You’re cruising through Civilization 7, feeling pretty good about your empire. Your cities are growing, your military is holding its own, and you’ve even secured a few strong alliances. Then, out of nowhere, everything falls apart. Your economy tanks, barbarians overrun your borders, and that “friendly” neighbor declares war at the worst possible moment. Civilization 7 is full of hidden mechanics and sneaky strategies that can make or break your civilization.
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With these Civilization 7 tips, you don’t have to spend hours — or even entire playthroughs — learning lessons the hard way. Whether it’s a trick to supercharge your economy, a combat strategy to outmaneuver your enemies, or a diplomatic move that keeps you one step ahead, these tips will help you avoid disaster and play like a pro. Some of them might even change the way you approach the game entirely.
8Don’t Exceed Your Settlement Limit
Expanding your settlement is like grabbing extra fries with your burger — more is usually better. But in Civ 7, the settlement limit keeps you from going full land-hoarder. Each time you exceed your settlement cap, you take a -5 Happiness hit. And this isn’t just one unhappy city — we’re talking -5 Happiness across your whole civilization! That means slower growth, weaker production, and your citizens grumbling instead of thriving.
Dumping settlements everywhere seems smart — until you realize each one stretches your resources thin. Instead of managing a dozen weak settlements, focus on building up a strong, balanced empire with a maxed-out (but not over-the-limit) number of cities.
7Rome is One of the Best Beginner Civs
If you want a strong start without feeling like you’re drowning in micromanagement, Rome is your best friend. Some Civs are great at war. Others are good at culture. Rome? It does both. While other beginners might struggle to balance military and economy, Rome just naturally gets stronger without you having to overthink it.
Rome’s unique ability, Twelve Tables, boosts Culture in both the Capital and its Towns. And Culture is critical in the game because it helps you unlock policies and governments faster than everyone else. Also, Rome’s leader, Augustus, has the ability Imperium Maius, which gives extra Production in the Capital for every Town you own. Translation? More cities = faster building speed = unstoppable empire. And you can buy Culture Buildings in Towns instead of waiting to build them.
6Settle Near a Water Body to Grow Your Civilization Faster
There are lots of places to settle in this simulation game, but settling near water is one of the best moves you’re able to make. Think of fresh water as a free happiness boost. Settling next to a river or lake immediately makes your citizens happier, which directly affects how fast your city grows.
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Rivers slow down enemy units trying to attack your city, forcing them to waste movement points just to get close. That one extra turn of preparation could be the difference between defending your empire or getting completely steamrolled. So, when picking a city spot, always ask: “Can I use this river to ruin an enemy’s day?” If the answer is yes, settle there.
5Get a Scout as Soon as Possible
In the early stages of Civ 7, the map is shrouded in mystery. Deploying a Scout right off the bat allows you to lift that fog and discover fertile lands and strategic locations for your next city. Scouts also help you uncover natural wonders that provide unique bonuses to your civilization.
Scouts can quickly locate tribal villages and ancient ruins, which often grant freeTechnologies, Civics or even Gold. Scouts also help you identify great city locations, ensuring access to vital resources and defensible positions. This foresight prevents the frustration of sending a Settler into unknown territory only to find it’s less than ideal.
4Strategically Position an Army Around Your Territory
Trust me, this isn’t just about flexing military muscles, it’s about safeguarding your civilization’s future. In the unpredictable world of Civilization 7, threats can pop up when you least expect them. Your enemies are lurking waiting for a chance to pounce. By maintaining a standing army, you’re always prepared to defend your civilization from sudden invasions.
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Moreover, should diplomacy falter, your standing army ensures you’re ready to assert your interests through force if necessary. Opportunities for expansion can arise unexpectedly. With a standing army, you’re poised to seize these moments, whether it’s capturing a poorly defended city or taking advantage of a rival’s momentary weakness.
3You Can Heal By Raiding Another Settlement Tile
War is tough in Civilization 7, and nothing’s worse than watching your prized units get shredded because they’re too weak to keep fighting. But what if I told you that, instead of resting, your troops could heal while still wrecking enemy lands? That’s right —attacking enemy settlement tilesisn’t just a way to destroy your foes; it’s also a sneaky way to keep your army alive and kicking.
Every time you raid an enemy’s infrastructure, you’re not just setting their economy on fire — you’re also patching up your battle-worn soldiers. Some units get up to 15 HP back when they take down an enemy. Beyond healing, pillaging steals resources, disrupts enemy supply chains, and hinder production. The more chaos you cause, the harder it is for your opponent to bounce back. So, next time your army needs a pick-me-up, forget retreating or resting — just take what you need by force!
2Set Up Economic Buildings to Earn Gold
Gold makes the world go round in Civilization 7. Without it, your army starves, your cities stall, and your empire crumbles. You need gold for recruiting armies, rushing buildings, bribing city-states, and keeping your citizens happy. Instead of relying solely on trade routes or taxing your people into oblivion, economic buildings like Markets, Banks, and Stock Exchanges provide a steady, reliable income that scales as your empire grows.
Take the Bank, for example. This building starts with a base yield of +5 Gold and gains extra gold for every nearby river, coastal tile, or wonder. Place it right, and it’ll turn a decent income into a golden jackpot.
1Picking Diplomatic Leaders Helps You Gain Influence
Influence in Civilization 7 is like gold — but for diplomacy. It’s the currency you use to forge alliances, sway city-states, broker peace deals, and even manipulate global politics. The more Influence you have, the more control you have over the world stage. High Influence means getting better trade deals, calling in favors, and even convincing rival civilizations to back off before war even starts.
Without influence, you’re at the mercy of stronger leaders who make decisions for you. And let’s be honest — no one wants to be the civ that just nods along while others run the show. Diplomaticleaderscome with built-in Influence advantages, making them perfect for players who love playing the long game. Some leaders passively generate extra Influence just by maintaining peaceful relations, while others get Influence boosts from trade, cultural exchanges, or even military pacts.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
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