When it comes to grand, turn-based strategy, theCivilizationseries is one of the old masters. The series endures today throughCivilization 6, the latest entry. Thanks tothe New Frontier Pass, it’s clearCivilization 6is here to stay, and more passes are real possibilities for the future.
The hex-based 4X gameplay style ofCivilization 6is familiar to many, and daunting to the uninitiated. With gameplay that focuses on building cities, exploiting the land, and creating a powerful nation, there are many ways to win the game. Each civilization focuses on different ways to build power and win, with a unique building, unit, and bonuses. This is one reason why people have been so eager to learn about the new civs in the New Frontier Pass, particularly the next one releasing: Ethiopia.
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TheEthiopia Pack reveal datewas declared not long ago, and now the reveal has come to pass. The leader for Ethiopia is Menelik II, a revered emperor in Ethiopian history. Among his accomplishments are a long list of modernizations during his reign, as well as repulsing attempts at Italian colonization. In the game, Menelik II’s ability grants bonus Culture and Science based on Ethiopia’s overall Faith output. This means investing in Faith production is a good idea, since it passively increases two of the most important productions as well.
Ethiopia’s innate ability ties in well with Menelik II’s power. Each resource in Ethiopian cities passively provides +1 bonus Faith. Ethiopia has a unique Faith tile improvement called the Rock-Hewn Church, built on hills or volcanic soil tiles. It can only be pillaged and not destroyed by natural disasters. Furthermore, the unique Ethiopian unit Oromo Cavalry suffers no movement penalty for being on hills. This lets Ethiopia play a defensive role, settling in hills, resource rich areas and around mountains/volcanoes to maximize rapid defense and faith output. This ties in with Menelik II’s accomplishment of defending his homeland. It’s already difficultconquering a city inCiv 6, and the right terrain can make it nigh impossible early on.
Ethiopia also works well with theDistrict introduced in the Ethiopia Pack: the Diplomatic Quarter. This is because Ethiopia’s playstyle scales well into the late game, since the civ gets more bonus faith for international trade routes form its own resource rich cities. Furthermore, the Rock-Hewn Churches provide Tourism when Flight is researched, and Ethiopia can purchase Archaeologists and Archaeological Museums with Faith. In this way Ethiopia can springboard off Faith right into Culture power, and can use the Diplomatic Quarter to defend itself against non military threats.
All of this makes Ethiopia a defensive, Faith and Culture-centric civ that excels at staying sovereign and making the most out of everything it has. There are more civs coming out from theNew Frontier Pass, and players know who they want to see. Whoever shows up, it will no doubt be a more interesting world built.
Civilization 6is available on iOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
