Quick Links
Civilization VI, the sixth main-line entry in the belovedturn-based strategy game series, has a lot to offer players in terms of strategic thinking, military gameplay, and even diplomacy. Although it has a strong and thriving multiplayer community, much of the strength ofCivilization VIcomes from its single-player mode thanks to its addicting ‘just one more turn’ style of gameplay. The single-player mode includes eight different difficulty levels, so there’s something for players of every skill level. This means it’s relatively easy to find the difficulty mode which matches the skill level of a given player so that everyone can have fun.
In theCivilizationfranchise, difficulty modes can have a massive impact on games, granting various bonuses or disadvantages to players or AI depending on the difficulty chosen. The main way the game modes inCivilization VIdo this is by altering the values in four main categories - resource boosts, combat modifiers, research boosts, and starting units. Higher difficulty settings give more bonuses to the AI, while lower difficulty settings give bonuses to the player. Let’s take a more in-depth look.
Settler
Easiest Mode
Settler mode is the easiest of the eight difficulty levels, perfect for absolutenewcomers to theCivilizationfranchise. This difficulty setting makes it so theAI receives few to no bonuses in each category. On top of this, AI is actively hindered as well.
The AI’s units receive -1 Combat Strength while players get +3, along with a hefty +45% bonus to their XP generation.
Chieftain
Easy Mode
In Chieftain, the disadvantages to the AI are lessened compared to Settler, giving it slightly better chances of standing up to the player.
Here, players get aCombat Strength advantage of +2instead of a bonus of +3. However, for newer players used to the bonuses given in the Settler difficulty level, this can be a big step up.
Warlord
For a More Experienced Novice
The Warlord difficulty level is where the playing field starts to even out. Although the player still gets bonuses, they’re not as advantageous compared to lower difficulties (+1 Combat Strength and +15% bonus XP.)
The decrease in bonus XP means that human players can expect units to be promoted less often. However, when playing at Warlord difficulty, the AI still doesn’t receive bonuses for resource production or research.
Prince
Standard Difficulty
Prince difficulty level is where the challenge, and the rewards, start to ramp up. Although AI players in the Prince difficulty modedon’t receive any bonuses to resource production orcombat values,neither does the player,so it’s a balanced ground for both.
Players looking for a good balance between the challenge and fun of playing, with losing being a real possibility, should consider setting their game to Prince difficult whensetting up a game inCivilization 6.
King
Challenging
The first of the four higher difficulty levels, King is significantly more challenging because the AI receives impressive bonuses to resource production.
On top of that, AI players receive a +15% bonus to unit XP gain as well as research bonuses. They will also start the game with2 Warriors,increased from 1 Warrior in easier difficulties, as well as 1 free Builder after constructing their first district.
Emperor
Hard Mode
Emperor difficulty is a real challenge, as it gives the AI +2 Combat Bonus and a +30% boost to XP. It also gives them more starting units as well, with a massive3 Warriors,2 Settlers(up from 1 in previous modes), and1 free Builderfrom the get-go.
These are powerful bonuses that will be difficult to keep up with without a dedicated plan.
Immortal
Very Hard Mode
In Immortal difficulty, the AI receives many more bonuses all around, and some of them are quite significant. Immortal is meant to be a very difficult mode to play, so the player gets nothing in the way of bonuses.
In Immortal, the AI gets4 free Warrior units, 2 free Settlers, and 2 free Builders to start the game, on top of a +3 Combat Bonusand a +40% XP gain. This is an extremely hard difficulty setting.
Deity
God-Level Difficulty
Deity is the hardest difficulty in the game. It’s the ultimateCivilization VIchallenge. With absolutely massive bonuses to everything, the Deity-level AI is an economic powerhouse. But they also start with a lot of free stuff, such as5 free Warrior units, 3 free Settlers, and 2 free Builders
With the huge bonuses the AI gets in Deity level difficulty, it’s a proper challenge worthy of the name. This mode is recommended for only the most experiencedCivilization VIplayers, people who have little to no challenge on the harder difficulties.
Difficulty Level Bonuses
Here are the bonuses that the AI and the player will receive for each difficulty setting:
+0%
+8%
+16%
+24%
+32%
+40%
Production and Gold Bonuses
+20%
+60%
+80%
+100%
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+10%
+30%
+50%
+45%
+15%
AI Free Tech and Civics Boosts
1
2
3
4
5
1 (after constructing first district)
45
40
35
30
