Naval Trade Routes

Navigate the waters of Civilization VII! Learn about naval trade routes, navigable rivers, and how they impact your empire's growth and diplomacy in this comprehensive guide.

This guide section focuses on the mechanics of naval trade routes within Civilization VII. While the provided text is a general overview of the game, it contains specific details relevant to naval gameplay.

Key Features Affecting Naval Trade:

• Navigable Rivers: Rivers are now divided into small and wide, navigable types. Wide rivers allow naval units and embarked units to travel through them, directly impacting movement and potentially trade route establishment along inland waterways. Rivers now run through tiles rather than along their edges.
• Settlements (Cities and Towns): The distinction between Cities and Towns, both categorized as Settlements, affects how players manage their infrastructure. While Towns accrue yields and allow building purchases, they initially convert all Production to Gold. The upgrade path to Cities is crucial for developing production centers that can support naval unit construction and trade infrastructure.
• Influence Yield: A new yield type, Influence, is introduced and used for diplomacy. While not directly tied to trade routes, effective diplomacy can secure favorable trade agreements and protect your routes.
• Age System: The game's division into Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages will likely influence the types of naval technologies and units available, impacting the scale and nature of trade routes throughout the game.

Implications for Trade:

• The introduction of navigable rivers suggests a greater emphasis on inland water-based trade, potentially opening up new strategic options for connecting cities and resource locations away from coastlines.
• The development of Settlements from Towns to Cities will be critical for building the infrastructure necessary to support and protect trade routes, including naval units for escort and defense.
• The new Influence yield could play a role in establishing and maintaining trade agreements with other civilizations, potentially offering bonuses or protections for your trade routes.