Understanding Dark Ages in Sid Meier’s Civilization 7
In Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, an essential aspect of the Ages framework includes four primary Legacy Paths that grant significant bonuses at the beginning of the Exploration and Modern Ages. However, there are also exclusive Dark Age bonuses that emerge when players do not meet any milestones along their chosen paths. These Dark Age bonuses offer notable advantages but also come with certain drawbacks. Players can plan strategically to utilize these bonuses, or they may find them helpful in desperate situations.
Dark Ages are only possible during the Antiquity and Exploration Ages, as subsequent Ages do not provide opportunities for Dark Age bonuses after the Modern Age—at least for the time being. Each Dark Age bonus has specific applications and may not suit every scenario, but they can help you regain your footing if you fall significantly behind your opponents. Familiarizing yourself with each Dark Age’s features can be beneficial when transitioning between Ages, offering an alternative if Golden Age bonuses are unavailable.
Antiquity Dark Ages & Their Strategic Use
Selecting Dark Ages and Golden Ages
If you fail to reach any milestones in the four Legacy Paths, a Dark Age can be chosen at the start of the next Age. Players can only select one Dark Age or Golden Age bonus at a time, and each Dark Age carries some penalty. For instance, the Cultural Dark Age in Antiquity gives Missionaries an extra charge in the Exploration Age but also inflicts a Happiness penalty on all Settlements once a Religion is established in Civ 7. This bonus can be advantageous if you did not build any Wonders during the Antiquity Age, have excess Happiness, and want to pursue the Cultural Legacy Path.
Failing to gain a single Codex in the Antiquity Age unlocks the Scientific Dark Age, which awards a free Technology every five turns in the Exploration Age but halves your Science output. Depending on your situation or strategy, Science may not be a primary concern; thus, you might actually unlock more technologies in the Exploration Age with this Dark Age. The Scientific Dark Age from Antiquity ensures access to technologies, even if they are random, which can be a great help if you struggle with Science production.
The Military Dark Age presents a tough decision, providing three fully equipped cavalry armies at the start of the Exploration Age; however, this comes at the cost of losing all existing armies and settlements except for your Capital.
If playing as Charlemagne or starting as Mongolia, this sacrifice could yield significant benefits. Unlike other civilizations, Mongolia accrues Military Legacy Points on its home continent, making the loss of all but the capital and a host of cavalry units a potentially strategic move.
Overview of Antiquity Dark Ages
| Dark Age Type | Bonus | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural | Missionaries receive +1 charge and +1 movement. | -3 Happiness in all Settlements after establishing a Religion (doubled if the Settlement doesn’t follow your Religion). |
| Scientific | Gain a random Technology boost every five turns. | -50% Science output. |
| Military | Receive three fully stacked cavalry armies. | Forfeit all existing armies and all settlements except your Capital. |
| Economic | Naval Commanders gain a charge for establishing new Settlements for every two levels earned. | Settlers cost 100% more. |
The Economic Dark Age allows Naval Commanders to create settlements based on their level advancements. However, each Settler will cost twice as much. Establishing Settlements can be vital, especially if you intend to engage in military conquests. Alternatively, this approach allows for quicker establishment of Treasure Fleets, leading to a shift from a militaristic to an economic focus. Each Antiquity Dark Age essentially sets the stage for unique gameplay styles during the Exploration Age.
Exploration Dark Ages & Their Strategies
New Opportunities for Victory
Once you transition to the Modern Age, the Exploration Dark Ages serve as a potential saving grace, similar to their role at the end of Antiquity but with higher stakes. In Civ 7, the path to victory is often achieved by completing numerous milestones along a Legacy Path in each Age. If other players are neglecting a particular path, this might be an ideal moment for an unpredictable shift. For example, the Cultural Dark Age in the Exploration Age enables Explorers to discover Artifacts more quickly, albeit at the expense of Influence—a viable route to the World’s Fair Wonder.
The Scientific Dark Age introduces Flight early in the Technology tree (with Combustion), raising the cost of airplanes while providing a boost toward Space Race Projects. Early access to Flight means you can jump-start your progress in the Space Race. Alternatively, you might establish an aerial force earlier in the Modern Age, provided Gold or Production resources are sufficient—though you should note that the Exploration Scientific Dark Age penalty increases airplane costs.
Overview of Exploration Dark Ages
| Dark Age Type | Bonus | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural | Explorers gain +1 movement and discover Artifacts 50% faster. | -50% Influence. |
| Scientific | Flight unlocked with Combustion. | +50% cost for all airplanes. |
| Military | All Commanders receive two additional promotions and new Commanders begin with two extra levels. | All military units cost 25% more. |
| Economic | +100% Production and Gold for Rail Stations and Ports, and +1 resource slot in all Settlements. | -25% Culture. |
The Military Dark Age in Exploration enhances your Commanders’ capabilities but raises everyone’s unit costs by 25%. This makes it a practical step toward the Ideology Legacy Path if Gold or Production isn’t an issue. Meanwhile, the Economic Dark Age facilitates railroad and port establishment in your trade network, working toward a Great Bank victory. If the Cultivation of Culture isn’t a concern, this can be a beneficial strategy.
In conclusion, various scenarios exist in which Dark Ages could become helpful in Sid Meier’s Civilization 7. They may not be part of a typical strategy for most players, but understanding their features can provide unique advantages and opportunities for a comeback.
