Can you take a free city in Civ 6?

Can you take a free city in Civ 6?

In the world of Civilization 6, free cities are often a coveted prize, giving players a strategic advantage on the battlefield and a strategic foothold in the ancient world. But can you take a free city? The answer is yes, but it’s not without its challenges.

Strategies for taking a free city

There are several ways to take a free city in Civilization 6, depending on your playstyle and the situation on the game board. Here are some strategies to consider:

Loyalty Press

One way to take a free city is by increasing loyalty pressure on the city from your civilization, until it swings into your control. This can be done by building cities with high population and production centers, or by constructing culture and science buildings that bring in loyalty points.

Table: Loyalty Pressure

Alternatively, you can use barbarian camps to increase the loyalty pressure on the free city. Barbarian camps can be built near enemy cities and will slowly degrade the loyalty of the free city over time.

Conquest

Of course, the most traditional way to take a free city is by conquest. Armies can be built with melee units, such as warriors or archers, and sent to capture the free city. This will give you control of the city and its resources.

Table: City Capture

Liberate and Suzerain

Another way to take control of a free city is by liberating it with a military unit. If you liberate a free city, you will become its suzerain and gain control of the city and its resources.

Challenges of Taking a Free City

While taking a free city can give you a strategic advantage on the battlefield, it can also be a challenging undertaking. Here are some obstacles to consider:

AI Response

The AI will often respond quickly to the capture of a free city, sending armies to attack your civilization and reclaim control of the city. Therefore, it’s essential to have a strong military response ready to defend your empire.

Loyalty Pressure

As we mentioned earlier, loyalty pressure can be a powerful way to take control of a free city. However, the AI will also place loyalty pressure on the free city, making it a challenging process to capture without triggering a war.

Conclusion

Taking a free city in Civilization 6 can give you a significant advantage over your opponents, but it’s not without its challenges. By using loyalty press, conquest, or liberating the city, you can gain control of these valuable territories. However, be prepared for the AI to respond quickly and put up a fight to regain control of the city.