How to Win a Domination Victory in Civilization IV

This is one of Civ4's most difficult victories to earn, especially if you gave yourself a huge map to play on. However, it also provides the most challenge and if you were looking for another way to win besides the Time Victory, the Domination Victory will let you shoot for the moon.

Instructions

1. Choose the right map. Depending on your play style and how aggressive you wish to be, this type of victory can be relatively easy or a total nightmare. Domination Victories tend to be easier on smaller maps, since there is less territory to conquer. Island maps also help a bit because it creates natural barriers between you and your enemy. If you build on enough islands quickly enough (all you need is a Transport ship and a Settler) then it should be relatively easy to secure several islands.

2. Expand, expand. The Domination Victory comes from having 25 percent more population than anyone else, in addition to having your civilization cover a huge percentage of the map (greater than about 70 percent.) In order to achieve this, you need to have a very large and very successful civilization.

3. Build quickly. If you do not expand a lot early on in the game, you will find that a good portion of the available land has already been taken by other civilizations. If that is the case, the only way to get it from them is by military conquest. For this victory, it would be best to avoid conflict, though you will almost certainly be drawn into it.

4. Build a Settler first thing after you found a new city. Immediately send them out and have them found the next city while your previous city builds itself up.

5. Keep your people clean and happy. As with the Diplomatic victory, a cooperative populace is essential to securing victory.