The air crackles with anticipation. We’ve meticulously selected our civilizations, our friends have gathered in the lobby, and the world awaits our guiding hand. The first few turns are a whirlwind of exploration and expansion. Then, it happens. A forward settle of egregious proportions, a declaration of friendship broken with impunity, a rage quit that brings the entire session to a screeching halt. The game, once brimming with promise, collapses under the weight of unspoken transgressions.
This all-too-common scenario highlights a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of Civilization 6 multiplayer: the unwritten social contract. This invisible framework of etiquette and sportsmanship is the bedrock of any successful and enjoyable online match. Mastering its nuances is as vital to success and reputation as understanding the intricacies of a tech tree or the art of war. This guide will illuminate that contract, transforming us from mere players into respected and formidable opponents.
It All Starts in the Lobby
The foundation of a successful multiplayer experience is laid long before the first settler is founded. The game lobby isn’t just a waiting room; it’s a forum for negotiation, a space to align expectations and forge a consensus that will prevent future conflicts. Rushing through this crucial phase is a recipe for disaster.
Clear Communication is King
Before a single turn is played, a dialogue must occur. This is the time to hash out the fundamental parameters of our shared world. We can’t assume everyone is on the same page regarding game speed, turn timers, or even what constitutes a legitimate victory. A player preparing for a marathon epic will be sorely disappointed when the host has a “one-night blitz” in mind.
My advice is to proactively discuss and agree upon all game settings. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Game Speed: Is this a quick Online speed game, or a more deliberate Epic or Marathon affair? The choice dramatically impacts strategy and time commitment.
- Turn Timer: A dynamic turn timer is often a good compromise, but what’s the baseline? A tight timer can rush players, while a loose one can lead to frustratingly long waits.
- Victory Conditions: Are all victory conditions on the table? Some groups prefer to disable Score Victory to prevent passive play and encourage more decisive action.
- Allowed Mods: The use of UI mods is generally accepted, but what about mods that alter gameplay mechanics? We need to ensure everyone has the same mods installed and activated to prevent desyncs and unfair advantages.
For example, a group of friends gathers for a weekend game. Before starting, they explicitly agree on “Epic” game speed, a “Dynamic” turn timer with a base of 90 seconds, and all victory conditions enabled except for Score Victory. They also create a Steam Workshop collection of the UI mods they’ll be using. This simple 10-minute conversation prevents hours of potential frustration later.
House Rules: Codifying the Unwritten
While the official game rules provide a framework, it’s the “house rules” that truly define the character of a multiplayer match. These are the community-driven amendments to the game’s code, designed to address common points of contention and promote a more enjoyable experience for all.
It’s best to collaboratively establish a set of house rules to govern the game. These can be as simple or as complex as the group desires. The key is that they are agreed upon by all participants before the game begins.
Some common examples:
- The “No Early Wonders” Pact: To level the playing field and prevent one player from snowballing due to a lucky start, a group might agree to a moratorium on building World Wonders for the first 50 or 75 turns.
- The “Capital Clause”: To ensure that players aren’t eliminated from the game too early, a “no razing capitals” rule can be implemented. This keeps everyone in the game longer and allows for the possibility of a comeback.
- The “One City Challenge” Proviso: For a truly unique and challenging game, a group might decide to play with a “one city challenge” rule, where each player is only allowed to have one city for the entire game. This forces a complete re-evaluation of traditional strategies.
Skill Gaps and Balancing
Not every multiplayer game will feature a perfectly balanced roster of equally skilled players. When there is a significant disparity in experience, it’s on the more seasoned veterans to ensure that the newer players have a chance to learn and enjoy the game.
If you’re an experienced player in a lobby with newcomers, consider ways to handicap yourself or otherwise level the playing field. The goal isn’t to patronize, but to foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels they have a fighting chance.
Some ideas:
- Civilization Selection: An experienced player might choose a lower-tier civilization, or one with a more complex and less straightforward path to victory, leaving the more powerful and user-friendly civilizations for the less experienced players.
- Self-Imposed Challenges: A veteran might decide to pursue a more difficult victory condition, such as a Diplomatic Victory, which requires a different set of skills than a straightforward Domination Victory.
- The Mentor Role: In a friendly game, an experienced player can offer advice and guidance to a newer player, helping them to understand the game’s mechanics and make more informed decisions. This can be a rewarding experience for both parties.
The Ancient Era: First Encounters and Early Game Etiquette
The opening turns of a Civilization 6 multiplayer game are a delicate dance of exploration and expansion. The decisions made in this early phase can set the tone for the entire match. Adhering to a few key principles of early game etiquette can prevent unnecessary conflict and lay the groundwork for a more strategic and engaging mid-game.
The Sacred Starting Location: Respecting Personal Space
Of all the unwritten rules in Civilization 6 multiplayer, this is perhaps the most sacred. The act of “forward settling” – planting a new city aggressively close to another player’s capital – is almost universally regarded as a declaration of hostile intent. It’s the digital equivalent of planting your flag in your neighbor’s front yard.
We should give our fellow players a respectful amount of breathing room in the early game. While there is no hard and fast rule, a general consensus has emerged within the community. The “7-tile rule” is a good starting point, meaning a new city should be at least seven tiles away from another player’s capital. This ensures that both players have access to a reasonable amount of land and resources without immediately stepping on each other’s toes.
Imagine playing as Rome and scouting a promising location for a second city. It has a luxury resource, good production, and is near a river. However, it’s only four tiles away from your neighbor, Egypt. While the location is tempting, settling there would be a clear act of aggression. A more respectful and strategically sound move would be to find a slightly less optimal, but less provocative, location. This not only avoids an early and costly war but also preserves the possibility of a fruitful long-term relationship with Egypt.
The “No-Bitching” Clause: Embracing the Randomness
Every player has experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of a “bad start,” spawning in the middle of a vast, featureless tundra with no fresh water and not a single luxury resource in sight. While it’s natural to feel a twinge of disappointment, excessive complaining about a starting position is a major breach of multiplayer etiquette.
My philosophy is to accept the hand you’re dealt and adapt your strategy accordingly. Every start, no matter how seemingly bleak, presents unique opportunities. A desert start might pave the way for a powerful Petra city. A tundra start can be a boon for a religious game with the Dance of the Aurora pantheon. Complaining not only sours the mood of the game but also reveals a lack of strategic flexibility.
Let’s say you find yourself playing as the Aztecs, a civilization that thrives on luxury resources, but your capital is surrounded by nothing but flat grasslands. Instead of bemoaning your fate in the chat, pivot your strategy. Focus on building a strong military early on, knowing that you’ll need to conquer your neighbors to acquire the luxuries you need. This proactive and adaptive approach is far more impressive to your fellow players than a stream of complaints.
Barbarians: A Shared Menace (Usually)
Barbarians are a constant threat in the early game, a chaotic force that can disrupt even the best-laid plans. The etiquette surrounding these marauders is a bit more nuanced.
In general, it’s considered good form to help a neighbor who is being overwhelmed by barbarians, especially if they are a newer player. A small investment of your military to clear a troublesome barbarian camp can earn a great deal of goodwill. Conversely, intentionally luring a barbarian horde towards another player’s borders is a decidedly underhanded and unsporting tactic.
For instance, you notice your neighbor, France, is struggling to fend off a persistent barbarian encampment that is pillaging their improvements. You have a few spare archers. You could ignore their plight and focus on your own development, or you could send your archers to clear the camp. The latter option, while a minor detour, will likely earn you a valuable ally in the long run.
The Classical and Medieval Eras: The Dance of Diplomacy and Deception
As our civilizations emerge from their infancy and begin to interact on a larger scale, the unwritten social contract evolves to encompass the complexities of diplomacy and trade. The relationships forged and broken in these pivotal eras will often determine the ultimate victor.
The Meaning of a Declaration of Friendship
In the world of Civilization 6 multiplayer, a Declaration of Friendship is a solemn vow. It’s a public proclamation that you and another player have entered into a period of mutual trust and cooperation. To break this vow without just cause is to commit a grave diplomatic sin, one that will likely have far-reaching consequences.
We should treat a Declaration of Friendship with the gravity it deserves. It shouldn’t be used as a cynical ploy to lull an opponent into a false sense of security before launching a surprise attack. If you must break a friendship, do so with a clear and understandable reason that you are prepared to articulate to the rest of the lobby.
Consider this: you have a Declaration of Friendship with Persia. However, you discover they have been secretly amassing a large army on your border and using spies to sabotage your industrial zones. In this scenario, breaking the friendship and declaring a formal war would be seen as a justifiable response. However, if you were to break the friendship simply because you saw an opportunity to conquer one of their vulnerable cities, you would be branded as a backstabber, and other players would be hesitant to trust you for the rest of the game.
The Art of the Deal: Trading with Integrity
Trade is the lifeblood of any thriving civilization, and in a multiplayer setting, it’s also a powerful diplomatic tool. The manner in which you conduct your trade deals speaks volumes about your character as a player.
I believe in striving for fairness and transparency in all trade negotiations. Don’t attempt to exploit a player’s inexperience or use deceptive tactics to gain an unfair advantage. A reputation as a fair and reliable trading partner is a far more valuable long-term asset than a few extra gold per turn from a lopsided deal.
For example, a new player offers you a luxury resource for a paltry sum of gold, clearly unaware of its true market value. You have two choices. You can accept their offer and pocket the easy profit, or you can counter-offer with a more equitable price, perhaps explaining to them the value of luxury resources in the process. The latter option not only demonstrates integrity but also helps to educate a new player and improve the overall quality of the game.
Religious Zeal: Keeping the Faith in Check
Religious conflict can be one of the most contentious aspects of Civilization 6 multiplayer. A wave of apostles descending upon your holy city can feel like a deeply personal attack. As such, there is a delicate etiquette to the art of proselytization.
It’s wise to exercise a degree of restraint when spreading your faith, particularly to the cities of players with whom you have friendly relations. An unsolicited and aggressive religious conversion can be interpreted as a hostile act, on par with a military incursion. If you wish to spread your religion to a friendly neighbor, it is often best to ask for their permission first.
Let’s say you’re playing as Spain and have a powerful religious game in full swing. Your neighbor, Russia, also has a strong faith. While you could send a swarm of apostles to convert their cities and secure a religious victory, a more diplomatic approach would be to focus your proselytizing efforts on city-states and players who haven’t founded their own religion. This allows you to pursue your victory condition without alienating a potentially valuable ally.
The Renaissance to the Modern Era: Warfare and Global Politics
As the world enters a new age of gunpowder and global politics, the unwritten social contract expands to govern the conduct of warfare and the complex web of international relations. While conflict is an inevitable part of the game, there is a difference between a well-executed military campaign and a thoughtless rampage.
The Casus Belli: Justifying Your Wars
While the game mechanics of Civilization 6 allow for surprise wars, a declaration of war that comes out of the blue is often met with disapproval from the wider community. A war