Turn-based strategy games don’t normally factor in luck when it comes to determining a win or a loss, but in a standard game of Civilization 6, luck comes into play right from the start. Every game is randomly mapped and created, and therefore the player’s starting point is also random (unless they created a game for themselves with a predetermined starting point). The starting point in Civilization 6 can make or break an entire game as different tiles come with different advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to the luck of the draw.
Certain starting points can bequeath production and more resources while others can strip the player quite quickly of any advantage they possibly could’ve had. With the correct strategy, anyone can fix a rotten starting point, though it’s certainly good to know which are good and which can cause trouble throughout the game.
10 WORST: In The Middle Of Nowhere
One starting point that puts the player in a tough position right from the start is smack-dab in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, with enough exploration, the player will come in contact with other civilizations and city-states, but without that in the first few turns, the player will be put at a major disadvantage. With communication between other city-states and empires, the player will receive Era points, resources, and the ability to send envoys. This all helps get the player started in the early game. Without these essential resources, building a civilization will become drastically harder. If one thing is clear in human history it’s that community is power — and Civilization 6 is no different.
9 BEST: Māori - Ocean Tiles
Easily one of the best starting points happens when you play as the Māori civilization, which automatically starts the player off in the middle of the ocean. This means the player is already equipped with the Ship-building Technology, which allows the player to cross ocean tiles and discover every other civilization on the map.
This also means that the player can literally choose where they want to settle their first city. When every other civilization’s starting point is random, it is extremely helpful to be able to choose it yourself.
8 WORST: In The Middle Of City-States
One would think that being in the middle of city-states would be more beneficial than not, considering the resources acquired through trade routes and envoys. But city-states actually pose a real threat in the early game. Other AI civilizations tend to attack city-states for territorial expansion and being close by puts the player at risk as well. In addition, this limits the player’s ability to expand territory cohesively — either the player settles cities around the city-states or they have to take them over by force.
7 BEST: On The Coast
Having a starting point on the coast is extremely beneficial. It automatically opens up the ability (with the Sailing technology) to create ships and to use the ocean tiles for movement. It also opens up different resources that cannot be found on land, such as fish, crabs, whales, and pearls. Being able to build a harbor is also an advantage as the district provides additional resources, housing, and production. Starting on the coast has very few drawbacks and is an absolute advantage no matter the civilization.
6 WORST: Desert Tiles
Desert tiles are as dry as they are difficult to live on. Starting in the middle of a desert will provide difficulties in the first few turns for any player. Firstly, desert tiles cannot be farmed so finding food resources will be harder. Secondly, desert tiles are susceptible to droughts, which put districts and improvements at risk of being damaged.
Droughts also affect the happiness of the city, so being in an environment where these are common is not to anyone’s advantage. Desert tiles provide no base yield, so unless the player chooses a civilization that is equipped to handle that, settling in desert tiles is just not a good idea.
5 BEST: Rainforest Tiles
In the real world, living in a rainforest doesn’t seem appealing, but in Civilization 6 it can be an essential asset to the player. Rainforest tiles automatically provide +1 food and can additionally provide science depending on where the campus district is built. It also makes enemy invasion more difficult by limiting movement in and through rainforest tiles. This gives the player a definite defensive advantage. Rainforests also provide plentiful resources that boost happiness, such as bananas and dyes. Compared to other starting points, rainforests provide many perks and few drawbacks.
4 WORST: Snow Tiles
This one is rather obvious. Starting off in the middle of a snowy tundra is definitely not to the player’s advantage. Overcoming the environmental odds will be the biggest challenge. It provides little to no food, tiles that are difficult to improve (if at all), and is surrounded by tiles that can be quickly traversed by enemies. It also is susceptible to blizzards, which damage not only districts but military units as well. Starting off in the snow doesn’t mean the game will be impossible, but to overcome its difficulty it will take all the strategy the player possesses.
3 BEST: Next To Mountains
Mountains are an excellent place to settle nearby cities. Physically they provide a good base for military operations, especially while employing defensive strategies. Enemies cannot climb mountains so they are forced to go around. Though mountains cannot be worked (unless the player chooses the Inca civilization), they provide bonuses when districts are placed next to them. Each district yields different bonuses, but all-in-all mountains definitely work to the advantage of the player.
2 WORST/BEST: Next To A Volcano
Starting off an empire next to a volcano can go either way — it can either be really rewarding or it can destroy everything the player built. When a volcano erupts (which it will do periodically throughout the game), it damages all the tiles surrounding it.
This can impact food, amenities, science or culture output, and even kill nearby units. But, when these tiles are fixed, they provide era score and additional yields to the player. So though the volcano is not the player’s best friend, it can provide benefits that will help the player throughout the game.
1 BEST: Next To A Natural Wonder
The absolute best starting point for any player is ultimately next to a Natural Wonder. These tiles provide powerful bonuses to cities settled nearby and the benefits are almost endless. Additional appeal, extra science, culture, tourism, or production are all perks to having a natural wonder within a civilization. Though they cannot be worked or improved, in the late-game they can be excellent locations for National Parks, which provide huge tourism boosts. There are virtually no disadvantages to starting next to one and they only provide benefits throughout the game, therefore starting next to a natural wonder is the luckiest hand to draw.
NEXT: Civilization 6: 5 Best Governor Perks (& 5 Of The Worst)
