Religious Founder Build Order

Learn how to pick the best Founder Beliefs for your religion in Civilization VII! Get tips on early game strategy and powerful bonuses to help your civilization thrive.

Hey there! So you're looking to get a religion going in Civilization VII and want to know the best way to pick your Founder Beliefs? Smart move! Your Founder Belief is a super important choice you make when you first establish your religion, right after building your first Temple. It sets the tone for your whole faith game, so let's break it down. When you create your religion, you'll get to pick one Reliquary Belief and one Founder Belief. You'll unlock more Founder Beliefs as you play, and you can grab an Enhancer Belief once you discover the Theology civic. Now, here's the thing: most beliefs can only be chosen by one civilization. This means if someone else snags a belief you wanted, you're out of luck! The exceptions are Anitya, Covenant, and Divine Inspiration, which anyone can pick. So, keep an eye on what other civs might be going for! Let's talk about Founder Beliefs specifically. These are the core bonuses that define your religion's impact on your empire. While the source text doesn't list out *all* the Founder Beliefs and their specific bonuses (it focuses more on Reliquary Beliefs), the general idea is that they provide significant boosts to things like city growth, production, combat strength, or even diplomatic favor. You'll want to choose one that complements your civilization's strengths and your overall strategy. For example, if your civ is great at early expansion, a Founder Belief that boosts settler production or early city yields might be perfect. If you're aiming for a specific victory condition, like a Science Victory, you might look for a belief that provides science bonuses or helps you build specific districts faster. A Quick Word on Reliquary Beliefs: Even though we're focusing on Founder Beliefs, it's worth knowing what Reliquary Beliefs do. They help you generate Relics, which can be a great source of Faith and Culture. Some examples from the source include: * Akhlaq: Gives you +1 Relic when you first convert your own City. * Anitya: Grants +2 Relics for your Holy City (and anyone can pick this one!). * Apostolism: Gives +2 Relics for a foreign Settlement with a Wonder from any Age. * Barakah: Provides +2 Relics for a Settlement with a Natural Wonder. * Brahmanism: Offers +2 Relics for a foreign Capital. * Charoen: Gives +2 Relics for a foreign Settlement producing Treasure Convoys. Remember, you only get one Reliquary Belief, so choose wisely! Putting it all Together: When you're starting your religion, think about: 1. Your Civilization's Strengths: What bonuses does your leader already have? 2. Your Early Game Plan: Are you rushing settlers, focusing on early military, or trying to grab land? 3. Potential Synergies: How can your Founder Belief work with your other civ bonuses or chosen Wonders? Don't be afraid to experiment! The best Founder Belief for you might change depending on the game. Good luck spreading the faith!