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Civilization VII

Civ 7 Map Types Explained

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Civ7 - Map Banner
Map Types in Civilization VII (Civ 7) determine the kind of land masses that will be generated in your game. Read on for an explanation of the different map types in the game, as well as what map type you should pick.

List of Contents

Map Types Explained

Continents Plus

Civ 7 - Continents Plus Map.png
Continents Plus is the default map that players will be given when starting out a game in Civ 7. This is the Continents map with opportunities to give Leaders with buffs to Naval Units like Isabella to shine.

While this map still features two major pieces of continental land, there are smaller islands to the sides of the map that allows for naval battles and sea trades.

Continents

Civ 7 - Continent Map.png
This map features two big pieces of land to conquer and dominate. This is the most straightforward map that benefits Leaders with buffs to Cavalry like Charlemagne and other Land units.

Archipelago

Civ 7 - Archipelago Map.png

The Archipelago map, like the name suggests, provides an island map with tiny islands mixed with medium sized land masses.

While nowhere as expansive as any Continents map, this provides a lot of buffs for Leaders who favor Naval Units and have a lot of unique Buildings that favor being around the sea.

Fractal

Civ 7 - Fractal Map.png
The Fractal map is a mix of Continents and Archipelago. While providing with way more opportunity for naval exploration and battles than Continents Plus, the bigger land masses do not come as close to the size of a Continent.

This is a good mix of both sea and land and are suited for players who want to balance both during their campaign.

Terra Incognita

Civ 7 - Terra Incognita Map.png
Terra Incognita is a new map type for Civilization VII. According to an official livestream, for this map, players will start in a continent with a familiar shape. However, the other half of the world, the shape of the second continent, may vary in terms of how much land, water, and islands it has adding a surprise element to exploration for players.

New Map Type: Terra Incognita

Shuffle

Civ 7 - Shuffle Map.png
Shuffle is a random mix of all Map types. Depending on your map size, you will either have a game similar to an Archipelago run, or a Fractal map run. This map is best for all-rounder Leaders who don't favor one map over the others.

Which Map Type Should You Choose?

Continents Plus for Best Civ 7 Experience

This map type was made for the Age of Exploration. The smaller islands between each continent encourage expansion and trading via naval units. If you want to explore all the new mechanics, tiles, and systems in Civ 7, we recommend the Continents Plus map type.

Gameplay Changes and New Features

Continents for a Simpler Game

The massive continents make exploration easier you only need to focus on exploring land. If you want an easier game or a map that is similar to past Civ games, try Continents.

Fractal for a Challenge

This map type has the best variety for each tile type. Since some civilizations have a starting tile bias, you will have a high chance of getting a good start. Then, you will have to expand to different terrains.

Choose Fractal when you want a challenging and varied game that will test how well you can adapt with the map.

Civilization VII (Civ 7) Related Guides

Civ 7 Tips and Tricks

Beginner Tips and Tricks

All Recommended Guides

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How to Play Civ 7 Early Game Strategy Guide
The New Ages Diplomacy Guide
Best Science Mementos Best Military Mementos
Best Culture Mementos Ground Combat Guide
Naval Exploration and Combat Guide What Does Happiness Do
How to Win Wars -
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Best Economic Leaders and Civs Best Science Civs
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Should You Convert a Town Into a City? Can You Capture Settlers?
Where to Spend Influence? When to Incorporate City-States?
Can Scouts Auto Explore? Best Pantheon
Should You Rush Age Change? How to Incite Raid
How to Get Relics How to Get Artifacts
Fresh Water Tiles Why Can't You Build a Factory?
Distant Lands Revolutions
How to Get More Resource Slots Attribute Trees Guide
How to Get Tile Max Yield How to Found Religion and List of Beliefs
What is X Per Age? How to Defend and Conquer Cities
What is War Weariness and War Support? Zone of Control
How to Change the Capital Resource Map
Should You Melt or Construct Relic? Game Speed
Floods Natural Disasters
Best Map Seeds How to Force End Turn
Papyrus Problems Best Tech Research Order

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