pre-release info New Civ Game Guide: Buganda

[Krikkit1]

Curious about this as well. We have pretty little information on artifacts I think?

My overall impression of Buganda leaves me a little confused as to why this civ is labeled Cultural.

It is labeled Cultural because its narrative events sometimes give Cultural Attribute Points to the leader

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

could be cool to get a correlary lake civ in antiquity as well if that happens. can’t necessarily think of a good fit but it would be cool!

The Tiwanaku maybe? It's probably a stretch but they lived around Lake Titicaca and marine archaeologists have discovered ceremonial sites on the lake floor. The elites probably lived in structures surrounded by moats.

What we know: the Cree architecture, symbol, and colors look like they were originally designed for the Haida. However, the symbol was later found to be a modern Cree mask designed after the fashion of Haida masks. FXS has never officially said anything.

Not to mention that the name Haida was found in the R&F game files as a major civ, along with the Cree.

 

[queenpea]

It is labeled Cultural because its narrative events sometimes give Cultural Attribute Points to the leader

Ok -- yeah, I'm still confused about the separate Leader and Civ attributes -- do they all contribute to your legacy path?

 

[Daigotsu Max]

Ok -- yeah, I'm still confused about the separate Leader and Civ attributes -- do they all contribute to your legacy path?

I was confused as well, and I think they key effect is narrative events really.

 

[Seek]

Curious about this as well. We have pretty little information on artifacts I think?

My overall impression of Buganda leaves me a little confused as to why this civ is labeled Cultural.

They have a number of culture bonuses:
UA - River Raids: Receive additional Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the Yield or Healing gained.
Civic - Nnalubaale: Increased Culture and Food on Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Civic - Nyanza: Increased Culture and Happiness on Quarters adjacent to Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Wonder - Muzibu Azaala Mpanga: Food Base. Increased Food on all Lake tiles. Increased Culture and Happiness on Lake tiles in this City.

 

[Kankan]

I really like Buganda as a choice in general, because it's one of those parts of African continent which even amidst enlightened "Africa actually has history" crowd is often designated to be "uncivilized wilderness". Literally nobody predicted Buganda on release, I am honestly not even sure if I have ever seen it proposed on these forums, maybe once? And it is actually quite well documented and highly organized society, similarly to Rwanda.

Yeah I agree the wooden hut modern era wonder is very awkward though, and racists are going to ridiculure it while not being aware of a refined culture behind it. It's such a pity that for some reason (...does anyone know any explanation?) precolonial Subsaharan Africa was extremely sparse in terms of monumental architecture which is the fastest way to checkmate such contemptuous perspectives. At least Ethiopia or Merina could feature their royal palaces, idk about Sokoto. If modern era went past 1960s the problem could be fairly easily solved using some of the more succesful African countries and their architecture, but I still seem to be the only fan of including postcolonial African states

Geography was also a factor as to why there were less monumental architecture to say the least, the presence of the Sahara desert meant that it was far more difficult to transmit various architectural techniques that work well in hotter climates as to build with stone (which wasn’t exactly in abundance either) wouldn’t exactly be wise as the building would essentially become an oven. This is why mud brick was common to see in various different cultures as it was the best way to keep the building insulated (take the Great Mosque of Djenne for instance). There was also the added fact that mud and wood were much more in abundance.

Also it’s worth noting that there are many architectural wonders across Africa that were destroyed by European colonial powers such as the famous Walls of Benin (alongside the entirety of Benin City too), meaning that it is possible that there were more that existed but were destroyed and we therefore know nothing about it. A British explorer noted the presence of a magnificent temple to Shango within the Oyo Empire with red walls and various intricate designs alongside a cubic shape but it’s possible that this was destroyed as this doesn’t seem to still stand today.

There was also the added fact that such monumental architectural feats weren’t of high priority in many civilisations across the continent either as certain things such a temples were more embedded into the natural landscape such as how the Oṣun-Oṣogbo Grove is embedded into a forest. However, they did still have wondrous feats in other ways such as how Yoruba cities were some of the best urbanised in the entire continent.

 

[Siptah]

One thing that I really like about the Buganda civ design is that it isn't just a Zulu replacement. When I first heard of the surprising inclusion of Buganda in August, I feared that it would be just that. "We had Zulu for 6 games, leads give the same role to someone else." But instead, the design breathes Buganda! It can hardly be mistaken for any of the more famous and more southern kingdoms (Zulu, Mutapa, Zimbabwe), and also not for (the also likely more famous) Ethiopia, Sofala, Kilwa, Somalia, or Ajuran. Kudos to this surprise! Needless to say, I would have thought all the listed civs to be more likely to be included some day than Buganda.

 

[queenpea]

They have a number of culture bonuses:
UA - River Raids: Receive additional Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the Yield or Healing gained.
Civic - Nnalubaale: Increased Culture and Food on Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Civic - Nyanza: Increased Culture and Happiness on Quarters adjacent to Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Wonder - Muzibu Azaala Mpanga: Food Base. Increased Food on all Lake tiles. Increased Culture and Happiness on Lake tiles in this City.

Yeah, I saw those. I guess they feel underwhelming to me. My idea of a cultural-focused civ is generally not one that receives culture by pillaging and warmongering and/or passive culture yields. I'm not criticizing the design, just curious about it. Especially as the culture victory in the Modern Age is focused on archaeology, I would think we would see bonuses to that specific mechanic?

I'm sure I will understand it all better once I've played the game. On paper it looks a little curious.

 

[Siptah]

Especially as the culture victory in the Modern Age is focused on archaeology, I would think we would see bonuses to that specific mechanic?

The culture attribute does not need to be applicable to the respective legacy path. Some extra culture is probably a good thing to have regardless for what victory you are going for.

The whole culture attribute tree doesn't seem to be very useful for culture victory btw - it's only good to get more culture (and Production towards Wonders). The repeatable at the end could have been "Get 1 free Great Work" but it is "Get 5% more culture." It's probably my least favorite of the attribute trees, because it's so narrow in focus - and I say that as someone who very often plays with a culture focus.

Are we 100% sure that the culture victory is only tied to artifacts first and production second? Isn't it possible that you need the artifacts first to complete the legacy patch, and then need to unlock the project with culture (like civics), and then production is only the last bit? It would have a bit more sense to it for me like that (same for science victory).

 

[Kankan]

Amina + Buganda may as well be a more annoying version of Alexander in Civ 6 to have as a neighbour as not only will you be invaded but likely conquered too. They have great synergy overall.

 

[queenpea]

The culture attribute does not need to be applicable to the respective legacy path. Some extra culture is probably a good thing to have regardless for what victory you are going for.

The whole culture attribute tree doesn't seem to be very useful for culture victory btw - it's only good to get more culture (and Production towards Wonders). The repeatable at the end could have been "Get 1 free Great Work" but it is "Get 5% more culture." It's probably my least favorite of the attribute trees, because it's so narrow in focus - and I say that as someone who very often plays with a culture focus.

Are we 100% sure that the culture victory is only tied to artifacts first and production second? Isn't it possible that you need the artifacts first to complete the legacy patch, and then need to unlock the project with culture (like civics), and then production is only the last bit? It would have a bit more sense to it for me like that (same for science victory).

I guess? mMy feeling is that if you introduce a "cultural" civ in the third and (for now) final age of the game, then they should have an advantage in claiming that victory? I might be confusing Legacy Paths and something else?

But yes, my impression of the culture victory in the third age is a focus on collecting artifacts then completing a great project?

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

I'm really not much of a war player, but Firaxis has made me want to be one with this concept! It's unique in gameplay among its peers and (from my limited knowledge) uniquely Buganda. Russia and France's yields on quarters tend towards the generic to me, but this really does feel like an interesting part of history expressed through game design. I'm very happy with this inclusion and how it has been done and I plan to try them out.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

I guess? mMy feeling is that if you introduce a "cultural" civ in the third and (for now) final age of the game, then they should have an advantage in claiming that victory? I might be confusing Legacy Paths and something else?

But yes, my impression of the culture victory in the third age is a focus on collecting artifacts then completing a great project?

Culture output does help you unlock explorers and buildings to slot artifacts in. So a well-played Buganda will have an advantage there.

It also helps you unlock an ideology, which is an advantage for the military victory.

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

What we know: the Cree architecture, symbol, and colors look like they were originally designed for the Haida. However, the symbol was later found to be a modern Cree mask designed after the fashion of Haida masks. FXS has never officially said anything.

I'd like to see Haida here. as either Age 1 or 2 North American civ.

 

[Zaarin]

I'd like to see Haida here. as either Age 1 or 2 North American civ.

Haida would be an ideal Exploration Age civ with their war canoes. Tsimshian would also be a good candidate with their unique religion.

 

[sylvanllewelyn]

I was expecting the Sokoto Caliphate or the Sama-Bajau.

Easy to find age 1 and age 2 civilisations. More difficult to find interesting age 3 civilisations.

 

[Xyael]

They have a number of culture bonuses:
UA - River Raids: Receive additional Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the Yield or Healing gained.
Civic - Nnalubaale: Increased Culture and Food on Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Civic - Nyanza: Increased Culture and Happiness on Quarters adjacent to Lakes and Navigable Rivers.
Wonder - Muzibu Azaala Mpanga: Food Base. Increased Food on all Lake tiles. Increased Culture and Happiness on Lake tiles in this City.

Yep. But at least you reach all civics, culture is useless.

 

[j51]

The thing about the Cree assets in VI most likely being for Haida makes me wonder if the units and some of Aksum’s ability and policies were originally meant for Kilwa but then they realized they had too many exploration age civs planned?

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

The thing about the Cree assets in VI most likely being for Haida makes me wonder if the units and some of Aksum’s ability and policies were originally meant for Kilwa but then they realized they had too many exploration age civs planned?

Or Somalia. But yeah the Dhow is a weird unit to give to Aksum, especially as the military unit. I think the Shotelai would have worked fine.

 

[Jkchart]

Not going to lie, I really like this design. It’s unique and fun, especially compared to the other modern civs. I’m very glad that they didn’t go with the Zulu (but it would have been EXTREMELY funny if the Zulu were in before not Britain, and worth it for that alone) and found a new but also GOOD choice.

Also these are obviously the enemies of the Dutch, can’t you all see??? The Dutch turn water into land, but the Baganda land into water! It’s Team Aqua vs Team Magma all over again…wait wrong franchise