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Civilization 7 has taken the renowned strategy series on an exciting new path. Instead of dividing your gameplay into multiple eras that offer only minor changes, Civ 7 introduces three distinct “Ages,” each featuring significant transformations.
In this new setup, you will switch civilizations while adapting to various outdated structures that no longer serve their original purpose. The key to success lies in overbuilding, although how to execute this may not be immediately clear. Fortunately, through trial and error, we’ve gained a solid understanding of this new system.
Improvement Replacements: The "Minor" Overbuilding
You may find yourself puzzled at first because there is an option for overbuilding available from the onset of the game. This straightforward form of overbuilding allows you to replace rural buildings with urban constructions whenever you choose to build something new. When you select a building like a Granary, Library, or Monument, you’ll see both green tiles and yellow-green tiles.
Choosing a green tile means you’re selecting an unimproved tile, meaning you’re not replacing a Farm, Pasture, or Mine. On the other hand, picking a yellow-green tile signifies that your new building will replace the existing improvement.
So, why would you want to do this? Aside from potentially running out of unused tiles, there’s a more advantageous reason: forward-building.
Note: There’s no established term for this concept, and it isn’t explicitly outlined in the game, so we’ve coined it ourselves!
Each tile you work on in your settlements operates because you’ve assigned a citizen to it. As settlements expand, they gain additional citizens, which you can allocate to either rural or urban tiles. This part is straightforward, but here’s the exciting aspect: If you replace a rural tile with an urban one, that citizen is displaced. While it may seem troublesome for a brief moment, the displaced citizen can then be sent to another tile, allowing you to gain a new tile every time you move a citizen out.
This strategy can be effective in expanding your territory, as it allows you to seize valuable land from nearby rivals or move closer to essential resources.
How "Official" Overbuilding Works in Civilization 7
The more complex aspect of overbuilding comes into play when the game progresses from the Antiquity Age to the Exploration Age and later to the Modern Age. During your previous gameplay, you’d have encountered buildings labeled as "Ageless," including all Wonders, which are permanent and cannot be replaced. Their placement is crucial, so consider potential adjacency bonuses when constructing these important structures.
When transitioning between Ages, you’ll experience a reset; many buildings, such as the Library, Market, and Altar, will become obsolete with the start of the Exploration Age.
To make the most of this transition, focus on overbuilding previous Age urban structures with newer buildings of the same type. For instance, building an Observatory over a Library or a Bazaar over a Market will maximize adjacency benefits.
Overbuilding Considerations
Don’t allow this concept to dictate your every move. Instead, take stock of how the game has evolved throughout the previous Age. A coastal city previously in a safe location may now be surrounded by hostile neighbors. In such cases, it could be prudent to revamp that settlement with military buildings.
Keep in mind the shifting Legacy Path goals as well. Even if you’re aiming for an Economic Victory from the start, your objectives will change. In the Exploration Age, you might focus on building Treasure Fleets, while in the Modern Age, you’ll prioritize establishing Factories.
The takeaway? As the game progresses, adapt your settlement’s focus to reflect these changes. Outposts dedicated to trade might need to pivot to production-heavy establishments by the game’s conclusion.
If your goals shift between Age transitions, be open to more adaptive strategies. For example, if you were focused on Science in the Antiquity Age but want to change to a cultural focus in Exploration Age, consider overbuilding Libraries into Temples. This flexibility in your approach makes Civilization 7 a refreshing twist on the classic formula, providing a fun and engaging experience once you grasp the concepts involved.
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