Welcome to this in-depth tutorial on how to play as Rome in Civilization 5! As one of the most iconic civilizations in history, Rome offers a unique gameplay experience with its impressive military prowess and exceptional city-building abilities. In this guide, we will delve into the strategies and key elements that will help you dominate the world as Rome.
Unique Abilities and Units
Rome has two unique abilities that set it apart from other civilizations:
- Glory of Rome: Cities start with an additional free building upon foundation. This ability allows you to establish a strong foundation for your empire early on.
- Legions: Replaces the standard Swordsman unit. Legions are stronger than their regular counterpart and have the ability to build roads outside your territory, enabling swift movement for your forces.
Early Game Strategy
To make the most out of Rome’s early game advantages, focus on expanding your empire rapidly. With the Glory of Rome ability, each new city you found will come equipped with a free building, allowing you to boost production, culture, or any other area necessary for your growth strategy.
Additionally, prioritize researching technologies that unlock military units such as Iron Working and Construction. This will enable you to take advantage of Legions’ road-building ability and establish a network of roads connecting your cities.
Military Conquests
Rome’s military strength is formidable, making it an ideal civilization for domination victories. Use your Legions to conquer weaker neighboring civilizations or city-states early in the game. The road-building ability comes in handy here by enabling fast troop movement across conquered lands and facilitating quick access to new frontlines.
Ensure that you maintain a strong economy to support your military campaigns. Exploit trade routes and establish city connections to maximize your gold income, which will keep your military machine well-oiled.
Mid to Late Game
As you progress through the eras, continue expanding your empire through conquest or peaceful means. Aim for a wide empire with multiple cities to take full advantage of Rome’s unique abilities and maintain a strong military presence.
Invest in infrastructure and focus on building key wonders and buildings that enhance production, culture, and science. The Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and the Great Library are excellent choices to boost happiness, provide additional amenities, and speed up advancements respectively.
Cultural Victory
While Rome excels in military domination, it is also possible to achieve a cultural victory. Use your strong production capabilities to build cultural wonders like the Louvre or Broadway. Generate great artists and musicians to create influential works that will attract tourists from other civilizations.
Bolster your tourism output by establishing trade routes with other civilizations and adopting policies that boost culture and tourism generation. This way, you can win the game by captivating other nations with Rome’s rich history and cultural achievements.
In Conclusion
Rome offers a versatile gameplay experience in Civilization 5. With its unique abilities focused on rapid expansion and military might, Rome is an ideal choice for players who enjoy dominating through conquest. However, its potential for cultural victories should not be overlooked either.
Remember to leverage Rome’s strengths by rapidly expanding cities with free buildings while maintaining a powerful military force. From there, you can choose between subjugating the world under your rule or impressing them with your cultural prowess. The choice is yours!