In the grand tapestry of Civilization 6, some leaders are defined by their unique and powerful abilities to reshape the world map. Lautaro, the leader of the Mapuche, is one such figure, a specialist in the art of the loyalty flip. His ability to erode enemy city loyalty, particularly against those in a Golden Age, is a potent tool. But what if this power was not so conditional? What if Lautaro’s loyalty reduction worked on all cities, regardless of their age? This single change would catapult the Mapuche from a situational powerhouse to a consistent and terrifying threat, fundamentally altering the strategic landscape of the game. This guide delves into the profound implications of such a change, offering a comprehensive analysis of the new strategies and dynamics that would emerge.
The Unchained Hawk: A New Era of Dominance
Lautaro’s leader ability, Swift Hawk, is the cornerstone of his loyalty-flipping strategy. In the standard game, it causes a city to lose 20 loyalty each time a Mapuche unit defeats an enemy unit within its borders, a value that doubles to a staggering 40 against civilizations in a Golden or Heroic Age. This makes him a formidable counter to thriving empires. However, if this ability were to apply its full force to all cities, the strategic calculus of the game would be irrevocably altered.
Consistent Pressure, Unrelenting Conquest
The most immediate and impactful change would be the consistency of Lautaro’s loyalty pressure. No longer would he need to wait for an opponent to enter a Golden Age to unleash his full potential. Every civilization, from the struggling to the stable, would be a viable target. This transforms the Mapuche from a reactive, opportunistic civilization into a proactive and relentless aggressor.
According to the player community, this change would necessitate a complete re-evaluation of how to play against the Mapuche. The early game would become a particularly dangerous period. A well-timed rush with a handful of warriors could be enough to flip a nearby city, especially if the defending player is slow to build up their military. The psychological impact of this constant threat cannot be overstated. Players would be forced to adopt a more defensive posture, garrisoning units and investing in loyalty-boosting policies and governors from the outset.
The Art of the Flip: New Strategies and Tactics
With his newfound power, Lautaro would have a plethora of new strategic options at his disposal. The “art of the flip” would become a much more refined and versatile strategy, applicable in a wide range of situations.
The Early Game Land Grab
In the early stages of the game, expansion is key. A hypothetical all-city loyalty reduction would make Lautaro a master of the early land grab. By targeting newly founded cities, which are inherently more vulnerable to loyalty pressure, he could rapidly expand his empire without incurring the heavy warmonger penalties associated with direct conquest.
A popular strategy would be to forward-settle near a rival civilization and then use a small, mobile force to pick off their units. With each victory, the loyalty of the target city would plummet, eventually leading to a peaceful and penalty-free acquisition. This would allow Lautaro to snowball his advantage, using the newly acquired cities to produce more units and continue his relentless expansion.
Mid-Game Mayhem: Dismantling Empires from Within
The mid-game is where this hypothetical change would truly shine. As empires expand and borders meet, the opportunities for loyalty flipping would become even more abundant. Lautaro could systematically dismantle entire empires from within, targeting key strategic cities and turning them against their former masters.
Analysis on forums shows that a particularly effective tactic would be to combine military pressure with the use of spies. By stationing a spy in a target city to foment unrest, Lautaro could create a perfect storm of loyalty reduction. A few well-placed military victories, combined with the spy’s efforts, would be enough to flip even the most well-established cities. This would create a domino effect, with each flipped city adding to the loyalty pressure on its neighbors, leading to a cascade of defections.
The Late Game Loyalty Bomb
In the late game, as players are vying for domination, this enhanced ability would be a game-changer. A single, decisive battle could be enough to flip a key city, potentially turning the tide of a war. The threat of a “loyalty bomb” would force players to be much more cautious in their military engagements with the Mapuche.
Many professional gamers suggest that the most effective late-game strategy would be to use highly mobile units, such as cavalry and helicopters, to strike deep into enemy territory. By targeting isolated units and picking them off one by one, Lautaro could trigger a series of loyalty flips, creating chaos and disruption across the map. This would be a particularly effective strategy against sprawling empires with long and vulnerable borders.
Countering the Unchained Hawk: A Guide for the Wary
Facing a Lautaro with this hypothetical ability would be a daunting challenge. However, with careful planning and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics, it is possible to mount a successful defense.
The Importance of a Strong Military
The most obvious and effective counter is to maintain a strong and well-garrisoned military. The loyalty reduction only triggers when a Mapuche unit defeats an enemy unit. Therefore, by preventing Lautaro from winning battles within your borders, you can completely negate his ability. This means investing in defensive structures, such as walls and forts, and keeping a standing army ready to repel any incursions.
The Power of Loyalty-Boosting Policies
In addition to a strong military, it is crucial to maximize your city’s loyalty. This can be achieved through a variety of means, including:
- Governors: Appointing a governor to a city provides a significant boost to its loyalty. Victor, the Castellan, is a particularly effective choice, as his presence not only increases loyalty but also strengthens the city’s defenses.
- Policies: Several policy cards provide a bonus to loyalty. Limitanei, which grants +2 loyalty to cities with a garrisoned unit, is an essential early-game policy when facing the Mapuche.
- Amenities: A happy city is a loyal city. Ensuring your cities have an adequate supply of amenities is crucial for maintaining their loyalty.
- Religion: A city that follows your majority religion will be more loyal. Spreading your religion to vulnerable border cities can be an effective way to counter Lautaro’s pressure.
The Strategic Retreat: Denying the Flip
In some situations, the best defense may be a strategic retreat. If a city is on the verge of flipping, it may be wise to withdraw your units from its borders. This will prevent Lautaro from triggering his loyalty reduction and give you time to implement other countermeasures. While this may seem like a concession, it is often better to lose a battle than to lose a city.
A New World Order: The Geopolitical Implications
The ripple effects of this change would extend far beyond the battlefield. The entire geopolitical landscape of the game would be reshaped, with new alliances, rivalries, and power dynamics emerging.
The Rise of the Mapuche Hegemony
With their newfound power, the Mapuche would be in a prime position to establish a global hegemony. Their ability to expand rapidly and peacefully would allow them to build a vast and powerful empire, capable of dominating the world stage. This would make them a target for other civilizations, leading to the formation of grand coalitions to counter their influence.
The End of the Golden Age?
The concept of the Golden Age would be fundamentally devalued. While it would still provide its usual bonuses, the increased vulnerability to Lautaro’s loyalty reduction would make it a much more risky proposition. Players would have to weigh the benefits of a Golden Age against the potential cost of losing their cities to the Mapuche. This would lead to a more cautious and conservative style of play, with players being less inclined to take the risks necessary to achieve a Golden Age.
A Game-Changing “What If”
The hypothetical scenario of Lautaro’s loyalty reduction working on all cities is a fascinating one to consider. It is a change that would have a profound and far-reaching impact on the game, transforming the Mapuche from a situational threat into a consistent and terrifying powerhouse. The strategies and tactics discussed in this guide offer a glimpse into the new world order that would emerge, a world where the art of the flip reigns supreme and the name Lautaro is whispered in fear in the halls of power. While this may only be a “what if,” it serves as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance of power that exists in Civilization 6, and how a single change can alter the course of history.