One of Civilization 7‘s biggest changes to the decades-old series formula is its new Age system, which sees each match get split into three parts. Each of Civilization 7‘s three Ages has its own set of Legacy Path objectives, and its own set of Civs, themselves each coming with a unique selection of Age-specific units and structures. The Age of Antiquity is Civilization 7‘s very first, and arguably its most important Age.
The first few turns of a Civilization match can determine the course of the whole game, meaning that players really need to make sure they’re making the most of them. Settlement placement is key, and then the following few turns are all about choosing the right research, civics, units, and buildings that are going to put the player on the path to eventually earning one of Civilization 7‘s four victory types. But before the match even starts, players make the all-important decision of choosing their starting Civ, and those looking to achieve a Science Victory should consider choosing the Maya.
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Civilization 7’s Maya Is The Perfect Choice for a Science-Focused Early Game
The Maya’s Abilities Give Players an Early Lead to a Science Victory
Just like every other Antiquity Age Civ, the Mayans have a handful of unique units, buildings, civics, and a powerful Civ Ability, almost all of which revolve around increasing the player’s Science production. To begin with, Maya’s Civ Ability provides +0.5 Science for the Palace for each adjacent tile that contains vegetation. These Vegetated tiles include rainforests, forests, Savannah woodlands, Taiga, and Sagebrush Steppe.
The Mayans’ unique K’uh Nah building also revolves around Vegetated tiles. At its base level, the K’uh Nah provides +3 Science, but if it’s situated on a Vegetated tile, the building produces an additional +2 Science. If located adjacent to a Wonder, it’s given a further +1 to Science yield. If the K’uh Nah is joined by the Jalaw unique building, it creates the unique Uwaybil K’uh quarter. This Maya-exclusive quarter allows the settlement to gain production equal to 5% of a technology’s research cost when that research is completed.
These Science-related abilities and buildings are joined by some equally helpful Civics. The Rain of Chaac Civic gives built Altars a +1 Science yield for each adjacent Vegetated tile, while the Calendar Round Civic allows players to gain Science that’s equal to 10% of a Civic’s cost when it’s completed, and Culture equal to 10% of a technology’s research cost when completed.
With a bit of luck, players should be able to set up camp surrounded by foliage and watch as the bonuses start to roll in. Then, with a bit more luck and careful pre-planning, they should be able to construct the buildings and research the Civics that put them on an early road to Civilization 7‘s Science victory.
The Best Leaders for Maya’s Science-Focused Approach
It’s pretty well known by now that Civilization 7‘s Benjamin Franklin is the best leader for a Science victory, tied with Confucius. Ben Franklin’s leader ability allows him to gain Science from Production buildings, and gain Science for each active Endeavor he’s supporting or has started himself. These bonuses allow players to gain a lot of Science for very little effort.
Confucius, on the other hand, gets 25% growth rate in all cities, and earns +2 Science yield from Specialists. Both of these leaders are perfectly suited to the Maya Antiquity Age Civilization.
9/10
- Released
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February 11, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer