If you’ve been following along with Old World, you already know that city planning is an essential aspect of success. Unlike other 4X games, Old World requires a careful approach to adjacency bonuses, district placement, and resource management. In this guide, we’ll dive into the core strategies that will help you optimize your cities and take your empire to the next level.

Understanding Districts and Adjacency Bonuses

District planning plays a critical role in Old World. Like in Humankind and Civilization, buildings receive adjacency bonuses based on nearby structures. Properly arranging your city layout can significantly impact your economy, culture, and production.

Mining and Quarry Placement

• Mines gain adjacency bonuses when placed next to other mines.
• Quarries get additional yield when positioned near mountains and other quarries.
• A strategic triangle of mines, for example, can boost production substantially.
• When deciding between multiple adjacency bonuses, always choose the option that provides the highest yield in the long run.

Shrines and Special Buildings

• Some shrines, such as the Shrine of Atar, provide direct buffs to nearby mines.
• Position shrines where they can enhance both faith and economic production.
• Consider building farms and pastures in clusters, as they also benefit from adjacency effects.

Urban Development and Strategic Placement

Beyond resource production, urban structures also benefit from proper positioning.

• Hamlets receive bonuses when placed next to Odeons and Baths.
• Constructing Baths and Odeons near each other enhances Hamlets and speeds up city growth.
• Keep in mind that hamlets eventually grow into towns, increasing their economic contribution over time.

To maximize efficiency, follow a structured development plan:

1. Identify the best locations for high-yield resource buildings.
2. Surround key urban centers with buildings that boost culture and economy.
3. Plan ahead to ensure that adjacency bonuses stack effectively.

Religious Buildings and Disciples

Religion plays a significant role in city planning. Disciples are crucial for expanding faith-based influence, and each faith-specific structure should be carefully placed to maximize benefits.

• Monasteries should be built next to high-growth areas for additional boosts.
• Temples should ideally be adjacent to Monasteries to stack bonuses.
• Cathedrals require Temples to be built next to them, so ensure adequate space is allocated for expansion.

When developing religious infrastructure:

• Plan ahead by leaving enough room for progressive religious upgrades.
• Utilize adjacency bonuses to create powerful cultural and faith-based centers.
• Consider state religion adoption to further amplify benefits.

City Expansion and Territory Control

Cities in Old World can only be built on designated city sites, making early expansion crucial.

• Claim city sites quickly by stationing military units on them.
• Reserve strategic spots before AI opponents take them.
• Use huts around city sites to fine-tune placement and resource access.

Maximizing City Development and Ambitions

Every city contributes to the overall growth of your empire. Developing cities efficiently ensures you meet leader ambitions and reach higher legitimacy faster.

• Aim to develop five cities into the developing stage as soon as possible.
• Utilize culture-producing buildings like Odeons and Shrines to accelerate cultural growth.
• Consider your long-term economic strategy when choosing which cities to prioritize.

Balancing Diplomacy and Expansion

Diplomacy and expansion go hand in hand. When planning city placement and development, keep an eye on neighboring nations.

• Rome and Carthage may be aggressive, so securing borders is a priority.
• Making peace with factions can give you breathing room to focus on internal growth.
• Engage in selective warfare to ensure you’re not spreading resources too thin.

Managing Religion and Cultural Influence

As new religions spread through your empire, you must decide how to handle them.

• Juggling multiple religions can be beneficial, but also risky if not managed properly.
• Curbing religious spread can stabilize internal politics but may anger religious factions.
• Investing in religious leaders can provide valuable buffs to key cities and increase long-term happiness.

Conclusion: Mastering City Planning for Long-Term Success

To optimize your city planning in Old World, remember these key takeaways:

• Use adjacency bonuses effectively by clustering resource-based improvements.
• Plan religious structures carefully to maximize cultural and faith-based advantages.
• Expand early and control key city sites to secure valuable locations.
• Balance diplomacy and expansion to avoid conflicts that could disrupt city development.
• Track ambitions and legitimacy to ensure long-term progress and victory.

By following these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Old World and establishing a thriving, well-planned empire. Happy ruling!