Master Civilization VII's seas by understanding Great Admirals and their impactful naval bonuses. Learn how to earn these powerful commanders for your fleets.
Great Admirals are renowned naval commanders who bring powerful bonuses and unique abilities to your fleets in Civilization VII. Their strategic acumen is essential for controlling the seas and projecting power across oceans.
Great Admirals are earned through accumulating Great Admiral points, primarily generated by naval units in combat and by constructing naval-focused buildings like the Harbor and Lighthouse. Once acquired, they can be assigned to a naval unit, providing a passive bonus to nearby friendly naval units. Like Great Generals, they can also be expended for a potent, single-use effect.
Passive Bonuses: The core benefit of a Great Admiral is their aura. When attached to a naval unit, they grant a combat bonus to all friendly naval units within a specified radius (typically 1 tile). This bonus enhances the combat strength of these ships, making your fleet more formidable in engagements.
Expended Abilities: Great Admirals can be "expended" to unleash a powerful, one-time ability. These abilities are tailored to naval warfare and can include:
- Fleet Mobilization: Granting an extra movement point to all naval units in the Admiral's radius.
- Naval Reinforcement: Instantly healing all naval units in the radius.
- Naval Bombardment: Allowing naval units in the radius to perform a powerful, one-time bombardment on coastal cities or units.
- Founding a Naval Academy: Creating a unique building that provides ongoing benefits to naval units trained in that city.
- Creating a Naval Base: Establishing a defensive structure that grants combat bonuses and can project influence over water tiles.
Strategic Deployment: The decision to expend a Great Admiral is a significant strategic choice. Do you use their aura to support your ongoing naval operations, or save them for a critical moment where their expended ability can secure a vital victory, such as breaking through a heavily defended strait or launching a decisive amphibious assault? The optimal use depends on the current naval landscape and your overarching war objectives.
| Great Admiral Name (Example) | Passive Bonus | Expended Ability (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Yi Sun-sin | +5 Combat Strength to adjacent naval units, +1 Movement for naval units | "Turtle Ship Charge": All naval units in radius gain +10 Combat Strength and can attack after moving for 2 turns. |
| Francis Drake | +3 Combat Strength to adjacent naval units, +1 Gold from naval combat | "Pirate's Plunder": All naval units in radius are instantly healed to full HP and gain +5 Combat Strength for 1 turn. |
| Themistocles | +4 Combat Strength to adjacent naval units, +1 Production from coastal cities | "Salamis Gambit": All naval units in radius gain +8 Combat Strength and can attack after moving. |
| Zheng He | +3 Combat Strength to adjacent naval units, +1 Trade Route capacity | "Voyage of Discovery": All naval units in radius gain +1 Movement and +1 Vision for 3 turns. |
Note: Specific Great Admirals and their abilities will be detailed in the in-game Civilopedia. The table above provides illustrative examples.
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