First Game Guide

Begin your Civilization VII journey. Learn to found your first city and establish a strong foundation for your empire on day one of your game.

Your inaugural game of Civilization VII is a critical learning experience. This guide will help you navigate those crucial first turns and establish a solid foundation for your empire. After selecting your civilization and game settings, you will spawn on the world map with your starting Settler unit and a Warrior. Your immediate priority is to found your first city.

Turn 1: Founding Your Capital

1. Scout with your Warrior: Move your Warrior unit one tile in a direction that offers good visibility of the surrounding terrain. Look for potential city locations.
2. Identify a Prime Location: The ideal spot for your capital city should ideally be adjacent to:
   • Freshwater: A river, lake, or oasis provides a significant boost to your city's population growth and housing.
   • Strategic Resources: Look for Luxury Resources (e.g., Horses, Cattle, Wheat) that can be improved for happiness and trade, and Strategic Resources (e.g., Iron, Copper) that are vital for military units later in the game.
   • Good Production Tiles: Tiles with hills or forests offer higher production, allowing you to build units and buildings faster.
3. Settle: Once you've identified a suitable location, select your Settler unit and click on the chosen tile to found your capital city. Name it if prompted!

Early Game Priorities (Turns 2-20):

With your capital founded, focus on these key actions:

• Production: Your capital should immediately begin producing a unit. For your first few cities, a Scout is highly recommended. Scouts are fast and essential for exploring the map, discovering natural wonders, meeting other civilizations, and finding tribal villages (which can grant bonuses).
• Research: Open the Technology Tree and select your first technology. For most civilizations, early research should focus on technologies that unlock essential improvements or units, such as Pottery (for Granaries), Animal Husbandry (to reveal Horses), or Mining (to improve mines).
• Exploration: Use your Warrior and newly produced Scout to explore the surrounding tiles. Reveal the map, identify potential city locations for future expansion, and look for tribal villages.
• City Growth: Ensure your city has access to food. If you settled near a food resource, ass citizens to work those tiles. If not, consider researching Pottery to build a Granary, which increases housing and food storage.

Avoid early conflict. Your initial units are weak, and your civilization is vulnerable. Focus on building a strong economic and technological base before engaging in warfare. Pay attention to the advisor messages; they offer valuable guidance for new players.