So I attack and win...

[JoeCivFan]

I hate this! Always always always, I have tons of warriors out exploring, and i'll come across a civ or two that settles a city with a single warrior. I, being the devil I am, attack the city with a few warriors, and kill the defending warrior. And I want to keep the city for myself, but it always destroys the city. How come it doesnt give me the choice to keep the city I just won? What are the factors that let me control the city? I hate when the game automatically destroys the city!

 

[GVBN]

Since the city was settled recently it only has 1 population and gets auto-razed

There are some other factors as well. I think capitals and cities with your population in them won't get razed

 

[Aabraxan]

I think the other factor is border expansion. It won't auto-raze if the borders have expanded (I think).

 

[dbslikacheung]

I hate this also!!! how annoying is it, i needa arrange settlers to refound cities, Oh My God! ><

 

[vmxa]

If it has culture of 10 or better it won't autoraze. If you were out exploring, those towns were probably not well placed anyway.

Also if the town was previously yours and the pop is native to you, it will not autoraze.

 

[Roma]

Yea, cities are not distoried if the borders have expaned at least once

 

[Gen. Rommel]

The population is also not a profound factor. A city with a population of 1 won't necassarily get razed.

Basically, it's easiest just to consider how new the city is. Usually if this is still in the first 5-15 rounds of the game, the city (might) be too small and will auto-raze. Just give that puppy a couple turns to grow and then take it. Though, if you start gathering troops on the border, the AI will build up accordingly (they're dumb, but not THAT dumb).

 

[Sashie VII]

If the city's border has expanded (has culture), then it won't be razed even if it has 1-pop. If it has no culture, it will be autorazed if it has only 1-pop.