Overbuilding is one of several new mechanics introduced in Civilization VII. At a glance, it may seem like a fairly simple one, but there’s a lot more to Overbuilding than first meets the eye. As well as understanding how to use it, players will need to understand when Overbuilding can help to improve their settlements.
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There are also a few quirks to Civ 7‘s Overbuilding mechanic that aren’t immediately apparent, such as there being a small chance for Artifacts to be uncovered during the process. As such, fans of the game should take a moment to read up on Overbuilding in Civilization VII to understand how it can benefit them.
How Does Overbuilding Work in Civ 7?
Overbuilding makes it easier for players to modernize their settlements, with new structures being built over the old ones rather than on new tiles. This is particularly useful when players transition into a new age and some of their older buildings become outdated, as it allows players to modernize their settlements and thus maximize their base yield and bonuses without disrupting the overall output.
When Should You Overbuild in Civ 7?
Knowing when and where to overbuild in Civ 7 can be very important, as misuse of the mechanic can sometimes lead to things getting worse rather than better. Put simply, players should aim to build over structures with ones that offer similar bonuses and effects, while also making note of how the new structure and the bonuses it provides will impact the buildings around it.
The best strategy is to stick to like-for-life overbuilding, such as replacing a Granary with a Gristmill or a Library with an Observatory. This way, the overall makeup of the district remains the same and players will be guaranteed to improve their base yield. As for the when part, players may wish to refrain from overbuilding while their settlements are small, as getting +6 Science from a Library and an Observatory is better than only getting +4 from the latter.
However, as settlements become more densely populated and empty space becomes harder to come by, overbuilding is a must for those hoping to increase the output of their towns and cities. If they’re in the Exploration Age they should choose a Plutocracy Government and research the Piety Civic to unlock the Commune Social Policy, as doing so will grant a decent bonus to Overbuilding. Those playing as the Majapahit Civilization can also master the Wayang Civic for another nice Overbuilding bonus.
Overbuilding is also incredibly useful when attempting to secure a Culture Victory, as Overbuilding can sometimes result in the discovery of Artifacts. Some players have suggested that Artifacts may be more likely to appear when building over religious buildings like Altars and Temples, although, as of the time of writing, the jury’s still out on this one, as there’s nowhere near enough evidence to support or refute the theory.
Grand Strategy
Turn-Based Strategy
4X
- Released
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February 11, 2025