited time span of 15 rounds, after which you’ll need to spend Influence points once more to reinstate it.

As the amount of gold you earn per turn increasess over time during each Era, the advantages of Open Borders will diminish. Instead, the strength of your leader’s relationship with another civilization will become a more crucial factor when considering whether or not to Open Borders.

When Should You Reject Open Borders in Civilization 7?

If another leader proposes open borders, you also get the chance to veto the proposal. This move comes with a base cost of 20 Influence points. Additionally, if you have already used Influence to initiate the open borders action yourself, this decision will return some of those spent Influence points back to you.

Refusing to support open borders between your nations may strain your diplomatic ties with the leader in question, thereby hindering both parties from starting new negotiations for a period of ten turns. This situation could prove advantageous if you are strategically preparing for a potential future military engagement against that leader.

Furthermore, should you advocate for Closed Borders and implement further Penalties, there’s a high likelihood this could escalate to a declaration of War against you, given that such a leader is more likely to initiate conflict with reduced Public Support for War.

If a leader who already has a poor relationship with you is asked about open borders, it’s highly probable that they will refuse the proposal. This action could potentially provoke them into taking military action, but be cautious and only take such a risk if you can afford to lose their influence should they agree to open borders instead.

As a savvy Civilization 7 gamer, every new campaign I embark on presents unique challenges. Yet, by keeping these pointers in mind, I can ensure I’ve thought through all potential consequences when an Open Borders request pops up:

1. Evaluate the Diplomatic Relationship: How well do I get along with this civilization? A strong alliance could make opening borders beneficial, while a hostile neighbor might not be such a great idea.

2. Assess Military Strength: Is my military prepared for potential conflicts arising from open borders? If not, it may be wise to reconsider the decision.

3. Consider Economy and Resources: How will opening borders impact my economy and resource management? Sharing resources can help, but if I’m struggling economically, it might not be the best choice.

4. Examine Cultural Influence: Will open borders lead to a loss of cultural influence or even a takeover? It’s important to protect my civilization’s identity and progress.

5. Anticipate Future Scenarios: How will this decision affect my long-term strategy? Opening borders could potentially create opportunities, but it may also present unexpected challenges down the line.

6. Weigh the Rewards Against the Risks: After evaluating all factors, I’ll make an informed decision about whether or not to accept the Open Borders request.

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2025-02-24 22:08