Skip to content
Difficulty Settings
Civilization VII

Difficulty Settings

Learn how to adjust and master the difficulty settings in Civilization VII to tailor your gameplay experience, from beginner-friendly to the ultimate challenge.

By ··10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  
Difficulty Settings

Learn how to adjust and master the difficulty settings in Civilization VII to tailor your gameplay experience, from beginner-friendly to the ultimate challenge.

Civilization VII offers a robust set of difficulty settings to cater to players of all skill levels. Whether you're new to the series or a seasoned veteran, understanding these options is key to enjoying your game.

Difficulty Tiers:

The game typically presents difficulty levels that affect AI bonuses and penalties. While specific names may vary, they generally follow a progression:

  • Settler/Chieftain: Designed for new players, offering significant advantages to the player.
  • Warlord/Emperor: Balanced settings for players familiar with the series.
  • King/Deity: For experienced players seeking a significant challenge, where the AI receives substantial bonuses.

Adjustable Settings:

Beyond the overall difficulty tier, Civilization VII allows for granular control over specific game aspects:

  • Game Speed: Affects the number of turns per era, influencing the pace of research, production, and expansion. Options often include Quick, Standard, Epic, and Marathon.
  • Starting Era: Determines the technologies and units available at the start of the game.
  • Resource Abundance: Controls how frequently strategic and luxury resources appear on the map.
  • Barbarian/Garrison Strength: Adjusts the aggressiveness and power of neutral factions and city defenders.
  • Victory Conditions: Players can choose which victory conditions are enabled (Science, Culture, Domination, Diplomacy, Religion, Score).
Tips for Choosing Difficulty
  • New Players: Start on Settler or Chieftain. Focus on learning the core mechanics without overwhelming AI opposition.
  • Intermediate Players: Emperor or King difficulty provides a good challenge that requires strategic thinking but is not overly punishing.
  • Advanced Players: Deity difficulty offers the ultimate test, demanding optimal play and deep understanding of game systems.
  • Experiment: Don't be afraid to adjust individual settings. For instance, you might enjoy a standard difficulty but prefer more abundant resources.

By carefully selecting and adjusting these settings, you can create a unique and engaging experience in Civilization VII that perfectly matches your playstyle and desired level of challenge.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content