Over time in Civilization VII, players will start to amass numerous settlements. These can be acquired through various means such as deploying units, forming diplomatic agreements, or conquering other leaders. However, accumulating too many settlements can lead to exceeding the settlement limit, exposing players to significant risks and penalties.
Displayed prominently at the top of the screen, a building icon accompanied by a fraction indicates the current settlement limit (right number) and the player’s total number of settlements (left number). Although it is possible to exceed the limit, doing so comes with serious consequences. Therefore, it’s advisable to find ways to increase your settlement limit in Civilization VII.
How to Increase Settlement Limit in Civilization VII
At the beginning of a game, players have a settlement limit of four, which typically suffices for early expansion during the Antiquity Age. However, as the game progresses, finding methods to increase this limit becomes crucial to expanding your empire.
Unlock New Technologies or Civics
Researching specific Technologies or Civics can grant bonuses that increase your settlement limit, usually by one. Though seemingly minor, every little increase counts, especially as you grow your empire. Players can identify whether a Technology or Civic offers a boost by looking for the distinct black and gold "Plus" icon in its description.
Additionally, players can utilize Espionage Actions to acquire Technologies from other leaders, enhancing their capabilities and potentially unlocking new settlement opportunities.
Progress to the Next Age
Advancing to the next age is another effective method to boost the settlement limit. Each transition to a new age increases the limit by four. For example, moving from the Antiquity Age to the Exploration Age raises the limit from four to eight, significantly enhancing expansion capability.
Consequences of Exceeding the Settlement Limit
It’s essential to understand the repercussions of surpassing the settlement limit. Although players can acquire multiple settlements beyond their limit, there is a substantial drawback: for each settlement over the limit, players lose five Happiness across all settlements. This loss can lead to unrest among citizens, causing a settlement to suffer production halts for over ten turns.
While exceeding the limit temporarily may not pose a problem, it’s crucial to manage the number of settlements in Civilization VII to maintain a stable and productive empire.
There’s so much to explore and learn in the vast world of Civilization VII. Be sure to check our Civilization VII guides hub for comprehensive information and strategies to succeed in your gameplay.
