Civilization V — First Principles
The opening
- A Scout first to find ruins and city-states, then a Monument and a Settler or Worker depending on your plan.
- Tradition (few cities, a strong capital) is the forgiving opening; Liberty suits a wide empire.
Happiness and growth
- Luxury resources are the main source of happiness — connect each new one, and trade your spares.
- Do not expand past what your happiness can support.
Science and culture
- Libraries, universities and the National College carry a science game.
- Trade routes (Brave New World) are the biggest economic tool in the game: send them to your capital for food or to rich foreign cities for gold.
War on hexes
- Only one military unit fits on a tile, so form lines: melee in front, ranged behind.
- Bring ranged units or siege to wear a city down, then take it with melee.
Strategy and balance change with patches and mods. For current tier lists, guides and the Better Balanced Game rules, see the Civilization tab of our Useful Links page.