Civilization V - Early Game Tips (city founding, cultural policies and more)

Summary

This tutorial for Civilization V guides players through the early stages of the game, with a focus on strategies for city placement, initial tech choices, and production priorities. The video covers the importance of scouting, choosing the right technology like pottery and animal husbandry, and the value of selecting the tradition social policy. It also emphasizes the importance of scouting and exploring the surrounding environment to plan for future cities. The tutorial offers practical advice on building units and improving tiles, while discussing different strategies for early growth and expansion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Explore your surroundings with the warrior to identify nearby resources and key features like rivers and coastlines when founding your first city.
• 😀 Found your first city near resources (spices, deer, cattle) and within proximity to rivers or coastlines for strategic advantages.
• 😀 Use the toggle map options to enable resource and yield icons for a better understanding of the terrain and resources around your city.
• 😀 Choose the right starting technology based on available resources; for instance, Animal Husbandry if you have deer nearby or Pottery for early infrastructure.
• 😀 Build a scout instead of a monument early in the game to speed up exploration and increase your knowledge of the map.
• 😀 Take advantage of ancient ruins to gain extra rewards such as free technologies or resources, which can give you a significant early-game advantage.
• 😀 Focus on expanding your knowledge of the map with your scout while also considering future city locations, especially for securing strategic resources like gems and salt.
• 😀 Prioritize building a worker early to improve tile yields, which will support your city's growth and production.
• 😀 Choose a social policy early (such as Tradition) to enhance cultural growth, improve border expansion, and provide benefits to your cities.
• 😀 If aiming for the Great Library rush, focus on technologies like Pottery and Writing, but consider delaying it in favor of a granary for better early growth and food production.
• 😀 The Tradition social policy tree is generally the best early choice for most players, especially for small empires or those focused on cultural growth and city development.

Q & A

What is the first step you should take when starting a new game in Civilization 5 as Catherine of Russia?

The first step is to move your warrior to scout the area around you. This helps you identify nearby resources, potential city locations, and natural wonders.

Why is it important to scout with your warrior early on?

Scouting with your warrior early helps you map out the surrounding area, locate valuable resources, and find ancient ruins, which can provide important rewards.

What are the ideal conditions for founding your first city?

Look for a location with access to key resources (like spices, cattle, or deer), a river for growth, and a coast for potential naval advantages. Avoid building in deserts unless absolutely necessary, as they offer lower yields.

What should you consider when selecting your first research technology?

The choice of research should be based on your surroundings. Pottery is a good early choice to unlock the Granary and Shrine, while Animal Husbandry is ideal if you have nearby deer. Choose technologies based on your strategic goals.

Why is Pottery recommended as the starting research?

Pottery is recommended because it unlocks useful buildings like the Granary and Shrine. Additionally, it leads to Writing, which is crucial for building the Great Library.

Should you build a monument in your first city right away?

No, it’s generally better to skip the monument in the first city. Instead, focus on building a unit like a Scout or Warrior. You will later receive free monuments through the Tradition social policy.

What benefits does the Tradition social policy provide in the early game?

The Tradition social policy increases the rate of border expansion and grants additional culture in your capital. It also unlocks the ability to build a Monument for free, saving production time.

When should you start building a Worker in the game?

After scouting and establishing your first city, you should build a Worker. The Worker will improve tiles around your city, increasing its yield and helping it grow faster.

What is the significance of ancient ruins in the early game?

Ancient ruins provide rewards like technologies, gold, or other resources. They are a great way to speed up your progress and gain advantages over other players.

Why is it suggested to delay building the Great Library in the early game?

Delaying the Great Library in favour of a Granary is recommended because the Granary boosts food production, which is essential for early city growth. The Great Library can be rushed later when your city is more developed.

What is the general strategy for managing your city's food and growth in the early game?

Focus on increasing food production by improving tiles with resources like farms or camps. Ensure that your city grows faster by managing citizen focus, prioritising food to support growth and future expansion.