Civilization VI: Early Game Domination – The Ultimate Guide

Civilization VI: Early Game Domination – The Ultimate Guide
Civilization VI: Early Game Domination – The Ultimate Guide

Civilization VI has become the talk of the town ever since a Neuralink user recently posted his video playing the game through it. There may be several reasons to Civilization VI popularity, but the biggest reason could be the engaging real life game flow in it. Now, since you don’t know how to begin, this article would be your helping hand.

In Civilization VI, a domination victory is achieved by seizing control of every other civilization’s original capital. To pull this off, early game aggression and strategic maneuvering are paramount. This guide delves into the nuances of early game domination, providing crucial strategies to help you achieve military supremacy and claim ultimate victory.

Civilization VI: Path to Domination

Step 1: Choosing the Right Tools for the Job

  • Domination-Focused Civilizations: Your early game momentum in Civilization VI depends heavily on the civilization you select. Some civilizations have inherent advantages for early conquest:
    • Aztecs: Eagle Warriors turn defeated barbarians into builders, fueling your expansion. Their early game aggression is unparalleled.
    • Scythia: Their unique Saka Horse Archers allow the production of two mounted units for the price of one, perfect for swarming early opponents.
    • Sumeria: The War Cart, available with just the Wheel technology, provides a potent offensive force in the ancient era.
    • Zulu: Impi Corps, enabled by their unique Ikanda district, quickly overwhelm adversaries with their numbers and flanking bonuses.
    • Macedon: Under Alexander the Great’s leadership, Macedon gains bonuses to conquering new cities and maintaining a large army.

Step 2: Lay the Foundation

  • Scout, Scout, Scout: Early scouting is critical. Scouts grant vision, reveal potential city locations, uncover tribal villages for valuable bonuses, locate opponents, and provide first contact with city-states, granting envoy bonuses.
  • Strategic Settlements: Prioritize settling cities with access to strategic resources like horses and iron. These accelerate early military production. Claim defensible locations and chokepoints for tactical superiority.
  • Build Order: Start your cities by constructing a Scout (or two!) followed by a Slinger or Warrior for initial defense.
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Step 3: Create a War Machine

  • Production Engine: Direct your cities towards constructing military units. Focus on early units like Archers, Warriors, unique units offered by your civilization, and siege equipment like Battering Rams if your target has walls.
  • Defensive Walls: Construct Ancient Walls quickly in border cities. They deter barbarian attacks and provide critical defense against early aggression from rival civilizations.
  • Beeline for Upgrades: Military technology is vital. Prioritize researching Bronze Working, Iron Working, along with any technologies that unlock powerful unit upgrades specific to your chosen civilization.

Step 4: Choose Your First Victim and Strike!

  • Analyze Your Surroundings: Survey your closest neighbors. Identify civilizations with weaker militaries, undefended cities, or poor overall development. An easy early target fuels your growth.
  • Force Projection: Produce a sizable force tailored towards your opponent’s weaknesses and the strengths of your chosen civilization. Remember, quality and quantity both matter.
  • The Element of Surprise: Attack swiftly and decisively before your enemy can bolster their defenses. Employ terrain advantages, flanking tactics, and any unit promotions to maximize combat effectiveness.
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Step 5: Expansion and Consolidation

  • Puppet or Annex: Carefully consider whether to fully annex conquered cities or transform them into puppet cities. Annexed cities provide direct control but increase warmongering penalties. Puppet cities can provide strategic resources or buffer zones with less diplomatic backlash.
  • Replenish Your Army: Following a conquest, quickly shift production to replace lost troops. Build essential defensive structures if needed, and maintain military research to stay technologically ahead.
  • Keep Pushing: Exploit your newfound power to expand further. Control key terrain features, secure strategic resources, and continue to upgrade your armed forces to maintain a technological and numerical advantage. Source

Additional Tips and Tricks

  • City-States Are Your Friends: Build relationships with militaristic city-states for additional troops and support. Focus on Envoys to leverage their bonuses.
  • Policy Power: Select policies enhancing military production, unit experience gain, and combat strength.
  • Religion Can Be an Asset: Choose a pantheon that benefits military strength (like God of War) or increases faith production for military unit purchases. Found a religion with beliefs that complement your warmongering goals.
  • Manage Warmonger Penalties: Early conquests trigger diplomatic penalties. Be mindful of the ramifications and balance your aggression strategically.

Civilization VI: Conclusion

Early game domination in Civilization VI requires both aggression and measured strategy. Choose your civilization wisely, build a powerful army, conquer your neighbors, and seize their resources. By following this guide, you’ll establish a foundation to take over the world and earn a glorious domination victory! Read More