Managing Loyalty & Governors

Control Loyalty and Governors in Civilization VII. Keep cities allegiant and productive by mastering this critical city management mechanic.

Loyalty is a critical mechanic in Civilization VII that determines a city's allegiance to its owner. Cities with high Loyalty are stable and productive, while those with low Loyalty can rebel and even flip to another civilization, potentially becoming a new city for a rival. Governors are powerful agents who can be assigned to cities to exert influence and bolster Loyalty.

Loyalty is influenced by several factors:

• Base Loyalty: Each city has a base Loyalty value of 100.
• Population: A higher population in a city generally leads to higher Loyalty.
• Governor Presence: Assigning a Governor to a city significantly increases its Loyalty.
• Proximity to Other Cities: Cities within 6 tiles of another civilization's city exert pressure on your Loyalty. The closer they are, the stronger the pressure.
• Amenities: Low Amenities can decrease Loyalty.
• Civics and Policies: Certain civics and policy cards can influence Loyalty.
• Great People: Some Great People can provide Loyalty bonuses.

When a city's Loyalty drops too low, it becomes 'Unrest,' and if it continues to fall, it will eventually become a 'Free City.' Free Cities are neutral and can be conquered or can flip to another civilization if they have a stronger Loyalty presence. This makes Loyalty management crucial for maintaining your empire's integrity, especially in border regions.

Governors are unique characters you can recruit and ass to your cities. Each Governor has a distinct set of promotions that can provide powerful bonuses, including significant boosts to Loyalty. Assigning a Governor to a city is often the most effective way to stabilize it and prevent it from flipping. Furthermore, Governors can provide other benefits such as increased production, combat strength, or improved district yields, depending on their chosen promotions.

• Recruiting Governors: Governors are unlocked through the Civics tree.
• Assment: Governors can be assigned to any city you own.
• Promotions: Each Governor has a unique promotion tree that unlocks powerful abilities.
• Loyalty Bonuses: Many Governor promotions directly increase Loyalty.
• Strategic Placement: Ass Governors to border cities or those experiencing Loyalty pressure.

To effectively manage Loyalty, keep a close eye on the Loyalty status of your cities, particularly those near rival borders. Ass Governors strategically, prioritizing cities that are most vulnerable. Ensure your cities have adequate Amenities and consider adopting civics and policies that bolster Loyalty. A well-managed Loyalty system, bolstered by wise Governor assignments, is key to a stable and expanding empire.