How Many Cities Should You Aim for in Civilization 6?
As a seasoned Civilization 6 player, you might wonder how many cities to aim for in the early stages of the game. It’s a crucial question that can impact your victory, as it directly relates to your economy, resource generation, and overall war readiness. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some valuable insights on city planning and management in Civilization 6.
Initial City Planning (1-50 Turns)
When starting a new game, it’s essential to establish a solid foundation in your early cities. These first few cities will form the backbone of your empire, and it’s critical to optimize their placement to set yourself up for long-term success.
- Aim to found at least three to five cities within the first 50 turns to take advantage of the Golden Age and establish a diverse economy.
- Position cities strategically to provide coverage and control of resource-rich areas, such as plains, forests, or river valleys.
- Be mindful of city yields, focusing on cities with higher yields in resources you prioritize (e.g., iron, gold, and horses).
Mid-Games City Planning (51-100 Turns)
As you progress through the game, you’ll find that your city count will increase, and you’ll need to adjust your strategy.
- Raze any city that’s not optimized, ensuring that each city contributes to your overall production and resource generation.
- Expand your city count when needed, but prioritize cities that are:
- Well-positioned for natural resources
- Nearby valuable trade routes
- Stronghold for military defense
- Maintain a balanced economy, switching between growth, production, and consumption to adapt to the game’s progression and diplomacy.
Late Games City Planning (101-150 Turns)
Once you’ve established a stable foundation, you can begin to focus on more advanced city planning strategies.
- Pursue a global civilization by spreading out and covering the entire world with your cities, denying potential rivals the same access to resources.
- Raze underperforming or outgrown cities to shift focus to more productive centers, and optimize city infrastructure, such as roads and railroads.
- Make sure to manage diplomacy and warfare effectively to avoid overextension and balance your empire’s growth.
In-Depth Analysis (in a Table)
To help you better plan and manage your cities in Civilization 6, the table below provides a comparison of city yields and other relevant factors.
| Resource | Yield per City (Raw) | Yield per City (Processed) |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 3-5 | 1-2 (from Farms) |
| Gold | 2-3 | 1 (from Gold Mines) |
| Iron | 4-6 | 1-2 (from Mines) |
| Horses | 2-4 | 1 (from Pastures) |
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how many cities you should aim for in Civilization 6. The key is to balance growth, resources, and defense based on your game’s progress, diplomacy, and historical circumstances.
- Adjust your city count regularly as the game unfolds and adapt to new opportunities or threats.
- Favor strategic city placement, aiming to optimize resource production, trade routes, and defense.
- Develop your cities wisely, maintaining a balanced economy and maximizing the yields of each individual city.
By following this advice, you’ll set yourself up for success and navigate the challenges of world-building in Civilization 6 with ease.