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Policy cards are back in Civilization 7, functioning much like they did in Civilization 6. However, the introduction of the new ages system alters how these cards transition between ages. Additionally, Civ 7 features Crisis Cards, a new mechanic that introduces challenges at the end of each age that can affect your empire, regardless of how well you performed during that age.
These updates create fresh strategies for using policy cards. Below, we’ll explore some of these strategies to help you optimize your civic tree.
How Do Policy Cards Work?
At the start of the game, you’ll have access to two policy cards, which you can assign to your empire as soon as you finish your first civic research.
These early game decisions are extremely important in Civilization 7. Will you prioritize extra culture, or perhaps more science and production? Your choices will essentially shape the trajectory of your empire from the very first turns.
Policy cards are unlocked through the tech or civic trees and often provide bonuses that enhance your empire, such as increased production for units or improved happiness levels.
Think seriously about the type of victory you want to pursue. This consideration should begin when you select your leader and civilization before the game starts. Explore both the tech and civic trees to identify policy cards that can help you achieve your victory condition.
Crisis Cards
As you near the end of an age—be it Antiquity or Exploration—a crisis will be activated at approximately 70 percent of the age’s completion.
You will need to select a Crisis Card, starting with one card initially. As the age progresses and the crisis escalates, you’ll have to choose additional cards. It’s mandatory to incorporate these crisis cards. Ignoring them won’t prevent the impending turmoil.
For instance, if a plague spreads through your cities, you can choose cards that might mitigate the effects—like gaining extra culture from infected towns that possess an Altar.
The selection of crisis cards is crucial. For example, during a plague crisis in the Exploration Age, you will need to quickly manage infected cities to stop them from rebelling.
Being aware of when your empire is on the brink of chaos is vital. For instance, if you are engaged in a prolonged battle with a neighboring empire, and then a plague crisis arises, your opponent’s cities may start losing troops stationed there due to the infection.
Conversely, if a hostile city-state is adjacent to your capital and attacking, knowing which crisis cards to select can either save or doom your civilization.
Tradition And Policy Cards
Civilization 7 includes two main types of policy cards: Tradition and Policy Cards.
Tradition cards are obtained through your civilization’s civic tree and carry over between ages, whereas regular policy cards reset and change with each new era.
This distinction calls for strategic planning—is there a particular tradition card from your civilization that will serve you well in future ages? Since you can only research one new civic at a time, this can limit your access to unique civics.
Generally, it’s wise to tackle basic civic research before zeroing in on your civilization’s specific tree.
Culture Generation
Most policy cards can be found in the civic tree, which acts like a tech tree but focuses on cultural development.
Civilization 7 requires you to find a balance between various victory types—economic, cultural, scientific, and military—while striving for a golden age in at least one category.
Many players have overlooked culture in the past, only to regret it when they find themselves without any Tradition cards ready for the next age.
Even basic cultural initiatives, like constructing monuments, can significantly impact your culture generation to help unlock your civilization’s traditions.
Whenever you enter a significant celebration, you can slot in an additional Policy or Tradition card.
