How to retain the cultural borders after taking a city?

[iwn]

I notice when I capture a border city with another AI civ close by, the AI civ's borders typically push out a lot more. Oftentimes the border goes right to the city tile itself, and my borders only grow out in the opposite direction.

I have tried using the great artist culture bomb, and it worked, but that method seems unreliable since I don't get a lot of great artists. So what do I do without a GA? It seems I lose population too when capturing a city, making the issue even tougher.

 

[Izuul]

If it's an old, well established AI city there's a good chance you will never be able to take those tiles back by just producing culture. Artist bomb is probably just a waste too, I'd rather use that GA for a golden age if possible.

Your options are basically to either just live with it, keep conquering more cities to remove the cultural pressure, or try to make that AI your vassal. Vassals can't take any of your tiles so you will get the entire BFC despite the culture difference. Your city may have revolt issues though.

 

[Re-loader]

Plant the GA. You'll accumulate more culture if it's a long game.

Build the city's population up with food and run GA specialists, build the Hermitage and other suitable buildings.

 

[Izuul]

Plant the GA. You'll accumulate more culture if it's a long game.

Build the city's population up with food and run GA specialists, build the Hermitage and other suitable buildings.

You have to consider the cost vs the benefit though. It's easy to become obsessed over losing tiles to cultural pressure, but if you look at what you are actually gaining from those tiles it's probably fairly insignificant, and using a precious asset like a great person in an attempt to claim those tiles is just wasteful IMO.

 

[ikotomi]

I would note that you only have to worry about the city flipping if another AI is also pushing cultural borders, as a city you've owned before won't automatically flip back to you.

 

[Re-loader]

You have to consider the cost vs the benefit though. It's easy to become obsessed over losing tiles to cultural pressure, but if you look at what you are actually gaining from those tiles it's probably fairly insignificant, and using a precious asset like a great person in an attempt to claim those tiles is just wasteful IMO.

You're right, however there may be the odd situation where such a technique might be useful.