City Placement

[RulerOfDaPeople]

I just played Civ 4 for the first time upgrading from Civ 3 and I have to say it seems alot more complex. What are some things in Civ 4 that need to be treated totally different from Civ 3?

In Civ 3 you had to deal with corruption and riots so placement of cities were key. Some people liked to keep them as close as possible and build as many as possible with a b-line strait towards republic, while the builders would space them out every 4 tiles evenly.

But I noticed that the game seemed to be circling tiles as a reccomendation to where to build a city? I had issue with some of these reccomendations because it didn't get the resources/food specialties all within my cultural borders.

How much different is Civ 4 from Civ 3 in city placement strategy? What are some good tips for deciding where and how to place your cities in Civ 4?

 

[Phatkarp]

I'm in the exact same situation you are (longtime Civ'er just now upgrading to Civ 4). I would highly recommend looking through the articles in the war academy to start with. I would also read some walk-throughs so you can get inside the heads of good players.

Anyway, read the city placement guides in the war academy. That will get you started.

 

[OTAKUjbski]

My short answer is "treat everything as totally different from how it was in Civ3".

For me, I felt like how the economy works (specifically how many ways it can work) to be the most shocking. Since that ties directly in with city placement, it was the first thing I really "studied" in Civ4.

The War Academy is the best place to start. The articles I specifically recommend for City Placement & City Specialization (in order of importance and logical progression) are:

• Guide to City Specialization and Land Improvements
• Specialization of Cities
• City Specialization: WHERE I do it

-- my 2 (and a shameless plug )

 

[toug]

Sometimes I feel a bit fortunate that I never played any of the other civs as I would definitely have the same problems you are having. Granted I immediately realize the error of my ways and curse myself for not finding the game sooner.

For my gameplay the single most important factor regarding city placement is resources. A strong food resource can can turn any mediocre location into a thriving city.

This is, of course, for early development. Once biology and corporations come into play food problems can be taken care of.

 

[CivMcNut]

I agree with Toug, those food resources really make a difference. If you like fighting early wars the 2nd and 3rd city sites can often be dictated on the location of copper, iron, or horses so you can get good early military going. If a city has 4 food resources within it's big fat cross it can be a powerhouse great person city. If it has lots of flood plains it also makes for a great place to settle. I generally try to stay away from tundra and desert areas unless there's a resource that's just crucial to have up there. Jungle areas have lots of potential since once you clear away the jungle, there is grassland and it is good.

 

[Spikey1201]

those 'blue circles' are usually terrible I don't think I've ever actually settled on one