In Civilization VI, a strong start is crucial to securing an advantage that can lead to victory, whether your goal is domination, science, culture, or diplomacy. Early game strategies in Civ VI revolve around expanding your empire efficiently, managing resources wisely, and positioning yourself against or in alignment with other civilizations. Here’s a guide to help you dominate the early game and set a solid foundation for the later stages.

1. Choose the Right Civilization

Each civilization has unique abilities, units, and infrastructure that can significantly impact your early game strategy. For instance:

• Rome has a strong early game with free roads between cities and a free building in the city center, boosting infrastructure rapidly.
• Sumeria can benefit from their unique War-Carts and their ability to clear barbarian outposts quickly, gaining rewards.
• China can rush wonders effectively with builder charges, giving them a potential cultural and scientific advantage.

Select a civilization that complements your preferred style of play and victory condition.

2. Scouting is Key

Scouting is essential for several reasons:

• Discovering the Map: Identify ideal spots for new cities, resources, natural wonders, and neighboring civilizations or city-states.
• Cultural Bonuses: Meeting other civilizations first grants valuable diplomatic bonuses.
• Finding Goodie Huts: These can provide boosts like technology, additional population, or military units.

Use your initial warrior and the first or second unit you build (preferably a scout) to explore your surroundings efficiently.

3. Prioritize City Placement

Strategic city placement can make or break your civilization’s effectiveness:

• Resource Rich Locations: Settle near resources that provide food, production, and strategic or luxury resources for an early advantage.
• Defensive Positioning: Consider natural barriers like mountains and rivers that make cities easier to defend.
• Proximity to Other Civs: Be cautious of settling too close to aggressive civilizations; maintaining a buffer zone can prevent early conflict.

4. Focus on Expansion

Early expansion is critical in Civ VI due to the penalties for building new cities later in the game. Aim to build or capture 3-4 cities by the end of the Classical Era:

• Production and Food: Balance these in your first cities to ensure quick growth and the production capacity to build settlers.
• Early Military: Have enough units to defend your cities from barbarians and potential early wars from neighbors.

5. Manage Your Resources and Infrastructure

Efficient management of resources and infrastructure is essential for a strong start:

• Building Choices: Start with a mix of slingers or warriors for defense, then prioritize a mixture of builders and settlers. Builders are crucial for improving tiles and accelerating your city’s development.
• Research and Civics: Choose technologies and civics that enhance your ability to expand and develop, such as those that improve building capabilities or military strength.

6. Diplomacy and City-States

Early interactions with other civilizations and city-states can greatly influence your game:

• City-State Benefits: Earning envoys with city-states can provide significant benefits, especially if you’re the first to meet them.
• Avoid Early Wars: Unless you’re playing a civilization that excels in early conflict, avoid unnecessary wars that could hamper your growth. Defensive pacts and cautious diplomacy can deter aggressive neighbors.

7. Adapt to Your Environment

Be flexible and ready to adapt your strategy based on the map, your neighbors, and how the game progresses:

• Map Type: Your approach may vary significantly depending on whether you’re playing on a continents map, an island plates map, or any other configuration.
• Opportunistic Expansion: Be on the lookout for opportunities such as weakened neighbors or unprotected city-states that can be safely integrated into your empire.

Conclusion

A strong early game in Civilization VI sets the stage for later success. By focusing on efficient scouting, strategic city placement, expansion, resource management, and diplomacy, you can build a solid foundation that will carry your civilization to victory. Remember, the most successful leaders in Civ VI are those who can plan ahead while adapting to the challenges and opportunities that arise throughout the game.