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الوسم: Leader

  • Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Safe Amid War Reports’

    Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Safe Amid War Reports’

    TEHRAN: Despite circulating reports of an injury amid ongoing conflicts with Israel and the US, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly “safe and healthy.” The son of Iran’s president shared this update on Wednesday after hearing about the incident.

    “I received information that Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt. I checked with some contacts who have connections,” explained Yousef Pezeshkian, a government advisor, via his Telegram channel. “Thankfully, he is in good condition.”

    State TV had referred to Khamenei as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” but did not specify the nature or extent of any injury.

    Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, the son and appointed successor of the longstanding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has maintained a low profile since taking on the leadership role last Sunday. His public appearances have been rare, and he has yet to address the nation or release a formal statement.

    According to a report from The New York Times, citing unnamed Iranian officials, Khamenei sustained injuries, possibly to his legs, but remains alert and is sheltering at a highly secure location with limited communication.

  • Nobel Prize Tied to Winner, Medal May Still Be Reused, Says Committee

    Nobel Prize Tied to Winner, Medal May Still Be Reused, Says Committee

    A day after last year’s laureate handed over her Nobel Peace Prize medal, the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified its stance on the medal’s transferability. The Committee emphasized that while the medal itself can be donated, sold, or given away, the official record of the prize remains linked to the original recipient.

    Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, an act she publicly shared. Trump expressed gratitude and announced he plans to retain the medal. The award, which includes a diploma and a sum of 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1.19 million), continues to be officially associated with Machado, despite her decision to transfer the medal.

    The Nobel Foundation explained that the medal, diploma, and monetary award are symbolic representations of the recognition granted by the Nobel Committee. These items are freely available for recipients to keep, gift, sell, or donate according to the Foundation’s statutes, but the official laureate record reflects the original awardee.

    “The honor and recognition that come with the Nobel Prize are permanently attached to the original recipient,” the Foundation stated. They also highlighted that the physical medal and diploma serve as tangible symbols that confirm someone’s achievement, but do not alter the official historical record.

    This isn’t the first instance of a Nobel medal changing hands. In 1943, Nobel Literature laureate Knut Hamsun donated his medal to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. More recently, in 2022, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov sold his medal for $100 million to fund UNICEF initiatives supporting Ukrainian refugee children. In 2024, the late Kofi Annan’s widow donated his 2001 Nobel Peace Prize medal and diploma to the United Nations’ office in Geneva.

  • Bangladesh Honours Ex-PM Khaleda Zia with State Funeral

    Bangladesh Honours Ex-PM Khaleda Zia with State Funeral

    Bangladesh mourned the passing of Khaleda Zia on Wednesday with a nationwide state funeral, drawing large crowds to pay their final respects to a prominent political figure who shaped the country’s political landscape for decades.

    Zia, the first woman to hold the position of prime minister in Bangladesh’s 170 million-strong population, passed away on Tuesday at age 80.

    National flags flew at half-mast, and security personnel lined the streets as her body was transported through Dhaka in a vehicle adorned with the national flag’s colors. Thousands of mourners gathered outside parliament and along the roads leading to it, many waving national flags as well as those of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Prayers were held over her coffin, with the presence of notable figures, including National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who traveled to Dhaka to attend.

    Minhaz Uddin, a retired government official aged 70, expressed his respect even though he had never voted for her. “I came here with my grandson just to honor a veteran politician whose contributions will be remembered forever,” he said, observing her passing from behind a barrier of barbed wire.

    A diverse sea of attendees filled the streets around the parliament, many waving BNP and national flags, with her casket expected to be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981 during his presidency.

    Despite battling health issues and enduring imprisonment, Zia remained committed to her political ambitions, including campaigning for elections scheduled for February 12—the first since her rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year. Her party, BNP, is viewed as a leading contender in the upcoming elections, with her son, Tarique Rahman, who recently returned after 17 years in exile, seen as a potential prime minister if the party wins a majority.

    Tarique Rahman issued a statement emphasizing her enduring influence, noting that “the country mourns the loss of a guiding light that shaped its democratic hopes.” He highlighted her resilience, stating, “Her strength was unbreakable, despite repeated arrests and persecution.”

    Earlier this year, just hours before her death, party workers submitted her candidacy papers for three electoral constituencies. International leaders also paid their respects; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that Zia’s vision and legacy would continue to steer their partnership. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and remains in India, offered her condolences, praying for her eternal peace and forgiveness.

    Zia’s health had deteriorated significantly since her hospitalization in late November. Nonetheless, her supporters pressed ahead, demonstrating loyalty by preparing for her final journey and honoring her life’s work. Her remains will be laid to rest beside her husband, memorializing her ongoing influence in Bangladesh’s political history.

  • Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Passes Away at 80

    Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Passes Away at 80

    Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has passed away after battling a long illness, according to her opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She was 80 years old. Her doctors reports indicated she suffered from advanced liver cirrhosis, along with arthritis, diabetes, and heart and lung issues.

    This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

  • Completing Lies of P: Overture by Solving Veronique, the Sweeper Leader

    Completing Lies of P: Overture by Solving Veronique, the Sweeper Leader

    Veronique is one of the challenging Stalkers you’ll face in Lies of P: Overture. Unlike previous encounters in the base game, she’s no easy target. Veronique is tough to ambush, and her moves pack a much deadlier punch than any Stalker you’ve dealt with so far.

    Here’s a guide to help you dodge her heavy hits, interrupt her aggression, and overcome her fierce attacks. We’ll provide strategies to turn this fight into a more manageable scenario.

    Veronique’s Attack Patterns

    Attack Description Suggested Counters
    Overhead Slam A basic downward swing with her hammer. While its range is limited, she may ignite the hammer’s head to cause an explosion. Dodge to the side.
    Three-Hit Overhead Slam Combo Starts with a backwards swing, followed by two downward strikes. The last hit is especially fierce, requiring a dodge or perfect parry. She can ignite the hammer after the third swing. Sprint away or parry the sequence.
    Three-Hit Lunging Combo A primary combo involving two sweeping lunges followed by a leap. The setup for each lunge takes some time, allowing for easier dodging or parrying. Dodge away; parrying is possible but riskier.
    Shoulder Charge Combo A quicker combo that involves two swings before a shoulder rush and a final hammer strike. Sprint away to avoid the assault.
    Flamethrower She plants her hammer into the ground, using it to spray flames. Though it can reach far, she can’t reposition while using it, so you can circle around her for effective hits. Dodge to the side and counterattack.
    Spinning Attack She spins rapidly before concluding with an upward swing. If you’re too close, you’ll need to parry; at a distance, sprinting away is an option. Sprint away at medium range; parry when close.

    Inflamed Form

    Once Veronique’s health drops to half, her hammer ignites, enhancing her attacks. Here’s what to expect:

    Attack Description Suggested Counters
    Inflamed Overhead Slam In this state, overhead swings can cause an explosive burst upon impact. Dodge away.
    Exploding Combo After losing half her health, Veronique performs a series of attacks that culminate in a powerful spinning strike, creating a large explosion after striking the ground. Sprint away to maintain distance.
    Inflamed Lunging Combo Similar to her earlier lunging attacks, but with greater speed and reach. Dodge away; parrying is harder now.

    Overall Strategies

    Veronique’s strikes are powerful, so it’s typically safer to keep a distance. Many of her attacks expose her to counterattacks, offering you openings. You should aim to dodge rather than parry most strikes, particularly the lunging ones, which she uses to close the gap quickly.

    Your best chance to inflict damage is during her flamethrower attack, where you can circle around her to land big hits without getting burned.

    Key Takeaways:

    • She hits hard, making parrying a risky move.
    • She often leaves herself vulnerable after attacks.
    • Heavy strikes can disrupt her wind-ups, but not during lunges.
    • Focus on dodging while staying close to counterattack when she is vulnerable.

    Recommended Arms Against Veronique

    Several Legion Arms can help turn the tide in this fight. Cataclysm is effective for disruption and damage. Use it during her pauses or when she’s using flamethrower attacks to set up landmines. A fully charged Fulminis can deliver significant damage and leave her open for follow-up attacks.

    However, the Puppet String is the most powerful tool you can bring. It allows you to disrupt nearly all of her attacks, except for her guard stance. With a few Legion Magazines, you can effectively control the encounter and minimize the challenge.

    Battle Tactics

    Start the fight by charging a Cataclysm shot or enhancing your weapon while keeping a safe distance as Veronique rushes you. Avoid her attacks while remaining close enough to retaliate. If you feel brave, you can try to parry her overhead strikes to land heavy attacks.

    Always reset your position to the center of the arena for better mobility. Watch out for her ignited hammer after she misses an overhead swing to avoid getting burned.

    Veronique’s Inflamed Form

    As the battle progresses and her health decreases, her attacks become more dangerous and may leave fiery ground behind. Pay attention to her overhead swings, especially when she leaps; you can either dodge or, if you’re positioned well, parry them for significant openings.

    Using the Puppet String makes this battle easier but can take away from the fun. You can trap her and unleash powerful retaliatory moves with minimal risk.

    Keep practicing these strategies, and you will bring Veronique down!

  • Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Surrender’ Comment Sparks Treason Claim from BJP

    Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Surrender’ Comment Sparks Treason Claim from BJP

    Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the content in American English, keeping it unique and ensuring it’s human-written:

    Rahul Gandhi’s "Surrender" Comment Sparks Strong BJP Response

    BJP Leader Labels Gandhi as "Rahul Munir" and "Rahul Sharif"
    Congress Raises Questions About Foreign Parliamentary Visits

    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what they describe as an act that borders on "treason." Gandhi referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy as a "surrender" following Operation Sindoor, according to reports from Indian media.

    On Wednesday, BJP President J.P. Nadda took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Gandhi’s statements, calling them an affront to the Indian armed forces and comparable to Pakistani propaganda. He stated, "To label the extraordinary bravery and valor of the Indian Army as a ‘surrender’ is not just regrettable but a serious insult to our military, the nation, and over 1.4 billion Indians."

    "This can only be seen as treason," Nadda continued. "Rahul Gandhi, your party and its leaders may have a history of surrendering, but India will never yield."

    In a barrage of posts, Nadda further accused the Congress party of a culture of capitulation: "The word ‘surrender’ is embedded in the Congress party’s lexicon; it’s in your DNA. You surrendered to terrorism, surrendered during the Sharm al-Sheikh talks, capitulated at Shimla after winning the 1971 war, and even conceded to the Muslim League at the dawn of India’s independence."

    BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi echoed Nadda’s sentiments during a press briefing, dubbing Gandhi "Rahul Munir" and "Rahul Sharif," claiming he has gone further than even Pakistan’s leadership in undermining India’s standing.

    The BJP’s response came amid rising critiques from Congress and other parties within the INDIA coalition regarding the government’s approach to international relations, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack, and what they perceive as a manipulated narrative surrounding Operation Sindoor.

    Later that evening, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh took to social media, targeting the government’s global outreach initiatives. He remarked, “The unusually low-profile External Affairs Minister is meeting with some parliamentary delegations that have returned. I hope there will be a sincere evaluation of what was truly achieved — not merely the spin.”

    "There are credible reports that some countries greeted our MPs with a rather tepid reception, to say the least, and that the political significance of their meetings was subpar. Videos of MPs engaged in lighthearted activities during such a serious national mission have also been circulating."

    Earlier on that day, Ramesh criticized the government’s scheduling of the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, branding it as a strategy to avoid a special session requested by the opposition.

    "Never before in Indian parliamentary history has a session been announced 47 days in advance,” he pointed out.

    “Why was Operation Sindoor abruptly halted after four days? Why did President Trump mention 12 times in 20 days that the ceasefire was due to his intervention? These are the questions the Prime Minister is unwilling to answer.”

    Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the monsoon session will commence on July 21 and run until August 12, marking the first session since Operation Sindoor.

    The push for a special session was also echoed by Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, who recently participated in an all-party delegation visiting five countries — Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain.

    “The Prime Minister should have called for the special session himself,” Rai insisted. “Back in 1962, during the peak of the war with China, first-time MP Atal Bihari Vajpayee demanded a special session amidst the conflict, and then Prime Minister Nehru complied. We acted in accordance with the spirit of the nation; now the government should uphold its responsibilities."

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the opposition’s demand for a special session to address critical issues, including the Pahalgam attack.

    Adding to the controversy, Congress leader Pawan Khera claimed that India’s diplomatic standing has dwindled post-operation. “In Modi’s government, domestic policies are managed by trolls, while foreign policy is being dictated by someone who has capitulated,” he stated on social media.

    He pointed to Kuwait lifting visa restrictions on Pakistan and signing agreements with them as indicative of India’s declining diplomatic influence. “That’s why it’s been said — ‘Name Narendra, work surrender,’” Khera added.

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  • BJP Leader Acknowledges Pakistan’s Five Indian Planes Downed in War

    BJP Leader Acknowledges Pakistan’s Five Indian Planes Downed in War

    IAF’s Rafale fighter jet taxis on the runway in Ambala, India, on September 10, 2020. — Reuters

    In a surprising and honest acknowledgment, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy stated that Pakistan successfully downed five Indian Air Force jets during a recent confrontation.

    In a recent interview, Swamy explained that the Indian aircraft were overpowered in aerial combat due to Pakistan employing Chinese fighter jets that outperformed New Delhi’s French-made aircraft.

    “Pakistan managed to shoot down five of our aircraft. They utilized Chinese jets to accomplish this, while ours were French-made,” Swamy stated. “Though the Chinese jets were effective, our French ones didn’t meet our expectations. The Rafale jets are not suitable for India’s requirements,” he criticized.

    Furthermore, he made strong allegations regarding corruption tied to the contentious Rafale deal, suggesting that it would go uninvestigated as long as Modi remains Prime Minister. “There was corruption in the Rafale deal that won’t see any investigation while Modi is in power,” he asserted.

    On the issue of accountability within the Indian administration, Swamy noted that under the current leadership, a transparent investigation into the loss of the aircraft seems improbable. “With Modi at the helm, discussions or inquiries surrounding how and why those jets were shot down are unlikely,” he remarked.

    This is an evolving story and will be updated with more information.

  • Bangladesh Supreme Court Clears JI Leader Sentenced to Death

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Clears JI Leader Sentenced to Death

    A.T.M. Azharul Islam. — Xinhua/File

    • Islam’s attorney, Shishir Monir, expresses that Islam is “fortunate.”
    • Five other leaders convicted during Hasina’s administration have been executed.
    • Islam received justice because he is alive, Monir states.

    On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s highest court cleared a pivotal leader of the nation’s primary right-wing party, who had been facing the death penalty since a conviction handed down under the regime that was ousted last year.

    A.T.M. Azharul Islam, a member of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, had been in detention since 2012 but was exonerated of crimes against humanity by the Supreme Court, which ordered his release.

    Born in 1952, Islam was one of six top political figures convicted during the rule of Sheikh Hasina, whose lengthy 15-year regime as prime minister ended in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that forced her to flee.

    Political groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, are preparing for highly anticipated elections that the interim government has promised will occur by June 2026 at the latest.

    Islam’s lawyer, Shishir Monir, remarked that he was “fortunate,” especially since five other senior political leaders—four from Jamaat-e-Islami and one from the main opposition party, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP)—had already been executed.

    “He received justice because he is still alive,” Monir told reporters. “The appellate court did not adequately review the evidence in other similar cases involving crimes against humanity.”

    Islam had been sentenced to death in 2014 for allegations of rape, murder, and genocide that occurred during Bangladesh’s independence conflict with Pakistan in 1971.

    ‘Seek Your Forgiveness’

    Jamaat-e-Islami was the political adversary of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the founding leader of Bangladesh.

    During her tenure, Hasina prohibited Jamaat-e-Islami and took strong action against its leaders.

    Islam submitted an appeal in 2015, but the court upheld the ruling in 2019, leading him to file a petition for a review in 2020.

    After fleeing to India last year as protestors stormed her residence, Hasina now lives in self-imposed exile, with her Awami League party no longer allowed to operate.

    She has defied a request from Dhaka to return and face charges of crimes against humanity linked to a crackdown that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 protesters during her unsuccessful bid to maintain power.

    With Hasina gone, Islam submitted another appeal on February 27. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, cleared him of all charges.

    Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami expressed their joy. Leader Shafiqur Rahman highlighted that the party remembers those who were executed.

    “They were victims of judicial killings,” he asserted. “Had they been alive today, they could have steered the nation in the right direction. Their contributions will be remembered by the people.”

    Amidst the political turmoil, opponents of Jamaat-e-Islami have questioned its historical role. Rahman stated, “We, whether as individuals or a party, are not above making mistakes,” without elaborating further and declined to answer questions.

    “We seek your forgiveness if we have committed any wrongs.”

  • Bangladesh Supreme Court Clears Jamaat-e-Islami Leader Sentenced to Death

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Clears Jamaat-e-Islami Leader Sentenced to Death

    A.T.M. Azharul Islam’s Conviction Overturned


    Image Caption: A.T.M. Azharul Islam. — Xinhua/File

    • Islam’s attorney, Shishir Monir, describes him as “fortunate.”
    • Five other leaders sentenced during Hasina’s administration have been executed.
    • "He received justice because he is alive," remarks the lawyer.

    On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court overturned the conviction of A.T.M. Azharul Islam, a prominent figure in the country’s primary right-wing political faction, Jamaat-e-Islami. He had been on death row due to a conviction rendered under the previous regime, which fell from power last year.

    Islam, who has been incarcerated since 2012, was exonerated of charges related to crimes against humanity by the Supreme Court, resulting in his immediate release.

    Born in 1952, Islam was one of six senior political figures found guilty during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, whose 15-year rule as prime minister came to an abrupt end in August 2024 following a revolt led by students.

    As political parties gear up for eagerly awaited elections, the interim government has committed to holding them by June 2026 at the latest.

    Islam’s lawyer, Shishir Monir, stated that Islam was "fortunate" because the five other senior leaders convicted—four from Jamaat-e-Islami and one from the Bangladesh National Party (BNP)—have already been executed.

    "He received justice because he is still alive," Monir told the press, adding that the appellate division had not adequately reviewed evidence in the other cases involving crimes against humanity.

    Islam was sentenced to death in 2014 for charges of rape, murder, and genocide during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

    A Historic Rivalry

    Jamaat-e-Islami was a political rival of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is recognized as the founding leader of Bangladesh. During her administration, Hasina banned the Jamaat-e-Islami party and heavily persecuted its leaders.

    Islam had filed an appeal in 2015, but the court upheld the initial verdict in 2019. He submitted another petition for review in 2020. After fleeing to India last year amidst mass protests that stormed her palace, Hasina remains in self-imposed exile, with her Awami League party now banned.

    Despite a request from Dhaka for Hasina’s extradition to face charges of crimes against humanity for a crackdown that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 protesters, she has resisted returning.

    With Hasina out of the picture, Islam’s legal team submitted another appeal on February 27, which led to Tuesday’s ruling by the full bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.

    The supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami were jubilant. Leader Shafiqur Rahman remarked that the party would also remember those who were executed, describing them as victims of judicial killings.

    "If they were alive today, they could have steered the country in the right direction. Their contributions to the nation will never be forgotten," he asserted.

    As political factions vie for control, opponents of Jamaat-e-Islami continue to scrutinize its historical involvement. Rahman, addressing potential mistakes, stated, "We, as individuals and as a party, can err," although he did not elaborate and declined to answer further questions. "We seek your pardon if we have done anything wrong."

  • Xerxes: A Unique Guide to Achaemenid Strategy in Civ 7

    Xerxes: A Unique Guide to Achaemenid Strategy in Civ 7

    Xerses, the Achaemenid, is a trade-centric leader in Civ 7. He begins the game with an extra trade route and gains considerable boosts in culture and gold whenever you create a trade route or construct a road. Trade-focused leaders can sustain high levels of Happiness by utilizing available resources and can enhance their cities with the surplus gold gained through trade.

    This guide offers insights into effective early game strategies for playing as the Achaemenid during the Antiquity Age.

    Update: February 28, 2025

    New images and a section about the best Mementos for The Achaemenid have been added.

    We’ve introduced new visuals illustrating Xerses’ leader bonuses and an in-depth overview of the Merchant unit since this leader relies heavily on trade.

    Xerses, The Achaemenid Overview

    Xerses, the Achaemenid, is essentially a peaceful trader. He benefits significantly from trading and his Unique Buildings.

    +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders.
    Earn 50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when establishing a Trade Route or Road.
    Receive +1 Culture and Gold per Age from Unique Buildings and Improvements.

    These advantages are noteworthy. The Improve Trade Relations Endeavor is both affordable and easily repeatable, helping you save on some Influence.

    The increased Culture and Gold from Trade Routes and roads accumulates quickly, with modern encounters yielding up to 150 Culture and 150 Gold per route or road.

    You can utilize Merchants to construct roads instead of only sending them out for trade. This strategy makes them valuable while awaiting new trade opportunities.

    You also gain additional Culture and Gold from any unique buildings or improvements. While the bonus is modest, by the Modern Age, these Ageless buildings will provide consistent benefits.

    Xerses, The Achaemenid Strategy

    Xerses Aksum Trading Capital

    Here are some early game strategies to excel as Xerses, The Achaemenid.

    Early Trade

    Merchants become available with the Code of Law civic, which you can research early in the Antiquity Age. This allows you to create your first merchants.

    Your main challenge will be identifying settlements that are close enough to establish trade routes. The game does not provide a clear distance indicator, so you may need to produce a merchant only to find out later if trading is possible.

    You will receive a free merchant upon researching the Code of Law.

    Playing as Xerses, The Achaemenid on Fractal or Archipelago maps enhances your ability for naval trade, allowing for a strong trading strategy early in the game.

    Gold Advantage and Development

    Lots of Resources

    The ultimate goal as a trading leader is to create an extensive trade network and accumulate a substantial amount of gold.

    Gold is a powerful asset in Civ 7; it allows you to quickly develop new towns and fully upgrade cities by purchasing buildings directly.

    Your aim should be to achieve the Economic Legacy Path in the Antiquity Age, which enables you to keep towns turned into cities when you advance to the Exploration Age.

    The Economic Golden Age for the Exploration Age isn’t particularly impactful; it just means you won’t have to spend gold again on upgrading towns. If you manage to earn another Legacy Path Golden Age, consider pursuing those instead of the Economic one.

    Early Tech, Civics, and Scouting

    When playing as Xerses, it’s advisable to produce three Scouts. This will help you explore other players’ territories, locate their cities, and possibly settle nearby for early trading opportunities.

    Be cautious when settling too close to AI cities, as it can lead to relationship penalties. Avoid placing a town directly on their capital to prevent unnecessary conflict.

    During the early game, prioritize Production. Research Animal Husbandry and Pottery for their production boosts, followed by Masonry and Masonry II before progressing to Code of Law.

    Best Civilization for Xerses, The Achaemenid

    Xerses Aksum

    For optimal performance, choose a civilization that emphasizes trading. Aksum stands out due to its unique trading ship, the Dhow and Tankwa, which is available even before you unlock the Code of Law, enabling early game trading if there’s a nearby city.

    Additionally, consider acquiring the Pochtecha Backpack Memento, which offers +5 trade route range—valuable during the Antiquity Age.

    In the Exploration Age, continue to focus on trade by selecting the Chola. This choice allows for rapid exploration of distant lands, the establishment of towns on islands, and the collection of valuable treasure resources.

    Best Mementos For Xerses, The Achaemenid

  • Jose Rizal: Leadership Insights for Civilization VI

    Jose Rizal: Leadership Insights for Civilization VI

    Jose Rizal stands out as an exceptional leader in Civ 7, especially with the introduction of the new Celebrations feature. This mechanic allows players to select bonuses from their Government type while providing an extra social policy slot. Both of these options can be incredibly beneficial, particularly in the early stages when establishing your empire during the Antiquity Age.

    Rizal excels at generating and sustaining Happiness throughout the game, and with the right approach, he can gain a significant advantage quite rapidly.

    This guide is tailored for single-player games against higher difficulty AIs, rather than for multiplayer modes.

    Overview of Jose Rizal

    In Civ 7, Jose Rizal reigns supreme in terms of Happiness. The ability to trigger Celebrations means that Rizal can often enjoy powerful bonuses that last throughout the game, progressing from the Antiquity Age celebrations to nearly continuous Celebrations by the Modern Age. Properly utilizing this feature can give you a massive edge over AI competitors.

    Receiving benefits from a Narrative Event grants you an extra 20 Culture and Gold per age, along with additional Narrative Events.

    +50% extension for Celebration duration.

    +50% Happiness from Celebrations.

    Narrative Events

    Narrative Events emerge while completing the Legacy Path quests, which are tied to each victory condition.

    Rizal thrives when you focus on multiple Legacy Paths to maximize your Narrative potential.

    It’s crucial to approach the Antiquity Age with a comprehensive mindset. Aim to construct Wonders, build scientific structures, befriend city-states, and capture a few cities. The more actions you complete during this age, the faster Rizal can gain momentum.

    Celebrations

    In Civ 7, Celebrations serve two primary functions: they grant powerful buffs to your empire for a limited number of turns and allow the addition of a new policy slot.

    Both features are tremendously advantageous. Depending on your Government choice with Rizal, you could achieve a constant +20% boost to Culture, Science, or Food during the Antiquity Age.

    One great aspect of Celebrations is their flexibility across different Ages. While you can’t change your choice once you’ve made it in a given Age, you do have the opportunity to select your approach at the start.

    Will you focus on military production to conquer enemies, or would you prefer to foster peaceful city growth with hefty food bonuses?

    In general, it’s been observed that Rizal is one of the strongest leaders you can choose in Civ 7 and is particularly adept at tackling multiple Legacy Paths during the Antiquity Age.

    Strategy for the Antiquity Age with Jose Rizal


    Jose Rizal Leader Overview

    Your strategy will largely be influenced by your chosen civilization. Generally, focus on maximizing Happiness with Rizal by securing Happiness wonders, buildings, and resources to amplify your Celebrations.

    Rizal is particularly effective at rapidly settling numerous towns, often exceeding the Happiness cap to gain an early lead. With Rizal, consider exceeding your Settlement limit by two or three cities, depending on your excess Happiness.

    Aim to settle at least four settlements by around turn 50 on Standard Speed. On higher difficulties, AI will aggressively compete for settling locations, so be quick to claim the regions you desire.

    Scouting and Discoveries

    At the beginning of the game, produce two or three Scouts and start exploring immediately.

    Scouting is incredibly valuable in Civ 7—more so than in previous titles. The new Scout Sight system enables you to cover large portions of the map swiftly, discovering Independent Powers, resources, and your AI opponents.

    Your primary focus should be on gathering Science to unlock Pottery and Animal Husbandry as quickly as possible. Culture is also essential for the early rush to Mysticism and acquiring Pantheons. Additionally, gather Gold to facilitate the purchase of necessary buildings or units.

    Early Tech and Civics

    Start with either Pottery or Animal Husbandry, depending on the resource tiles near your capital. If you have access to woodcutters and camps, go for Animal Husbandry; if clay pits and plantations are more prominent, choose Pottery. A potential tech order could look like this:

    • Animal Husbandry
    • Pottery
    • Masonry
    • Masonry II
    • Irrigation
    • Writing

    This approach will boost your production early in the game before transitioning to increase your scientific output.

    Utilizing the Urban Center specialization in your first expansion can generate valuable science and culture that may be missed if you bypass buildings like the Monument or Library early on.

    It’s wise to rush Mysticism to secure an early Pantheon. There are several excellent Pantheons that boost Happiness or provide extra Production from mines (like Stone Circles) that may prove quite beneficial.

    Our general strategy focuses heavily on Production early on. The more rapidly you can establish your key buildings, the better your position will be.

    Your build order might look something like this:

    As the Antiquity Age advances, consider pursuing military technologies like The Wheel and Military Training, even if military victory isn’t your objective. These options unlock valuable Happiness buildings.

    • Villa – provides +3 Happiness and +2 Influence, with adjacency bonuses for Mountains, Natural Wonders, and Wonders.
    • Arena – gives +4 Happiness and has adjacency for Mountains, Natural Wonders, and Wonders.

    Navigation is also advantageous because of the Lighthouse, which adds three additional slots for resources—ideal for stacking up Happiness resources.

    Government Choice

    Choosing the right Government is crucial for Rizal, as these bonuses are repeatable through Celebrations.

    We often go for Democracy for the +20% food bonus, although both Oligarchy and Classical Republic provide exceptional Science and Culture boosts respectively.

    The emphasis on food allows for a focus on production in your capital, which means faster construction of Wonders and essential buildings.

    Experiment with different Government options to find what suits your play style. This is part of what makes Rizal such an engaging leader: he allows for a wide range of playstyles.

    Settlement Expansion

    Jose Rizal can exceed his settlement limits effectively by carefully placing cities.


    Rizal Settling

    In this illustration, Fresh Water tiles are highlighted in light blue. Here, we would recommend settling on Silver and Wine rather than Incense for this scenario.

    Whenever possible, place settlements near Fresh Water, as this grants +5 Happiness, effectively counterbalancing the -5 Happiness penalty for exceeding your limit.

    Bear in mind that this penalty does increase with each city. If you trigger a Happiness Crisis at the end of the Age, your cities could quickly turn against you in revolt.

    You can further heighten your settlement capacity by acquiring key Happiness Buildings such as the Altar, Villa (which can be built in towns), and the Arena (which can only be constructed in cities).

    When settling, look for the following resources:

    • Dates – +2 Food and +2 Happiness
    • Dyes – +3 Happiness
    • Pearls – +2 Happiness for your capital, +4 for any other city
    • Wine – +2 Happiness in the capital, and +10% Culture during a Celebration

    Best Wonders

    Wine is the top resource for Jose Rizal, so settle any found resources immediately. This empire-wide resource doesn’t require a town or city slot and provides a significant +10% culture boost during Celebrations.

    If possible, try to secure the top Happiness Wonders for Rizal, such as the Colosseum, Sanchi Stupa, and Angkor Wat.

    • Sanchi Stupa – grants +2 Happiness and +1 Culture for every 5 excess Happiness in the settlement.
    • Colosseum – adds +3 Culture and +2 Happiness across all Quarters in the settlement.
    • Angkor Wat – yields +3 Happiness and an additional +1 Specialist limit in this settlement.
    • Mundo Perdido – provides +1 Happiness and +1 Science on Tropical tiles within the settlement.

    The Mundo Perdido is best built only if you have multiple tropical tiles in your city.

    Wonders can only be constructed in cities. Sometimes, upgrading a town to a city to open up more construction slots for Wonders is worthwhile, as usable terrain can fill up quickly.

    Planning for Wonder construction needs to be meticulous. For further information about adjacency, consider this guide.

    Wonders hold immense value in Civ 7 because their bonuses remain consistent throughout all three Ages.

    While some buildings may become obsolete and require replacement in later Ages, Wonders retain their adjacency bonuses and powerful boosts across the game, making them a priority whenever possible.

    Trade and Warfare

    Rizal enjoys establishing a strong trade empire due to the Happiness bonuses available through the acquisition of Imported Resources. Resources like Wine are especially beneficial for gathering extra happiness points.

    In terms of warfare, Rizal’s Happiness-centric focus allows you to take over more enemy cities. However, this will influence how quickly you can start Celebrations, potentially causing you to miss some important bonuses.

    Best Civilizations for Jose Rizal


    Jose Rizal Leader Overview-1

    Reflecting Rizal’s adaptability in play style, various civilizations in the Antiquity Age fit well with his strategies.

    Maurya

    The Maurya civilization is excellent for José Rizal since they have traits that strongly enhance Happiness.

    You can select an additional Pantheon once you’ve unlocked Mysticism.

    +30% Production for constructing the Sanchi Stupa.

    Nagarika – A unique settler providing +2 happiness in new city halls.

    Matha Unique Quarter – Offers a 10% bonus happiness in the city where it’s built.

    The Nagarika directly provides +2 Happiness to all new cities you establish, while the unique quarters and districts increase Happiness further.


    Maurya Civics

    Additionally, the Maurya civilization offers numerous unique civics that benefit Rizal:

    • The Charvaka policy, available through Acharya, provides +3 Happiness on Science buildings, making early Libraries even more valuable.
    • The Ayurveda civic allows the Shreni policy to grant +1 Gold for every 5 Surplus Happiness in your cities. This can accumulate swiftly, especially when cities have 40-50 Happiness.
    • The Vyuham civic provides the Kshatriya policy, yielding an extra +4 Happiness from military buildings. Constructing Barracks supports both Production and Happiness.
    • Finally, the Mantriparishad civic gives early access to the Sanchi Stupa and the Arthashastra policy, which provides an additional +1 Science for every 5 surplus Happiness in cities, further stacking with Rizal’s focus on happiness.

    The Sanchi Stupa is among the best Happiness Wonders in the game, offering a flat +2 Happiness and +1 Culture for every 5 excess Happiness.

    Maya


    Mayan Civics

    The Maya offer a unique option for Rizal: while they don’t quite match the Maurya’s bonuses for Happiness, they compensate with impressive Science generation during the Antiquity Age.

    The Palace gains 0.5 Science for every adjacent Vegetated tile.

    +30% production for constructing Mundo Perdido.

    The Maya excel in generating bonuses through adjacency from their Altar and vegetated terrain. The unique Jalaw building also contributes to base Happiness.

    Their Unique District, the Uwaybil K’uh, truly shines as it grants great rewards: every completed technology yields production equal to 15% of its cost, allowing you to convert Science into buildings. This is especially effective for gaining ground early on as Rizal, mainly if you manage to establish two or three cities during the Antiquity Age.

    Optimal Mementos for Jose Rizal


    Jose Rizal Memento Choice

    Jose Rizal has access to impressive Mementos within his leader path.

    • The Ophthalmoscope, Rizal’s level 5 Memento, boosts Celebration length by an extra 25%. This feature allows you to maximize the bonuses from your Government effectively.
    • The Diamond Throne, Ashoka’s level 9 Memento, gives +1 Happiness per Quarter for each Age experienced during a Celebration. This can help maintain stability throughout the game, especially during crisis events.

    Your Memento selection will ultimately reflect your preferences as you play. Perhaps you already favor a specific combination (we enjoy using the Imago Mundi and Marco Polo duo for strong early scouting and resource wealth).

    Keep in mind: you can adjust your Mementos during Age transitions. This flexibility is crucial as some of the early Mementos may lose their effectiveness over time.

    Jose Rizal in the Exploration and Modern Age

    Jose Rizal is an exemplary leader to guide you into subsequent Ages. Focus on accumulating Gold in the Exploration Age, solidifying your presence on your home continent, and preparing for advancements into the Distant Lands.

    There isn’t a concrete strategy for these Ages, and many may feel these particular Ages are less developed compared to the Antiquity Age. If you secured a solid foundation in Antiquity, Rizal should have no issues progressing in the later Ages, primarily due to the powerful boosts from your Celebrations.

  • Confucius: Leadership Insights for Civ 7 Players

    Confucius: Leadership Insights for Civ 7 Players

    Quick Links

    In Civilization 7, Confucius is a leader known for his scientific and expansionist skills. He is adept at developing large cities that can accommodate a significant population, which in turn supports numerous specialists. This creates a consistent flow of gold, culture, and science each turn. His style of play is highly adaptable regarding victory conditions, as his capacity for scientific advancement opens various buildings and opportunities. The key focus should be the expansion of smaller towns to ensure your capital reaches its maximum size as quickly as possible.

    This guide offers an overview of Confucius, strategies for the early game in the Ancient Era, and the best civilizations and mementos.

    Overview of Confucius

    Here’s a look at Confucius’ leader bonuses:

    +25% City Growth Rate

    +2 Science from Specialists

    Growth Rate Bonus

    Confucius’ cities expand rapidly. This straightforward growth bonus works well with other bonuses in the game, such as those provided by the Hanging Gardens wonder or the Fertility Rites pantheon. With effective combinations, your capital can reach 20 population by turn 100.

    Specialist Science Bonuses

    Confucius’ large cities leverage specialist slots effectively, benefiting from an additional +2 science per specialist, boosting the already generated science and culture.

    The main challenge when playing as Confucius is maintaining a balance between specialists and happiness while ensuring good adjacency planning.

    Learn more about adjacency in Civ 7 here.

    Specialists can consume happiness, which poses risks during the Ancient and Exploration Ages. As you advance to the modern age, you should have enough happiness and policies to mitigate those effects. Early on, it’s crucial to use specialists strategically on your best tiles.

    Strategy for Confucius in the Ancient Era

    Confucius Han Start in Antiquity

    Confucius presents a unique strategy in the Ancient Era. Let’s explore his approach.

    Initial Scouting and Discoveries

    Early scouts are incredibly valuable in Civ 7. Starting with at least two scouts is recommended, and some players prefer to have three for enhanced exploration.

    The goal is to secure as many discoveries as possible, especially since you’re competing against AI players. The more scouts you have, the better your chances.

    Focus on gaining science and culture from your discoveries. Aim for early technologies, like Pottery and Animal Husbandry, to enhance your capital’s output, while civics like Mysticism can help you secure the Fertility Rites Pantheon, which is highly beneficial for Confucius.

    Initial Buildings

    Due to Confucius’ strong growth advantage, constructing the Granary first is less effective. Instead, prioritize production buildings like the Saw Pit and Brickyard.

    Utilize your first towns to support your main city rather than concentrating on food in your primary settlement. Immediately after establishing your first two production buildings, produce three settlers.

    Position settlers on valuable resource tiles close to your city. This way, food is sent back to your capital, which helps it grow while you enhance production.

    Once your towns hit seven population, switch them to Urban Center Focus to generate Culture and Science from each Quarter—a tile with two completed districts, such as the Granary and Brickyard.

    The Urban Center focus will yield more science per turn compared to a Library, allowing you to prioritize troops, settlers, and production buildings instead of rushing to write.

    Technology and Civics

    We typically prioritize either Pottery or Animal Husbandry first, depending on your starting tiles. Choose Pottery for clay and mines or Animal Husbandry for pastures.

    Next, focus on obtaining Masonry, then Masonry II, followed by Irrigation, and finally Writing. This path gives Confucius a strong production foundation while ensuring long-term scientific growth. With his enhanced science yields, you’ll easily catch up.

    For civics, you should almost always choose Mysticism first, allowing for an early Pantheon.

    When to Deploy Your Initial Specialists

    Understanding the optimal timing for placing specialists as Confucius can be tricky.

    However, some yields are simply too beneficial to overlook. Consider this early-game city for Confucius:

    Confucius Early Specialists

    This city already shows attractive specialist slots, featuring a tile that generates +6 Science and +2 Culture or another that provides +1.5 Food, 1.5 Gold, +4 Science, and +2 Culture. These outputs surpass most open rural tiles in the city.

    As a guideline, ensure your adjacency is well-positioned around your Library tile to enhance your science yield.

    Science buildings benefit from adjacency to resources. For instance, the library here gains adjacency from both Silver and Horses.

    Top Civilizations for Confucius

    Maya Confucius Civilization

    Confucius has a wide range of options for civilization selection due to his versatile bonuses.

    Maya Civilization

    If you seek an aggressive approach to scientific progress, the Maya civilization is an excellent choice.

    The Palace gains +0.5 Science for each adjacent Vegetated Terrain.

    +30% Production bonus when constructing Mundo Perdido.

    This civilization offers solid science boosts, particularly when you consider their bonuses.

    While the K’uh Nah unique building provides a small science boost, the true power of the Maya is evident in their civic options:

    • Rain Of Chaac grants +1 Science adjacency on the Altar for any vegetated terrain, which can accumulate quickly and applies to all settlements, including your towns.
    • Calendar Round is a unique civic that rewards you with 10% of the cost in Culture for each Technology completion and 10% in Science for each Civic completion. This synergizes greatly with Confucius’ significant science boosts and applies across all ages as it is a tradition card rather than a policy card.

    Khmer Civilization

    The Khmer civilization amplifies Confucius’ growth potential.

    Districts on Rivers do not reduce the natural yield of the tile.

    30% Production bonus towards constructing the Angkor Wat.

    The Khmer are centered around growth dynamics. Their unique building, the Baray, provides a solid +3 food bonus when built, as well as an additional +1 food for all floodplain tiles in the settlement. With the right starting position, this can yield a significant food surplus.

    Moreover, the Khmer civics complement Confucius remarkably well:

    • Amnach includes the Varna tradition, which provides +1 Gold per specialist, enhancing Confucius’ specialists.
    • Chakravarti is possibly the best civic for Confucius, providing +50% growth in the Capital alongside a -5 happiness penalty in other cities. Its tradition, Kambu-Mera, offers +100% Food and Happiness towards specialist maintenance, greatly facilitating specialist sustainability as the game progresses.

    Civilians should be aware of the wording around the Kambu-Mera civic. This does not imply that your specialists will be free; rather it allows you to effectively gain one additional specialist per specialist without extra cost, ensuring game balance without overpowered advantages.

    Top Mementos for Confucius

    Brush and Scroll Memento for Confucius

    Confucius has a rich array of Mementos, both from his own tree and those of other leaders.

    • At level 2, Confucius unlocks the Brush & Scroll memento, significantly boosting city growth rates by 5% for every specialist, with a maximum of 25%. This may not be the most advantageous in the Ancient Era when specialist numbers are low, but it proves highly beneficial later in the game.
    • His level 5 memento, The Altar Set, enhances specialists with an additional +1 Culture and Gold each.
    • The final upgrade, The Analects, becomes available at level 9, offering an extra +1 Science for each specialist.

    It’s important to adapt your Mementos throughout the game. We often find value in scouting Mementos like Imago Mundi and Marco Polo during the Ancient Era, as they accelerate map exploration and provide gold. In the Exploration Era, we might shift focus to Mementos that are more specialist-oriented.

  • Charlemagne’s Leadership Tips for Civ 7 Success

    Charlemagne’s Leadership Tips for Civ 7 Success

    Charlemagne stands out as a strong military leader in Civilization 7. He benefits from substantial Happiness bonuses, a steady way to create units without spending production, and impressive combat advantages during his Celebrations. While his gameplay heavily leans towards military conquest, managing his happiness while capturing cities and addressing war fatigue can make him more challenging to play compared to some other leaders in the game.

    This guide will explore effective strategies for Charlemagne, including how to maximize his free cavalry units, the best civilizations to pair with him, recommended research paths, and more.

    Overview of Charlemagne

    Known as the Father of Europe, Charlemagne possesses several beneficial leader bonuses:

    Bonus Description
    Military and Science buildings gain Happiness adjacency for Quarters.
    Receive 2 free Cavalry Units, unlocked when entering a Celebration.
    Cavalry Units get a +5 Combat Strength during a Celebration.

    Understanding Happiness Adjacency

    Charlemagne’s Happiness adjacency bonuses for buildings like Libraries and Barracks help you maintain high happiness levels, provided you plan your districts wisely.

    Free Cavalry Units

    Whenever Charlemagne enters a Celebration, he gains two free cavalry units. This might take time early in the game since you need to research The Wheel to access cavalry, but by the late game, the benefits can multiply significantly.

    You can effectively stack Celebrations by timing them so that a new one starts right after the current one ends. Repeating this strategy can lead to an impressive array of free, powerful units—like tanks in the Modern Age—allowing for overwhelming military force.

    To dominate enemy armies, focus on ensuring your combat strength is superior to theirs. While this may sound straightforward, you’ll have to be strategic about where you find these bonuses.

    On higher difficulty levels, the AI receives significant bonuses to combat strength. However, Charlemagne’s +5 boost for Cavalry combat strength during Celebrations helps level the playing field, especially since you should be in a state of Celebration frequently during the Modern Age.

    Optimal Strategies for the Antiquity Age

    Regardless of which civilization you choose—more on that later—Charlemagne excels by generating early Happiness through the Altar. Start by building an early Library to quickly acquire the Bronze Working technology, then use the excess happiness to initiate Celebrations for a steady influx of cavalry units.

    Scouting and Early Discoveries

    It’s advisable to produce two or three scouts early on. The Discoveries you make in the early game are crucial. Here’s a priority list for what to pursue:

    • Gold: Essential for buying settlers and other useful items.
    • Science: Quickly increasing your science output is important for reaching Bronze Working fast.
    • Culture: The Discipline civic is beneficial for Charlemagne, while Mysticism is ideal for accessing early pantheons.
    • Influence: Gaining influence is always valuable early on since you’ll likely engage in conflicts with neighboring civilizations.

    Best Government Options

    You have two paths: focus on Food and Production, or prioritize Science and Infantry Unit Production. The first option offers a well-rounded advantage, while the second can enhance your military capabilities in the Antiquity Age.

    Early Technology and Civics

    Aim to acquire Pottery and Writing early to boost your science output. In terms of civics, getting your general upgraded quickly is key, so heading from Discipline into Mysticism for a good pantheon is a solid strategy.

    Every game of Civilization 7 offers a unique experience, and your strategies might need to adapt based on the civilization you’ve chosen alongside Charlemagne.

    Settling Strategies and Conquest

    Depending on your neighbors, you might want to limit your own city settlements. Given Charlemagne’s warmongering nature, it’s perfectly viable to conquer a neighboring capital early on.

    Regardless of your civilization, keep an eye out for valuable resources:

    • Wine: Provides Happiness in your capital, which aligns perfectly with Charlemagne’s bonuses.
    • Gold and Silver: Both are great for purchasing essential buildings and units. Silver can particularly reduce the cost of gold purchases significantly, allowing you to assemble your army much faster.
    • Cotton, Sheep, and Hides: These resources offer excellent early-game bonuses for food and production.

    Recommended Wonders

    Charlemagne gains significant advantages from various military wonders. Here are the top picks to focus on:

    • Gate of Nations: Essential for boosting War Support for all future conflicts. If your War Support drops, it can lead to unhappiness, which negatively impacts Charlemagne’s bonuses.
    • Sanchi Stupa: Provides a +2 Happiness bonus, along with +1 Culture for each excess Happiness in the city where it’s constructed, complementing Charlemagne’s happiness strategies.
    • Terracotta Army: Grants +2 production and a free army commander, boosting all armies with +25% experience. This is particularly useful for moving Charlemagne’s cavalry across the map.

    Best Civilizations to Pair with Charlemagne

    Several civilizations complement Charlemagne’s strengths in the Antiquity Age, including the Khmer, Maurya, and Maya. While they might not seem like the most obvious combinations, they play well into Charlemagne’s bonuses.

    Maurya

    Bonus Description
    Choose an extra Pantheon after unlocking Mysticism.
    +30% Production towards constructing Sanchi Stupa.

    The Maurya have a strong cavalry unit, the Purabhettarah, which gets an additional +5 Combat Strength against fortified districts. When combined with Charlemagne’s combat bonuses, this creates a formidable cavalry force. Their unique buildings also boost overall happiness, which fits perfectly into Charlemagne’s gameplay.

    Khmer

    Bonus Description
    Districts on Rivers maintain natural yields.
    +30% Production towards constructing Angkor Wat.

    The Khmer’s Yuthahathi cavalry unit is strong, even if it moves slower. Their unique Baray improvement provides significant food, enhancing growth and production in Charlemagne’s cities.

    Maya

    Bonus Description
    Palace gains +0.5 Science for adjacent vegetated terrain.
    +30% Production towards constructing Mundo Perdido.

    The Maya are ideal for leaders focusing on science. Although science isn’t the sole path to victory in this game, it remains beneficial for Charlemagne, allowing quick access to technology like Bronze Working to generate free cavalry units.

    By strategically utilizing these civilizations, Charlemagne can create an empire that is not just powerful, but also thriving.

  • Ultimate Leader Guide: Benjamin Franklin in Civilization VII

    Ultimate Leader Guide: Benjamin Franklin in Civilization VII

    Benjamin Franklin stands out as a remarkable leader in Civilization 7, particularly for his strengths in science, production, and Influence-based gameplay. His bonuses emphasize enhancing production buildings, which also yield additional science, alongside granting extra science for each Age as you embark on new Endeavors.

    During the Antiquity Age, it’s crucial to focus on gaining Influence first and foremost. This strategy will set you up for a significant science boost when you transition into the Exploration Age. You can earn Influence through building various wonders and allocating attribute points, which we will discuss in detail below. This guide will also highlight the most effective civilization combinations for Franklin, ideal Mementos, and other tips.

    Overview of Benjamin Franklin


    Franklin’s gameplay centers on Influence and diplomatic Endeavors, both of which are very powerful mechanics in Civilization 7. Early in the game, opportunities such as research collaborations and local festivals can dramatically boost your food, science, culture, and other resources, sometimes even doubling your initial outputs.

    Diplomacy is key for Franklin. Cultivating good relationships with other civilizations is essential, as maintaining friendly ties allows you to send Endeavors frequently when they become available.

    Early Strategy for Benjamin Franklin

    Early Strategy with Benjamin Franklin

    Franklin is a flexible leader with multiple paths to victory, particularly during the Antiquity Age. Thanks to your high science outputs and production capabilities, you can easily pursue both culture and science victories, and you’re also positioned well to form trade networks with friendly civilizations, setting you up for an economic win.

    It’s also important not to overlook Franklin’s military capabilities. Although his approach often leans toward diplomacy, he can convert strong production into military might should the need arise. Your Influence can be strategically utilized to impose sanctions and carry out espionage against competitors.

    Early Pantheon

    Securing the Mysticism civic early on is wise, as achieving the City Patron Goddess Pantheon grants you an impressive +3 Influence boost right from the start.

    Early Production

    Building a Monument is a smart early choice for Franklin since it also increases your Influence. Additionally, consider constructing buildings like the Saw Pit and Brick Yard to enhance your early science output. Starting with Animal Husbandry is a solid option as well, although it depends on the resources near your capital.

    Diplomacy

    Ben Franklin Diplomacy Output

    Franklin’s early science advantage illustrated.

    Immediately construct at least two Scouts to explore your surroundings and discover neighboring civilizations. Engage with other civs quickly and utilize Franklin’s unique Research Collaboration Endeavor, which is enabled by his classification as a scientific civilization, to rapidly increase your science production. While this will provide benefits to your rivals as well, initiating multiple collaborations can help you exceed their science output significantly.

    Best Resources and Great Starts for Franklin

    Benjamin Franklin Great Barrier Reef

    Incense proves to be an excellent resource for Franklin, providing a 10% increase in science from the designated city. Other useful early resources like Cotton and Sheep can enhance food and production. The ultimate starting point for Franklin is near the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most productive science Natural Wonders in the game.

    Top Mementos for Benjamin Franklin

    Benjamin Franklin Mementos

    Franklin’s Unique Mementos

    Franklin unlocks unique Mementos, which are exceptionally advantageous:

    • Bifocals – Earn 50 Influence each time you research a Mastery in Tech or Civic.

    This enables you to swiftly accumulate Influence, which will compound as your science production grows increasingly stronger throughout the game. By the Modern Age, with optimal use of adjacencies, you can achieve hundreds of science points each turn and rapidly navigate the tech tree, unlocking more Influence.

    • Kite & Key – +10% science towards mastering Tech.

    This Memento is fun because it reduces the overall science cost for all tech research, giving you a competitive edge over the AI.

    • Glass Armonica – Grants +10% science and happiness for you and your ally while in an alliance.

    If you pursue a peaceful strategy with Franklin, the Glass Armonica can yield significant returns, allowing you to gain a remarkable 10% science boost per alliance. On a standard map, you could ally with several players, potentially providing an additional 20% science production on top of your already impressive science bonuses.

    Complementary Mementos for Franklin

    In conjunction with his unique Mementos, there are numerous other options:

    • Treaty Of Kadesh – +1 Bonus Diplomatic Attribute point.

    This straightforward Memento is available from the game’s onset and is perfect for new players opting for Franklin. It grants an additional point in the Diplomacy Attribute tree. To see what the attribute trees offer, you can check the information provided in-game.

    • Golden Seal Stone – Unlocked by leveling up Himiko, Queen of Wa to level 2. This grants an extra +1 Influence per Age on science buildings.

    Since you’re focused on science with Franklin, it’s beneficial to have a Memento that specifically aligns with his diplomatic and scientific strategy.

    • Globus Cruciger – Grants 50 Influence whenever you allocate an Attribute Point in the Diplomatic Attribute tree. Unlocked by leveling up Charlemagne to level 5.

    This handy Memento synergizes well with the base +1 Diplomatic Attribute point Memento, allowing you to kickstart your game with an extra 50 Influence. While this may appear minor, it could prove vital in establishing early city-state suzerainty or fostering a positive relationship with nearby civilizations.

    Top Civilization Combinations for Benjamin Franklin

    Benjamin Franklin and Greece

    As you begin your journey with Benjamin Franklin in the Antiquity Age, you’ll select your initial civilization to pair with him.

    Greece

    Greece aligns perfectly with Benjamin Franklin’s strengths. It offers a base +3 Influence on the Palace right from the beginning, which is invaluable since Influence can be challenging to acquire early in the game.

    The Parthenon, part of Greece’s unique quarter, contributes +2 Influence if placed in rough terrain. Additionally, when you construct the unique quarter, the Acropolis, you’ll generate a Logios, which further enhances the Influence of your Palace tile. These bonuses collectively benefit Franklin’s diplomatic-oriented strategy.

    Greece also boasts advantageous policies within their civic tree, such as Xenia, which makes it cheaper to befriend city-states, Ekklesia Mastery offering +2 Culture for each Endeavor initiated, and Symmachia Mastery, which provides a 30% reduction in costs for Endeavors and Sanctions.

    Rome

    If you prefer a more militaristic approach, consider choosing Rome. The Roman bonus of extra production in the capital for each town complements Franklin’s production focus to enhance science generation. Pairing this production boost with the scientific advantages linked to military technologies—such as early access to Bronze Working—will provide you substantial leverage over your rivals.

    Utilize Roman Legions to overwhelm your foes.

    However, Rome isn’t limited to military success. The unique building, the Basilica, gives +1 Influence adjacency for Culture buildings and Wonders. This amplifies the effectiveness of your Monument and enhances early adjacency boosts from important wonders like the Great Stele. With sufficient production in the capital, you’ll likely secure several wonders, even at higher difficulty levels.

    Franklin Rome Civics

    Though Rome may not provide the best Influence civics compared to Greece, it still includes some of the most powerful policies available. For instance, the Cursus Honorum policy offers 25% of the production cost for Infantry units as culture whenever you produce an Infantry unit, allowing you to simultaneously focus on military development and culture.

    Benjamin Franklin in the Exploration Age and Modern Age

    Franklin in the Modern Age

    Transitioning into the Exploration and Modern Age with Benjamin Franklin prompts a significant choice regarding your new civilization. This decision is heavily influenced by your current game situation. It wouldn’t be accurate to claim there’s a universally best or worst choice when it comes to civilization pairings.

    Instead, tailor your decision based on your gameplay style. For military-focused Franklin players, considering the Normans might be beneficial.

    Normans in the Exploration Age

    The game suggests opting for the Normans for Franklin due to a perceived cultural link (the specifics of which are unclear). However, only choose the Normans if you’ve developed a militaristic approach with Rome in the prior Age.

    Norman Civics

    The Normans can adopt both aggressive and defensive military strategies during the Exploration Age. If you’ve laid the groundwork for a strong military presence and science economy in the previous Age, harness the powerful Chevaler unique unit to fortify your borders, build up your defenses, and then unleash your scientific advantages or pursue conquest.

    Options in the Modern Age

    When you reach the Modern Age, the array of civilization options is vast, making it impossible to declare one the definitive best. Your choice should align with how your game has unfolded so far. America is often viewed as a default selection, and Franklin would greatly benefit from the substantial production increases offered by the Railyard and Steel Mill.

    Alternatively, you might find success with civilizations like France or Meiji Japan if you’re focusing on military victories.

  • Top Ancient Age Civilizations for Every Leader in Civilization VII

    Top Ancient Age Civilizations for Every Leader in Civilization VII

    When selecting a leader’s first civilization in Civilization 7, the game emphasizes the importance of geographical choices. While that’s a neat touch for immersion, the choices often feel a bit forced and, more importantly, may not always align with the leader’s actual play style.

    To help you out, we’ve put together our top one to two picks from the Antiquity Age for each leader. Some selections might seem obvious, while others may surprise you. All of these suggestions have proven effective for us, and we believe they’ll work well for you too. Feel free to share your experiences!

    Amina

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Aksum – The unique Tankwa trade ship complements Amina’s focus on trade by enhancing economic benefits.
    – Amina’s cities get an additional resource slot, making the +2 Gold on Resources even more beneficial.
    Persia – The Immortals serve as powerful infantry units in the Antiquity Age, aligning perfectly with Amina’s military capabilities.
    – The Hazarapathi commanders are also useful, and automatically unlocking Mongolia in the Exploration Age bolsters her military prowess further.

    Ashoka, World Conqueror

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Maurya – The Purabhettarah unique units excel at city conquests during the Antiquity Age.
    – Each unique building increases happiness, enhancing Ashoka’s production capabilities when happiness is high.

    Ashoka, World Renouncer

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Maurya – The happiness bonuses from Maurya’s unique buildings provide Ashoka with significant advantages similar to those of his counterpart.
    – The Vihara and Dharamshala buildings can support both cultural and scientific paths, boosting adjacency bonuses.
    Mississippian – The added +1 Food adjacency from resources helps Ashoka expand swiftly, boosted by food derived from happiness and celebrations.
    – The Potkop improvement increases food and adds gold bonuses.

    Augustus

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Rome – Augustus thrives on Towns, receiving +1 Culture from each Town’s City Center.
    – The unique Legatus commander gains a charge for building a settlement every three promotions, increasing Towns significantly.
    – The Legion infantry is powerful enough to ensure the Legatus keeps earning promotions.
    – The Basilica and Temple of Jupiter unique buildings ramp up cultural strength and yield additional gold through towns.
    Han – Towns experience faster growth due to an extra population boost during their initial growth.
    – The Great Wall improvement helps maintain culture as you upgrade towns to cities.

    Benjamin Franklin

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Maya – Maya works well with Franklin’s science boost, thanks to the Palace benefiting from adjacent vegetated terrain.
    – The Kuh Nah unique building offers a substantial +3 Science bonus, and even more if placed strategically on vegetated terrain.
    – Automatically unlocks Hawai’i, enhancing Franklin’s production capabilities.
    Greece – Franklin has the ability to support dual diplomatic efforts of the same kind, making the +3 Influence from the Palace a boon.
    – The Parthenon provides +4 Culture and +2 Influence when positioned on Rough Terrain.

    Catherine the Great

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Maurya – The option to choose a second Pantheon allows you to explore Tundra-based options while benefiting culturally.
    – Happiness-related unique bonuses can cover the potential lack of fresh water on Tundra tiles.
    – Automatically unlocks Majapahit, offering cultural advantages.

    Charlemagne

    Civilization Choices:

    Civilization Explanation
    Maurya – Another great choice, Maurya offers not only happiness boosts but also the impressive Purabhettarah Cavalry units, with two gained per celebration.
    Maya – The K’uh Nah building enhances science, promoting happiness, which can lead to celebrations and subsequent cavalry units.
    – Jalaw Happiness Buildings provide additional happiness benefits.

    Note:

    While the above selections may not unlock Mongolia, which is excellent for cavalry unit exploration, Charlemagne does automatically unlock the Normans, which can be effective for combat. However, it might be smart to prioritize unlocking Mongolia earlier in the game for better versatility in cavalry units.

  • Top Leader Keepsakes in Civilization 7

    Top Leader Keepsakes in Civilization 7

    In Civilization 7, players collect Mementos as they advance through the game, enhancing their leaders and progressing along their Foundation Path. You’ll unlock your slots quite early, specifically at Levels 3 and 5. After that, each time you begin a new game, you’ll need to decide which of your acquired Mementos to assign to your chosen leader.

    Since there’s a considerable gap in player experience between starting the game—with limited access to the system—and playing enough with each leader to gather all their Mementos, we’ll provide our recommendations on both early and late Memento selections for various leaders.

    This guide continues to evolve as we delve deeper into each leader. Thanks for your patience; more information will be added soon!

    Amina

    Amina is a force to be reckoned with in both business and warfare. She is uniquely positioned to conquer rival civilizations while generating solid profits, offering a +5 combat strength on Plains and Desert tiles for all military units. Additionally, each city benefits from +1 Resource Capacity, which is quite valuable since acquiring Resource Capacity slots can be challenging throughout most of the game. Furthermore, there’s a nice bonus of +1 gold per age for every Resource Capacity slot available.

    So, how should you approach Memento selection with Amina? It ultimately depends on the strengths you wish to emphasize, similar to the choices available for other leaders. Generally, you can’t go wrong with these suggestions.

    Early On

    • Scythian Battle-Axe: Grants +1 gold per age for each Commander XP gained. Given that you’ll likely engage in plenty of battles, this is a practical option to support your economic goals. Available at Level 2 with Xerxes, King of Kings.
    • Takoba: Provides +1 Combat Strength on Plains and Desert tiles. This is in line with Amina’s bonuses, increasing that combat strength from +5 to +6. Unlocked at Level 2 with Amina herself.
    • Royal Mace: Delivers +1 Gold per age on all Imported Resources. Amina will have ample resources to take advantage of this. Available at Level 2 with Hatshepsut.

    Once You’ve Gathered Ample Mementos

    • Rawani: Adds +3 Combat Strength to a unit’s next attack after defeating an enemy unit. This is excellent for clearing out enemy forces, provided you manage your units effectively. This Memento is available at Level 9 with Amina.
    • Pochteka Backpack: Offers +5 Range for all Trade Routes. To maximize the Resource Slots you’re accumulating, you’ll need this expansion in range, particularly in the early game when distances between settlements can be significant. Unlocks at Level 19 with the Foundation Path.
    • Colada & Tizona: Provides +2 Combat Strength for each unit adjacent to two or more allied units, which can effectively increase your strength from +6 to +7 when combined with Takoba. This option becomes available at Level 24 on the Foundation Path.
    • Golden Sceptre: Grants +3 gold per age for every conquered settlement, ideal for maintaining your early-game economy when gold can be scarce. Acquired at Level 9 with Xerxes, King of Kings.
    • Del’Arte della Guerra: Offers +5 gold for every active sanction per age. This Memento supports aggressive strategies that will help you manage Influence while warring with other civilizations. Available at Level 5 with Machiavelli.
    • Sidearm: Increases +3 Combat Strength for any unit below 50% HP. While you’d typically want to avoid this situation, it can be useful in combination with Colada & Tizona.
    • Lion Capital: Commanders gain +50% experience during Celebrations. If you’ve managed to slot in a lot of Resources, you can likely maintain Happiness, making this a great opportunity to strengthen your army ahead of battles. Available at Level 9 with Ashoka, World Conqueror.

    Ashoka, World Conqueror

    Ashoka, World Conqueror has a remarkable knack for boosting Happiness during wartime. His ability to increase Happiness is also highly beneficial to production across your empire. He gains +1 Production for every five points of excess Happiness in any city. Additionally, he receives +10 Production for all cities not founded by you, particularly those you have conquered. Declaring a Formal War leads to a Celebration, providing all military units with +10 Combat Strength against districts during these Celebrations.

    To best leverage Ashoka’s strengths, it’s crucial to ensure you declare “Formal Wars” and aim to make an opposing civilization Hostile before launching your attacks, which shapes the selection of Mementos for this leader.

    Early On

    • Bifocals: Earns 50 Influence after completing a Tech or Mastery. Given that researching technologies is a core component of Civilization 7, this Memento allows you to use extra Influence to undermine other leaders. Available at Level 2 with Benjamin Franklin.
    • Forget-me-not: Grants 10 Happiness per age for completing a Narrative Event. Unlockable at Level 2 with Jose Rizal.
    • Chanda-mahasena: Provides +2 Combat Strength against fortified districts during Celebrations. This option is a strong fit for Ashoka and is obtainable at Level 2 with himself.
    • Portrait of Josephine: Generates +2 Gold per age for every leader with whom you are Unfriendly or Hostile. This income is likely to materialize regularly given Ashoka’s playing style. Available at Level 2 with Napoleon, Emperor.

    Once You’ve Accumulated Plenty of Mementos

    • Colada & Tizona: A repeat mention; it adds +2 Combat Strength for every adjacent unit. Available at Level 24 on Foundation Path.
    • Lion Capital: Provides +50% experience for commanders during Celebrations—perfect for Ashoka, as Celebrations are common in his gameplay. Unlocked at Level 9 with himself.
    • Garuda Statue: Grants +1 Population to the smallest settlement each time you enter a Celebration. Available at Level 39 with Foundation Path.
    • Anti-Machiavel: Offers +2 War Support for any wars declared against you. Eventually, your Happiness levels may decline, so this will help safeguard against potential backlash. Available at Level 9 with Friedrich, Baroque.

    Ashoka, World Renouncer

    Ashoka, World Renouncer also heavily depends on Happiness, but takes it a step further. He receives +1 Food for every 5 excess Happiness and a 10% food bonus for all settlements during Celebrations, along with +1 Happiness adjacency to all buildings. This version of Ashoka thrives on creating expansive cities to unlock their full potential. Thus, building additional Happiness and pursuing greater food production are central to maximizing his capabilities.

    Early On

    • Chakra: Delivers +1 Food in the Capital for every 5 excess Happiness, which can stack well. Available at Level 2 with Ashoka, World Renouncer.
    • Brush & Scroll: Offers +5% Growth Rate in cities for every Specialist in that city, reaching a maximum of 25%. Unlockable at Level 2 with Confucius.
    • Forget-me-not: Again, provides 10 Happiness per age for completing Narrative Events. Available at Level 2 with Jose Rizal.
    • Letter to Adrienne: Generates +2 Happiness per age for every Social Slot. These slots reset for each age, so time is needed to maximize this benefit. Available at Level 2 with Lafayette.
    • Topayauri: Grants +1 Food per age for every district adjacent to a mountain—this bonus is situational but can be valuable.

    Once You’ve Accumulated Plenty of Mementos

    • Garuda Statue: Increases +1 Population to the smallest settlement each time you enter a Celebration. Available at Level 39 on Foundation Path.
    • Breastplate: Provides +2 Food per age in towns, ensuring your towns contribute to your cities’ needs. Available at Level 5 with Augustus.
    • Sakaki Branch: Boosts production of Happiness buildings by 25% so you can harness excess Happiness faster. Available at Level 5 with Himiko, High Shaman.
    • Tricolor Cockade: Grants +2 Happiness and +2 Culture in the capital per age for every Tradition slotted—useful for Culture-centric Legacy Paths. Unlockable at Level 9 with Lafayette.

    Augustus

    Augustus occupies a unique spot within the game. While maintaining a balance between towns and cities is essential, towns will become quite important as each town raises your capital’s production by +2. Augustus can purchase Culture buildings in towns, which operate slightly more like cities, and it costs him 50% less than it does for other leaders.

    Thus, our focus will be on strategies that involve having a higher number of towns as well as overall Cultural gains.

    Early On

    • Corona Civica: Increases settlement limit by one per age but at the cost of 50% more when converting towns to cities. Available at Level 2 with Augustus.
    • Flute: Offers +1 Culture per age for Military Buildings, encouraging expansionist strategies while still building necessary structures. Available at Level 2 with Friedrich, Baroque.
    • Yata no Kagami: Grants +20 Culture per age at each Celebration’s beginning, leveraging the inevitability of Celebrations in your strategy. Unlocks at Level 2 with Himiko, High Shaman.
    • Incense Censer: Delivers +2 Culture per age for every active Trade Route, a straightforward way to boost Culture through settlements. Available at Level 2 with Xerxes, King of Kings.

    Once You’ve Accumulated Plenty of Mementos

    • Breastplate: Bestows +2 Food per age in all towns, supporting Augustus’ focus on town utilization. Unlocks at Level 5 with himself.
    • Clipeus Virtutis: Increases Production in the capital for every town. Available at Level 9 with Augustus.
    • Merchant’s Saddle: Provides +1 Movement and Sight for Scouts, Merchants, and Settlers, helping to identify promising locations for expanding towns. Unlocked at Level 5 with Ibn Battuta.
    • All-T’oqaqu Tunic: Offers +3 Sight for Scouts near mountains, enhancing exploration capabilities. Available at Level 5 with Pachacuti.

    This guide provides a foundational framework for effectively using Mementos across different leaders in Civilization 7, allowing you to maximize your strategic advantages as you build your empire.