Firaxis Games has announced two more world civilizations heading to Sid Meier’s Civilization VI.
Both Macedon and Persia will be added to the game in the next post-launch downloadable content, and they’re led by two iconic and legendary rulers: Alexander the Great, and Cyrus II (also more commonly known as Cyrus the Great), respectively.
The Civilization Double Pack will be included free to Digital Deluxe Edition owners, and will launch alongside the game’s coming Spring 2017 update (Editor’s Note: a standalone price wasn’t confirmed). The Spring update brings with it multiplayer changes, bug fixes, as well as balancing changes.
You can find trailers and a rundown for both civilizations below:
UNIQUE ABILITY: HELLENISTIC FUSION
Every time a city is conquered, Macedon gets a bonus based on the kind of districts that are present within the city.
UNIQUE UNIT: THE HYPASPIST
The Hypaspists, shield-bearing soldiers wielding a long spear and short sword, were among Macedon’s soldier elite. Similar to Hoplites, these units were differentiated by their more ornate equipment and were usually positioned on the flanks of the phalanx – a singular group of soldiers moving in close shoulder-to-shoulder formation. The Hypaspists’ job was to guard the flanks of the pikemen comprising the majority of the phalanx, as these pikemen wielded massive spears between 18-22 feet long and were quite vulnerable to attacks from the side.
UNIQUE UNIT: THE HETAIROI
The Hetairoi, Alexander’s unique replacement for the Horseman, is a fast Heavy Cavalry unit widely considered the greatest cavalry of the ancient world. Additionally, the Hetairoi are widely recognized as the world’s first shock troops – a military unit designed to penetrate enemy defenses and attack vulnerable rear flanks. Chosen Hetaroi were elevated to the status of elite guard for the king, and would ride atop only the best horses.
UNIQUE BUILDING: BASILIKOI PAIDES
Throughout Macedon’s conquests, often young boys would be taken as political hostages and raised as Macedonians. These boys, along with Macedon’s noble sons, received education and training at the Basilikoi Paides, which is roughly translated as “royal page school.” No expense was spared in securing the best tutors for the Basilikoi Paides, where boys were taught to serve, honor and protect the king, and to serve Macedon’s interests above all else.
ALEXANDER’S UNIQUE ABILITY: TO THE WORLD’S END
Macedon incurs less war-related penalties, enabling you to stay at war for a much longer time.
UNIQUE ABILITY: SATRAPIES
Persia gets a free trade route when political philosophy is unlocked, and bonuses to internal trade routes.
UNIQUE UNIT: THE IMMORTAL
Persia’s elite heavy foot soldier, the Immortal, served as both guard of sovereign and state. It is said that Persia’s army consisted of 10,000 Immortals, and that each Immortal was equipped with both long-range and short-range armaments.
UNIQUE IMPROVEMENT: THE PAIRIDAEZA
The Pairidaeza, or Persian Gardens, are closed collections of exquisite foliage meant to convey the feeling of paradise on Earth. Persian Gardens are represented throughout Persian literature and culture as places of relaxation, both in the sense of leisure and spirituality.
CYRUS’ UNIQUE ABILITY: FALL OF BABYLON
After declaring a surprise war, all Persian units get bonus movement. Cyrus also takes less diplomatic penalty for declaring surprise wars.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is currently available for PC. In case you missed it, you can find my thorough written / video review of the game here (I highly recommend it!).
