Civilization 6: Native Villages - tips Civilization VI Game Guide
Last update: 16 March 2022
The chapter below of Civilization 6 game guide is dedicated to native villages, which can be found on the map in every scenario. You'll find some detailed info on the villages in Civilization VI, and the benefits that can result from interacting with them.
Basic Info
The native villages look similar to barbarian camps, but don't pose any danger, and can bring only benefits for your civilization. In essence, they are just a poorly developed civilizations, which don't field military troops, and don't initiate any contacts with other players. You can encounter them in random locations, and efforts to locate them shouldn't be neglected after beginning a game. Unlike barbarians, native villages are not randomly generated throughout the whole scenario, but disappear after their tribute to never come back.
Relevance of tribal villages
As a result of limited number of villages, you need to fight for every one of them. When you managed to locate one, send a unit in its direction immediately. The first player who will interact with a native village, is rewarded with certain benefits. It doesn't matter if your unit is nearby, if you won't enter the village first, you're left with nothing. The most important military unit that will be invaluable in taking over native villages is a scout. Thanks to scouts' bigger number of action points, you can reach them quickly and take over the bonus. Remember that other players, regardless of whether you are playing against AI, or a real player, will try to reach the village first at all costs.
Benefits
When you interact with a village (i.e. move your unit to the village tile), you'll receive a random bonus for your civilization. This could mean civilian units such as merchants or builders. Military units - typically a scout. There is also a huge possibility that the interaction will allow you to avoid bearing costs for developing one of the technologies present in the current age of your civilization. If not, at least the research cost will be lowered by half. In case of an idea, accelerating the research is the only possibility, as an instant idea for any civilization would disturb the balance of the game. Aside from that, there is a possibility of gaining an instant boost of gold or faith points, but there is also a likelihood of your civilization receiving a relic. Remember that each of these bonuses can be received only once, and you'll gain only one random from each of the mentioned above.
Strategy
In this case, random factor has huge meaning, both when it comes to the benefit, and the location of the villages. If you can reach a village, do it as quickly as possible. Until you see a barbarian scout near your capital, you can freely explore the map with your military forces. Remember to send your troops to two different reaches of the field of view. If a scout reaches a settlement, he should continue traveling in that direction. If you sent a military unit, the situation takes a completely different turn. If you are able to take over a village, send your warriors to the capital as soon as you can. Don't send your forces too far, as the limited number of action points and disadvantageous terrain can make defending your capital impossible, or force you to recruit mercenaries.