How to Win a Diplomatic Victory in "Sid Meier's Civilzation IV"
Since its introduction in 1991, the "Sid Meier's Civilization" series of turn-based strategy games has entertained and educated millions of computer gamers while challenging them to "build an empire that will stand the test of time." In Firaxis Games' "Sid Meier's Civilization IV," there are several types of victories which players can attempt to achieve beyond the original edition's World Conquest and Space Race; the most challenging of these is the Diplomatic Victory.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Begin a standard single-player game of "Civilization IV." Click on the menu item "Play Now!" Customize your game by selecting map size and terrain parameters, civilization name, leader and difficulty level. Set game speed to Normal.
-
2
Start gameplay by using your Settler unit to found your capital city on your first turn, ideally on a site near rivers, oceans or areas rich with Food or Mineral resources. Place your Warrior or Scout unit within your capital city to defend it, or use it to explore some of the adjacent territory. Select "Warrior" in the "What Would You Like to Build?" popup menu to create another defending unit.
-
-
3
Start building up your city's infrastructure with an emphasis on Science- and Culture-related buildings and Wonders of the World. Click on the Civilopedia icon and examine the research-enhancing effects of Libraries, Universities, Coliseums, Theaters and Wonders of the World. Keep in mind that you need to research the Mass Media development to build the United Nations Wonder to acquire a reasonably high possibility of winning a Diplomatic Victory.
-
4
Establish diplomatic relations with each rival civilization's leader as soon as possible; contact in Sid Meier's Civilization IV usually begins when your Scouts, Explorers or other units come in contact with another civilization's units. Reply to each leader's initial diplomatic greeting with "There shall be peace in our time."
-
5
Build a Barracks in your capital as soon as possible to create veteran ground units; veteran units will have enhancements that allow them to attack and defend better. Research military-related technologies and upgrade your armies and navies to deter rival leaders from attacking. Keep in mind the Roman adage: "If you want peace, prepare for war."
-
6
Strive to maintain friendly relations with rival leaders even if your Demographics indicate that your civilization is larger, more powerful, wealthier, technologically superior to or culturally dominant over others. Keep in mind that peace treaties, trade routes, open borders agreements and technology exchanges are key elements in good relations with your rivals.
-
7
Remember that rival leaders will remember how you respond to requests for assistance; their corresponding attitudes will significantly affect your chances of winning a Diplomatic Victory. Foster friendly relations by the occasional technology trade, especially if your civilization is far more advanced than your rivals. Be prepared to bribe your rivals with one-way gifts of technology or luxury items; they will often reciprocate with votes in your favor when elections for UN Secretary General are allowed in the late stages of the game.
-
8
Focus your science research efforts toward obtaining the Mass Media advancement first; Mass Media permits players to build the United Nations Wonder; once this has been built, the game triggers elections for UN Secretary General, and pits the two top-scoring world leaders against each other on the quest for a Diplomatic Victory.
-
9
Make sure that your civilization's economy is running smoothly and that your Gold levels are high, especially in the game's later stages; a rich treasury will allow you to speed up production of the United Nations Wonder once you are able to build it. Keep in mind that only one civilization can attain each Wonder of the World, and that rival leaders will often race you to build it; spend the necessary amount of Gold to expedite its completion.
-
10
Note that ownership of the United Nations Wonder is not necessary to win a Diplomatic Victory; remember that rival leaders will reward your earlier diplomatic efforts during the game with positive votes in the election for Secretary General and will help you pass most of the UN Resolutions you propose in the game's final phases, including the resolution calling for Diplomatic Victory.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
