The first major patch for Sid Meier's Civilization VII has arrived, and it's focused on cleaning up some critical launch issues. Update 1.3.0 addresses frustrating AI behavior, fixes a key combat bonus for the Songhai, and patches up several stability problems that could bring a game to a halt.
A More Reasonable AI
The most significant change for anyone who engages in diplomacy is the AI's rebalanced use of Sanctions. AI leaders will now use this diplomatic action less frequently and more appropriately, which should reduce the constant, often nonsensical, diplomatic pressure players have been facing. If you felt like you were being unfairly targeted, this change is for you.
More importantly, a major bug preventing the AI from properly producing Great People has been squashed. This is a massive fix for game balance, as AI-controlled civilizations were falling behind in science, culture, and religion simply because they weren't generating the key figures needed to compete. Your late-game opponents should now pose a much more consistent challenge.
How does this patch change combat?
The patch delivers a crucial fix for a specific civilization's core mechanic. Units will now correctly receive the +5 Combat Strength from the Songhai Unique Civic, Hi-Koi, and the Isa Tradition. This bonus was simply not applying before, significantly nerfing the Songhai's military potential in the mid-game. With this fix, their unique units and traditions now function as designed, making them a more viable and predictable military power.
Stability and Multiplayer Fixes
Beyond gameplay balance, Patch 1.3.0 brings much-needed stability. A critical bug that could cause the game to crash during an Age Transition when using the Restart option has been resolved. This provides a safety net for players who want to retry their start without risking a game-ending crash.
For the multiplayer community, the update addresses a particularly disruptive issue where a player could lose control of their game if the host paused during the First Greet Diplomacy screen. This fix is essential for ensuring smooth and fair online matches. Overall, this is a solid first patch that targets core systems and stability, laying a better foundation for future updates.