If you’re diving into the latest installment of the Civilization series, you’ve likely noticed significant changes that bring fresh challenges and strategies. One key gameplay element in Civilization 7 is the settlement cap. In this guide, we’ll explore How To Raise Settlement Cap in Civilization 7 so you can expand your empire without sacrificing happiness.
Understanding the Settlement Cap in Civilization 7
In Civilization 7, you start your journey by founding your first settlement with a Settler. As your civilization grows, you’ll naturally want to build more cities. However, there’s a catch: once you go beyond three settlements, each additional city initially incurs a -5 Happiness penalty. This limitation means you must actively work to raise your settlement cap to continue expanding your empire effectively.
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How To Raise Settlement Cap in Civilization 7: Step-by-Step Strategies
Luckily, there are multiple in-game avenues to increase your settlement cap. By researching specific technologies and civics, and by making strategic choices as a leader, you can remove or mitigate these penalties. Here’s how:
1. Utilize Leader Attributes
- Militaristic and Expansionist Attributes:
As you progress through the game, your leader will earn points that can be allocated to these attributes. Keep an eye on your notifications—each point earned allows you to choose an upgrade that can indirectly support your settlement expansion efforts.
2. Research Antiquity Technologies and Civics
- Key Studies in the Antiquity Age:
To begin raising your settlement cap early, focus on researching:- Irrigation: Boosts food production and supports larger populations.
- Entertainment: Helps maintain happiness as you expand.
- Organized Military: Provides the stability needed for early expansion.
3. Advance Through the Exploration Age
- Essential Technologies and Civics in Exploration:
Once you enter the Exploration Age, continue your research to unlock further cap increases. Prioritize:- Feudalism
- Society Mastery
- Colonialism Mastery
- Social Class
- Sovereignty
- Imperialism
4. Expand Further in the Modern Age
- Modern Age Enhancements:
As your civilization matures into the Modern Age, even more advanced technologies and civics become available. To maximize your settlement cap:- Urbanization: Facilitates better city planning and growth.
- Mass Production: Increases overall efficiency, supporting more settlements.
- Nationalism: Bolsters your empire’s unity.
- Globalism
- Hegemony
By systematically researching these technologies and civics, you can effectively overcome the settlement cap limitations. This means you can found well over 20 cities, creating a sprawling empire without enduring persistent happiness penalties.
Final Thoughts
Learning How To Raise Settlement Cap in Civilization 7 is essential for players looking to build a vast and prosperous empire. By strategically allocating leader attributes and focusing on targeted research across different ages, you’ll unlock the potential to expand your civilization far beyond the initial limits. Use this guide to optimize your gameplay and dominate the world in Civilization 7.
Happy conquering!
