Building Next To Mountains In Civ 5: Strategies

what constitutes building next to a mountain in civ 5

In the popular turn-based strategy game Civilization V, mountains are a type of terrain feature that can be found anywhere on land tiles. Mountains provide an opportunity for adjacent cities to construct observatories, wonders, and buildings. They also act as a natural defensive barrier, offering protection from enemy attacks. However, their impact on settlement decisions depends on various factors, including the type of city, civilization, and victory conditions. Settling next to a mountain can offer advantages in defence and construction, but players must also consider the availability of fresh water and the potential benefits of settling near rivers or luxury resources.

Characteristics Values
Advantages of building next to a mountain Can build Machu Picchu, Neuschwanstein, and Observatories
Natural defensive barriers
Can build a powerful tile early in the game
Disadvantages of building next to a mountain Mountains are impassable to almost all units except air units
Carthaginian players can negate their defensive properties after earning a Great General
Advantages of building on a river Fresh water
Trade routes
Disadvantages of building on a river If the river is small, settling on it will reduce your fresh water
Water mills cost 2 GPT and take a lot of early hammers to build

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Constructing an observatory

When considering constructing an observatory, it is important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of settling near a mountain. On the one hand, mountains can provide a natural defensive barrier, offering one tile that an enemy cannot attack from. Additionally, settling near a mountain can grant access to other bonuses and wonders, such as Machu Picchu and Neuschwanstein.

However, it is worth noting that settling near a mountain may not be the best choice for every situation. For example, settling your capital on a river can provide benefits such as improved freshwater access and trade routes. Additionally, the decision to settle near a mountain may depend on the specific victory condition you are aiming for and the type of city you want to build.

Ultimately, the decision to construct an observatory by settling near a mountain should be informed by your overall strategy and the specific requirements of your civilization. It is a good idea to pay attention to the requisites for certain wonders and plan your city layout accordingly.

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Defensive advantages

However, it is important to be aware of the potential for Carthaginian players to negate the defensive properties of mountains. With that in mind, settling near a mountain can still provide some defensive advantages, but it may be prudent to also consider other factors when choosing a city location, such as access to fresh water and luxury resources.

Mountains also provide opportunities for city development beyond defence. In Civ 5, settling a city adjacent to a mountain allows for the construction of observatories, Machu Picchu, and Neuschwanstein. These buildings can provide significant benefits to your city, making it a more attractive option than settling directly on a luxury resource, as you can gain the benefits of the luxury tile without sacrificing the ability to work a "normal" tile.

Overall, settling a city near a mountain can provide defensive advantages, as well as access to key buildings and wonders. However, it is important to weigh these benefits against other factors, such as access to fresh water and luxury resources, when making your decision.

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Access to fresh water

Rivers provide several benefits to your city. They give increased commerce to every square they touch, which amounts to free money. You can also build watermills and hydroelectric plants in cities with rivers, and farms built near fresh water will yield 1 additional food with Civil Service. Rivers also provide a defensive bonus if your opponent attacks from the opposite side.

However, settling directly on a river tile may not always be the best option. Your city will take up one of the river tiles, reducing the number of fresh water tiles available. Additionally, some players consider the bonuses provided by watermills and hydroelectric plants to come too late in the game to be truly beneficial.

Therefore, when settling your city, it is important to consider not only access to fresh water but also the overall benefits and trade-offs of your chosen location.

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Natural resources

In Civ 5, mountains are a type of terrain feature that can be found anywhere on land tiles. They are impassable to most units, except air units, and can provide a natural defensive barrier for adjacent cities. Mountains offer a tile that an enemy cannot attack from, which can be advantageous in terms of ease of defence.

Mountains also provide the opportunity for adjacent cities to construct observatories, which can be beneficial for a tall empire focused on science. In addition, mountains can be used to build wonders such as Machu Picchu and Neuschwanstein. To build an observatory, the city must be directly next to a mountain or a mountainous natural wonder. However, the two wonders mentioned can be built within two tiles of a mountain, as long as it is not a natural wonder.

When considering building next to a mountain, it is essential to take into account the type of city, the specific Civ being played, and the desired victory condition. For example, settling next to a river might be preferable for access to fresh water and trade routes, especially if it is the capital city. Additionally, settling on a luxury resource can provide benefits faster than working the tile, although some players may prefer to work a "normal" tile instead.

Overall, while building next to a mountain can have its advantages, such as improved defence and the ability to construct certain buildings and wonders, it is not a requirement and players should consider their specific goals and strategies when making settlement decisions in Civ 5.

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Wonders and buildings

Secondly, mountains offer opportunities for constructing specific wonders and buildings. Certain wonders, such as Machu Picchu and Neuschwanstein, can only be built in a city that is within two tiles of a mountain. Additionally, a city must be directly adjacent to a mountain to construct an Observatory, which can be a significant boost for a science-focused empire.

The benefits of settling near a mountain should be weighed against other factors, such as access to fresh water, rivers, and luxury resources. Some players prioritise settling on or near luxury resources, while others prefer the benefits of settling on a river, which provides bonuses like additional food and production.

Overall, the decision to build next to a mountain in Civ 5 depends on your overall strategy and the type of city you are aiming for. Mountains can provide defensive advantages and enable the construction of certain wonders and buildings, but other factors, such as resources and terrain, should also be considered to optimise your city's potential.

Frequently asked questions

Building a city next to a mountain allows you to construct observatories, Machu Picchu, and Neuschwanstein. Mountains can also provide a natural defensive barrier, as enemies cannot attack from tiles occupied by mountains.

Mountains are impassable to most units, which can make it difficult to move around the map. Additionally, settling next to a mountain may not provide as many benefits for the base production of your city compared to other types of terrain.

It is important to note that your city must be directly adjacent to a mountain to build an observatory. However, the mountains can be within two tiles for the construction of Machu Picchu and Neuschwanstein. It is also worth considering the victory conditions and the type of city you are aiming for, as rivers may be a better option in some cases.

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