The Unexpected Return: Civilization 7's Surprising Leader Choice

In Civilization 7, players may have the opportunity to revisit one of the series' most unique leaders. While most leaders tend to follow similar rules and playstyles based on their individual abilities, Civilization 5 introduced a civilization that completely disrupted the game's typical strategy. Though challenging to master, this civilization pushed players to approach gameplay in a completely new way.

Selecting a leader in Civilization is crucial, as each leader brings their own distinct qualities to the table. From leader abilities to civilization-specific buildings and unique units, these features make each leader's strengths and weaknesses clear. While players can still choose any leader and pursue any victory route, each leader's unique abilities tend to guide them towards a particular playstyle. For example, Shaka Zulu's Impi and Ikanda units in Civilization 5 are essential tools for domination victories. These leader-specific abilities often inspire some of the game's most effective strategies.

Enrico's Venice Can Bring A Thoroughly Unique Playstyle to Civilization 7

Venice, led by Enrico Dandolo, is one of the most intriguing leaders in Civilization 5. Their unique playstyle is taken to the extreme with the ability Serenissima, which prevents the founding of any new cities aside from their capital. Settlers cannot be trained, and captured cities can only be puppeted, not annexed. This results in Venice having only one playable city, which has been likened to a city-state.

Despite the limitations, Venice can still thrive in the game. Enrico receives twice the normal amount of trade routes, which allows players to create a vast trade network and generate a significant amount of gold. Additionally, the unique Merchant of Venice, a Great Merchant replacement, can buy a city-state outright and turn it into a puppet without engaging in warfare. Although Enrico cannot directly control puppet states, this serves as Venice's version of expanding its empire, and he can purchase units and buildings for his puppeted cities, giving them a unique advantage.

Enrico's playstyle in Civilization 5's World Congress offers a significant advantage. He can puppet city-states, increase trade capacity, and pay for loyalty to gain a plethora of votes, even electing himself as the world leader for a diplomatic victory. His weak early game due to limited expansion is offset by his mercantile and diplomatic prowess, making him a difficult opponent to stop once he gains momentum. Enrico's unique playstyle and mechanics make him an intriguing leader for Civilization 7 and adding more leaders like him would enhance the game's variety and strategy. Despite his relative obscurity, Enrico's presence in Civilization 7 would bring a special and original aspect to the game.

Civilization 7 is in development.