Another new round of trailers emerge introducing more civs coming for Civilization VI, with these two being the more unusual ones so far.
What’s odd about it? Well let’s talk about the Aztecs first. They are now locked as a 90-day exclusive civ for those that pre-ordered. Sure, everyone who bought the game will later on receive the domination powerhouse afterwards, but still, it is an odd way to encourage pre-orders. That means you are buying a game without consulting to other opinions or reviews, which can be a gamble if the game happened to suck. So, buyer beware.
With that out of the way, the Aztecs of Civ VI are geared for expansions. Returning leader Montezuma I leads the Aztecs. Aztecs in general can rush the building of districts using builders. The unique unit here is the Eagle Warrior, that replaces the early-game unit warrior that can turn defeated enemy units, excluding Barbarians, into builders. The Tlachtli unique improvement, part of the entertainment district, gives amenities, faith, and Great General points. Also, Montezuma’s unique ability is that luxury resources can provide amenities to extra cities as well as additional military power.
What this means is that Aztecs can afford early wars and grow quickly with its builders, and more incentives to taking over cities that has different luxuries so that you can keep increasing the amenities, which is now your limit to population growth, and keeping your army strong.
What about China? Qin Shi Huang leads the Chinese civ this time around, and their abilities are definitely something new. The Chinese will have larger boosts to Eureka and Inspiration events, making them having indirect bonuses to science and culture respectively. Qin Shi Huang allows builders to have an extra charge and can rush Ancient and Classical wonders, which is a huge advantage in the early game. Speaking of early game advantages, the Chinese civ can build the Great Wall as its unique improvement. You read that right, the Great Wall is not just a wonder anymore and you can define them in your own way, with bonuses to defence and gold in the early game, later changing to a bonus of culture and tourism. Oh, it’s unique unit? A crouching tiger cannon. Bad range but strong in power with no resource requirements.
China can be a wonder powerhouse in the early game, and can play defensively with its walls. Consider them to be effective for turtling players who aim for culture victories.
So far 6 of the 18 civs have been given the first look treatment, and all remaining civilizations left are the ones we have yet to see in any promotional material so far. In keeping with the rest of the announced civs’ list of abilities, China and the Aztecs have a distinct enough set of bonuses that also can encourage different playstyles. You can check out the previously covered America and England here, and also Egypt and Japan here.
Civilization VI is set to arrive on PC on October 21.