Guide · Beginner
Civilization VII beginner's guide: win your first game
Objective
Opening moves, district planning, and the victory condition mistakes that cost new players the game.
5 steps · 3 min read
- 1
Your first three turns decide your game. Settle near fresh water, scout in two directions, and build a military unit before a monument.
- 2
Pick a victory condition by turn 50. Every district, trade route, and policy card should point at that condition. Dabbling in everything wins nothing.
- 3
Districts are the new city planning. Place them with adjacency bonuses in mind — a well-placed Campus or Commercial Hub is worth more than three badly-placed ones.
- 4
Don't neglect military. Even a peaceful science run needs enough units to deter the AI from declaring war at the worst possible moment.
- 5
Trade routes are free income. Run internal trade routes early for food and production, then switch to international for gold and diplomacy.
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