When Should You Convert to City in Civilization 7?
In Civilization 7, the concept of settlements has evolved significantly compared to previous installments. Unlike earlier games where settlers could immediately build cities, players now find themselves in a more realistic scenario, starting with the construction of a town.
Town Mechanics in Civ 7
Towns serve as crucial outposts for players, enabling them to establish a presence in a specific area. They offer a cost - effective way to access various resources rapidly. Instead of the player having to micromanage production, the production resources of towns are automatically converted into gold. This gold can then be utilized across the entire empire. As you make a town more productive, the amount of gold generated increases proportionally.
Once a town reaches a certain stage of development, players have the option to assign it a specialization focus. There are multiple focuses to choose from, each bringing its own set of unique benefits. However, it's important to note that choosing a focus halts the town's growth completely. All the food produced by the town is then exported to connected settlements. Also, once a focus is selected for a town within a particular age, it cannot be changed until the town is reverted to a growth - focused state to gain more citizens and enhance productivity.
The Distinction Between Towns and Cities
The key differences between cities and towns in Civ 7 are not just in their functionality but also in the types of buildings that can be constructed. Cities have the capacity to significantly boost a civilization's science, culture, and diplomacy. This is because players can build diverse buildings and districts that contribute to these resources, which towns are unable to do. Additionally, cities can accommodate a much larger number of slotted resources compared to towns. The Civilopedia suggests maintaining a 1 - to - 1 ratio of cities to towns to ensure a self - sustaining empire.
When to Upgrade a Town to a City
Before deciding to upgrade a town to a city, several factors need to be considered:
- Cash Flow: Ensure that your empire has enough towns to support your economic activities. Gold is an essential resource, and losing it prematurely can cause significant difficulties. Since the settlement cap is not easily increased and there's no way to turn a city back into a town, a stable income of gold from towns is vital.
- Population and Production: A town with a substantial population is an ideal candidate for early promotion to a city. The more productive resources a city has, the better it is for its long - term growth. While upgrading early may not be harmful, it also doesn't necessarily offer immediate advantages.
- Improvement: Try to purchase all the buildings available for the town within the game's limits, or at least those that you deem necessary. More resources are always beneficial, and adjacency bonuses can greatly enhance a settlement's efficiency.
- Growth: Towns with a specialization focus export all their food to connected settlements as they don't grow further. Upgrading such a town to a city might lead to a decrease in the overall food supply in your empire, which can impede the population growth of your cities.
Ultimately, the decision to upgrade a town to a city depends on your in - game experience and the specific circumstances of your empire. If your treasury is overflowing and you have few immediate uses for the excess gold, upgrading a town to a city and starting construction on buildings or wonders can be a great way to boost your chances of victory. However, if your towns are functioning well and providing abundant resources, it may not be wise to convert them into cities that demand more resources.