Beginner’s Guide to Civilization VI: Master the Basics

Civilization VI, the iconic 4X strategy game, has welcomed a surge of new players thanks to its free release on the Epic Games Store. If you’ve just installed it and feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Whether you’re completely new to the Civ series or to 4X games in general, this guide will walk you through the essentials to help you get started and enjoy your first campaigns. Here are 10 beginner tips to build a strong foundation.

1. Know What 4X Means

Civ VI is a classic example of the 4X genre:

Explore the map.
Expand your empire.
Exploit resources.
Exterminate rivals.

The game plays like a complex board game, where you gather and manage resources to grow your civilization and achieve one of several victory types. The key resources include:

Food – Growth for your cities.
Production – Building units and structures.
Science – Advancing technologies.
Culture – Unlocking civics and policies.
Faith – Founding and spreading religion.
Gold – Trade, maintenance, and purchases.

Learning how to generate and spend these efficiently is central to success.

2. Turn On Yield Icons and HUD Ribbon

Before you settle your first city, enable two essential UI tools:

Yield Icons: Toggle this near the minimap to show what each tile produces (e.g., food, gold, production).
HUD Ribbon: Found in interface settings, this displays the stats of all known civilizations, letting you track your position in the game.

These simple tools make a big difference in understanding your empire’s strengths and planning your strategy.

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3. Choose a Strong Start

When the game begins:

Settle quickly – Don’t delay placing your first city unless your surroundings are truly awful.
First build – Start with a Scout on lower difficulties for exploration, or a Slinger/Warrior on higher difficulties to defend against barbarians.
First tech – Research what matches your starting resources (e.g., Mining or Animal Husbandry), but consider Archery early for defense.
First civic – Rush Political Philosophy to unlock your first government and additional policy slots.

4. Build Up Infrastructure Early

It’s tempting to build lots of units, but long-term success comes from infrastructure. That means:

Constructing districts like Campuses or Commercial Hubs.
Building improvements with Builders.
Establishing trade routes for extra yields.

You’ll still need a small military to defend yourself, but avoid over-investing in troops unless you’re planning early war.

5. Build Wide, Not Tall

In Civ VI, having more cities (even if they’re small) is more effective than building a few large ones. A wide empire gives you:

More tiles to work and improve.
More districts to generate science, gold, and other yields.
More flexibility for victory conditions.

Try settling cities close together (4–6 tiles apart) to share amenities and district adjacency bonuses.

6. Settle Smarter

Choose city locations based on three key criteria:

Fresh Water: Rivers and lakes provide more housing for faster growth.
Resources: Look for tiles with luxury and strategic resources.
Defensibility: Avoid settling near mountains or cliffs without a way to defend yourself.

A well-placed city can make all the difference in your early game.

7. Always Escort Civilian Units

Never leave Settlers or Builders unprotected. Barbarians (or enemy civs) can easily capture them. Use the Escort Formation command to link them with a military unit like a warrior or slinger for safe travel.

8. Control the Barbarian Threat

Barbarians are a serious danger in the early game. Here’s how to manage them:

Stop their scouts: If a scout sees your city and returns to a camp, expect a raid.
Destroy their camps early: Doing so grants gold and removes the threat.
Keep vision up: Barbarians can’t spawn in areas you can see, so spread your units wisely.

9. Stay Balanced, But Adapt

Even if you plan to pursue a specific victory (e.g., science or culture), you need to keep all areas of your civilization reasonably developed.

Science & Production: Always top priorities.
Culture: Unlocks new governments and policies.
Faith: Useful for religions or purchasing units/buildings (especially with Monumentality).
Military: Even if you’re peaceful, you’ll need to defend yourself.

Be flexible and adjust your plan as the game unfolds.

10. Enjoy the Experience

Civ VI is about strategy, experimentation, and discovery. Every game is different based on your civilization, starting location, and neighbors. Don’t worry about perfection—try new things, test ideas, and learn from your mistakes.

Victory will come with experience, but the fun is in the journey.

Final Thoughts

If you’re new to Civilization VI, these fundamentals will help you feel more confident and effective in your first games. Focus on building a strong base, explore your options, and enjoy the process of learning what works for your playstyle. As you improve, you’ll discover deeper mechanics, advanced strategies, and the joy of conquering the world—your way.

Happy building, and welcome to the world of Civ!