Southeast Asia Rises – A Look into Southeast Asian Leaders and Civilizations in Civilization VII

The grand tapestry of Southeast Asia unfolds in Civilization VII, as Firaxis Games enriches its legendary strategy series with compelling new civilizations, leaders, and architectural marvels from this dynamic region. From the mighty Khmer Empire’s mastery over water to the maritime prowess of Majapahit, players can now experience the rich cultural heritage that shaped this diverse corner of the world.

Leaders Who Changed History

1. José Rizal

José Rizal emerges as the representative of the Philippines, bringing his revolutionary spirit to the game through the Pambansang Bayani ability, which rewards players with additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events. His Kapwa agenda favors civilizations that pursue Endeavors while opposing those who rely on Sanctions.

Unique Ability: Pambansang Bayani

Has additional Narrative Events, and gets additional Culture and Gold per Age when gaining rewards from a Narrative Event. Bonus to Celebration duration, and bonus Happiness towards Celebrations.

Agendas: Kapwa

Increase Relationship by a Medium Amount for the player with the most active Endeavors started.

Decrease Relationship by a Medium Amount for the player with the most active Sanctions started.

If there is a tie between the players with the most active Endeavors or Sanctions, then Increase or Decrease Relationship by a Small Amount accordingly.

2. Trung Trac

The legendary Vietnamese heroine Trung Trac offers a militaristic edge with her Hai Ba Trung ability, granting free Promotions to Commanders and bonus Science on Tropical tiles during Formal Wars. Her Van Minh agenda creates interesting diplomatic dynamics based on Commander Promotions across civilizations.

Unique Ability: Hai Bà Trưng

Gain a set number of free Promotions on your first Commander. Your Commanders gain additional experience. Gain increased Science in Cities on Tropical tiles; this bonus is increased during any Formal War you declare.

Agendas: Van Minh

Decrease Relationship by Medium Amount with the player who has the greatest amount of Promotions across all Commanders. If tied, Decrease Relationship a Small Amount with tie holders.

Increase Relationship by Medium Amount with the player who has the least amount of Promotions across all Commanders. If tied, Increase Relationship a Small Amount with tie holders.

Civilizations in Focus

1. Khmer

The Antiquity Age

Kamboja, the Khmer Empire, was a model of the Hindu-Buddhist heavens in Southeast Asia. From its center, it projected its influence across the region. True Khmer power lay in water, as harnessing the floods of the Mekong fueled some of the largest cities in the world. But as these floods waned, so did Khmer power, leaving its dream in ruins across modern-day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

Civic Trees

Mousong

• Tier 1: Unlocks the Baray Unique Building. Improvements, Buildings, and Urban Districts do not get pillaged by floods. Unlocks ‘Pithi Chrat’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Pithi Chrat: Units gain increased Combat Strength on Floodplains tiles.

Amnach

• Tier 1: Yuthahathi Unique Cavalry Units gain increased Movement. Unlocks ‘Varna’ Tradition and Angkor Wat Wonder.
• Tradition – Varna: Increased Gold from Specialists.

Chakravarti

• Tier 1: Increased Growth Rate for the Capital. Reduced Happiness for every other City. Unlocks ‘Kambu-Mera’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Kambu-Mera: Reduced Maintenance for Specialists.
• Tier 2:  Increased Codex Slots for the Palace.

Unique Civilian Unit 

Vaishya: Unique Merchant Unit. Immune to flood damage. Ignores movement penalties from Wet tiles.

Unique Military Unit 

Yuthahathi: Unique Cavalry Unit. Has increased Combat Strength but low Movement. Immune to flood damage.

Associated Wonder 

Angkor Wat: Adds Happiness. Increased Specialist Limit in this City. Must be placed adjacent to a River tile.

2. Majapahit

The Exploration Age

The last great Hindu kingdom of Indonesia arose with the surprise betrayal of Kublai Khan’s navy, paving the way for the Majapahit, who conquered and controlled the spice islands at the dawn of the global era. But after three hundred years of dominance, the winds began to change. Muslim trade networks sidelined the Majapahit state, forcing them to the island of Bali, where their legacy remains. 

Civic Trees

Wayang

• Tier 1: Unlocks the Candi Bentar Unique Building and ‘Panji’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Panji: Increased Culture on Specialists not in your Capital.
• Tier 2: Increased Production towards Overbuilding.

Aliran Kepercayaan

• Tier 1: Unlocks the Meru Unique Building and ‘Negarakertagama’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Negarakertagama: Reduce Specialist Food Maintenance.
• Tier 2: Pedanda Unique Missionary Unit also provides additional Culture when you Convert a Settlement.

Nusantara

• Tier 1: Exploration Age Culture Buildings receive a Culture adjacency with Coast tiles. Unlocks ‘Subak’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Subak: Increased Culture and Production on Marine tiles.
• Tier 2: Naval Units have increased Combat Strength against Land Units.

Gamelan

Tier 1: Increased Culture on tiles with multiple buildings from this Age. Increased Settlement Limit. Unlocks the Borobudur Wonder.

Unique Infrastructure

Candi Bentar: Unique Building. Happiness base. Receive a Culture Adjacency for Coast and Navigable River tiles.

Meru: Unique Building. Happiness base. Ageless. Receive a Happiness Adjacency for Mountains and Wonders. Increased Happiness on Natural Wonder tiles.

Unique Civilian Unit 

Pedanda: Unique Missionary Unit. Receive Culture when you convert a Settlement to your Religion. Requires a Temple.

Unique Military Unit 

Cetbang: Unique Naval Unit. Has increased Combat Strength against Naval Units. Can pillage tiles at range with a reduced Movement cost.

Associated Wonder 

Borobudur: Adds Happiness. Increase Happiness on Quarters. Must be built adjacent to a Coast tile.

3. Siam

The Modern Age

Between British colonial expansion in India and French claims in Indochina, Siam emerged. It slowly took in and adapted colonial governance, incorporating parts of Laos, Lanna, and Malaya, walking a delicate line between adopting Western norms and maintaining its own Buddhist traditions and developing into the Thailand of today.

Civic Trees

Nine Gems

• Tier 1: Unlocks the Bang Unique Improvement and ‘State Railway’ Tradition. Increased Culture for every Relationship above Friendly status.
• Tradition – State Railway: Increased Influence per Gold Building per Turn.
• Tier 2: Increased Influence for every Relationship above Friendly status. Unlocks the ‘Sakdina’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Sakdina: Increased Happiness in Cities for each allied City-State.

Mandala 

• Tier 1: Chang Beun Unique Ranged Unit gains increased Combat Strength in allied City-State territory. Unlocks the ‘Prathetsarat’ Tradition.
• Tradition – Prathetsarat: Increased Influence towards initiating Diplomatic Actions with City-States by a set percentage.
• Tier 2: Increased Culture on the Palace for every allied City-State. Unlocks the ‘Mueang’ Tradition and the Doi Suthep Wonder.
• Tradition – Mueang: Increased Gold for each allied City-State.

Sriwilai 

• Tier 1: Increased Culture for every active Diplomatic Action with another civilization.
• Tier 2: Increased Culture and increased Gold for every Trade Route with another civilization. 

Unique Infrastructure

Bang: Unique Improvement. Culture and Happiness base. Must be placed on a Navigable River.

Unique Civilian Unit 

Uparat: Unique Great Person Unit. Can only be built once you are Suzerain of at least one City-State, and the specific Uparat received is random. Each Uparat can only be received once. Cost increases per Uparat built.

Possible Uparat Units:

• Chakrabongse: Activated on a Palace to immediately receive a set amount of Influence.
• Itsarasunthon: Activated on a City’s District to immediately trigger a Celebration.
• Phibun: Activated in a City’s District to give the City increased Production for every allied City-State.
• Pinklao: Activated in a City’s District to give it increased Culture for every allied City-State.
• Pridi: Activated in a City’s District to give the City increased Influence for every allied City-State.
• Dara Rasmi: Activated on an allied City-State to turn it into a Town under your control.
• Sakdiphonlasep: Activated on a Tropical tile to grant a set number of Chang Beun Unique Ranged Units with increased Combat Strength.
• Senanurak: Activated on a Commander Unit, providing increased Combat Strength to units in its Command Radius for every allied City-State.
• Vajravudh: Activated on a City’s District to give it increased Science for every allied City-State.
• Wichaichan: Activated on an Independent Power. This Independent Power becomes a City-State with you as Suzerain.

Unique Military Unit 

Chang Beun: Unique Ranged Unit. Has increased Movement and Combat Strength. Can move after attacking.

Associated Wonder 

Doi Suthep: Influence Base. Increased Culture and Gold for each City-State of which you are Suzerain. Must be built on a Rough tile.

The introduction of these civilizations adds new layers of strategy to Civilization VII, whether players prefer diplomatic maneuvering, cultural development, or military conquest. Each civilization’s unique abilities and units create distinct pathways to victory while staying true to their historical roots.

The introduction of these civilizations adds new layers of strategy to Civilization VII, whether players prefer diplomatic maneuvering, cultural development, or military conquest. Each civilization’s unique abilities and units create distinct pathways to victory while staying true to their historical roots. These Southeast Asian civilizations offer players fresh strategic opportunities while honoring the region’s historical significance. Whether commanding the flood-resistant armies of the Khmer, establishing maritime dominance with Majapahit’s naval forces, or wielding Siam’s diplomatic influence, each civilization presents unique challenges and rewards.

For both newcomers and veteran players, these additions not only enrich the gameplay experience but also serve as a gateway to exploring Southeast Asia’s fascinating heritage through the lens of one of strategy gaming’s most beloved franchises.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Publisher: 2K Games

Developer: Firaxis Games

Release Date: 2025-02-11

Epic Games Store, mac os, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!

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