March 2023 brings a new Civilization (Civ 6) DLC with its third Leader Pass installation, featuring three leaders from Chinese history.
The Rulers of China Pack will include Yongle, Qin Shi Huang the Uniter, and Wu Zetian. Based on what we know about these powerful historical leaders, we can make some speculative guesses about their prospective talents in the game — and how that could look mechanically in Civ VI.
Yongle, Historical Lifespan: 1360-1424
As a real historical leader, the Yongle Emperor, also known as Zhu Di, ruled during the Ming Dynasty. His reign oversaw the construction of the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing and the Forbidden City, the purposes of which can provide some tells about this leader.
Yongle’s rule signified a change from leadership by birthright to leadership by earned merit via the imperial examination, a civil service exam later replicated by European nations.
Predictions for Yongle Play in Civ VI
In Civ VI, Civil Service is a medieval era civic. Because this was a hallmark of the historical Yongle’s leadership, it’s likely that he will provide an additional production bonus at this time, such as a permanent +1 to worker build actions. This could mechanically represent the efficiency created by the advent of the imperial examination.
To gain control of the dynasty, Yongle had to defeat his uncles and brother before capturing the capital. Because he won by force, he had to put down many rebellions in his time. Mechanically, this could look like a loyalty bonus for fortified troops in a city, or a loyalty penalty similar to the one you’ll face playing Abraham Lincoln, should you build plantations.
Because he wanted a loyal government, Yongle appointed scholars to his government, suggesting that science generally, or universities specifically, could bolster this leader or a production/efficiency bonus in some fashion.
Yongle was also an explorer and a conqueror, striking against Mongols and the Vietnamese. This could translate to some kind of bonus when invading enemy cities, or an accelerated casus belli when invading.
Lastly, Yongle subscribed to Confucianism, which could provide some sort of reinforcement of educational values in the mechanics.
Qin Shi Huang the Uniter, Historical Lifespan: 259-210 BCE
Known as China’s uniter, Qin Shi Huang, Qin Dynasty leader, took five states by force to create an empire. History remembers him as brutal and expansionist, being single-minded in his goal to create a united empire.
This leader already exists in Civ VI, but the “Uniter” profile is new, and will add new facets of play.
Predictions for Qin Shi Huang the Uniter Play in Civ 6
Qin Shi Huang established the foundation of The Great Wall of China, a famous wonder in real life and in our favorite gaming franchise. In Civ 6, this wonder provides significant defensive bonuses, gold, culture, and tourism (even more so in the Gathering Storm expansion).
It is possible that this leader provides an additional bonus or perhaps an automatic troop promotion upon creation when this wonder exists in his empire. Unfortunately, the Great Wall isn’t the easiest wonder to achieve based upon resource commitment, so it unlikely for this to be a bonus — or, at least not a heavy one — as it is so dependent on random game factors such as terrain.
As an early leader, it’s likely that Qin Shi Huang will be even stronger than he is in the early game, especially as a wonder builder and an expansionist. Expect early settlement bonuses.
Because Qin Shi Huang united by force, those expansionist tendencies will likely be rewarded mechanically.
Wu Zetian, Historical Lifespan 624-616 BCE
Wu Zetian was empress consort turned empress (as regent) during the Tang Dynasty, officially using an Emperor title. Wu Zetian is historically regarded for attacking corruption at court, bolstering culture and economy, and dying swiftly as the result of a coup. A participant of statecraft, she is remembered for charisma, appreciation of education, and social ambition. Lastly, she expanded the empire and engaged spies.
Predictions for Wu Zetian Play in Civ VI
Wu Zetian led a well-rounded empire, so her area of focus could be difficult to nail down. However, given the other rulers of China additions’ proclivities for expansionist warfare, it’s likely that the game will provide a cultural focus for Wu Zeitan.
Historically, she was a patron of the arts and a poet herself. Rumored introductory content for Wu Zetian suggests a focus on the arts and spycraft. It would be interesting to pit her against Catherine de Medici in a war of spies.
We can predict more of Wu Zetian’s mechanics based upon her appearance in Civilization V, this game’s predecessor. In that game, she favors espionage, protecting city states, expanding her population, and focusing on science when played as an AI. In VI, it is likely she will veer more towards a cultural victory.
Because Wu Zeitan was a sincerely prolific student of literature herself, there could be special bonus considerations towards the proliferation of great writers or other cultural beacons. If this is the case, strategize early to ensure housing for all great works of writing and art.
Lastly, one of Wu Zetian’s areas of interest was developing agriculture; she commissioned a heavy amount of written works on this topic. Therefore, it’s possible she will receive a farming bonus at some point in the game, perhaps in the medieval era.
While the first two leaders are more focused on global domination by expansion, Wu Zetian provides an option for culture and stability compared to the others in Civ VI: Rulers of China Pack.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
We hope you enjoyed our first look at the Civ VI: Rulers of China Pack. Please check out Gamer Journalist on Facebook to join the discussion and keep up to date with our content. You may also want to check out our Civ VI Abraham Lincoln Strategy Guide — Best Tips for Playing as Honest Abe.
Published: Jan 4, 2023 02:33 pm