Sid Meier's Civilization VII | |||
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Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Civ 7’s official release isn’t even out yet and Firaxis already has two new leaders and civs coming out along with a bunch of new wonders. Read on to learn more about the Crossroads of the World DLC, what it has, and what we predict it’ll be like.
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New Civs, Leaders, and Wonders are Coming Soon to Civ 7
Less than a day after Civ VII’s Deluxe Edition launch—and not even a week before the standard edition hits—Firaxis has already unveiled its 2025 Post-Launch Roadmap. Titled the Crossroads of the World DLC, this content pack comes with the Deluxe and Founders’ Editions of the game, offering two new leaders, four new civilizations, and four new natural wonders across two planned releases in early and late March 2025.
Based on the details revealed so far, Ada Lovelace is set to debut alongside the Great Britain and Carthage civs, as well as four new natural wonders, in early March. Later that month, Simón Bolívar will arrive, accompanied by Nepal and Bulgaria.
At this point, Firaxis has yet to share specifics about the announced leaders, civs, or wonders, but that won’t stop us from making some educated guesses. Of course, these are just predictions—so take them with a grain of salt…or a pound. No offense to any culture or people is intended, and all information used to make these predictions were gathered from historical accounts and real-life information.
Ada Lovelace Leader Ability, Attributes, and Agenda Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | Countess of Lovelace: +1 Science, +1 Culture per Age for each Specialist assigned to Coastal Tiles. +2 if it's also an Urban Tile. +1 Codex Capacity to Quarters adjacent to Coastal Tiles. |
Agendas | The Unseen World: Prefers Civs who have have plenty of assigned Specialists over those who have few. |
Attributes | Scientific Cultural |
Starting Bias | Coastal |
Ada Lovelace, formally known as Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, is widely regarded as the first computer programmer for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Given her legacy, she’s almost certainly going to be a science-focused leader.
Considering her aristocratic background and lineage—being the only daughter of the esteemed poet Lord Byron and social reformer Annabella Milbanke—her leader bonuses will likely revolve around the Codex and Specialist mechanics. These areas remain untapped by any current leader, making them a strong fit for her unique abilities.
Paired with our predictions for Great Britain’s overall civ bonuses, Lovelace seems primed to lead players toward a science victory.
Simón Bolívar Leader Ability, Attributes, and Agenda Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | El Libertador: +1 Movement, Unit Slots, and Command Range for all Commanders. Deploying packed units grants them +2 Combat Strength for the rest of your turn. +10% Production towards Military Buildings. |
Agendas | Gran Tour: Prefers Civs who have the most Military Units over those who have few. |
Attributes | Militaristic Expansionist |
Starting Bias | Flat |
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco—known to history simply as Simón Bolívar—was the first president of Colombia and earned the title The Liberator of America for his efforts to unite various territories across Latin America.
Bolívar is no stranger to the Civilization series, having previously appeared in Civ 6 as the leader of Gran Colombia in the New Frontier Pass. Given his historical legacy, prior Civ appearance, and reputation as a formidable military strategist, Bolívar will likely lead a Militarist/Expansionist playstyle in Civ 7, making full use of the game's new Commanders mechanic—just as our predictions suggest.
Trung Trac also utilizes this new mechanic, but rather than building his commanders tall, as is allowed by Trung Trac’s free promotions and exp bonus for her Commanders, Simón Bolívar will use his commanders to keep his forces moving forward through logistical prowess.
Carthage Unique Bonus, Unit, Infrastructure, and Wonder Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | Legendary Shipbuilders: Start with the Sailing Technology unlocked. Embarked units gain +1 movement on Coastal Tiles and take less damage from being on Ocean Tiles. +10 Trade Route Range to Merchants if the Settlement is adjacent to a Coastal Tile. |
Unique Infrastructure | Cothon: Unique Quarter: +1 Gold to adjacent Fishing Boats. Punic Port: +1 Food to Adjacent Fishing Boats. Carthaginian Shipyards: +1 Production to Adjacent Fishing Boats. |
Unique Military Unit | Bireme:Unique Naval Unit. +5 Combat Strength when fighting or defending on Coastal Tiles. Needs less production to build. |
Unique Civilian Unit | TBA: Unique Merchant Unit. Gain +1 Gold per Age. |
Associated Wonder | Colossus: +3 Gold, +3 Resource Capacity in this Settlement, +1 Economic Attribute point. |
Starting Bias | Coastal, Rivers |
Carthage was one of the wealthiest cities of the classical world, serving as a major trading hub in North Africa and the capital of Ancient Carthage—until its downfall in the Third Punic War, when it was besieged and absorbed into Roman Carthage.
Given this rich mercantile history, and considering Phoenicia’s inclusion in Civ 6, Carthage will likely be an Antiquity Age naval trade and coastal-focused civilization in Civ 7. However, since that niche is already occupied by Aksum, another Antiquity Age civ, Carthage may take a different approach.
Rather than emphasizing Trade Route range and resource bonuses, we predict Carthage will specialize in Trade Route capacity and Culture bonuses from international trade. Throw in a bonus to the Colossus wonder, and you’ve got a civ that even Amina would pair well with.
Great Britain Unique Bonus, Unit, Infrastructure, and Wonder Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | Means of Production: +1 Production on Coastal Buildings for each active Trade Route. +1 Specialist Slot on Urban Tiles on or adjacent to Coastal Tiles. +1% Science and Culture to each Settlement for each Imported Resource assigned to it. |
Unique Infrastructure | Royal Navy Dockyard: Unique Quarter: +10% Production to Naval Units in this Settlement. Dry Docks: Adjacent Naval Units regain +20 health every turn. The King's Yard: +50 Food and Gold to this Settlement whenever a Naval Unit is destroyed in adjacent Coastal or Ocean Tiles. |
Unique Military Unit | Dreadnought: Unique Ironclad. +5 Combat Strength when attacking against Naval Units. -1 Movement on Ocean Tiles. |
Unique Civilian Unit | TBA |
Associated Wonder | Oxford University: +4 Science, Grants 2 free technologies, +1 Wildcard Attribute point. |
Starting Bias | Coastal |
Great Britain is a civilization that needs no introduction, having been a staple of the Civilization series since its inception—first as England and later represented by leaders like Victoria and Elizabeth in Civ 6.
In Civ 7, Great Britain will likely be a Modern Age civilization, unlockable from the Normans in the Exploration Age or automatically granted when playing as Ada Lovelace. Given this, its design will probably reflect Britain’s Industrial Era dominance, with bonuses tied to naval production and trade, leveraging its status as an island nation. Additionally, it may receive a production boost from Oxford University, one of its most iconic institutions, reinforcing its strength in science and industry.
Nepal Unique Bonus, Unit, Infrastructure, and Wonder Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | Thousand Summits, One Border: +2 Culture per Age and +5% Production to Infantry units for each unique Civ within 3 Tiles of your Borders. +1 Culture to Mountains. |
Unique Infrastructure | Stupa: Unique Building. Can be built on Mountains. +5 Food, +5 Culture. |
Unique Military Unit | Gurkha: Unique Rifle Infantry Unit. +2 Combat Strength against Infantry Units. +5 if on a Mountain Tile. |
Unique Civilian Unit | Sherpa: Unique Support Unit. Grants +2 Combat Strength on Rough or Mountain Tiles and +1 Movement to Army Commanders this unit is Reinforcing. |
Associated Wonder | N/A |
Starting Bias | Mountain, Rough |
Nestled near one of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges, the Himalayas, and the legendary Mount Everest, Nepal is a new addition to Civ 7’s expansive roster, sparking plenty of speculation within the community. While official details remain scarce, its rich history and unique geography offer strong hints about its potential playstyle.
First, Nepal will almost certainly be a Modern Age civilization, as it did not exist as a distinct cultural identity during the Antiquity or Exploration Ages. Second, given its tumultuous military history, strategic position between powerful neighbors, and deep-rooted cultural heritage, Nepal will likely specialize in military and cultural advantages, possibly with unique units that gain benefits from mountainous terrain.
As for wonders, it remains unclear which one Nepal will synergize with. While the Taj Mahal is geographically close, its historical bonuses don’t align perfectly—so we’ll have to wait and see how Firaxis handles this aspect.
Bulgaria Unique Bonus, Unit, Infrastructure, and Wonder Prediction
Unique Features | Description |
---|---|
Unique Ability | Stranata na Rozite: +1 Gold and Culture per Age to Military Buildings. +25% Gold towards purchasing Cavalry and Infantry Units. +5% for each Rough Tile in that Settlement. Trade Routes within 2 Tiles of a Cavalry Unit cannot be plundered. |
Unique Infrastructure | Krepost: +5% Production towards Cavalry Units for each active Trade Route. |
Unique Military Unit | Konnik: Unique Knight Unit. Turns into a Tier 1 Warrior Unit with half its health remaining when defeated. Requires less Production to build. |
Unique Civilian Unit | TBA |
Associated Wonder | N/A |
Starting Bias | Rough, Tundra |
Arguably the civilization that best embodies this DLC’s theme, Bulgaria is making its Civilization debut in Civ 7. Positioned at the heart of the Balkan region, Bulgaria historically absorbed influences from both its Eastern and Western neighbors, shaping a distinct cultural and economic identity.
With its rich natural resources, historical ties to the Ottomans, and proximity to the Silk Road, Bulgaria will likely emphasize Military and Economy, with a particular focus on Cavalry. However, rather than focusing on Trade Routes, its strengths may lie in Traditions and Social Policies, aiding in steady progression.
While this is the first time Bulgaria has appeared in a Civ game, Firaxis has confirmed that it will be an Exploration Age civilization. This suggests its design may highlight its role during or shortly after Ottoman rule, an era when the Ottomans themselves were known for their military and economic prowess in Civ 6.
Crossroads of the World DLC Natural Wonder Bonus Predictions
The Crossroads of the World DLC won’t be including any new buildable Wonders, but it does come with 4 new Natural Wonders for players to find in their playthroughs. Following how passive Natural Wonders are in Civ 7, no longer granting unique bonuses apart from additional Tile Yields, here’s what we think they’d be like on release.
Wonder | Size | Type | Bonus |
---|---|---|---|
Machapuchare | 2 Tiles | Mountain | +4 Happiness per Age, +1 Production on Rough Terrain in this Settlement |
Mount Fuji | 4 Tile | Volcano | +2 Happiness and +2 Culture per Age, grants +1 Science to adjacent Tiles whenever this erupts |
Vihren | 3 Tiles | Mountain Range | +2 Culture, +2 Gold, +1 Happiness on Rough Terrain in this Settlement |
Vinicunca | 1 Tile | Mountain | +4 Happiness and +4 Culture per Age, Grants tree Dye Resources |
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