Civilizations of Civilization VII
Aksum
The African coast of the Red Sea was the domain of Aksum, a civilization cited by the prophet Mani as one of the four great powers of the ancient world. For most of the first millennium CE, Aksumite merchants carried ivory, gold, spices, and other goods from the African interior to India, Persia, and the Mediterranean. Yet these same trade routes also sowed the seeds of Aksum’s downfall, as the rise of the Arab caliphates and their control of the Silk Road left Aksum isolated and in decline.
Unique Ability
Realm of Natural Wealth: +3 Gold from resources in Settlements adjacent to Coast tiles.
+30% Production towards constructing the Great Stela Wonder.
Unique Buildings
Hawelt
Base Gold. Culture increased for each adjacent Wonder or Hawelt. Must be built on a Flat tile.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Tankwa:
Replaces the Trader. Cannot be pillaged. Greatly extends Trade Route range.
- Action – Raider Party: moves to an adjacent Treasure resource and creates a Treasure Convoy equivalent to the existing resources.
Unique Military Unit
Dhow:
Naval unit. Gains increased Combat Strength on Coast tiles. Has one charge to create a naval Trade Route.
Principles Trees
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
- Unlocks the unique Hawelt Infrastructure.
- Increases resource capacity in settlements on the coast or on navigable rivers.
- Unlocks the Great Stela Wonder
- Increased Gold from Districts adjacent to Coast tiles.
- Unlocks the Harbor of Nations Tradition.
Harbor of Nations:
- Increased Culture and Gold for each active Trade Route.
Monumentum Adulitanum
- Altar and Monument gain a Culture adjacency bonus from adjacent Hawelt improvements.
- Unlocks the Throne of My Fathers Tradition.
Throne of My Fathers:
- Increased Gold in Cities adjacent to Coast tiles.
Book of the Himyarites
- Dhow Units gain the Swiftness keyword, allowing them to ignore enemy Zones of Control.
- Unlocks the Let This Please the People Tradition.
Let This Please the People:
- Increased Culture from resources on or adjacent to Coast tiles.
Associated Wonder
Great Stela
Provides Culture. Gains Gold per Era when you complete a Wonder in this City, including the Great Stela itself. Must be built on a Flat tile.
Gameplay Tip
Assyria
Nestled in the Fertile Crescent, Assyria was one of the first states to dominate the region. From its beginnings in the city of Aššur to the rise of the great Neo-Assyrian Empire, a long line of kings led the bloody conquest of Babylonia, Egypt, and other lands, spreading Mesopotamian culture across all their domains. In time, those same conquests would bring about Assyria’s end, as a Babylonian revolt toppled the empire in 609 BCE.
Unique Ability
Treasure of Nineveh: Gain one Technology when you capture a settlement for the first time. Codices are not granted from Technologies.
Unique Buildings
Royal Library
Base Science. Has several Codex slots. Gains a Science adjacency bonus from River and Mountain tiles.
Citadel
Base Production. Counts as a Fortification. Increases Happiness if built on a Flat tile.
Ekallu
Increases Production for each Great Work in this City.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Turtanu:
Unique Commander unit. Melee and Cavalry Units in its Zone of Control gain increased Combat Strength against Districts.
Unique Military Unit
Magarru:
Unique Cavalry unit. Has increased movement. Can move after attacking and ignores Zones of Control.
Principles Trees
Unlocks the unique Citadel building and the Dur-Sharrukin Wonder.
- Increases Culture for each Technology Domain in the Capital.
- Increases Settlement Cap.
DOMAIN
- Combat Units receive increased Combat Strength when defending against ranged Units.
- Unlocks the “Dūrāni” Tradition.
- Gain 1 Codex
Dūrāni
- Increases Science in Fortification buildings.
Unlocks the unique Royal Library building and the unique Turtanu Commander unit.
- Gain one Codex the first time you capture a settlement.
DOMAIN
- Increases Happiness in Science buildings.
- Unlocks the “Miḫiṣtu” Tradition.
- Gain 1 Codex
Miḫiṣtu
- Increases Production towards buildings and Wonders that have a Great Work slot.
- Increases Settlement Cap.
- Increases the Combat Strength of the unique Magarru Cavalry units while they are inside a Zone of Control.
DOMAIN
- Increases Science in Cities not founded by the player.
- Unlocks the “Girru“ Tradition.
- Gain 1 Codex
Girru
- Increases Production and Food in Cities not founded by the player.
Associated Wonder
Dur-Sharrukin
Acts as a fortified district that must be conquered. Increases the Combat Strength of fortified districts in all settlements. This Wonder is available in the base game.
Gameplay Tip
Carthage
From a humble colony to a dominant economic powerhouse, Carthage rose from the coasts of North Africa to rule the Mediterranean Sea. Its sleek ships carried goods and wealth across the known world, while at home the city of Carthage was famed for its master artisans and deep agricultural knowledge. Rivalry first with Greece and later with Rome forged renowned generals and a powerful navy. But war was ultimately Carthage’s undoing, and the city was destroyed in 146 BCE.
Unique Ability
Phoenician Legacy: Can only have one City. Towns cannot be converted into Cities. When you create a Merchant or Colonizer unit, gain a copy of that unit. +30% Production towards constructing Birsas.
Unique Buildings
Cothon
Base Production. Production adjacency from Coast and Navigable Rivers. Must be built on a Coast tile.
Shipyard
Base Gold. Food adjacency from Resources and Districts. Must be built on a Coast tile.
Punic Harbor
Build the Cothon and the Shipyard in the same district to form the Punic Harbor.
Increases resource capacity in this Settlement. Can be built in Towns.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Colonizer:
Replaces the Settler.
- Gains additional Movement when embarked.
- Increases Population if it settles adjacent to a Resource.
Unique Military Unit
Numidian Cavalry:
Unique Cavalry unit. Can only be purchased and is more expensive than other Cavalry units. Gains Combat Strength for each unique City Resource assigned to the Capital.
Principles Trees
Ship Sheds
- Increases Movement of naval units.
- Unlocks the unique Cothon building and the Birsa Wonder.
- Increases the range of naval units.
- Unlocks the Quinquereme Tradition.
Quinquereme
- Increases Gold used to purchase naval units.
- Reduces Gold maintenance costs for naval units.
Wisdom of Tanit
- Increases the range of maritime Trade Routes. Increases Gold in the Capital for each Trade Route that includes it.
- Unlocks the unique Shipyard building.
- Increases the range of naval units.
- Increases resource cap in the Capital. Unlocks the Gaulo Tradition.
Gaulo
- Increases Gold used to purchase buildings on the Coast or on Navigable Rivers.
Sicilian Wars
- +2 to Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Sufetes Tradition.
- Increases Movement and Sight range of the unique Numidian Cavalry unit.
Sufetes:
- Increases Gold output of mining Towns.
- Increases Food output of farming and fishing Towns.
Associated Wonder
Birsa
Base Gold. Trade Routes from this Settlement cannot be pillaged. All tiles in this City that are adjacent to the Coast and eligible for Walls receive a Wall. Must be placed adjacent to a Coast tile.
Gameplay Tip
Egypt
Kemet, the fertile strip of the Nile’s alluvial plain, is the heart of ancient Egypt. For more than five thousand years, its history has depended on the river and the life-giving silt it leaves behind, which fueled thriving trade, great conquests, and wonders like its monuments to immortality. Its riches were truly legendary— and tempting. Egypt fell to Persia in 525 BCE. And still, the Nile flows on.
Unique Ability
Gifts of Osiris: +2 Production on improvements and Districts on Rivers. +30% Production towards constructing the Pyramids.
Unique Buildings
Mortuary Temple
Base Gold. Happiness adjacency from Navigable Rivers.
Mastaba Tomb
Base Culture. Gold adjacency from Desert tiles.
Necropolis
Gains Gold each time a Wonder is completed in this City.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Chaty
Vizier/architect unit. Can only be built in Cities with a Necropolis, and the specific Chaty you receive is random. Each Chaty can only be obtained once. Cost increases for each Chaty built.
- Action – Raider Party: moves to an adjacent Treasure resource and creates a Treasure Convoy equivalent to the existing resources.
Unique Military Unit
Medjay
Infantry unit. Gains increased Combat Strength in friendly territory, doubled when stationed in a Settlement you own.
Principles Trees
Arrival of Hapi
- Unlocks the unique Mortuary Temple building.
- Minor rivers no longer end unit movement.
- Unlocks the Ajet Tradition.
Ajet
- Increases available Food from Navigable Rivers.
Scales of Anubis
- Unlocks the unique Mastaba building.
- Medjay units generate Gold while stationed in a Settlement you own.
- Unlocks the Riches of the Duat Tradition.
Riches of the Duat
- Increases Wonder production.
Light of Amun-Ra
- Increases Gold in the Palace.
- Increases Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Kemet Tradition and the Pyramids Wonder.
Kemet
- Increases Culture on Navigable Rivers.
Associated Wonder
Pyramids
Adds Gold. Increases Gold and Production on minor and Navigable River tiles in this City. Must be placed on a Desert tile adjacent to a Navigable River.
Gameplay Tip
Greece
The city-states of Hellas were a constellation of powers, each with its own rich story: militaristic Sparta, intellectual Athens, wealthy Corinth, distant Syracuse. Their alliances were fragile, and they only truly united once. Even after they were absorbed into the Roman Empire, the Greek cities shaped Roman religion and thought, the mathematics and science of the Islamic Golden Age, and even some of the founding ideas of American democracy.
Unique Ability
Demokratia: +3 Influence per turn in the Palace. +30% Production towards constructing the Oracle.
Unique Buildings
Parthenon
Base Culture. Gains Influence if placed on Rough terrain.
Odeon Building
Base Happiness. Culture adjacency for Districts.
Acropolis
Increases Gold in the unique Parthenon building for each City-State of which you are Suzerain.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Logios
Unique Scholar unit. Can only be built in Cities with an Acropolis, and the specific Logios you receive is random. Each Logios can only be obtained once. Cost increases for each Logios built.
Unique Military Unit
Hoplite:
Unique Infantry unit. Gains increased Combat Strength when adjacent to another Hoplite unit.
Principles Trees
Ekklesia
- Unlocks the Odeon.
- Unlocks the “Xenia” Tradition.
Increases Culture per turn from active Efforts, Sanctions, and Projects you have initiated or supported.
Xenia:
- Increased Influence for initiating and progressing the “Befriend Independent” action.
Agoge
- Unlocks the Parthenon.
- Unlocks the “Strategoi” Tradition.
Hoplites gain increased Combat Strength for each City-State of which you are Suzerain.
Strategoi:
- Commanders gain more experience.
Symmachia
- Adds Culture for each City-State of which you are Suzerain.
- Increases Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the “Delian League” Tradition.
- Unlocks the “Peloponnesian League” Tradition.
- Unlocks the Oracle Wonder.
Delian League:
Increased Influence for initiating Efforts.
Peloponnesian League:
Increased Influence for initiating Sanctions.
Associated Wonder
Oracle
Adds Culture. When you gain rewards from a narrative event, gain additional Culture per Era. Must be placed on a Rough terrain tile.
Gameplay Tip
Han China
The Han were not the first of China’s ancient dynasties, but they were the mightiest. From Liu Bang’s rebellion against the iron rule of Qin emerged a balance between centralized authority and Confucian meritocracy, along with a surge of innovation in governance, philosophy, and science. With an army of shì dàfū—scholar-bureaucrats—at home, and chariots, heavy infantry, and crossbows abroad, the Han held the Mandate of Heaven for four centuries.
Unique Ability
Nine Provinces: The Capital and new Cities gain additional Population with their first growth event.
+30% Production towards constructing the Weiyang Palace.
Unique Buildings
Han Great Wall
Unique Improvement. Counts as a Fortification. Provides Culture. Increases Happiness of adjacent Great Wall segments. Increases Combat Strength of any Unit defending on this tile. Can only be built in a line.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Shì Dàfū:
Unique Scholar-bureaucrat unit. Can only be built in the Capital once a certain Population is reached, and the specific Shì Dàfū you receive is random. Each Shì Dàfū can only be obtained once. Cost increases for each Shì Dàfū built.
Unique Military Unit
Chu-Ko-Nu:
Unique Ranged unit. Has a Zone of Control and increased Defense. Gains increased Combat Strength when attacking adjacent Units.
Principles Trees
Zhi
- Unlocks the unique Han Great Wall building.
- Science buildings gain District adjacency.
- Increases Settlement Cap.
Li
- Increased Influence in the Palace.
- Unlocks the «Guanxi» Tradition.
Guanxi
- Increases Influence in Science buildings.
Yi
- Unique Chu-Ko-Nu Ranged units gain increased Combat Strength when defending.
- Unlocks the Jiu Qing Tradition.
Jiu Qing:
- Increases Influence in Happiness buildings.
Junzi
- Increases Science in the Capital.
- Unlocks the Tianxia Tradition.
- Unlocks the Weiyang Palace. Wonder.
Tianxia:
- Increases Science from Specialists.
Associated Wonder
Weiyang Palace:
Provides a large amount of Influence. Must be placed on a Grassland tile.
Gameplay Tip
Khmer
Kamboja, the Khmer Empire, was a reflection of the Hindu-Buddhist heavens in Southeast Asia. From its heartland it projected influence across the region. Khmer power was rooted in water: harnessing the floods of the Mekong fed some of the largest cities on Earth. But as those floods diminished, so too did Khmer might, leaving its vision in ruins scattered across Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Unique Ability
Ksekam Chamnon: Urban Districts on Rivers do not remove the tile’s natural Yield.
+30% Production towards constructing Angkor Wat.
Unique Buildings
Baray:
Base Gold. Adds Food. Increases Food on all Floodplain tiles in this Settlement. Must be placed on a Flat tile. One per Settlement.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Vaishya:
Unique Merchant unit. Immune to Flood damage. Ignores movement penalties from Wet tiles.
Unique Military Unit
Yuthahathi:
Unique Cavalry unit. Has increased Combat Strength but low Movement. Immune to Flood damage.
Principles Trees
Mousong
- Unlocks the unique Baray building.
- Improvements, buildings, and Urban Districts are not pillaged by Floods.
- Unlocks the Pithi Chrat Tradition.
Pithi Chrat
- Units gain increased Combat Strength on Floodplain tiles.
Amnach
- Unique Yuthahathi Cavalry units gain increased Movement.
- Unlocks the Angkor Wat Wonder.
- Unlocks the Varna Tradition.
Varna
- Increases Gold from Specialists.
Chakravarti
- Increases growth rate in the Capital.
- Reduces Happiness in other Cities.
- Unlocks the Kambu-Mera Tradition.
- More Codex slots for the Palace.
Kambu-Mera
- Reduced maintenance for Specialists.
Associated Wonder
Angkor Wat
Adds Happiness. Increases Specialist Cap in this City. Must be placed next to a River tile.
Gameplay Tip
The Maurya of India
The Maurya rose from a land of incredible cultural diversity, yet shaken by war. Building on Chandragupta’s victories over the successors of Alexander the Great, the dynasty reached its zenith under Ashoka, who embraced nonviolence and tolerance. Balancing open-mindedness with military might, the Maurya forged an empire as wise as it was glorious—until it fell to an assassin’s blade.
Unique Ability
Dhamma Lipi: You may choose a Pantheon after unlocking “Mysticism.”
+30% Production towards constructing the Great Stupa at Sanchi.
Unique Buildings
Dharamshala
Base Happiness. Science adjacency for Districts.
Vihara
Base Happiness. Culture adjacency from Mountains.
Matha
Increases Happiness in this City.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Nagarika
Replaces the Settler unit. Adds Happiness in City Halls.
Unique Military Unit
Purabhettarah
Cavalry unit. Has increased Combat Strength against Fortifications.
Principles Trees
Acharia
- Unlocks the unique Dharamshala and Vihara buildings.
- Unlocks the “Charvaka” Tradition.
Charvaka
- Increases Happiness in Science buildings.
Vyuham
- Infantry and Cavalry units gain +3 Combat Strength when adjacent to each other.
- Unlocks the “Kshatriya” Tradition.
Kshatriya
- Increases Happiness in Military buildings.
Ayurveda
- Increases healing for Units adjacent to a Purabhettarah.
- Unlocks the “Shreni” Tradition.
Shreni
- Adds Gold from surplus Happiness in Cities.
Mantriparishad
- Increases all Yields in Settlements not founded by you.
- +1 to Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Great Stupa at Sanchi Wonder.
- Unlocks the “Arthashastra” Tradition.
Arthashastra
- Adds Science from surplus Happiness in Cities.
Associated Wonder
Great Stupa at Sanchi:
Adds Happiness. Increases Culture from surplus Happiness in this City. Must be placed on a Plains tile.
Gameplay Tip
The Maya
In the Central American jungles, a network of city-states bound by alliances and a shared culture took shape: the Maya. They transformed an apparently inhospitable landscape into a paradise of plazas, ball courts, and pyramids rising above the canopy to greet the open sky. But as climate and political crises struck, the Maya declined, and the land was reclaimed by the jungle.
Unique Ability
Skies of Itzamná: The Palace gains +0.5 Science for each adjacent Vegetation tile.
+30% Production towards constructing the Mundo Perdido Wonder.
Unique Buildings
Jalaw
Base Happiness. Culture adjacency for Districts.
K’uh Nah
Base Science. Science adjacency from tiles with Vegetation.
Uwaybil K’uh
Each time you research a Technology, this City gains Production equal to a small percentage of its cost.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Jaguar Hunters
Scout replacement unit. Has the Stone Trap ability, creating an invisible trap that must be placed on tiles with Vegetation. The Stone Trap deals damage to any enemy Unit that enters the tile and immediately ends its movement.
- This ability recharges after a set number of turns.
Unique Military Unit
Hul’che
Ranged unit. Can see through Vegetation and suffers no movement penalty from tiles with Vegetation.
Principles Trees
Rains of Chaac
- Unlocks the unique K’uh Nah building.
- The Altar gains Science from adjacent tiles with Vegetation.
- Unlocks the “Pet Kot” Tradition.
Pet Kot
- Increased Science on Vegetation tiles in your Cities.
Lords of Xibalba
- Unlocks the unique Jalaw building.
- Hul’che Assassins and Jaguar Hunters gain Stealth on tiles with Vegetation.
- Unlocks the “Twin Miracles” Tradition.
Twin Miracles
- Units gain Poison, granting a combat bonus against wounded Units.
Calendar Wheel
- When you complete a Technology, gain Culture equal to a small percentage of that Technology’s cost.
- When you complete a Principle, gain Science equal to a small percentage of that Principle’s cost.
- +1 to Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Mundo Perdido Wonder.
- Unlocks the Tzolk’in and Haab’ Traditions.
Tzolk’in
- Happiness buildings gain Science.
Haab’
- Happiness buildings gain Culture.
Associated Wonder
Mundo Perdido
Adds Science. Increases Happiness and Science on Tropical tiles in this City. Must be placed on a Tropical tile.
Gameplay Tip
The Mississippians
The Mississippians—named for the river along whose banks their earth mounds still rise—left no written records, but archaeology reveals a complex society: a political system where cities waxed and waned in influence, maize agriculture, and trade in copper, shells, and furs. Yet by 1400 CE, whether from natural causes or political upheaval, the Mississippians had faded into memory.
Unique Ability
Goose Societies: All buildings receive +1 Food from adjacency to Resources.
+30% Production towards constructing the Monk’s Mound.
Unique Building
Potkop
Unique Improvement. Adds Gold. Adds Food for each adjacent Resource. Must be built on a Flat tile.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Watonathi
Unique Merchant unit. Gains Gold for each Resource acquired when establishing a Trade Route.
Unique Military Unit
Flaming Arrow
Unique Ranged unit. Gains increased Combat Strength against fortified Districts and Siege units.
- Applies the On Fire state to tiles for a set number of turns; On Fire tiles deal damage to Units that end their turn on them.
Principles Trees
Earthworks
- Unlocks the unique Potkop building.
- Increases Production towards constructing buildings.
- +1 to Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Monk’s Mound Wonder.
- Unlocks the Shell-Tempered Pottery Tradition.
Shell-Tempered Pottery
- Buildings gain additional Gold adjacency from Resources.
Cah-nah-ha
- Unlocks the Gift Economy Tradition.
- Increases resource capacity in the Capital.
- Increases Gold and Happiness for each imported Resource.
Gift Economy
Waahih
- Unlocks the Atassa Tradition.
- Unique Flaming Arrow units can pillage tiles at range at a reduced Movement cost.
- Increases defensive Combat Strength of Ranged Units.
Atassa
Associated Wonder
Monk’s Mound
Adds Food. Increases resource capacity in this City. Must be placed next to a River tile.
Gameplay Tip
Persia
“The realm,” Xshaca—what we know as Persia—stood at the center of the world at its height, ruling most of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Anatolia. It was a strong, centralized state with efficient systems of communication and transport, a professional army, and a taste for the world’s luxuries… until the forces of Alexander the Great brought it crashing down.
Unique Ability
Council of Hamarana: Infantry Units gain +3 Combat Strength when attacking.
+30% Production towards constructing the Gate of All Nations.
Unique Building
Pairidaeza:
Unique Improvement. Adds Culture and Gold. Cannot be built adjacent to another Pairi-Daeza Improvement.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Hazarapatis:
Unique Commander. Starts with the Initiative promotion, allowing Units to move after disembarking from the Commander.
Unique Military Unit
Immortal
Unique Infantry unit. Heals a set amount after defeating an enemy Unit.
Principles Trees
Spada
- Reduced maintenance for Military Units.
- Unlocks the Kara Tradition.
- Increases Production towards Infantry Units.
Kara
Satrapies
- Unlocks the unique Pairi-Daeza building.
- Unlocks the Gate of All Nations Wonder.
- Unlocks the Angarium Tradition.
- The unique Pairi-Daeza Improvement gains increased Happiness from adjacent Districts.
- +1 to Settlement Cap.
Angarium
- Increases Gold from each Town.
Achaemenid Empire
- Adds Gold for each different Civilization from which you have captured a Settlement.
- +1 to Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the Shahanshah Tradition.
Shahanshah
- Increases Combat Strength against Units in enemy territory.
Associated Wonder
Gate of All Nations
Adds Gold. Increases Support in all Wars. Must be placed next to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Rome
When most people picture the Classical world, they think of Rome. From humble beginnings, it grew to span three continents, absorbing the wealth and cultures of those it conquered. During the Republic, ad hoc governance and meritocracy created fierce competition that drove the professionalization of both the army and the Imperial bureaucracy. But the cracks widened into chasms, and economic collapse and repeated invasions finally brought Rome down.
Unique Ability
The Twelve Tables: +1 Culture in Districts of the Capital and in Town Centers.
+30% Production towards constructing the Colosseum.
Unique Buildings
Temple of Jupiter
Base Happiness. Culture adjacency from Happiness buildings.
Basilica
Base Gold. Influence adjacency from Culture buildings.
Forum
Adds Culture and Gold for each Roman Tradition in your government.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Legatus
Army Commander. Can gain the ability to found a new Settlement after a certain number of Promotions.
Unique Military Unit
Legion
Infantry unit. Gains Combat Strength for each Roman Tradition in your Government.
Principles Trees
Exercitus Romanus
- Unlocks the unique Temple of Jupiter building.
- Unlocks the “Auxilia” Tradition.
- The unique Legatus civilian unit gains the Bulwark promotion for free.
Auxilia
- Increased Production towards Military Units in the Capital for each City.
Civis Romanus
- Unlocks the unique Basilica building.
- Unlocks the “Cursus Honorum” Tradition.
- Increased Gold in the Capital for each City.
Cursus Honorum
- Producing an Infantry unit grants Culture equal to a portion of that unit’s Production cost.
Legatus Pro Praetore
- Gain a free Infantry unit in new Settlements you found.
- +1 Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the “Latinitas” Tradition.
Latinitas
- Increases Food, Gold, and Culture in Cities with a Specialization.
Senatus Populusque Romanus
- Increases Social Policy capacity in your government.
- +1 Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the «Princeps Civitatis» Tradition.
- Unlocks the Colosseum Wonder.
Princeps Civitatis
- Adds Production in the Capital’s Districts.
Associated Wonder
Colosseum
Adds Culture. Increases Happiness in Districts of this City. Must be placed next to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Silla
The three kingdoms of ancient Korea, including Silla, fought for control of the peninsula for centuries. These states sometimes allied with one another, as well as with Japan and China, to stay in power—until Silla finally unified the peninsula in the 7th century CE. This ushered in an age of architectural brilliance, and three hundred years passed before the kingdom of Goryeo could successfully challenge Silla’s supremacy.
Unique Ability
Maripgan: Receives increased Culture from Resources.
Unique Buildings
Reading Hall
Base Culture. Increases resource cap if built on Rough terrain.
Pagoda
Base Happiness. Gains an Influence bonus from adjacency to Mountain tiles and Natural Wonders.
Dragon Temple
Build the unique Reading Hall and Pagoda in the same District to form the Dragon Temple.
Increases Gold for each resource assigned to this City.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Sangdaedeung
Unique Merchant unit. When creating a Trade Route to another Settlement, grants a set amount of Gold based on the relationship level (the effect varies with game speed).
Unique Military Unit
Hwarang
Unique Ranged unit. Has increased Movement and attack Range. Counts as a Cavalry unit. Has higher bombard Strength than the unit it replaces.
Principles Trees
Golpum
- When you form an Alliance, each leader receives a free Trade Route from the other’s Capital. These Trade Routes do not disappear when the Alliance ends.
- Unlocks the “Boseong” Tradition.
- Defeating an enemy unit with a Hwarang unit grants Culture equal to a percentage of its Combat Strength.
- Unlocks the unique Reading Hall and Pagoda buildings.
Boseong
- Towns with a Happiness building gain additional Happiness from Resources.
Samguk Sagi
- Unlocks the Emille Bell Wonder.
- Unlocks the “Strategic Allies” Tradition.
- Grants one Social Policy slot.
Strategic Allies
- All Trade Routes between the player and their allies provide Food and Production equal to a percentage of the Gold generated by the Trade Route.
Seonggol
- Unlocks the unique Sangdaedeung unit.
- Unlocks the “Golden Route” Tradition.
Golden Route
- Increases Science for each imported Resource.
Jingol
- Increases resource cap in Towns.
- Unlocks the “Seorabeol” Tradition.
- Increases the range of land Trade Routes in all Settlements.
Seorabeol
- Increases Gold and Influence from Resources assigned to Towns with a Trading Post.
Associated Wonder
Emille Bell:
Grants the diplomatic Effort “Ginseng Accord”, which provides Food to both leaders’ Capitals. Grants one diplomatic attribute point. Must be built on Rough terrain.
Gameplay Tip
Tonga
After sailing the vast blue in search of new lands among scattered islands, the Polynesians settled Tonga almost three thousand years ago. Around 1000 CE, however, a new expansion began: the Tu’i Tonga Empire, which triggered a struggle for dominance, tribute, and loyalty across the Pacific. Tongan kings maintained this hierarchical overlordship of the islands until it finally fragmented.
*part of the Tides of Power Collection DLC
Unique Ability
Lords of the South: +1 Influence in City Halls and the Palace for each adjacent Coast tile. Cannot annex City-States.
+30% Production towards constructing the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Wonder.
Unique Buildings
Langi
Base Culture. Food adjacency from Resources.
Vaikaukau
Base Happiness. Culture bonus from adjacency to Coast tiles.
Unique District
Tofi’a
Increases Culture for each existing Trade Route with a City-State. Scouts from any Era belonging to an empire with a Tofi’a can move into Ocean tiles without taking damage, though they cannot disembark on Distant Lands during the Ancient Era.
- If their only Tofi’a is pillaged, newly created Scout units can no longer move into Deep Ocean; existing ones keep the ability.
- Tonga can obtain Scouts by levying units.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Tehina
Unique Scout unit. Can move into Ocean tiles (without taking damage) and embark from the start of the Era. Cannot disembark on Distant Lands, but can use Coastal Raid on adjacent discoveries.
Unique Military Unit
Kalia
Unique naval unit. Increased Combat Strength against Districts.
Principles Trees
Lapita Origins
- Unlocks the unique Vaikaukau building.
- Trade Routes can cross Ocean tiles.
- Grants a free Trade Route when you become Suzerain of a new City-State.
- Increases Influence in Monuments adjacent to Coast tiles.
- Unlocks the “Ngatu” Tradition.
Ngatu
- Increases Culture in Warehouses.
Esi Maka Faakinanga
- Unlocks the unique Langi building.
- Naval and Infantry units receive increased Combat Strength when adjacent to Coast tiles.
- +1 Settlement Cap
- Unlocks the “Tongiaki” Tradition.
Tongiaki
- Increases the range of maritime Trade Routes.
Kava Ceremony
- Increases Influence efficiency for the “Befriend Independent” action if the Independent power is in Distant Lands.
- Unlocks the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Wonder.
- Unlocks the “Takuaka” Tradition.
Takuaka
- Cities receive increased Production from Fishing Boats.
- All Settlements receive increased Science from Fishing Boats on Reefs.
Associated Wonder
Ha’amonga ‘a Maui
Increases Culture and Food from Fishing Boats in this Settlement. Grants one cultural attribute point. Must be built adjacent to Coast tiles.
Gameplay Tip
Chola
By controlling trade of all kinds and the transport of pilgrims and clerics across the Indian Ocean, the Chola oversaw a vast network of merchants and ships that carried Indian texts and traditions along with spices, ivory, ebony, and other trade goods. Their power sometimes extended across the sea to vassals in Southeast Asia. But danger came from home, as neighboring kingdoms eventually cast them into shadow.
Unique Ability
Samayam: Gain a Trade Route when you use the “Improve Trade Relations” action.
+3 Gold and +1 Influence per active Trade Route.
+30% Production towards constructing the Brihadisvara Temple.
Unique Buildings
Manigramam
Base Happiness. Happiness adjacency for Market buildings. Gold adjacency for Districts.
Anjuvannam
Base Gold. Gold adjacency from Coast and Navigable Rivers. Increases Production towards Naval Units. Must be placed adjacent to a Coast tile.
Five Hundred Lords
Increases the range of both land and sea Trade Routes.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Ottru
Unique Naval Commander unit. Enemy combat Units in its Zone of Control suffer reduced Combat Strength.
Unique Military Unit
Kalam
Unique Naval unit. Has one additional attack per turn if Movement allows.
Principles Trees
Nagaram
- Unlocks the unique Manigramam building.
- Increased Influence for initiating Trade Agreements.
- Unlocks the unique Anjuvannam building.
- Increases resource capacity in the Capital.
Civis Romanus
- Increases Gold from active diplomatic Actions that you initiated or supported.
- Unlocks the “Devakoshta” Tradition.
Devakoshta
- Gold buildings receive increased Culture.
Digvijaya
- The unique Kalam naval unit gains increased Movement and Sight.
- Unlocks the “Marakkalam” Tradition.
Marakkalam
- Reduces maintenance cost for Naval Units.
Monsoon Winds
- The unique Ottru Naval Commander unit gains the Convoys promotion.
- +1 Settlement Cap.
- Unlocks the «Angadi» Tradition.
- Unlocks the Brihadisvara Temple Wonder.
Angadi
- Settlements other than your Capital gain increased Gold if they have a Water building.
Associated Wonder
Brihadisvara Temple
Adds Happiness. All buildings with an active adjacency gain Happiness adjacency from Navigable Rivers. Must be built on a Minor River or adjacent to a Navigable River.
Gameplay Tip
Coast–Tropical
The Abbasids
Unified by the new faith of Islam, the early Arab caliphates expanded rapidly across the Mediterranean and eastward into Persia. In this world, Baghdad, capital of the Abbasid dynasty, flourished as a center of learning and culture. Arab scholars advanced astronomy and mathematics, philosophy and art… until, like nightfall on the horizon, the Mongols appeared from the east.
Unique Ability
Medina: Gains Gold for each point of rural Population in the City when creating a Specialist. The effect scales with Game Speed.
Unique Buildings
Madrasa
Base Science. Science adjacency for Districts and Science buildings.
Mosque
Base Happiness. Happiness adjacency for Culture buildings and Culture adjacency for Happiness buildings. Unlocks the ability to found a Religion.
Ulema
Adds Science to all Specialists in this City.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Ālim
Unique Great Person unit. Can only be trained in Cities with an Ulema, and the specific Ālim received is random. Each Ālim can only be obtained once. Cost increases for each Ālim trained.
Unique Military Unit
Mamluk
Unique Cavalry unit. When garrisoned in or occupying a Settlement, it gains increased Combat Strength for each point of urban Population in that Settlement.
Principles Trees
Round City
- Unlocks the unique Mosque building.
- Increases Production towards buildings in Cities with a certain amount of urban Population.
- Unlocks the «City of Peace» Tradition.
- Science buildings receive additional Food.
City of Peace
- All buildings gain a Science adjacency bonus from the City Hall and the Palace.
Mawla
- Unlocks the unique Madrasa building.
- Converts a percentage of Market Income Gold into Science. Resource tiles provide increased Happiness in Settlements with a Temple.
- Unlocks the «Sales and Trade» Tradition.
- The unique Mamluk Cavalry unit gains the Pincer keyword, increasing flanking damage.
Sales and Trade
- Increases Science and Gold for each Resource assigned to Cities with a certain level of urban Population.
Al-Jabr
- Increases Science in Cities with a certain amount of Population.
- Unlocks the “Compendium of Calculation” Tradition.
- Unlocks the House of Wisdom Wonder.
- Reduces Happiness maintenance for Specialists.
Compendium of Calculation
- Increases Science in Cities.
Associated Wonder
House of Wisdom
Adds Science. Grants a set number of Relics. Increases Science from Great Works. Has a set number of Great Work slots. Must be built adjacent to an Urban tile.
Gameplay Tip
Camel | Camels – Coast
Bulgaria
In the 7th century, the Bulgars crossed the Danube and seized the Balkans. Their warriors used the mountains to their advantage, scattering larger armies through skill and stratagems. The First Bulgarian Empire was built on conquest, expansion, and growing trade. The Second Empire saw the rise of art, literature, and architecture, along with spirituality and monastic traditions. All of it came crashing down with the Ottoman invasion.
Unique Ability
Krum Dynasty: Gains Food in all Towns when pillaging Improvements, equal to a percentage of the HP or yields gained. All combat units suffer reduced Combat Strength against fortified Districts.
+30% Production towards constructing the Rila Monastery Wonder.
Unique Buildings
Hidden Fortress
Base Production and counts as a Fortification. Units on this tile gain increased Combat Strength and the Stealth keyword, which makes a unit invisible to enemy Units until it attacks an enemy Unit, ends its turn adjacent to an enemy Unit, or an enemy Unit attempts to move into the same location. Must be built on a Rough tile that is not adjacent to another Hidden Fortress.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Tarjan
Unique Commander unit. Units in its Zone of Control can Pillage without spending Movement. This unit has more Movement than a standard Commander.
Unique Military Unit
Boyar
Unique Cavalry unit. Ignores Movement penalties from Rough terrain. Gains increased Combat Strength when fighting in Rough terrain.
Principles Trees
Seven Tribes
- Unlocks the unique Hidden Fortress building.
- Unlocks the “Feign Retreat” Tradition.
- Combat units gain increased Combat Strength when you have a certain number of Relics assigned.
Feign Retreat
- When pillaging Buildings, all Cities gain Production equal to a percentage of the yields gained.
- All combat Units suffer reduced Combat Strength against fortified Districts.
Schools of Tarnovo
- Increases Happiness in the Hidden Fortress. Unique Improvements in Settlements with a Temple.
- Unlocks the “Rila Monastery” Wonder.
- +1 Relic
- Unlocks the «Iconolatry» Tradition.
Iconolatry
- Great Works provide more Happiness and Gold.
Tsarstvie
- Gains a set number of Emigrants in the Capital.
- Hidden Fortress unique Improvements gain increased Culture for each adjacent Mountain tile.
- +1 Settlement Cap
- Unlocks the «Stratagems» Tradition.
Stratagems
- Increases HP and yields from pillaging.
Associated Wonder
Rila Monastery
Has multiple Relic slots. Gains a Relic each time you construct a Wonder, including this one. Cannot be built adjacent to an Urban tile.
Gameplay Tip
Dai Viet
The history of Vietnam is a dance of resistance and expansion. The medieval kingdom of Đại Việt, especially under the Trần dynasty, resisted Mongol invasions even as it expanded southward into Cham lands. This back-and-forth of resistance and conquest forged a unique Vietnamese culture, influenced but never dominated by Chinese sources, and defined by a strong sense of identity.
Unique Ability
Hịch Tướng Sĩ: When you construct a Fortification, you gain a fixed amount of Culture for each point of urban Population in that Settlement (the effect varies with game speed).
Unique Buildings
Water Puppet Theater
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Quận Vương
Unique Settler unit. When this unit settles, it gains a fixed amount of Culture for each Tropical tile within a certain distance of the City Center (the effect varies with game speed).
Unique Military Unit
Voi Chiến
Unique Ranged unit. Can move after attacking. Has increased Combat Strength, Movement, Vision, and Production Cost compared with the ranged units it replaces.
Principles Trees
Cấm quân
- Combat units gain increased Combat Strength during Formal Wars. This effect is stronger within your territory.
- Increases Production towards buildable Fortifications.
- Unlocks the «Cấm Binh» Tradition.
Cấm Binh
- Increases Gold in Fortifications of Settlements with a certain number of garrisoned units.
Chữ nôm
- Gain a set number of Relics.
- Culture buildings gain more Culture adjacency from Tropical tiles.
- Increases Culture on all Floodplain tiles.
- Unlocks the «Con Kênh» Tradition.
Con Kênh
- Increases Culture in Food buildings and Food in Culture buildings.
Thành Hoàng
- Unlocks the unique Water Puppet Theater building.
- Unlocks the “Thành Huế” Wonder.
- Water Puppet Theater unique Improvements gain additional Food in Settlements with a Mill.
- Unlocks the «Ruộng Làng Xã» Tradition.
Ruộng Làng Xã
- Increases growth in Towns.
Tứ Dân
- Increases Combat Strength of Units defending fortified Districts on Tropical tiles.
- +1 Settlement Cap
Associated Wonder
Thành Huế
Base Culture. Acts as a fortified District that must be conquered. Cities with a certain number of Fortifications gain an increased Specialist cap (resets on Era Transition). Must be built in a City with a set number of Medieval Walls. Thành Huế must be adjacent to a building with Medieval Walls.
Gameplay Tip
Grab as much land with Floodplains and in the Tropical biome as you can to get the most out of your policies, and build Walls in all your Districts.
Hawai
With their double-hulled canoes and crab-claw sails, Polynesian settlers crossed the vast Pacific. Hawai, colonized around 1000 CE, was at first a patchwork of rival kingdoms until the rise of Kamehameha in 1795. But soon after, European and American missionaries, settlers, and plantation owners flooded the islands until the kingdom fell in a coup d’état.
Unique Ability
Moananuiākea: Gains Culture each time a Settlement expands to a Maritime terrain tile. Increases Happiness from Fishing Boats.
Unique Buildings
Lo’i Kalo
Unique Improvement. Base Food and Production. Adjacent Farms gain increased Culture. Must be placed on Grassland or Tropical tiles.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Kahuna
Unique Missionary unit. Requires a Temple. Has a Healing action that does not remove this unit after use.
Unique Military Unit
Leiomano
Unique Infantry unit. Increased Combat Strength against Infantry and Cavalry units.
Principles Trees
Mana
- Adds Culture for each time an Environmental Event has provided Fertility this Era.
- The unique Leiomano Infantry unit gains Culture when defeating enemy Units.
- Unlocks the «Kapa» Tradition.
Kapa
- Increases Production towards Culture buildings.
Ohana
- Unlocks the unique Lo’i Kalo Improvement.
- Unlocks the “Ahupuaʻa” Tradition.
- Increased Culture from Lo’i Kalo unique Improvements in Settlements with a Pavilion.
Ahupuaʻa
- Food buildings gain increased Culture.
Heʻe nalu
- Gains a set number of Relics.
- +1 Settlement Cap
- Unlocks the “Ho’okupu” Tradition.
- Rural Maritime terrain tiles in Settlements that follow your Religion provide more Culture.
- The unique Kahuna Missionary unit gains an additional charge for its Healing action.
- Unlocks the Hale o Keawe Wonder.
Ho’okupu
- Increases Culture on Maritime terrain tiles.
Associated Wonder
Hale o Keawe
Adds Culture. Whenever you complete a Construction on a Maritime terrain tile, you gain Culture equal to a percentage of its cost. Has a set number of Great Work slots. Must be built on a Maritime terrain tile adjacent to land, and cannot be built adjacent to a Tundra tile.
Gameplay Tip
Sea–Coast
The Inca
Tahuantinsuyo, “the empire of the four quarters”, was ruled by the Inca and stretched along the spine of the Andes, woven together by roads and waystations, terraced farms and silver mines. It was an empire in the sky, home to a huge variety of peoples, languages and cultures, but one without writing or coinage. Even so, the Inca Empire met a terrible end with the arrival of the Spanish—and smallpox.
Unique Ability
Apus: Mountain tiles can be worked. You gain additional Food and Production from Mountains.
Unique Buildings
Terrace Farm
Provides a high Food yield, but can only be built on a Rough tile adjacent to a Mountain.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Chasqui
Unique Scout unit. Has increased Movement and Vision and can see through Mountain and Rough tiles.
Unique Military Unit
Warak’aq
Unique Ranged unit. Has high Mobility and ignores Movement penalties from Rough terrain. Gains increased Combat Strength when attacking from Rough terrain.
Principles Trees
Mit’a
- Unlocks the unique Terrace Farm building.
- Unlocks the “Tirakuna” Tradition.
- Adds Happiness on Mountains.
- Unlocks the Machu Picchu Wonder.
Tirakuna
- Increases Food yields in Settlements whose City Center is adjacent to a Mountain, or that have a set number of worked Mountain tiles.
Ayllu
- Increases Food yield from unique Terrace Farm buildings in Settlements with a Granary.
- Farms and unique Terrace Farm buildings gain increased Food yields if adjacent to at least one Mountain.
Qhapaq Ñan
- Rough tiles do not block Movement for Incan Units.
- Unlocks the “Colca” Tradition.
- The unique Warak’aq Ranged unit gains the Poison ability and gains increased Combat Strength against wounded units.
- Unlocks the «Quipu» Tradition.
Colca
- Receives a percentage of Market Gold Income as Food.
Quipu
- Increases Gold and Production based on Urban and Rural Population.
Associated Wonder
Machu Picchu
Base Gold. Increases Resource Capacity in this Settlement. Culture and Gold are increased on all tiles adjacent to this Wonder. Must be built on a Tropical Mountain tile.
Gameplay Tip
Mountain–Desert–Plains–Coast
Majapahit
The last great Hindu kingdom of Indonesia rose from the surprise betrayal of Kublai Khan’s armada, clearing the way for Majapahit to conquer and control the spice islands at the dawn of the global age. But after three hundred years of dominance, the winds shifted. Muslim trade networks pushed Majapahit to the margins, forcing the kingdom to retreat to the island of Bali, where its legacy still endures.
Unique Ability
Negara: All Cities except your Capital have an increased Specialist cap. After the Age of Discovery, this increased Specialist cap is removed, and Specialists become inactive until you raise the Specialist limit again.
Unique Buildings
Candi Bentar
Base Happiness. Gains a Culture adjacency bonus from Coast and Navigable River tiles.
Meru
Unique building. Base Happiness. Does not age. Gains a Happiness adjacency bonus from Mountains and Wonders. Increases Happiness on natural Wonder tiles.
Pura
Grants a Relic when completed.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Pedanda
Unique Missionary unit. Gains Culture when converting a Settlement to your Religion. Requires a Temple.
Unique Military Unit
Cetbang
Unique Naval unit. Increased Combat Strength against Naval units. Can pillage tiles at range at a reduced Movement cost.
Principles Trees
Wayang
- Unlocks the unique Candi Bentar building.
- Unlocks the “Panjí” Tradition.
- Increases Production towards Overbuilding.
Panjí
- Increases Culture from Specialists outside your Capital.
Aliran Kepercayaan
- Unlocks the unique Meru building.
- Unlocks the “Negarakertagama” Tradition.
- The unique Pedanda also provides additional Culture when you convert a Settlement.
Negarakertagama
- Reduces Specialist Food upkeep.
Nusantara
- Age of Discovery Culture. Buildings gain a Culture adjacency bonus from Coast tiles.
- Unlocks the “Subak” Tradition.
- Naval units gain increased Combat Strength against land units.
Subak
- Increases Culture and Production on Maritime terrain tiles.
Gamelan
- Increases Culture on tiles with multiple buildings from this Era.
- +1 Settlement Cap
- Unlocks the Borobudur Wonder.
Associated Wonder
Borobudur
Increases Happiness. Increases Happiness in Districts. Must be built next to a Coast tile.
Gameplay Tip
Ming China
After emerging from the shadowy Yuan period, dominated by the Mongols, the Ming turned inward, reviving Han traditions and strengthening China’s infrastructure and economy. The Ming dynasty expanded and reinforced the Great Wall, established a tributary system of defense and dependence, and made their goods some of the most coveted on the global market. However, when silver supplies dwindled, Ming armies stopped receiving their wages and rebelled, paving the way for the rise of the Qing dynasty, ruled by the Manchu.
Unique Ability
Yongle’s Great Canon: Increases Science in the capital. Reduces Science per turn for each assigned Social Policy.
Unique Buildings
The Ming Great Wall:
Unique improvement. Does not age. Counts as a fortification. Gains bonus Gold from adjacent fortifications. Can only be built in a line.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Mandarin
Unique merchant unit. Adds a large amount of Gold when performing the “Build a Road” action.
Unique Military Unit
Xun lei chong
Unique infantry unit. Increases Combat Strength on featureless terrain. Has ranged attack.
Principles Trees
Nine Garrisons
- Unlocks the unique improvement The Ming Great Wall.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Divine Machine Battalion”.
- Increases Gold from the Ming Great Wall improvement in cities with a Bank.
- Increases Combat Strength of ranged units adjacent to a unique Xun lei chong unit.
Divine Machine Battalion
- Increases Science in settlements with a garrisoned combat unit.
Lijia
- Reduces building acquisition costs in Towns.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Baojia”.
- Increases the resource cap in your Capital.
Baojia
- Increases Science for each resource assigned to a city. This effect is stronger in non-capital cities.
Da Ming Lu
- Exclusive Mandarin merchant units add Science when performing the “Build a Road” action.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Grand Secretariat”.
- Unlocks the Forbidden City Wonder.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
Grand Secretariat
- Adds Science to Gold buildings and adds Gold to Science buildings.
Associated Wonder
The Forbidden City
Increases Culture in all fortifications. Must be built adjacent to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Mongolia
On the steppes of Mongolia, Temujin (later known as Genghis Khan) united the warring clans and led them to expand across much of the known world. The Mongols did not rely solely on their famed horse archers; they were also pioneers in the use of gunpowder on the battlefield. Within the empire, they fostered a relatively tolerant state that allowed freedom of worship, maintained a network of safe roads, and operated a passport system. But after the death of the Great Khan, the Mongol horde fractured.
Unique Ability
Bokh: When you capture an enemy settlement, you gain the strongest cavalry unit you are currently able to train, but your Production toward training Settlers is reduced. You gain a Victory Point with “The World Is Not Enough” for settlements you control in distant lands and for settlements conquered in your homeland.
Unique Buildings
Ortöö
Gold base. When a unit moves onto this tile, its movement is restored. Cannot be placed on rough terrain, rivers, or tiles with a special terrain feature.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Noyan
Unique Commander unit. Has additional movement. Cavalry units within its zone of control gain increased flanking capability.
Unique Military Unit
Keshig
Unique ranged unit. Counts as a cavalry unit with additional movement and heals when it defeats an enemy unit.
Principles Trees
Ulus
- Unlocks the unique building Ortöö.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Gerege”.
- Captured Towns can be upgraded at no additional cost.
- Increases the Settlement Limit.
Gerege
- Settlements founded by other players gain increased Happiness for each assigned resource.
Four Hounds
- Receive a unique Noyan Commander at no cost.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
- Increases movement for all cavalry units.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Baghatur”.
Baghatur
- Increases Combat Strength for all cavalry units.
Yassa
- The unique Ortöö improvement increases Gold yields in settlements founded by other players.
- Unlocks the Erdene Zuu Wonder.
- Unlocks the Erdene Zuu Wonder.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
Jarlig
- Cities founded by other players gain increased Production.
Associated Wonder
Erdene Zuu
Adds Culture. When you create a cavalry unit, you gain Culture equal to a percentage of its cost. Must be built on flat Plains, Tundra, or Desert tiles.
Gameplay Tip
The Normans
The Normans set out from rocky northern coasts with conquest on their minds. Their name reflects their Scandinavian origins, but after settling in France they adopted much of its language and culture before riding out once more to seize control of England in 1066. Norman knights rode out from stone castles, upholding the values of chivalry. The Normans became the ruling class of England and eventually blended into the wider population.
Unique Ability
Normannitas: Land Units gain increased Movement when they Embark, and land Units adjacent to the Coast gain increased Combat Strength.
Unique Buildings
Motte
Grants Happiness if placed on Rough Terrain. Counts as a Fortification.
Bailey
Provides adjacent Culture when next to Walls. Counts as a Fortification.
Keep
Receive a free unique Chevaler Cavalry Unit when it is completed.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Sokeman
When a Town is founded, it gains a Wall in the City Center.
Unique Military Unit
Chevaler
Unique Cavalry Unit. Has increased Combat Strength against Units with lower Movement.
Principles Trees
Law and Custom
- Unlocks the unique building Motte.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Palisades”.
- Unlocks the unique building Bailey.
- Increases the Combat Strength of the unique Chevaler Cavalry Unit for each Tradition in your current Government.
Palisades
- Increases Production toward Fortifications.
Anglo-Saxon Law
- Grants a free Social Policy.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Juré”.
- +1 Settlement Limit
- Unlocks the Traditions “Servitium Debitum” and “Familia Regis”.
Juré
- Provides Happiness and Culture in City Halls and the Palace.
Servitium Debitum
- Reduces Maintenance Costs for Cavalry Units.
Familia Regis
- Increases Culture for each Tradition assigned to your current Government.
Domesday Book
- Adds Gold to Farms, increased during Celebrations.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Bayeux Tapestry”.
- +1 Settlement Limit
- Unlocks the White Tower Wonder.
Bayeux Tapestry
- Increases Culture in Conquered Settlements.
Associated Wonder
White Tower
Increases Happiness in this Settlement for each unique Tradition assigned to your Government. Must be built adjacent to a City Hall.
Gameplay Tip
Pirate Republic
Where there is wealth, there is greed. The struggle for the treasures of the New World in the early 18th century drew the fleets of England, Spain, France, and the Netherlands—but the promise of quick riches also lured in pirates. They were rarely organized, but in 1706 one band, the Pirate Republic, seized the island of New Providence in the Bahamas and established a short-lived republic for all those who sought fortune… and had few scruples.
Unique Ability
Pirate Republic: Increases the yields from Pillaging and Coastal Raids with Naval Units. Cannot build or purchase Settlers, but can capture them from other civilizations. Naval Units, Treasure Convoys, and Buccaneer units can cross another civilization’s borders without being at war or having Open Borders.
Unique Buildings
Naval Arsenal
Must be built on a Coast tile. Gold base. Gains Gold adjacency from Resources. Does not require Gold Maintenance.
Naval Base
Production base. Gains Production adjacency bonuses from military buildings and Gold buildings.
Utopia
Increases Gold for each Treasure resource. Improves repair and construction of Naval Units.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Buccaneer
Commander Gains Charges for the “Raiding Party” action after a certain number of Promotions.
- Action – Raiding Party: moves to an adjacent Treasure resource and creates a Treasure Convoy equal to the existing resources.
Unique Military Unit
Sloop
Replaces Privateers. Can cross borders to pillage Trade Routes and attack without a formal declaration of war. Can move after attacking and has high Movement.
Principles Trees
Pirate Code
- Unlocks the unique building Naval Base.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Press Gangs”.
- Buccaneers gain the Pillage Promotion.
Press Gangs
- Increases Production toward Naval Units for each existing Fleet Commander.
Ports of Call
- Unlocks the unique building Naval Arsenal.
- Unlocks the Tradition “A Merry Life and a Short One”.
- Buccaneers gain a Charge to found a new Settlement.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Port of Havana Wonder.
A Merry Life and a Short One
- When you defeat a Support or Naval Unit, you gain Gold equal to its Production Cost.
Enemy of All Nations
- Increases Combat Strength against Treasure Convoys.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Black Flag”.
- When you capture a Treasure Fleet unit, it gains one additional Treasure Fleet point of value.
Black Flag
- Increases Gold gained from pillaging Trade Routes.
Associated Wonder
Port of Havana
Gold base. In the Age of Discovery, generates Treasure Convoys based on Treasure Fleet points (varies by game speed). Increases the Economy attribute. Must be built in Distant Lands on Coast tiles not adjacent to a Lake.
Gameplay Tip
If you can’t produce Settlers, prioritize the Ports of Call Principle so that your Buccaneer gains a Charge to found a new Town.
The Shawnee
The Shawnee, an Algonquian-speaking people from what is now the eastern United States, fought hard to preserve their land and traditions. Their fiercest battles were against the United States as the new nation pushed westward. The Shawnee sought to forge a coalition of Indigenous peoples to present a united front and established a settlement at Prophetstown, but the U.S. Army loomed on the horizon.
*The Shawnee civilization is part of the Tecumseh and the Shawnee DLC Pack. The Pack is included in the Deluxe Edition and also available separately.
Unique Ability
Nepekifaki: Settlements founded next to navigable rivers gain additional Food on river tiles, but cities not founded next to a navigable river receive less Food.
Unique Buildings
Mawaskawe Skote
Provides bonus Food. Increases Gold for each adjacent Resource. Must be placed on a Vegetation tile not adjacent to another Mawaskawe Skote.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Hoceepkileni
Missionary. Has increased Movement and Rivers do not end its movement.
Unique Military Unit
Kispoko Nena’to
Replacement Infantry. Gains increased Combat Strength for each Resource in your Empire.
Principles Trees
Wyehi Simekofi
- Unlocks the unique building Mawaskawe Skote.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Bread Dance”.
- Mawaskawe Skote gains increased Culture for each allied City-State.
- Increases the Settlement Limit.
Bread Dance
- Increases Culture in all agricultural Towns and Food in all fishing Towns.
Miyaska Latoweki
- Adds Gold for each Trade Route while you have a certain number of active Efforts.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Kakawfe Pafkotaweta”.
- Increases the resource cap in your Capital for each allied City-State.
Kakawfe Pafkotaweta
- Adds Culture and Gold each time an environmental Event has provided Fertility this Era.
- Improvements, buildings, and urban Districts are not devastated by storms.
Telwatiki
- You can support other leaders’ wars multiple times instead of only once.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Helikhilenawewipe”.
- Increases Influence per turn. The unique Kispoko Nena’to military unit gains increased Combat Strength from War Support.
Helikhilenawewipe
- Increases Influence effectiveness when using the “Befriend Independent” action.
Maleki Kintake
- Increases available Food from Farms and Camps.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Takesiyake Yepepoki”.
- Unlocks the Serpent Mound Wonder.
Takesiyake Yepepoki
- Cities gain additional Production on Tundra, Desert, and Plains tiles.
Associated Wonder
Serpent Mound
Adds Science. Increases Science and Production from all Unique Improvements. Must be placed on a Grassland tile.
Gameplay Tip
Songhai
As the Mali Empire faltered, its former vassals, the Songhai, rose to forge one of the largest states in Africa. The Songhai Empire revitalized Islam in the region, renewed the scholarly community in Timbuktu, and controlled trans-Saharan trade. However, its days were numbered, as the Moroccans invaded in search of new lucrative routes, backed by firearms.
Unique Ability
Tarikh al-Sudan: Increases resource capacity in cities located on the banks of navigable rivers. Your Trade Ships cannot be pillaged on navigable rivers.
Unique Buildings
Caravansary
Gold base. Gains Gold adjacency from rivers and resources. Must be built on Desert or Plains tiles.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Tajiro
Merchant. Adds Gold when you create a Trade Route that includes at least one navigable river.
Unique Military Unit
Gold-Braceleted Infantry
Infantry. Has higher Combat Strength on resource tiles. Gains additional yields from pillaging Trade Routes.
Principles Trees
Ships of the Desert
- Unlocks the unique improvement Caravansary.
- Unlocks the Tomb of Askia Wonder.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Timbuktu”.
- The unique Caravansary improvement increases Gold in settlements with a Bazaar.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Mudbrick”.
Timbuktu
- Increases Gold from Mines if there is a Gold building in that city.
Mudbrick
- Increases Production toward Gold buildings.
Hi-Koi
- Increases Combat Strength of all military units on navigable rivers.
- Rivers no longer end unit movement.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Isa”.
Isa
- Increases Movement of all units on navigable rivers.
Kanta
- The Tajiro unit gains additional Gold.
- +1 Settlement Limit.
- Cities in your homeland adjacent to navigable rivers generate Treasure Fleets, each granting one Victory Point.
Associated Wonder
Tomb of Askia
Adds Gold. Increases resource capacity in this settlement. Increases Gold and Production in this city for each resource assigned to it. Must be built on a Desert tile.
Gameplay Tip
Navigable Rivers – Desert – Plains – Coast.
Spain
Among the first European colonial powers, Spain was by far the largest and most influential empire. Iberia had long been divided between Muslim emirates and Christian kingdoms, but after the union of Castile and Aragon and the culmination of the Reconquista, Spain strode onto the world stage in the name of God and gold. The empire staggered as its ambitions were challenged in Europe and its distant colonies sought their own destiny.
Unique Ability
Siglo de Oro: Increases Gold efficiency when upgrading a Town into a City, with an even greater boost in Distant Lands.
Unique Buildings
Council House
Culture base. Grants Culture adjacency for Districts. Cannot be built in Distant Lands and must be adjacent to a Coast tile.
House of Trade
Increases Trade Routes and Gold from coastal resources. Prerequisite building.
Plaza
Increases Gold in this settlement for each settlement in Distant Lands.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Conquistador
Great Person. Can only be recruited in Cities with a Harbor, and the specific Conquistador you receive is random. Each Conquistador can only be obtained once.
- The cost increases for each Conquistador created. A Conquistador can only be activated in Distant Lands but immediately gains the ability to embark on Ocean tiles.
Unique Military Unit
Infantry. Adjacent Units gain increased Combat Strength against Cavalry Units (the bonus only applies once).
Principles Trees
Council of the Indies
- Unlocks the unique building Council House.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Conquest”.
- Unlocks the unique building House of Trade.
- Increases the Movement of your Treasure Fleets.
Conquest
- Increases Combat Strength in Distant Lands.
Armada
- Fleet Commanders gain the Cruiser Promotion, which grants additional unit slots and allows land units to join the Commander’s group.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Invincible Armada”.
- All Units gain increased Movement when they embark.
Invincible Armada
- Increases Production when training Naval Units, and Naval Units have reduced Maintenance costs.
Wealth of the New World
- Increases Food and Production in settlements located in Distant Lands.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Cerro Rico”.
- Unlocks the El Escorial Wonder.
- + Settlement Limit.
Cerro Rico
- Increases Gold for each Resource.
Associated Wonder
El Escorial
Adds Happiness. Cities within a certain number of tiles of this Wonder gain additional Happiness. Increases the Settlement Limit. Has extra slots for Great Works. Must be built on a Hill tile.
Gameplay Tip
Buganda
From the coasts of Nnalubaale, Lake Victoria, the deadly Bugandan war canoes set sail. By the late 19th century, Buganda was the most populated place in the interior of Africa, with artificial lakes, a well-planned city, and envoys from surrounding peoples seeking the king’s favor. And rightly so, for Buganda’s military was a terrifying force.
Unique Ability
River Raids: When pillaging Buildings or Improvements, gain additional Culture equal to the Yield or Healing obtained. Land units gain the Amphibious keyword, preventing Combat penalties when attacking from Embarkation. Embarking or disembarking costs movement points.
Unique Buildings
Lake of the Kabaka
Increases Happiness. Receives Lake yield bonuses, including all bonuses from Buganda abilities and the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Mwami
Commander. Increases yields when pillaging within its Zone of Control.
Unique Military Unit
Abambowa
Infantry: Heals when pillaging any tile.
Principles Trees
Nnalubaale
- Unlocks the unique building Lake of the Kabaka.
- Increases Culture and Food on Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
- Unlocks the Tradition Clan Society.
- Unlocks the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder.
Clan Society
- Increases Happiness in Settlements for each nearby settlement within a certain number of tiles.
Blutabaalo
- Increases yields and healing from pillaging.
- Pillaging grants experience to friendly Commanders within their Zone of Control.
- Unlocks the Tradition Ng’oma.
Ng’oma
- Increases Combat Strength when units are adjacent to a Lake.
Nyanza
- Increases Culture and Happiness in Districts adjacent to Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Great Lakes Region”.
- Increases Population in settlements adjacent to Lakes.
Great Lakes Region
- All buildings gain an adjacency bonus from Lakes.
Associated Wonder
Muzibu Azaala Mpanga
Food base. Increases Food on all Lake tiles. Increases Culture and Happiness on Lake tiles in this City. Must be built adjacent to a Lake.
Gameplay Tip
United States
The United States was a new nation, founded on Enlightenment ideals of progress and rationality, industry and development, and ever-expanding horizons. The American War of Independence grew out of this drive to expand: to open trade independently with the Caribbean, to push colonial frontiers westward (onto lands held by Indigenous nations), and to free itself from British tariffs and taxes.
Unique Ability
Frontier Expansion: Gain Gold each time you improve a Resource.
Unique Buildings
Steel Mill
Production base. Gains Gold adjacency from Resources.
Rail Terminal
Gold base. Grants a Production adjacency bonus to Districts.
Industrial Park
Increases Food in this City for each Resource assigned to it.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Prospector
Activate it on an unowned land Resource tile within a certain number of tiles of one of your Settlements. A chain of tiles is claimed between the Settlement and that tile, and the Resource is immediately improved.
Unique Military Unit
Marine
Infantry. Has reduced Production Cost and the Amphibious promotion, so it does not suffer Combat penalties when attacking from Embarkation. Embarking and Disembarking do not cost movement.
Principles Trees
Yankee Ingenuity
- Unlocks the unique building Steel Mill.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Gold Rush”.
- Prospector unique merchant units receive a Gold discount.
Gold Rush
- Increases Gold for each assigned Resource.
Captains of Industry
- Unlocks the unique building Rail Terminal.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Robber Baron”.
- Increases Resource Production.
- + Settlement Limit.
Robber Baron
- Increases Influence for each assigned Resource.
War Economy
- Units gain increased Combat Strength when more than one enemy Unit is adjacent to them.
- Unlocks the “Statue of Liberty” Wonder.
- Increases Production toward Military Units when you are fighting a war in which your Support is higher than your opponent’s.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Lend-Lease Act”.
Lend-Lease Act
- Increases Gold and Influence from each Trade Route.
Associated Wonder
Statue of Liberty
Happiness base. Spawns a set number of Migrant Units, Civilian Units that can trigger a Growth Event in Settlements. Must be built on a Coast tile adjacent to land.
Gameplay Tip
French Empire
France steps out from the long shadow of the guillotine and the bright ribbons of the revolutionary cockade into the thunderous roar of Napoleon’s cannons, then on to the “City of Lights” of the Belle Époque and the iron spire of the Eiffel Tower. With the dawn of the Revolution, the nation lurched back and forth between monarchy and republic. But the French Third Republic brought a moment of calm to beautiful Paris, a city now filled with boulevards, industry, and literary salons… unaware of the storms soon to come.
Unique Ability
Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité: Allows you to select the Celebration effects of any Modern Era Government.
Unique Buildings
French Garden
Culture base. Gains Happiness adjacency from Culture buildings.
Salon
Happiness base. Gains Culture adjacency from Happiness buildings.
Avenue
Increases Happiness in this city’s urban districts.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Jacobin
Great Person. Can only be produced in cities that have a unique Avenue district. The specific Jacobin you receive is random, and each Jacobin can only be obtained once. The cost increases for each Jacobin produced.
Unique Military Unit
Garde Impériale
Infantry: Can perform a ranged attack. Gains increased Combat Strength while within a friendly Zone of Control.
Principles Trees
Belle Époque
- Unlocks the unique building Salon.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Empire Style”.
- Happiness buildings and Wonders increase Culture.
Empire Style
- Constructing a building grants Culture equal to a percentage of its Production Cost.
Voie Triomphale
- Unlocks the unique building French Garden.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Cocorico”.
- Military buildings and Wonders increase Happiness.
- + Settlement Limit.
Cocorico
- When you defeat an enemy unit, gain Culture equal to a percentage of its Combat Strength.
Grande Armée
- Commander units immediately gain one Promotion.
- New Commanders start with a Promotion.
- Units gain Combat Strength for each adjacent friendly military unit.
- Unlocks the Tradition Bataillon carré.
Bataillon carré
- Infantry units gain the Swiftness keyword, allowing them to ignore enemy Zones of Control.
Code Civil des Français
- Increases Culture for each Tradition assigned in your Government.
- Unlocks the Eiffel Tower.
Associated Wonder
Eiffel Tower
Culture base. Increases Culture and Happiness in this city’s Districts. Must be built adjacent to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Great Britain
The sun never set on the vast British Empire. Its territories stretched across every continent, channeling raw materials from colonial holdings to the factories of the metropole. Foreign policy was conducted through economic strategy, far-reaching diplomacy, and the threat of war. The Royal Navy ruled the seas, while at home society found a new order amid the explosion of industry. Under the Pax Britannica, the world followed Britain’s lead.
Unique Ability
Workshop of the World: Reduces the Production or Gold cost of constructing or purchasing Buildings by a percentage. Increases the Gold cost of converting Towns into Cities by a percentage.
Unique Buildings
Royal Exchange
Gold base. Grants Gold adjacency to Districts.
Manufactory
Production base. Gains Production adjacency from Resources and Gold adjacency from Navigable Rivers.
Financial Center
Increases Gold for each connected settlement.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Antiquarian
Scout. After a certain number of Promotions, gains Charges for the “Raiding Party” action.
Unique Military Unit
Revenge
Naval. Has the “Dispersal” action, dealing a small amount of damage to all units adjacent to the targeted tile.
Principles Trees
Pax Britannica
- Unlocks the unique building Royal Exchange.
- Settlements gain increased Production for each Factory Resource assigned to them.
- Unlocks the unique building Manufactory.
- Unlocks the Battersea Power Station Wonder.
Society of Antiquaries
- Increases Movement for Civilian units.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Proceedings”.
Proceedings
- Increases Culture and Science in cities with a Great Work.
Chartered Companies
- Harbors increase Resource Capacity.
- Unlocks the Tradition “East India Company”.
East India Company
- Increases Gold for each Building in Towns.
Splendid Isolation
- + Combat Strength as long as your Gold income is positive at the start of the turn.
- + Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “No Ally Is Eternal”.
No Ally Is Eternal
- Increases Gold in Towns. Reduces Gold in the Capital for each Alliance.
Associated Wonder
Battersea Power Station
Production base. When you train a Naval unit, you receive a second Naval unit of the same type. Must be built on a tile adjacent to water.
Gameplay Tip
Meiji Japan
The chaos that followed the forced opening of Edo-period Japan gave rise to a new synthesis: the Meiji era. It was a time of deep change and contradiction. Meiji Japan fused Western government and technology with Edo-period principles, driving furious expansion and challenging European dominance. It marked a new dawn in the Pacific—dramatic and glorious, fierce and terrible.
Unique Ability
Goisshin: Overbuilding a structure grants Science equal to a set percentage of the new building’s Production Cost.
Unique Buildings
Ginkō
Gold base. Gains Gold adjacency bonuses from other Gold buildings.
Jukogyo
Production base. Gains Production adjacency from Coast tiles. Increases Resource slots.
Zaibatsu
Increases Gold and Production of Buildings on adjacent tiles.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
None.
Unique Military Unit
Mikasa
Aircraft. Has increased attack range and + Combat Strength against other aircraft.
Principles Trees
Bunmei Kaika
- Unlocks the unique building Jukogyo.
- Increases Production toward military and Production buildings.
- Unlocks the Dogo Onsen Wonder.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Fukoku Kyōhei”.
Fukoku Kyōhei
- When you train an Aircraft or Naval unit, gain Science equal to a percentage of its Production Cost.
Five-Article Oath
- Unlocks the unique building Ginkō.
- Increases Production toward Science buildings.
- Unlocks the Tradition “O-yatoi Gaikokujin”.
O-yatoi Gaikokujin
- Increases Production and Science from Specialists.
Supreme War Council
- Increases Production toward Aircraft and Naval units.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Shusei Kokubō”.
Shusei Kokubō
- Military buildings gain a Production adjacency bonus from Coast tiles.
Kantai Kessen
- + Combat Strength for units on Coast tiles or adjacent to the Coast.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Kōkūtai”.
Kōkūtai
- Increases Aircraft Combat Strength against enemy Naval units.
Associated Wonder
Dogo Onsen
Happiness base. This City gains Population during a Celebration. Must be built adjacent to Coast.
Gameplay Tip
Qing China
As the Ming dynasty shuddered under the weight of financial collapse, a new threat rose along its borders: the Manchus. Founders of the Qing dynasty, they ushered in a new era, drawing the Han Chinese majority and the Manchu rulers into an industrial, expansionist order. They claimed new dominions among neighboring states even as they confronted the imperial ambitions of Europe.
Unique Ability
Kang Qian Shengshi: Imported resources increase Gold, Culture, and Influence, but reduce Science.
Unique Buildings
Shiguan
Science base. Gains Happiness adjacency from Happiness buildings.
Qianzhuang
Gold base. Gains Gold adjacency from Gold buildings.
Huiguan
Increases Influence in this Settlement.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Hangshang
Merchant. + Gold for each imported Resource when you create a Naval Trade Route.
Unique Military Unit
Gusa
Infantry. + Combat Strength when adjacent to another “Gusa” unit.
Principles Trees
Ten Great Campaigns
- Increases Combat Strength of all units for each other Leader with whom you have established a Trade Route.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Chuang Guandong”.
Chuang Guandong
- Increases Growth rate in Towns with an assigned Resource.
Open Customs Houses
- Unlocks the unique building Qianzhuang.
- Gain Culture for each imported Resource.
- + Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Cohong”.
Cohong
- Increases benefits from Trade.
Kangxi Tax Reform
- Unlocks the unique building Shiguan.
- + Food from Resources assigned to cities.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Agrarian Census”.
Agrarian Census
- + Production toward training land units.
Secure Frontier
- Gain Happiness from Resources assigned to cities.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Banner Army”.
- Unlocks the Chengde Mountain Resort Wonder.
Banner Army
- Increases Combat Strength against land units.
Associated Wonder
Chengde Mountain Resort
Gold base. Increases Culture for each Trade Route with another civilization. Must be built adjacent to a Mountain.
Gameplay Tip
Mexico
For centuries, Spain extracted natural resources and the riches of ancient empires from the New World. But after Napoleon’s conquest of Spain, many saw an opportunity to build a new, free society in Mexico. The Mexicans succeeded in their struggle for independence and a new state emerged: a cultural power ready to face the challenges of governance, relations between Indigenous peoples and white Spaniards, and the development of the Mexican economy in relation to its northern neighbor.
Unique Ability
Revolution: Starts with a unique Government type, Revolution. This Government has a Celebration effect that grants a large boost to Culture for a set number of turns. It has no access to other Government types.
Unique Buildings
Cathedral
Culture base. Gains Happiness adjacency from Culture buildings.
Merchants’ Portal
Culture base. Gains a Gold adjacency bonus from Gold buildings.
Zócalo
Increases Culture for each unique Tradition assigned in your Government.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Revolutionary
Great Person. Can only be produced in cities that have a unique Zócalo district. The specific Revolutionary you receive is random, and each Revolutionary can only be obtained once. The cost increases for each Revolutionary produced.
Unique Military Unit
Soldaderas
Infantry. Restores a set amount of Health to adjacent units; this effect does not stack.
Principles Trees
Political Plans
- Unlocks the unique building Cathedral.
- Unlocks the unique building Merchants’ Portal.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Corridos”.
- Adds a Policy slot when you gain the unique Revolution Ability.
- Unlocks the Palacio de Bellas Artes Wonder.
Corridos
- Increases Happiness in Settlements for each Tradition assigned in your Government.
Plan of Iguala
- Unlocks an additional Celebration effect that grants a large boost to Production toward military units for a set number of turns.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Grito de Dolores”.
Grito de Dolores
- Increases Combat Strength of units in friendly territory for each Tradition assigned in your Government.
Plan of Ayutla
- Unlocks an additional Celebration effect that grants a large boost to Influence spent to initiate Diplomatic Actions for a set number of turns.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Reforma”.
Reforma
- + Culture in Towns for each Tradition assigned in your Government.
Plan of Tuxtepec
- Unlocks an additional Celebration effect that grants a large amount of Science for a set number of turns.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Order and Progress”.
Order and Progress
- Increases Science in Cities for each Tradition assigned in your Government.
Associated Wonder
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Culture base. Great Works increase Happiness. Increases Happiness in this City. Has a set number of Great Work slots. Must be built adjacent to an Urban District.
Gameplay Tip
Mughal India
Forged in conquest, the Mughal dynasty ruled over a vast and prosperous empire, controlling nearly a quarter of the world’s industrial output. Under Mughal rule, India adopted a centralized model of absolute monarchy in which power and wealth flowed from proximity to the throne. It was a land where wealthy rulers built Wonders and factories worked day and night.
Unique Ability
Paradise of Nations: Increases Gold from all sources. Reduces all other yields.
Unique Buildings
Stepwell
Adds Gold. Increases Food on adjacent Farms. Must be built on a Plains tile. Cannot be built adjacent to another Stepwell.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Zamindar
Support. Increases Population in new Settlements.
Unique Military Unit
Sepoy
Infantry. Has higher bombard strength, allowing ranged attacks with increased Combat Strength against fortified districts and siege units.
Principles Trees
Zabt
- Unlocks the unique building Stepwell.
- + Gold on Farms.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Jins-i Kamil”.
Jins-i Kamil
- + Food and + Gold on Farms for each adjacent Plantation, and on Plantations for each adjacent Farm.
Jagir
- + Happiness on Farms.
- + Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Qilachas”.
Qilachas
- Increases Gold in Districts with Walls.
Mansabdari
- Increases Gold toward purchasing Infantry Units.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Gunpowder Empire”.
- Unlocks the Red Fort Wonder.
Gunpowder Empire
- + Combat Strength for all Units.
Paradise Gardens
- Allows you to purchase Wonders with Gold.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Mayūrāsana”.
Mayūrāsana
- Reduces Gold cost when purchasing any item.
Associated Wonder
Red Fort
Gold base. Functions as a walled District that must be conquered. Increases the Hit Points of this tile and all City Centers. Must be built adjacent to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Nepal
Nestled high in the Himalayas, with Buddhist highland communities and Hindu lowlands, Nepal has clung to its sovereignty despite its precarious position. In the 19th century, Nepal was ruled by an autocratic group of families and guarded by the fierce Gurkha warriors. After reaching an agreement with the British, they preserved a measure of independence atop the roof of the world.
Part of the Crossroads of the World Collection DLC!
Unique Ability
Roof of the World: All Warehouse buildings can be constructed on Mountain tiles, but Food and Happiness Maintenance costs are increased.
Unique Buildings
Mountain Power Plant
Increases Production and Culture. Must be built on a Mountain tile by a unique Sherpa Scout unit.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Sherpa
Scout. Movement and Line of Sight actions do not suffer penalties from Mountain tiles.
Unique Military Unit
Gurkha
Infantry. Has increased Combat Strength and Movement, but is more expensive to train or purchase.
Principles Trees
Sagarmatha
- Food and Science buildings gain adjacency bonuses from Mountains.
- Sherpa units can be activated on an unowned Mountain tile within a set number of tiles of your Settlements.
- A chain of tiles back to the Settlement is claimed and the Mountain tile is immediately improved with a Mountain Power Plant.
Jyumdo Bagha
- All Districts adjacent to Mountain tiles receive one-time defensive Fortifications.
- Units complete Fortifications in a single turn if they are adjacent to a Mountain.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Tundikhel”.
Tundikhel
- + Combat Strength for all units adjacent to a Mountain tile, increased further in your own territory.
Singha Durbar
- + Gold toward purchasing Infantry Units.
- Unlocks the “Gift Gurkha” action, granting a unique Gurkha Infantry unit to another Leader with whom you have a Friendship or Alliance; Nepal gains an improved Relationship with that Leader and extra Culture based on the current Relationship level.
- Unlocks the Boudhanath Wonder.
- Increases Influence from Culture buildings.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Maitri Sanadhi”.
Maitri Sanadhi
- Increases Influence by a fixed percentage when initiating Efforts if you have the fewest Settlements; if you do not, Influence is increased by a smaller percentage.
Gorkhapatra
- Museums gain additional Great Work slots.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Himāl”.
Himāl
- Increases Culture on Mountain tiles, with a greater bonus in the Capital.
Associated Wonder
Boudhanath
Influence base. Improves relations with other Leaders. Must be built on a Tropical tile adjacent to a Mountain tile.
Gameplay Tip
Prussia
Relentless in modernization, rationality, and conquest, Prussia brought Germany under its rule. Abroad, it fought wars against nearly every major power of the age. At home, it was an industrial powerhouse, with rail lines linking coal mines and steel refineries. By 1866, Prussia encompassed most of what is now Germany and part of Poland, transforming it from a kingdom into an empire.
Unique Ability
Blood and Iron: + Combat Strength for each relationship of Hostility or Enmity with other civilizations.
Unique Buildings
Staatseisenbahn
Replaces Railroads. Is automatically placed following normal railroad rules when a Railroad Station is built in two connected cities. Increases Gold and Production on Rural tiles with a Staatseisenbahn in your territory.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
None.
Unique Military Units
Hussar & Stuka
Hussar – Cavalry. Does not replace other Cavalry units. + Movement, and increased Combat Strength for each remaining Movement point.
Stuka – Aircraft. + Combat Strength against land units.
Principles Trees
Ruhr
- All Buildings gain Production adjacency from Navigable Rivers.
- Increases Science on Resources.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Coking”.
Coking
- Increases Production in cities for each Resource assigned to them.
Zollverein
- Allows you to establish and maintain Trade Routes with civilizations you are at war with.
- + Settlement Limit.
- Increases Trade yields in cities connected by the unique Staatseisenbahn improvement.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Mediatization”.
Mediatization
- Increases Production in all cities while at war.
Ems Dispatch
- Increases the rate of Relationship change from Diplomatic Actions.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Realpolitik”.
- Unlocks the Brandenburg Gate Wonder.
Realpolitik
- + Combat Strength against land units.
Bewegungskrieg
- Cavalry units gain the Skirmish ability, which increases their Flanking bonus.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Iron Cross”.
Iron Cross
- + Combat Strength for each Commander that has a Commendation.
Associated Wonder
Brandenburg Gate
Production base. This Settlement does not suffer Happiness penalties from War Weariness. Increases Happiness in conquered Settlements. Must be built adjacent to a District.
Gameplay Tip
Kayar
Out of the chaos of the 18th century, the Kayars rose to lead Iran into modernity. During their rule, they oversaw the growth of cities, the construction of grand palaces, and an artistic revival that blended old and new media. In a rapidly globalizing world, the Kayars played a furious diplomatic game with the European powers that delayed critical growth. Yet sweeping reforms transformed the nation’s identity, giving rise to a new Iran.
Unique Ability
Crown of Kayānī: Increased Influence when supporting Diplomatic Actions.
Unique Buildings
Takyeh
Happiness base. Gains Influence adjacency bonuses from Culture buildings.
Ghahve Khaneh
Food base. Gains Happiness adjacency bonuses from Gold buildings.
Bāq
Increases Influence and Culture in this Settlement during Celebrations.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Sardār
Commander. Increases Movement. Razes additional Districts per turn in Settlements where this Commander is present.
Unique Military Unit
Gholām
Cavalry. Gains Combat Strength and Healing inside the Zone of Control of a Sardār Commander.
Principles Trees
Throne of the Sun
- Unlocks the unique building Takyeh.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Soliman Palace” and the Eram Garden Wonder.
- When you support an Effort, you gain a fixed amount of Culture while the other Leader gains a fixed amount of Gold (yields vary based on game speed).
Soliman Palace
- Increases Influence for each point of Population in the Capital.
Twelve Gates
- Unlocks the unique building Ghahve Khaneh.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Waqāye’-e Ettefāqiya”.
- + Food and Production in the Capital based on how many Settlements you have below your Settlement Limit.
Waqāye’-e Ettefāqiya
- + Science and Culture in the Capital based on how many Settlements you have below your Settlement Limit.
Neẓām-e J̌adīd
- + Combat Strength for land units based on how many Settlements you have below your Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Qullarāqāsi”.
Qullarāqāsi
- Commanders stationed in a District provide additional Happiness.
Associated Wonder
Eram Garden
Food base. Increases the Specialist limit in this City. Must be placed on a Desert tile.
Gameplay Tip
Keep your number of Settlements below your Settlement Limit to fully exploit Kayar’s unique bonuses.
Russia
Imperial Russia was known for many things: its vast reach across Europe and Asia, its wealth and inequality, its art and culture. Trapped between the recurring question of whether Russia was part of Europe and its own dusha, or “Russian soul”, the Romanov reign centered its ideology on a model of “enlightened absolutism”. Prioritizing orthodoxy, autocracy, and nationality, Russia ruled over populations stretching from the Volga basin to eastern Siberia.
Unique Ability
Prosveshchenie: Increases Culture in urban Districts of Cities. Increases Science in urban Districts of Cities whose City Center is on Tundra tiles.
+30% Production toward constructing the Hermitage.
Unique Buildings
Obshchina
Increases Food from adjacent Farms. + Culture if built on a Tundra tile. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Cannot be built adjacent to another Obshchina.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
None.
Unique Military Units
Cossack & Katyusha Rocket Launcher
Cossack – Cavalry. Does not replace other Cavalry units. + Combat Strength in friendly territory.
Katyusha Rocket Launcher. Has increased Movement but reduced Combat Strength. Has the Scatter action, dealing a small amount of damage to all units adjacent to the attacked tile.
Principles Trees
Serfdom
- Unlocks the unique building Obshchina.
- Increases Food on Farms in Towns.
- Increases Production on Farms in Tundra Towns.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Emancipation Reform”.
Emancipation Reform
- Increases Production and reduces Growth in Cities.
Table of Ranks
- Increases Gold in urban Districts of Cities.
- Unlocks the Hermitage Wonder.
- Increases Culture in urban Districts of Cities whose City Center is on Tundra tiles.
- + Settlement Limit.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Westernization”.
Westernization
- Increases Science and reduces Culture in Cities.
Samoderzhaviye
- Your units are immune to damage from Blizzards. Enemy units in your territory take double damage from Blizzards.
- Unlocks the Tradition “General Moroz”.
- Increases total Culture in each City, with a larger increase if the City Center is on a Tundra tile.
General Moroz
- + Combat Strength for units on Tundra tiles.
Associated Wonder
Hermitage
Culture base. Increases Culture in Cities that have a Great Work assigned. Must be built on a Tundra tile.
Gameplay Tip
Siam
The kingdom of Siam emerged between British colonial expansion in India and French territorial claims in Indochina. After slowly consolidating power, it adapted colonial models of governance and incorporated parts of Laos, Lanna, and Malaya, walking a fine line between adopting Western customs and preserving its own Buddhist traditions—until it became modern Thailand.
Unique Ability
Itsaraphab: Grants a Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Diplomacy cost than Befriending an Independent.
Unique Buildings
Bang
Culture and Happiness base. Must be placed on a Navigable River.
Unique Units
Unique Civilian Unit
Uparat
Great Person. Can only be created if you are Suzerain of at least one City-State. The specific Uparat received is random, and each Uparat can only be received once. Cost increases for each Uparat created.
Unique Military Unit
Chang Beun
Ranged. Gains increased Combat Strength and Movement. Can move after attacking.
Principles Trees
Nine Gems
- Unlocks the unique building Bang.
- Increases Culture for each Relationship that is above Friendship.
- Unlocks the Tradition “State Railway”.
- Increases Influence for each Relationship that is above Friendship.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Sakdina”.
State Railway
- Increases Influence per turn from Gold buildings.
Sakdina
- Increases Happiness in Cities for each allied City-State.
Mandala
- Increases Gold in urban Districts of Cities.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Prathesarat”.
- Increases Culture in the Palace for each allied City-State.
- Unlocks the Doi Suthep Wonder.
- Unlocks the Tradition “Mueang”.
Prathesarat
- Increases Influence spent to initiate Diplomatic Actions with City-States by a set percentage.
Mueang
- Increases Gold for each allied City-State.
Sriwilai
- Increases Culture for each active Diplomatic Action with another civilization.
- Increases Culture and Gold for each Trade Route with another civilization.
Associated Wonder
Doi Suthep
Influence base. Increases Culture and Gold for each City-State of which you are Suzerain. Must be built on a Hill tile.
Gameplay Tip
Spend Influence on the “Befriend Independent” action to enable training Uparat Great People and snowball your City-State network.