While I always try to avoid violence, war is bound to happen at some point in Civilization 7. Some power-hungry dictator is going to wake up on a power trip and decide to fight you. If not that, then the game’s “mobs” are forever causing issues for your cities by randomly appearing and attacking your people.
So here’s a guide on how to win battles in Civilization 7. Be they smaller quarries between an encampment or perhaps a large-scale Siege Warfare that requires a bit more effort. I have already covered a guide on how important Commanders are in the game, so check that out there. I have also put together 5 essential starting tips for Civilization 7 here and how the new consolidated menu system makes a big difference.
Prepare, prepare, prepare.
The first and most important thing to remember when starting a game of Civilization 7 with the intention to fight is to be prepared. At every opportunity, players should build up their armies and research the correct technology and civics in order to unlock the best infantry and defences.
It also goes without saying that stockpiling resources is important because once you declare war, you won’t be able to generate the same resources at the same rate as before.
I spend money on troops while at the same time unlocking them gradually as early as possible. I also make sure to get my Commanders going early in the match so that I can start building them into a specific style. While I train new troops, I also try and take on smaller encampments of goons around the map. These weak villages can often be taken over with only a handful of troops.
This is a great way to earn experience and level up your Commander while at the same time growing power and gaining resources.
Also, make sure to make good with nearby cities and civilizations by forming an Alliance. They will come in handy if you go to war, and you can ask for aid. I often try and generate as much influence as possible so I can conduct all the proposals one ruler wants. This greatly bolsters the relationship and gets them ready to help when I need it.
Other tips to prepare include
- Knowing the map you’re on and building troops to suit it
- A large water-based map should have more naval troops ready
- This also mean settlements will be set up near beaches
- A land map needs more horse-based troops
- They can move faster and get around quicker when you need them
- Commanders are again, very important
- Train them, level them up, unlock skills to match other systems you’re focusing on
Know What War You’ll Win
Once you feel like you’re ready for war, you’ll then need to decide how you want to go about the fight. If you have an aggressive player/bot in your game, you can always focus on sticking back, building up walls around your settlements, and defending it from troops that come nearby.
While this seems like a waste of time, the opponent will still lose troops and resources by recklessly attacking you. This impacts their growth and overall power.
If you have put up a good fight, they will often concede, realizing there’s no way they can keep throwing resources at this fight. This often results in a peace deal.
If you do want to go all out and just trample over the city, you need to be prepared. Be sure you have above and beyond the troops and damage for the war. It is here where you can piggyback off your friendships in other civilizations thanks to the alliance you form.
Asking for aid goes a long way as it provides extra resources and troops. Often, this would result in a war fought across all fronts, and the opponent might just give up because they feel overwhelmed by the challenge.
The Process of the Fight
The war is a whole process on its own in Civilization 7. You’ll need to think strategically to win it. I suggest taking the majority of your force and focusing on one settlement at a time. Start with the small ones and get them out as fast as possible.
Once you’ve eliminated most of the supporting settlements, focus your attention on the capital. Keep in mind that taking down a capital city doesn’t always win the war. A ruler would often turn another smaller settlement into a new capital. So if they don’t concede, you’ll have to focus on that one next.
Other tips include
- Watch out for Settlers. Rulers will send them out to form a new settlement while under attack. Kill them if you spot one
- Don’t fall for peace deals that have little value. Rulers will often offer these as a way to get out of the war. Be aware of what they include and whether it is worwhile.
Civilization VII is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The game is R100 cheaper locally if you purchase the disc version at R1,099.
Be sure to enter our giveaway to stand a chance of winning an Xbox Wireless Headset in partnership with Prima Interactive and Take-Two. You can comment on the YouTube video here as well as enter by filling in your details below.
This competition is open to South African residents only. The prize includes 1 (one) Xbox Wireless Headset 2024 revision valued at R2,499. Winners will be notified in the comment section (for YouTube entries), via direct message (for social media entries) or email (for website entries).
