Civ 6 Diplomacy: What If City-States Could Declare War on Each Other?

The world of Civilization VI is a complex tapestry of diplomacy, warfare, and strategic maneuvering. Major civilizations vie for dominance, forging alliances and declaring wars in a delicate dance of power. Yet, amidst this grand struggle, the city-states remain curiously passive actors. They are prizes to be won, assets to be leveraged, but never masters of their own destiny. But what if they were? What if the intricate web of suzerainty and envoys was suddenly complicated by city-states declaring war on each other? According to the player community, this single change could revolutionize the diplomatic landscape of Civilization VI, adding layers of strategic depth and unforeseen challenges.

The Spark of Conflict: How City-State Wars Could Ignite

In the current mechanics of Civilization VI, city-states are incapable of initiating their own wars. They are drawn into conflict only when their suzerain declares war or is attacked. However, a popular strategy is to imagine a system where city-states could declare war on each other, introducing a new layer of dynamicism to the world. This wouldn’t be random; rather, it would be rooted in the existing game mechanics, creating a believable and engaging new reality.

Grievances and Rivalries: The Seeds of War

Analysis on forums shows that a logical trigger for city-state wars would be a system of grievances, much like the one that governs major civilizations. A city-state could generate grievances against another for a variety of reasons:

Religious Conversion: A city-state with a strong religious identity could generate grievances against another that actively tries to convert its populace. This would create a fascinating new dimension to religious gameplay, where spreading your faith could have unintended diplomatic consequences.
Border Friction: City-states with adjacent borders could develop grievances over time, especially if one expands towards the other. This would make the initial placement of city-states even more critical and could lead to early-game conflicts that players would need to navigate.
Competition for Resources: If two city-states are situated near the same valuable resource, they could develop a rivalry that could escalate into open conflict. This would add a new layer of economic strategy, as players would need to consider the potential for resource-driven wars between their allied city-states.
Suzerain Influence: A city-state’s relationship with its suzerain could also be a source of conflict. A city-state suzerained by a civilization with a history of warmongering might be more aggressive, while one allied with a peaceful civilization might be more inclined to diplomacy.

The Role of Envoys: Fueling the Flames of War

Envoys, the currency of city-state diplomacy, would take on a new and more active role in a world of city-state wars. Many professional gamers suggest that envoys could be used not just to gain influence, but also to actively encourage or discourage conflict.

Inciting Conflict: Players could use their envoys to covertly fund or arm a city-state, increasing its likelihood of declaring war on a rival. This would create a new form of proxy warfare, where players could weaken their opponents by instigating conflicts between their allied city-states.
Brokering Peace: Conversely, players could use their envoys to mediate disputes and broker peace treaties between warring city-states. This would create a new diplomatic victory path, where players could earn points by maintaining peace and stability in the world.
Espionage and Subterfuge: Spies would become even more valuable in this new diplomatic landscape. They could be used to fabricate grievances, incite rebellions, and even assassinate key political figures within a city-state, all in an effort to manipulate the delicate balance of power.

The Art of War: New Strategies for a New Era

The introduction of city-state wars would force players to rethink their entire approach to diplomacy and warfare. The once-stable world of city-state alliances would become a dynamic and unpredictable chessboard, where every move could have far-reaching consequences.

The Suzerain’s Dilemma: To Intervene or Not to Intervene?

A popular strategy is to consider the difficult choices that suzerains would face when their allied city-states go to war. Do you intervene and risk being drawn into a wider conflict? Or do you stand by and watch as your valuable ally is weakened or even conquered?

The Protectorate War: The existing Protectorate War casus belli would become even more important in this new system. If a city-state you are the suzerain of is attacked, you would have a just cause to declare war on the aggressor. This would create a powerful incentive to protect your allies and maintain a strong military presence.
The Cost of Intervention: Intervening in a city-state war would not be without its risks. You could find yourself at war with another major civilization that is allied with the opposing city-state. This would create a complex web of alliances and rivalries, where a seemingly minor conflict could quickly escalate into a global war.
The Benefits of Neutrality: In some cases, it might be more advantageous to remain neutral and let the city-states fight it out. This could be a way to weaken a rival’s sphere of influence or to create an opportunity to swoop in and conquer a weakened city-state.

The Shifting Tides of Power: A New Era of Diplomacy

The ability of city-states to declare war on each other would create a more dynamic and unpredictable world. The balance of power would be in a constant state of flux, as city-states rise and fall, forge new alliances, and betray old ones.

The Rise of City-State Empires: It’s even possible to imagine a scenario where a particularly powerful city-state could conquer its rivals and form its own small empire. This would create a new type of challenge for players, as they would have to contend with these emerging powers.
The Importance of a Diversified Portfolio: In this new world, it would be more important than ever to have a diversified portfolio of city-state allies. Relying too heavily on a single city-state would be a risky proposition, as it could be conquered or turn against you.
The End of an Era: The introduction of city-state wars would mark the end of an era of passive city-states. They would become active participants in the grand struggle for dominance, with their own ambitions, rivalries, and destinies.

Conclusion: A More Dynamic and Engaging World

The possibility of city-states declaring war on each other is a tantalizing one for any fan of Civilization VI. It’s a change that would add a whole new layer of strategic depth and complexity to the game, transforming the diplomatic landscape and forcing players to adapt to a more dynamic and unpredictable world. While it may never be an official feature, the very idea of it sparks the imagination and highlights the incredible potential that still lies within the intricate systems of this beloved game. The player community’s analysis is clear: such a feature would be a game-changer, for the better.