There are a bunch of things to consider whensetting up a gameinCivilization VII, from Game Speed to Difficulty. However, the most important setting is arguably Map Type. There are six differentCiv 7Map Types for players to choose from, some of which are much better suited to certain strategies than others.
Choosing the best Map Type inCivilization VIIis therefore incredibly important, particularly when it comes to gathering resources and managing conflicts with rival Civs. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t really explain how every Map Type inCiv 7works, leaving many players to look elsewhere for answers.
Description
Continents Plus
Continents Plus is the defaultCiv 7Map Type and features two large landmasses with a bunch of smaller islands scattered in between.
Continents
Choosing Continents will result in two large land masses. There may be some small islands here and there, but most of the action will take place on the two main continents.
Archipelago
The Archipelago Map Type is made up of four or five medium-sized land masses with a bunch of smaller islands filling up the rest of the space.
Fractal
Fractal feels like a blend of Continents and Archipelago, although there tend to be fewer small islands than the latter and fewer land tiles overall.
Shuffle
Shuffle will provide players with a random map. It’s not entirely clear how this works at the time of writing, although it appears as though the left and right sides of the map are each assigned a random Map Type, which can result in some interesting combinations.
Terra Incognita
As revealed duringtheCiv 7Exploration Age Developer Livestreamback in late 2024, the Terra Incognita Map Type uses Continents for the side of the map on which players start out and then assigns a random Map Type for the other half. It’s a bit like Shuffle, only one side of the map will always be a continent.
Which Map Type Should You Choose in Civ 7? (Best Civilization VII Map Type)
Generally,Continents Plus, Terra Incognita, and Continents are the bestCiv 7Map Types, as they allow for easy exploration right from the get-go and can accommodate a broader range of play styles. However, if players are starting their campaign in the Exploration or Modern age whenship travel is more readily availablethen having one’s capital on a continent isn’t quite so important. In fact, sharing a continent with another Civilization can be hazardous during times of conflict, as a portion of a continent is a lot harder to defend than a small or medium-sized island.
With this in mind,those looking to secure a Science Victory should consider using the Archipelago Map Type, as this will allow them to focus on their research without having to worry too much about being invaded by other Civs. They may still try, but will likely give up pretty quickly after a few of their units have been wiped out.Archipelago is also a good Map Type for those hoping to secure anEconomic Victory, particularly during the Exploration Age, as there’ll be plenty of opportunities to set up small and easy-to-defendDistant Lands settlements.
