That means Pyrrhic victories, where warring Civs lose a lot of units but end up taking your city, are going to look a little more like abject failures. What we’ll likely see is her power being used defensively, meaning that more militaristic Civs will have to think twice before conquering your cities, lest they immediately switch back to you. Nevertheless, once she gets going, she doesn’t stop. On top of that, Victor the Castellan’s new ability opens all Civs up to some quick protection from her loyalty pressure. If either of those cities spawns next to Eleanor, she’s going to have to wait fairly patiently to become competitive. Phoenician coastal cities on the same continent as their capital are 100% loyal. The Ottomans can use their Unique Governor to remove her loyalty pressure entirely. Lastly, there are a few new Civs that feel like Eleanor counters. And on higher difficulties, it’s going to be really tough to lock down Wonders for Great Work slots, so you’ll be using military to conquer until you hit museums anyway. A leader like Gilgamesh or Montezuma could take advantage of those early military weaknesses and punish you. As England, she’ll have access to the Sea Dog, and it’s still unclear whether the long-awaited addition of canals to the game will make naval battle more relevant than it’s been since Civilization VI’s launch. As France, she’ll have to wait until the Garde Imperiale to have a powerful Unique Unit. But on higher difficulties, Eleanor is going to have issues. And France’s bonus to Wonder production should allow you to be very competitive on Wonders with the most Great Works slots. On any difficulty King or below, she owns, and that rules.
There is maybe nothing more satisfying in this game than watching yourself become the leader in the Domination Victory type - all because you put some artwork in your capital. Keep a laser focus on buildings with Great Works slots and you’ll be conquering your neighbors’ cities without ever having to build military units (but, you know, you still should.) Move all your Great Works to your civilizations’ expanded borders, and you’ll theoretically be able to keep going, and going, and going.
Eleanor applies loyalty pressure through her Great Works, and that pressure makes enemy cities join your civilization without first becoming a Free City. There’s so much to love here for more casual players. And when you can flex like that, does it really matter that you lost your capital in the Medieval Era? Eighth Place in Power (Fifth Place in Fun) - Eleanor of Aquitane, France/England Still, this is one of three new Civs we’re likely going to be seeing the most yield porn from on Reddit. Same with any Civ whose Unique Unit unlocks prior to Conservation (too many to name!) Russia, whose start bias will have them spawning near you often enough, and whose faith and production bonuses will have them pumping out armies fast, will make quick work of you, even with the few turns heads up. But with no direct boosts to production and a Unique Unit that comes a little too late in the game, you’re a sitting duck for an early Civ. It means that they’ll have to denounce first, which gives you a few turns warning to get things in order (and stop building amphitheaters) in order to get some military units going.
The fact that nobody can declare a Surprise War against you rules for a culture-minded Civ like Canada. And short of spawning next to Russia, you’ll likely be able to forward settle with ease.
These are regions that other Civs avoid, and that you’ll incentivize. But in comes Laurier with the unprecedented ability to build farms in the Tundra. It’s why Russia has always been one of my favorite Civs in this game. I’ve been wanting more Civs that get bonuses for being in Tundra tiles, the most visually appealing and distinct tiles in the game. Ninth Place in Power (Seventh Place in Fun) - Laurier’s Canada Here’s Inverse’s ranking of the most powerful new civs in Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. If you’re looking to spend your weekend getting that first Deity Victory, or just watch your friends’ Civs crumble into the sea, we’ve got you covered. The new expansion pack’s launch brings with it new mechanics involving natural disasters and rising CO2 levels, the return of the World Congress and the Diplomatic Victory, and, as always, a bevy of new civilizations and leaders to help you conquer an ever-changing world.Ĭivilization VI: Gathering Storm’s new civs and leaders are all really, really, ridiculously fun - but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all equally strong. Civilization VI: Gathering Storm is here, and much like the climate of our planet, everything is about to change.