civ 7 how to get relics

In the intricate tapestry of Civilization VII, where empires rise and fall based on military might, scientific prowess, and cultural influence, few artifacts hold as much quiet power as Relics. These unique Great Works of Art are not merely trophies of a bygone era; they are potent engines for generating Faith and Tourism, capable of propelling a civilization toward a Religious or Cultural Victory. Acquiring them, however, is a deliberate endeavor that requires strategic planning, a willingness to embrace risk, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. This guide delves into the primary methods for securing these coveted items, offering a comprehensive roadmap for players seeking to harness their power.

Table of Contents

Understanding Relics and Their Value

The Martyr Ability: A Calculated Sacrifice

Archaeology and the Late-Game Hunt

City-State Alliances and Tribal Villages

Strategic Synthesis for Relic Acquisition

Understanding Relics and Their Value

Before embarking on the quest to obtain Relics, one must first appreciate their unique value. Unlike other Great Works, Relics are slotted into specific buildings: the Palace, Temples, and later, more advanced structures like the Mont St. Michel wonder. Their primary yield is a substantial amount of Faith per turn, making them invaluable for maintaining religious pressure, purchasing Great People or units with Faith, and fueling religious expansion. Crucially, they also generate significant Tourism, especially when the civilization has founded a religion. This dual-output nature makes Relics a cornerstone for hybrid strategies, allowing a player to pursue cultural dominance while simultaneously bolstering their religious and economic foundations. A civilization with multiple Relics can experience a dramatic surge in both Faith generation and Tourist appeal, often catching rivals off guard.

The Martyr Ability: A Calculated Sacrifice

The most direct and controllable method for acquiring Relics in the early to mid-game revolves around the Martyr promotion for Apostles. This promotion is not guaranteed; it appears as a random option when an Apostle is earned. Therefore, a strategy focused on Relics must prioritize generating a high number of Apostles to increase the chances of Martyr appearing. Founding a religion with beliefs that enhance Apostle generation, such as "Mosque" for an extra spread charge or "Religious Orders" for cheaper faith purchases, is highly advantageous. The core of this strategy is counterintuitive: you must get your Martyr-promoted Apostle killed in theological combat. When a unit with Martyr is defeated, it automatically creates a Relic in the nearest city belonging to its owner. This requires careful positioning, often luring hostile religious units or initiating theological combat in unfavorable circumstances. The construction of the Mont St. Michel wonder, which grants the Martyr ability to all Apostles created in that civilization, eliminates the randomness and makes this strategy exceptionally powerful and reliable.

Archaeology and the Late-Game Hunt

As the game progresses into the Industrial Era and beyond, a more systematic method for obtaining Relics becomes available: Archaeology. Upon discovering the Natural History civic, players can build Archaeologists. These civilian units can be dispatched to Antiquity Sites, which appear as special resources on the map, often in desert, tundra, or jungle tiles. Excavating an Antiquity Site yields an Artifact, which is a type of Great Work similar to a Relic but typically themed around the civilization that excavated it. However, a key nuance exists. If an Archaeologist excavates an Antiquity Site located on a landmass that is not their original home continent, they have a chance to unearth a Relic instead of a standard Artifact. This makes exploration and territorial expansion onto other continents a vital component of a late-game Relic strategy. Building Archaeological Museums and staffing them with Curators is essential to house these discovered items and maximize their cultural and tourism output.

City-State Alliances and Tribal Villages

Beyond these primary methods, several ancillary paths can yield Relics, often introducing an element of chance. Cultivating strong relationships with religious City-States, such as Yerevan or Vatican City, can be fruitful. As the Suzerain of such City-States, you may periodically receive gifts of religious units, including Apostles. While the promotion on these gifted Apostles is random, it presents another opportunity to secure a unit with the coveted Martyr ability. Furthermore, exploring the map thoroughly and interacting with Tribal Villages, especially in the early game, can occasionally result in the unexpected discovery of a Relic. Although this is a low-probability event and cannot form the backbone of a strategy, it serves as a potential early-game boon that can jumpstart a Faith-based economy. Remaining vigilant for these opportunities and maintaining a network of scouts can yield surprising dividends.

Strategic Synthesis for Relic Acquisition

Mastering the acquisition of Relics in Civilization VII is not about relying on a single tactic but about weaving multiple approaches into a coherent long-term strategy. An effective plan might begin with an early focus on generating Faith and Apostles, aiming for a Martyr promotion to secure the first crucial Relic. Simultaneously, the player should prioritize exploration, identifying Antiquity Sites on other continents for future archaeological digs. The construction of Mont St. Michel represents a strategic inflection point, after which the civilization can aggressively produce Martyr Apostles without fear of theological combat losses. In the late game, the shift towards Archaeology ensures a steady stream of new Relics and Artifacts to fill museums and temples. Throughout this process, alliances with religious City-States provide valuable support. This multifaceted approach ensures a consistent accumulation of Relics, transforming your civilization into a beacon of Faith and a magnet for Tourism, steadily guiding your empire toward a transcendent victory.

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