One of the most exciting updates in Civilization VII is its revamped combat system, which brings a new level of strategy and depth to the battlefield. At the heart of these changes is the introduction of Commanders in Civ 7, a powerful unit type that centralizes leadership. In previous Civ games, individual units would earn experience and promotions, but now, commanders gather experience from the combat around them, unlocking bonuses that boost nearby troops. This new approach simplifies unit management and adds a strategic layer to battles, as players must carefully choose when and where to deploy their commanders.
Commanders: The Backbone of Warfare
Commanders are essential in Civ 7 combat, acting as anchors for your army. With a commander, you can gather multiple units under one leader, making it easier to maneuver large armies across the map. Commanders can also initiate powerful attacks and tactical maneuvers, like overwhelming isolated enemy units. This setup reduces the micromanagement typically associated with Civ’s combat, making battles faster and smoother while retaining a strong strategic element. It’s all about timing and placement—figuring out when to bring your commander into the fray and how to maximize their influence.
Reinforcements and Unit Composition
In Civ 7 you can assign up to six units to each commander. Initially, this limit is smaller, but it increases with new technologies. Units assigned to a commander don’t fight until deployed, so when you spot an enemy, you can quickly position your forces around the commander in a tactical arrangement—melee units up front, cavalry on the sides, and ranged units in the back. This setup ensures a strategic advantage, as the units benefit from the commander’s bonuses during battle.
One of the coolest new features is the reinforcement mechanic. Commanders can act as rally points, allowing units from nearby cities to join them instantly, reducing the need for time-consuming micromanagement. Instead of manually moving each unit to the frontlines, you can keep the action going by reinforcing your commander’s group in real-time, depending on their distance from a city. This approach makes it feel more like an ancient empire with reinforcements arriving just in time.
Building Up Commander Experience
Commanders aren’t just powerful—they’re also the only units that earn experience or Commendation points. Civ VII introduces a skill tree system for commanders, similar to the leader attributes. Commanders can specialize in areas like Bastion (defense), Assault (offense), Logistics, Maneuver, and Leadership. There could be five commendation point for each area that provide unique bonuses; for example, a commander with strong Leadership skills could even enhance city development. Commanders earn these points from battles, which can be spent to unlock these bonuses, much like the promotion system in Civ 6.
Some sample skills include Recruitment in the Assault tree, which boosts production for land units when stationed on a district, and Zeal from the Leadership tree, which increases yields in a settlement. Players can tailor commanders to suit their playstyle, whether it’s reinforcing armies, enhancing city output, or improving tactical flexibility on the battlefield.
Continuous Combat for Seamless Engagement
The combat in Civ 7 has become faster and more seamless with the introduction of a continuous combat system. Once units engage, they stay in combat until the player intervenes or the battle concludes, creating a more fluid experience. No more waiting for each turn to resolve the fight; now, you can react in real-time, adjusting tactics or adding reinforcements as the battle unfolds. This continuous combat approach keeps the game pace lively and lets players stay immersed in the action.
New Unit Variety and Customization
Civilization 7 also adds a personal touch to units by making them unique to each civilization, reflecting their distinct culture and era. A Roman spearman, for instance, will look and behave differently than a spearman from another civilization. This visual and functional diversity not only enhances immersion but also makes your armies feel truly unique.
In addition to commanders, Civ VII introduces specialized units like Aksum’s Dhow, a coastal combat unit with flanking bonuses that can establish naval trade routes. This gives players strategic advantages when securing coastlines. Aksum’s Tankwa trade ships are also worth noting; they come with extended trade range and immunity from pillaging, making them ideal for protecting trade routes in hostile waters.
Fortification Mechanics: New Defensive Tactics
One of the additional changes in Civ 7 is the fortification mechanic, which adds a new defensive layer to combat. When you fortify a unit, the tile itself gains a defense bonus, allowing you to replace a damaged unit with a fresh one without losing the fortification benefits. This mechanic encourages a more dynamic approach to defensive positioning—you can keep up a strong front while giving wounded units a chance to retreat and heal. It’s a small change, but it offers tactical flexibility and a realistic feel to fortifications, letting players create fortified lines that can stand the test of time.
A Dynamic, Engaging Combat Experience
With the combination of commanders, continuous combat, unit diversity, and the new fortification mechanic, Civilization 7 is aiming to make warfare faster, more intuitive, and deeply strategic. Commanders add a unique layer of tactical decision-making, while the continuous combat system and cultural unit distinctions make battles feel more immersive. Whether you’re leading a diverse army or managing fortifications, new combat system in Civ 7 is designed to keep you engaged and thinking several steps ahead.
