Old World is a fresh take on the 4X strategy genre, introducing unique mechanics that set it apart from other games like Civilization. If you want to carve out your own epic legacy, understanding the game’s core systems is crucial. This guide will walk you through key elements such as religion, orders, city planning, and more to help you succeed as a ruler.

Religion: Establishing Faith in Your Kingdom

A kingdom without a faith in Old World is at a disadvantage. Each kingdom starts with its own form of paganism, which is established upon constructing your first shrine. While pagan religions lack the power and spreadability of world religions, they provide valuable bonuses to culture, science, and other resources.

To optimize your religious influence:

• Build shrines near cities to increase their benefits.
• Spread your religion early to boost happiness and diplomacy.
• Establish a state religion once you research Citizenship and pass the Divine Rule law.

While paganism has its perks, the four world religions—Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Manichaeism—offer more depth, allowing the recruitment of disciples and expanded religious influence. If you miss the opportunity to found one early, don’t worry—Christianity and Manichaeism appear later in the game, giving you another chance.

Orders: The Lifeblood of Your Kingdom

Orders in Old World function as an action currency, dictating everything from moving units to managing diplomacy. Unlike other strategy games where units have fixed movement points, Old World gives you a limited pool of Orders to distribute freely.

To maximize Orders:

• Increase citizen population, as each one adds +0.1 to your total Orders.
• Boost legitimacy by fulfilling your leader’s ambitions.
• Make wise diplomatic choices and construct wonders that enhance legitimacy.

Since Orders govern all actions, careful planning is necessary. Prioritize your military and economic moves to ensure you don’t run out before key decisions can be made.

Undo Function: A Safety Net for Strategy

Unlike most 4X games, Old World allows players to undo moves within the same turn. This is an essential tool for both new and experienced players, as it enables:

• Correcting mistakes before committing to a move.
• Testing military maneuvers without the fear of catastrophic failure.
• Scouting efficiently by revealing terrain and undoing the move to explore another path.

Since undoing moves comes without penalty, use it liberally to refine your strategy and gain an advantage.

City Planning: Maximizing Adjacency Bonuses

City placement in Old World is unique because cities can only be built on dedicated city sites. Since these locations are limited, expansion space is precious, and strategic positioning is key.

To secure the best sites:

• Station military units on a city site early to reserve it.
• Prevent the AI from taking city spots, as they are quick to exploit this mechanic.
• Choose the best resources near your city placement for long-term sustainability.

Once a city is established, improvements should be carefully planned to maximize adjacency bonuses. Key strategies include:

• Placing farms, pastures, quarries, and mines next to each other for cumulative yield increases.
• Building granaries near farm clusters to further boost food and growth.
• Utilizing shrines for early-game adjacency benefits.

By planning ahead and stacking adjacency bonuses, you can significantly boost your city’s productivity and ensure long-term prosperity.

Claiming Victory: The Road to Domination

In Old World, victory isn’t simply about military conquest. Players must fulfill 10 leader ambitions to secure victory. These objectives shape your strategy and determine your kingdom’s legacy. Ambitions often involve:

• Expanding your territory.
• Constructing specific wonders.
• Strengthening your economy or military.

Alternatively, victory can be achieved by accumulating the highest score through city development, culture, and achievements—or by outright exterminating rival factions.

Final Thoughts: Your Path to Success

Mastering Old World requires patience, strategic planning, and adaptability. Keep these essential tips in mind:

• Secure city sites early to prevent the AI from taking them.
• Prioritize Orders to maximize efficiency each turn.
• Use the Undo function to refine your strategy.
• Plan city improvements with adjacency bonuses in mind.
• Manage religion wisely to boost diplomacy and happiness.
• Fulfill leader ambitions to work towards victory conditions.

With these strategies in place, you’re well on your way to ruling your kingdom effectively and forging a lasting legacy in Old World. Good luck, and may your empire stand the test of time!