Build more Settlements in the early game to fast-track your civ's growth in Civilization VII (Civ 7). Read on to learn when to build more settlements and things to consider when finding and settling a new town in this guide.

When to Build More Settlements

Build a Settlement After Scouting the Map After Finding a Natural Wonder After Finding a Group of Tiles with Lots of Resources After Finding a Good Coastal Tile If You Need More Buildings and Wonders If Your Legacy Path Requires It If You Find Tiles that Synergizes With Your Leader or Civ

Build a Settlement After Scouting the Map

The best time to build more settlements is after creating a Scout and a Settler at your capital city in the Antiquity Age. Use your Scout to uncover the fog of terrain and find terrain that is close to a body of water such as navigable rivers, lakes to ensure your settlement thrives.

You may also wait until you have a Warrior to protect your Settler when moving to settle a new Town. Hostile units from independent villages may target your Settler during the journey, so having a Warrior to escort them prevents them from being targeted.

Tick All Three Decorations Under the Lens Icon

Make sure to tick all three decorations under the Lens Icon: Hex Grid, Resources, and Yields. These give you a clearer view of your map, highlighting important details like terrain features, available resources, and the yield of tiles making it easier to check which area to create a new settlement without having to click on the Settler unit.

After Finding a Natural Wonder

Natural Wonders provide bonuses when you build your settlement next to it. Once you discover a Natural Wonder on the map, deploy a Settler to move there before another Leader can do so.

List of Wonders

After Finding a Group of Tiles with Lots of Resources

Another reason to build more settlements is to harvest the resources on the surrounding area. Resources help you expand your civilization and create trade routes with other civs and independent villages.

List of All Resources

After Finding a Good Coastal Tile

Creating settlements in coastal spaces is crucial as it will allow you to create water exclusive buildings and units. Have a settlement is a coastal space will also allow you to easily explore the oceans and reach distant lands or other continents which is a necessity for some legacy paths and victory conditions.

If You Need More Buildings and Wonders

Building more settlements allows you to add more buildings and wonders to your civilization. In addition, a growing Town can be converted into a city, giving you more options to build more.

If Your Legacy Path Requires It

Some Legacy Path milestones require you to expand your civilization by building more settlements. Make sure to check your Journal to see the next steps when pursuing a Cultural, Economic, Military, or Science Legacy Path.

Legacy Paths Explained

If You Find Tiles that Synergizes With Your Leader or Civ

Certain civilizations and leaders have unique abilities that buffs a settlement depending on where it is placed. For example, Songhai's unique ability, Tarikh al-Sudan, increases the resource capacity of Cities founded on navigable rivers.

On the other hand, Amina's Leader Agenda, Desert of the Warrior Queen, affects her relationship with other leaders depending on the number of settlements they have on plains or desert tiles.

Civilization VII (Civ 7) Related Guides

Beginner Tips and Tricks

All Recommended Guides

All Tips and Tricks