Embarking on a “resource-less” journey in Civilization VI is a true test of strategic depth and adaptability. It’s a challenge that forces players to discard conventional wisdom and delve deep into the game’s mechanics to find alternative paths to victory. Analysis on forums shows that this playstyle is not for the faint of heart, but for those who master it, the rewards are immense. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to not only survive but thrive in a world where you intentionally ignore all strategic and luxury resources.
The Immediate Impact: A World Without Conveniences
Ignoring strategic and luxury resources from the outset has profound and immediate consequences. According to the player community, the most significant challenge is managing amenities. Without luxury resources, your cities will quickly become unhappy, leading to reduced yields and potential rebellions. The lack of strategic resources also means you’ll be unable to build many of the game’s most powerful military units, leaving you vulnerable to aggressive neighbors.
Understanding the Amenity Crisis
Amenities are a representation of your city’s happiness. A city requires one amenity for every two citizens, starting from a population of three. Without luxury resources, which are the primary source of amenities, your cities will suffer from negative amenity modifiers, resulting in significant penalties to non-food yields and population growth. A popular strategy is to counteract this by focusing on alternative amenity sources from the very beginning of the game.
The Strategic Resource Deficit
The absence of strategic resources like horses, iron, niter, and coal means you’ll be locked out of entire branches of the technology tree. You won’t be able to build powerful units like Knights, Swordsmen, or Musketmen. Many professional gamers suggest that this military disadvantage requires a complete rethinking of your approach to warfare, focusing on units that don’t require strategic resources and leveraging defensive terrain to your advantage.
Managing a Resource-less Empire: A New Paradigm
Success in a resource-less challenge hinges on your ability to adapt and find creative solutions to the problems posed by the lack of resources. This requires a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and a willingness to experiment with unconventional strategies.
Mastering the Art of Amenity Management
Without luxury resources, you’ll need to become a master of alternative amenity generation. Analysis on forums shows that the most effective way to do this is by prioritizing the construction of Entertainment Complexes and Water Parks.
- Entertainment Complexes and Water Parks: These districts are the cornerstone of any successful resource-less strategy. The Entertainment Complex, unlocked with the “Games and Recreation” civic, provides a base of +1 amenity to the city it’s built in. Its buildings, the Arena, Zoo, and Stadium, provide additional amenities with a regional effect, benefiting nearby cities. The Water Park, unlocked with the “Natural History” civic, functions similarly but has a larger area of effect. Strategic placement of these districts is key to maximizing their impact.
- Wonders of the World: Several World Wonders provide significant amenity boosts. The Colosseum, for example, grants +2 amenities to all cities within a six-tile radius, making it an incredibly powerful early-game wonder for a resource-less playthrough. The Estádio do Maracanã, a late-game wonder, provides +2 amenities to every city in your civilization, effectively solving your amenity problems for the rest of the game.
- Religion and Beliefs: A well-tailored religion can be a powerful source of amenities. The “River Goddess” pantheon belief provides amenities to cities with Holy Sites built next to rivers, while the “Zen Meditation” follower belief grants an amenity to any city with two or more districts. The “Stupa” worship building also provides +1 amenity.
- Great People: Certain Great Merchants can provide unique luxury resources that are not found on the map, such as Toys, Cosmetics, Jeans, and Perfume. While these are technically luxury resources, they are earned through Great Person points rather than being settled on the map, making them a viable option for a resource-less challenge.
- Government Policies: Specific government choices and policy cards can offer valuable amenity boosts. The Classical Republic government, for example, provides +1 amenity in every city with a district. Policy cards like “Retainers” and “Liberalism” also provide amenity bonuses.
Thriving Without Strategic Resources
Surviving without strategic resources requires a different approach to military strategy. A popular strategy is to focus on units that don’t require strategic resources, such as archers, crossbowmen, and anti-cavalry units.
- Alternative Military Units: You can build a capable military using units that don’t require strategic resources. Ranged units and anti-cavalry units are your best friends in a resource-less game. Leveraging promotions and defensive terrain can make these units surprisingly effective, even against more advanced opponents.
- Leveraging Unique Civilization Abilities: Some civilizations have unique units that don’t require the typical strategic resources. The Persian Immortal, for example, replaces the Swordsman but does not require Iron to build. Playing as such a civilization can give you a distinct military advantage in the early game.
- Trade and Diplomacy: A strong economy can be a substitute for resource-rich lands. The AI is often willing to trade their surplus strategic resources for gold per turn. It’s wise to secure a trade deal before you’ve researched the technology that requires the resource, as the AI will increase the price once they know you need it.
- City-State Suzerainty: Many city-states can provide you with strategic resources if you become their Suzerain. Some also offer powerful unique bonuses. For instance, becoming the Suzerain of Akkad allows you to build melee units without any Iron cost.
Recommended Civilizations and Leaders
Your choice of civilization is paramount in a resource-less challenge. Some leaders are naturally better equipped to handle a resource-scarce environment.
- The Māori (Kupe): The Māori are a top-tier choice for this challenge. They begin the game at sea and receive free science and culture before settling, allowing for a more deliberate city placement. Their ability to thrive on unimproved tiles and gain bonuses from woods and rainforests makes them less dependent on traditional resource improvements.
- Japan (Tokugawa): Tokugawa’s ability to gain tourism from international trade routes and extra yields from districts adjacent to each other can help compensate for the lack of resources. A strong domestic economy can be built without relying on resource-rich lands.
- Rome (Trajan): Rome’s unique ability to build a Bath, a replacement for the Aqueduct, provides +1 Amenity and +2 Housing, making it a strong choice for managing amenities in a resource-less game.
- Brazil (Pedro II): The Brazilian Street Carnival, a unique replacement for the Entertainment Complex, provides +2 Amenities upon completion instead of the usual +1, giving them a significant advantage in amenity management.
The Path to Victory
Winning a resource-less game requires a clear and focused approach to a specific victory condition.
- Diplomatic Victory: This is often a viable path. By becoming the suzerain of many city-states, you can accumulate significant diplomatic favor. Participating in and winning votes in the World Congress, as well as winning aid emergencies, will generate the diplomatic victory points needed to win.
- Cultural Victory: While challenging without the culture from many luxury resources, a cultural victory is still possible. Focus on building theater squares, generating great works, and establishing national parks. Faith generation can be crucial here for purchasing Naturalists.
- Science Victory: A science victory is achievable but will require a strong focus on building campuses and maximizing science output through adjacency bonuses and policy cards. You will need to trade for or conquer sources of aluminum and uranium for the final stages of the space race.
- Domination Victory: This is the most challenging victory type without strategic resources. It will require a mastery of unit composition, leveraging unique units, and potentially using a strong navy or air force to bypass heavily fortified land units.
A resource-less challenge in Civilization VI is a demanding but rewarding experience. By carefully selecting your civilization, prioritizing alternative sources of amenities and military strength, and focusing on a clear victory path, you can lead your empire to glory even on the most barren of worlds. It’s a testament to the depth and complexity of the game that such a playstyle is not only possible but also a viable path to victory.
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Embarking on a “resource-less” journey in Civilization VI is a true test of strategic depth and adaptability. It’s a challenge that forces players to discard conventional wisdom and delve deep into the game’s mechanics to find alternative paths to victory. Analysis on forums shows that this playstyle is not for the faint of heart, but for those who master it, the rewards are immense. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to not only survive but thrive in a world where you intentionally ignore all strategic and luxury resources.
The Immediate Impact: A World Without Conveniences
Ignoring strategic and luxury resources from the outset has profound and immediate consequences. According to the player community, the most significant challenge is managing amenities. Without luxury resources, your cities will quickly become unhappy, leading to reduced yields and potential rebellions. The lack of strategic resources also means you’ll be unable to build many of the game’s most powerful military units, leaving you vulnerable to aggressive neighbors.
Understanding the Amenity Crisis
Amenities are a representation of your city’s happiness. A city requires one amenity for every two citizens, starting from a population of three. Without luxury resources, which are the primary source of amenities, your cities will suffer from negative amenity modifiers, resulting in significant penalties to non-food yields and population growth. A popular strategy is to counteract this by focusing on alternative amenity sources from the very beginning of the game.
The Strategic Resource Deficit
The absence of strategic resources like horses, iron, niter, and coal means you’ll be locked out of entire branches of the technology tree. You won’t be able to build powerful units like Knights, Swordsmen, or Musketmen. Many professional gamers suggest that this military disadvantage requires a complete rethinking of your approach to warfare, focusing on units that don’t require strategic resources and leveraging defensive terrain to your advantage.
Managing a Resource-less Empire: A New Paradigm
Success in a resource-less challenge hinges on your ability to adapt and find creative solutions to the problems posed by the lack of resources. This requires a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and a willingness to experiment with unconventional strategies.
Mastering the Art of Amenity Management
Without luxury resources, you’ll need to become a master of alternative amenity generation. Analysis on forums shows that the most effective way to do this is by prioritizing the construction of Entertainment Complexes and Water Parks.
- Entertainment Complexes and Water Parks: These districts are the cornerstone of any successful resource-less strategy. The Entertainment Complex, unlocked with the “Games and Recreation” civic, provides a base of +1 amenity to the city it’s built in. Its buildings, the Arena, Zoo, and Stadium, provide additional amenities with a regional effect, benefiting nearby cities. The Water Park, unlocked with the “Natural History” civic, functions similarly but has a larger area of effect. Strategic placement of these districts is key to maximizing their impact.
- Wonders of the World: Several World Wonders provide significant amenity boosts. The Colosseum, for example, grants +2 amenities to all cities within a six-tile radius, making it an incredibly powerful early-game wonder for a resource-less playthrough. The Estádio do Maracanã, a late-game wonder, provides +2 amenities to every city in your civilization, effectively solving your amenity problems for the rest of the game.
- Religion and Beliefs: A well-tailored religion can be a powerful source of amenities. The “River Goddess” pantheon belief provides amenities to cities with Holy Sites built next to rivers, while the “Zen Meditation” follower belief grants an amenity to any city with two or more districts. The “Stupa” worship building also provides +1 amenity.
- Great People: Certain Great Merchants can provide unique luxury resources that are not found on the map, such as Toys, Cosmetics, Jeans, and Perfume. While these are technically luxury resources, they are earned through Great Person points rather than being settled on the map, making them a viable option for a resource-less challenge.
- Government Policies: Specific government choices and policy cards can offer valuable amenity boosts. The Classical Republic government, for example, provides +1 amenity in every city with a district. Policy cards like “Retainers” and “Liberalism” also provide amenity bonuses.
Thriving Without Strategic Resources
Surviving without strategic resources requires a different approach to military strategy. A popular strategy is to focus on units that don’t require strategic resources, such as archers, crossbowmen, and anti-cavalry units.
- Alternative Military Units: You can build a capable military using units that don’t require strategic resources. Ranged units and anti-cavalry units are your best friends in a resource-less game. Leveraging promotions and defensive terrain can make these units surprisingly effective, even against more advanced opponents.
- Leveraging Unique Civilization Abilities: Some civilizations have unique units that don’t require the typical strategic resources. The Persian Immortal, for example, replaces the Swordsman but does not require Iron to build. Playing as such a civilization can give you a distinct military advantage in the early game.
- Trade and Diplomacy: A strong economy can be a substitute for resource-rich lands. The AI is often willing to trade their surplus strategic resources for gold per turn. It’s wise to secure a trade deal before you’ve researched the technology that requires the resource, as the AI will increase the price once they know you need it.
- City-State Suzerainty: Many city-states can provide you with strategic resources if you become their Suzerain. Some also offer powerful unique bonuses. For instance, becoming the Suzerain of Akkad allows you to build melee units without any Iron cost.
Recommended Civilizations and Leaders
Your choice of civilization is paramount in a resource-less challenge. Some leaders are naturally better equipped to handle a resource-scarce environment.
- The Māori (Kupe): The Māori are a top-tier choice for this challenge. They begin the game at sea and receive free science and culture before settling, allowing for a more deliberate city placement. Their ability to thrive on unimproved tiles and gain bonuses from woods and rainforests makes them less dependent on traditional resource improvements.
- Japan (Tokugawa): Tokugawa’s ability to gain tourism from international trade routes and extra yields from districts adjacent to each other can help compensate for the lack of resources. A strong domestic economy can be built without relying on resource-rich lands.
- Rome (Trajan): Rome’s unique ability to build a Bath, a replacement for the Aqueduct, provides +1 Amenity and +2 Housing, making it a strong choice for managing amenities in a resource-less game.
- Brazil (Pedro II): The Brazilian Street Carnival, a unique replacement for the Entertainment Complex, provides +2 Amenities upon completion instead of the usual +1, giving them a significant advantage in amenity management.
The Path to Victory
Winning a resource-less game requires a clear and focused approach to a specific victory condition.
- Diplomatic Victory: This is often a viable path. By becoming the suzerain of many city-states, you can accumulate significant diplomatic favor. Participating in and winning votes in the World Congress, as well as winning aid emergencies, will generate the diplomatic victory points needed to win.
- Cultural Victory: While challenging without the culture from many luxury resources, a cultural victory is still possible. Focus on building theater squares, generating great works, and establishing national parks. Faith generation can be crucial here for purchasing Naturalists.
- Science Victory: A science victory is achievable but will require a strong focus on building campuses and maximizing science output through adjacency bonuses and policy cards. You will need to trade for or conquer sources of aluminum and uranium for the final stages of the space race.
- Domination Victory: This is the most challenging victory type without strategic resources. It will require a mastery of unit composition, leveraging unique units, and potentially using a strong navy or air force to bypass heavily fortified land units.
A resource-less challenge in Civilization VI is a demanding but rewarding experience. By carefully selecting your civilization, prioritizing alternative sources of amenities and military strength, and focusing on a clear victory path, you can lead your empire to glory even on the most barren of worlds. It’s a testament to the depth and complexity of the game that such a playstyle is not only possible but also a viable path to victory.