The grand tapestry of Civilization 6 is woven with the threads of sprawling empires, continental conquests, and the inexorable march of progress across multiple cities. But what if you could eschew the path of empire-building and instead, guide a single, solitary city-state to ultimate victory? While the base game doesn’t offer this as a standard gameplay mode, the player community, in its endless pursuit of new and challenging scenarios, has devised ways to simulate this very experience. This guide will delve into the strategies and tactics required to not just survive, but to thrive and ultimately triumph as a city-state in Civilization 6.
The Allure of the One-City Challenge
The most direct way to simulate the city-state experience is through a self-imposed “One-City Challenge” (OCC). This means you are forbidden from settling any additional cities throughout the game. This constraint fundamentally alters the strategic calculus, forcing a shift from expansive territorial control to intensive, focused development. Analysis on forums shows that this playstyle, while challenging, is a true test of a player’s understanding of the game’s core mechanics.
Choosing Your City-State: The Foundation of Your Strategy
Success in a One-City Challenge begins with the crucial decision of which civilization to lead. Not all are created equal when confined to a single urban center. Many professional gamers suggest selecting a civilization with bonuses that are not dependent on having a wide empire.
- Portugal: A popular strategy is to choose Portugal for a trade-focused OCC. Their unique ability, “Casa da Índia,” grants a significant boost to trade route yields, and their unique building, the “Feitoria,” can be built in foreign cities, further enhancing trade. With a single coastal city, Portugal can become an economic powerhouse, funding a victory through sheer wealth.
- Korea: For a science-oriented victory, Korea is a top contender. Their “Three Kingdoms” ability provides bonus science and culture in the capital, and their unique district, the “Seowon,” is a powerful science generator that doesn’t rely on adjacency bonuses from other districts.
- The Maya: The Mayans are practically designed for a tall-playstyle. Their “Mayab” ability provides bonus housing and amenities from farms, and their unique district, the “Observatory,” is a powerful science generator that benefits from being close to the city center.
- Ethiopia: For a faith-based approach, Ethiopia is an excellent choice. Their “Aksumite Legacy” ability generates faith from improved resources, and their unique building, the “Rock-Hewn Church,” can be built on hills and provides both faith and culture.
The Art of Diplomacy: Becoming a Suzerain of Suzerains
As a city-state, your influence extends not through military might, but through the subtle art of diplomacy. Your primary goal is to become the suzerain of as many other city-states as possible. This is achieved by sending envoys, which are earned through various means, including building certain wonders, adopting specific policy cards, and through the effects of Great People.
A popular strategy is to utilize the Diplomatic Quarter district and its buildings, the Consulate and the Chancery, to generate envoys and influence. The governor Amani, “The Diplomat,” is an indispensable tool in this endeavor. Her “Emissary” promotion allows you to instantly become the suzerain of a city-state, while her “Affluence” promotion provides a significant boost to your envoy generation.
According to the player community, the key to a successful diplomatic game is to carefully choose which city-states to befriend. Each city-state provides a unique suzerain bonus, and these can be leveraged to support your chosen victory condition.
- For a Science Victory: Prioritize city-states like Geneva (bonus science when not at war), Bologna (bonus Great Person points), and Mitla (bonus yields for improved luxury resources).
- For a Culture Victory: Seek out city-states like Antananarivo (bonus culture for each Great Person earned), Kumasi (bonus culture from trade routes to city-states), and Nan Madol (bonus culture from districts on or adjacent to coast).
- For a Diplomatic Victory: Befriend any and all city-states, as each one you are suzerain of provides you with one diplomatic favor per turn.
The Economic Powerhouse: Fueling Your Victory
With only one city, a robust economy is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. You will need a steady stream of gold to maintain a modern military, purchase buildings and units, and fund your diplomatic efforts.
Many professional gamers suggest focusing on trade routes. The Commercial Hub and Harbor districts are essential, as are their associated buildings. The Owls of Minerva secret society is a powerful choice for an economic focus, as it provides an additional trade route and access to the Gilded Vault, a unique building that generates gold and provides a spy.
Analysis on forums shows that a popular strategy is to combine a trade-focused approach with the “Market Economy” and “Free Market” policy cards, which provide significant bonuses to your trade routes. The Great Merchant, Marcus Licinius Crassus, is particularly valuable, as he can create a new trade route for your city.
The Fortress City: Defending Your Sovereignty
As a single city, you are a tempting target for larger, more aggressive civilizations. A strong defense is paramount to your survival.
- Walls and Fortifications: Build walls as early as possible. The Renaissance Walls and Fortified Walls provide significant defensive bonuses and make your city much harder to capture.
- Encampment District: The Encampment district is essential for defense. It provides an additional layer of defense and allows you to build defensive buildings like the Barracks and Armory.
- A Modern Military: While you won’t have a large army, you must maintain a technologically advanced one. Focus on quality over quantity. A small force of modern units can repel a much larger, but less advanced, army.
- Leveraging Terrain: Your city’s location is crucial. A city on a hill, across a river, or surrounded by mountains is much easier to defend.
Modding Your Way to City-State Supremacy
For those who want a more authentic city-state experience, the Steam Workshop offers a variety of mods. The most notable of these is the “CityState-Only Game” mod. This mod forces all civilizations, including the player, to act like city-states by preventing them from building additional settlers. This creates a level playing field and allows you to truly experience the game from the perspective of a city-state.
Other mods can further enhance this experience. Mods that add new city-states, new suzerain bonuses, or new diplomatic options can all contribute to a more dynamic and engaging city-state playthrough.
Advanced Strategies and Considerations
The Power of Great People
In a One-City Challenge, Great People are even more valuable than in a standard game. Their unique abilities can provide a significant boost to your city’s output and can be the key to achieving your chosen victory condition.
- Great Scientists: Essential for a science victory. Look for Great Scientists who provide bonus science, technology boosts, or unique buildings.
- Great Writers, Artists, and Musicians: The key to a culture victory. Their Great Works will fill your museums and opera houses, generating tourism.
- Great Merchants: Crucial for an economic focus. They can provide bonus gold, trade routes, and unique luxury resources.
- Great Engineers: Can be used to rush the construction of wonders, which are particularly valuable in a One-City Challenge.
The World Congress: A Diplomatic Battlefield
The World Congress is a powerful tool for a city-state. As a major player in the diplomatic arena, you can use the World Congress to your advantage.
- Diplomatic Favor: Your suzerainty over other city-states will provide you with a steady stream of diplomatic favor. This can be used to vote on resolutions that benefit you or to trade with other civilizations for gold or resources.
- Resolutions: Pay close attention to the resolutions being proposed in the World Congress. Some resolutions, like those that provide bonus yields to certain districts or those that sanction a particular civilization, can have a significant impact on your game.
The Morality of Conquest
While the focus of a city-state playthrough is typically on diplomacy and internal development, conquest is not entirely off the table. A popular strategy is to maintain a small, highly advanced military that can be used to capture a neighboring city-state or even a city from a major civilization. This can be a risky move, as it can lead to diplomatic penalties and a coalition of other civilizations declaring war on you. However, the rewards can be significant. A captured city can provide you with a much-needed boost to your science, culture, or production.
Conclusion
Playing as a city-state in Civilization 6, whether through a self-imposed challenge or with the help of mods, is a unique and rewarding experience. It forces you to think differently, to prioritize, and to master the game’s intricate systems of diplomacy, trade, and internal development. It is a testament to the depth and flexibility of Civilization 6 that such a playstyle is not only possible but also incredibly engaging. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can guide your single, shining city to a victory that will be remembered for the ages.