Natural Wonders Guide

Learn how to conquer Humankind on the highest difficulty. This guide details AI bonuses, optimal strategies, and map settings for achieving victory.

This guide provides strategies for beating Humankind on its highest difficulty setting. It details the AI bonuses and offers advice on how to compensate for them to achieve victory.

AI Bonuses on Humankind Difficulty:

• +3 Food per Farmer on all Cities
• +3 Industry per Worker on all Cities
• +3 Money per Trader on all Cities
• +3 Science per Researcher on all Cities
• +60 Stability on all Cities
• +2 Strength Combat Strength on all Units

General Strategy:

1. Avoid early wars; engage no earlier than the Classical era, preferably Medieval.
2. Prioritize establishing trade for luxury resources.
3. Select Agrarian and Builder cultures early on, and focus on expanding widely to scale into the late game as AI FIMS bonuses become less impactful.
4. Focus on accumulating Fame stars, as winning the game requires the most Fame, not just a dominant position. Avoid transcending cultures too early to maximize star acquisition.
5. Trigger the end game condition, typically the science ending (all technologies researched) or, if conquest is advanced, by eliminating or vassalizing all other cultures.

Optimal Map Settings:

• World Size: Huge (allows for more expansion and diverse minor culture spawns).
• World Shape: Large Pangea (facilitates scouting and trade partner access).
• Land Percentage: 70-80% (balances landmass with sufficient ocean for trade routes).
• Climate: New World (ensures diverse starting conditions).