Top 6 BEST Maps In Civ 6 & Features

The best map types in Civilization 6 are showcased in great detail, allowing you to meticulously select the prime location and dominate the game.

By Saqib August 23, 2023

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In the world of Civilization 6, a well-crafted strategy is crucial for achieving victory. However, before diving into the game, there is one decision that significantly impacts your gameplay experience: selecting the right map. The best CIV 6 map plays a vital role in determining the challenges you face, the resources available, and the best path to victory.

With over 30 different map types in Civ 6, players have a plethora of options to choose from, allowing players to discover the best map that caters to their unique playstyle and strategic preferences.

For ease of understanding, here is a condensed version of the features of every best map:

Map Type	Features
Continents	- Large landmasses separated by oceans - A mix of large and small continents - Encourages exploration and naval gameplay - Balanced mix of land and sea resources
Pangea	- One massive landmass with smaller islands around it - Favors land-based empires and warfare - Limited naval gameplay - Encourages early expansion and competition for land
Island Plates	- Numerous islands of various sizes - Naval gameplay is essential - Encourages settling on multiple islands - Diverse terrain types and resources - Favors civilizations with strong naval bonuses
Fractal Maps	- Randomly generated landmasses with unpredictable shapes - Encourages exploration and adaptation - Can create interesting strategic chokepoints and barriers - Terrain and resource distribution vary greatly, making each playthrough unique
Four-Leaf Clover and Six-Armed Snowflake	- Symmetrical maps with equal starting positions - Designed for balanced multiplayer gameplay - Encourages competitive play and conflict - Fair distribution of resources and strategic locations
Archipelago Maps	- Many small islands spread across the map - Naval gameplay and exploration are crucial - Encourages settling multiple islands - Favors civilizations with strong naval units and bonuses - Diverse distribution of resources

1. Continents

Continents map civ 6 — The classical Civilization experience [image by us]

Map	Description
Continents	Some large landmasses

For the first place in Civ 6 best map, players are most attracted to the continents map. Continents maps stand out as a classic choice, offering players the quintessential Civilization experience. Being the best map type in Civ 6 for beginners, it features large landmasses separated by oceans and smaller bodies of water, effectively simulating the real-world geography of Earth’s continents.

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Continent maps in Civilization 6 create an interesting interplay between land and sea, with sizable landmasses divided by vast oceans.
This layout encourages the development of both land-based and naval forces, demanding players strike a balance between the two.
Additionally, the arrangement of continents promotes exploration, as players must sail across the oceans to discover new landmasses and encounter other civilizations.
Another notable feature of continent maps is their varied terrain, encompassing a range of different biomes such as deserts, grasslands, and tundras.

This diversity in terrain types allows for diverse gameplay, as players must adapt their strategies to the resources and geographical features available to them. Moreover, the terrain influences the distribution of city-states, natural wonders, and resources, providing ample opportunities for diplomatic and economic development.

2. Pangea

pangea maps civ 6 — Land Conquest Supremacy [image credits: eXputer]

Map	Description
Pangea	A large landmass surrounded by islands

The Pangea map type offers the best gameplay experience, focusing on land-based strategies and encouraging players to engage in territorial expansion and warfare.

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Pangea maps are one of the best map types in Civ 6, designed as a single, massive continent surrounded by ocean, with all civilizations starting on the same landmass. This setup fosters intense competition for resources, strategic locations, and overall dominance.

Pangea maps are characterized by a large, contiguous landmass that spans the entire map, occasionally featuring smaller islands or peninsulas scattered along the coastlines.
The geography of a Pangea map varies greatly, with diverse terrain types including mountains, plains, hills, forests, and deserts.
The abundance or scarcity of resources, natural wonders, and city-state locations can also differ significantly between games, leading to a dynamic and ever-changing strategic landscape.
One of the defining features of Pangea maps is the lack of separate continents, which places all civilizations in close proximity to one another.
This ensures that players encounter rival civilizations early in the game, promoting diplomatic relations, trade, and warfare.

The absence of large bodies of water means that naval power is less influential on Pangea maps, and instead, players must focus on developing a strong land-based military and infrastructure.

3. Island Plates

Island plates map civ 6 — The perfect balance [image by eXputer]

Map	Description
Island Plates	They are both little and huge islands

Among the best map types in Civ 6 is Island Plates maps, which strike the perfect balance between land and sea, creating a gameplay experience that requires both terrestrial and naval prowess. Many players consider the island plates map type to be the map for beginners looking for a balanced game.

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Island Plate maps in Civilization 6 generate a world with numerous islands and archipelagos of varying sizes.
These islands can range from small, resource-rich outposts to vast continents housing multiple civilizations.
This map type often leads to isolated starts, allowing players to develop their civilization without immediate threats from neighbors.
However, as the game progresses, the need for expansion and resource acquisition drives civilizations to explore and colonize nearby islands, leading to intense naval warfare and diplomatic intrigue.

The distribution of resources on Island Plates maps is another crucial aspect of this map type. Resources are scattered across the islands, making the control of strategic locations vital for long-term success. This map type also emphasizes the importance of ocean-based resources, such as fish, whales, and pearls, which can significantly boost a civilization’s economy and growth.

4. Fractal Maps

Fractal map civ 6 — Embracing the unpredictability [image by eXputer]

Map	Description
Fractal	A map that can either result in many or few landmasses

Fractal maps are one of the most unpredictable map types in Civilization 6, making their place among the best map types in the game. If you’re looking for a challenging game, try the fractal map type – it’s often considered the map for experienced players.

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They offer a unique challenge to players who thrive on adapting to diverse landscapes and unexpected twists. This map type is characterized by its random generation algorithm, which results in a mosaic of landmasses and water bodies that can vary drastically from one game to another. If you’re a player who enjoys surprises and the thrill of exploration, Fractal maps are undoubtedly for you.

Fractal maps are generated using a procedural algorithm that produces a wide array of terrain features, including continents, islands, peninsulas, and mountain ranges.
This unpredictable nature means that no two Fractal maps are ever the same, providing a fresh and unique experience every time you play.
While some games may result in large continents separated by vast oceans, others might generate a world with a complex network of smaller landmasses connected by shallow seas and narrow land bridges.
This variability in geography leads to dynamic gameplay and requires players to adapt their strategies and tactics accordingly.

Moreover, the resource distribution on Fractal maps can also be quite random. It’s common to find a dense concentration of strategic resources in some areas, while other regions may be resource-scarce. This randomness presents exciting opportunities and challenges for players as they race to establish their empires and gain control over valuable resources.

5. Four-Leaf Clover and Six-Armed Snowflake

civ 6 clover and snowflake map — 4-leaf Clover and 6-armed Snowflake [image by us]

Map	Description
4-Leaf Clover	Four balanced zones are where civilizations first emerge. Players are pushed toward the center of the map
6-Armed Snowflake	Six balanced zones, with cities surrounding islands, are the starting points for civilizations. Players are pushed toward the center of the map

The Four-Leaf Clover and Six-Armed Snowflake map types were introduced in the “Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack” DLC and, since then, have been the best map types for PvP matches.

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These symmetrical maps provide balanced starts with mirrored landmasses, promoting fair and competitive gameplay for all players. Ideal for multiplayer matches and players seeking an even playing field.

Some players enjoy the four-leaf clover map type because it creates a lot of choke points and strategic opportunities – it’s definitely Civ 6 best map for beginners who like to play defensively.

These symmetrical maps are designed to create a balanced starting position for all players, ensuring a fair and competitive gaming experience.

Four-Leaf Clover

Four identical, connected landmasses resembling the leaves of a clover
Central ocean or lake, encouraging naval exploration and combat
Equidistant resources and natural wonders for each player

Six-Armed Snowflake

Six symmetrical, connected landmasses radiating from a central ocean or lake
Encourages both land and naval strategies
Equidistant resources and natural wonders for each player

6. Archipelago Maps

archipelago civ 6 map — Mastering the Seas [image by us]

Map	Description
Archipelago	Some large Islands with some small islands

Few map types offer the unique challenges and rewards that Archipelago maps do. Therefore, they are one of the best map types. Combining the best of both land and sea, these maps are perfect for players who relish the opportunity to dominate the oceans while still maintaining a solid foothold on land. Many players consider the archipelago map type to be the Civ 6 best map, especially for beginners, for a fun and relaxing game with friends.

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Archipelago maps are characterized by a series of large and small islands scattered across a vast ocean.
These islands can vary in size and shape, with some offering ample space for sprawling empires, while others are little more than tiny outposts in the middle of the sea.
This unique landscape creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience that constantly keeps players on their toes.
One of the most distinctive features of Archipelago maps is the importance of water-based resources.
With limited land available, players must often rely on the wealth of the seas to fuel their economies and support their populations.
This means that civilizations with strong maritime capabilities, such as Norway or Indonesia, can thrive in these conditions, while those that struggle on water may find themselves at a disadvantage.

Another critical aspect of Archipelago maps is the role of naval exploration and expansion. The scattered nature of the islands means that players must be willing to venture out into the unknown and establish new cities on distant shores. Additionally, the presence of natural wonders, city-states, and rival civilizations on these remote islands creates a constant sense of discovery and excitement.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Map:

Gameplay preferences: Consider whether you prefer land-based or naval warfare, exploration, colonization, or balanced gameplay.
Civilization choice: Some civilizations excel on specific map types due to their unique abilities, units, or infrastructure.
Challenge level: Different map types can offer unique challenges that test your adaptability and strategic skills.
Familiarity: If you’re new to the game, choosing a more familiar map type like Continents may be easier to grasp. However, experienced players may prefer the unpredictability of Fractal or the challenges of modded maps.
Customizability: Some map types offer more customization options, allowing you to tailor the map to your preferences.

Pros And Cons of Each Map

Each map type has its own Pros and Cons. Below is a summarized version:

Map Type	Pros	Cons
Continents	Familiar gameplay, balanced mix of land and water	Limited strategic options for naval-focused civilizations, crowded starts
Pangea	Large landmass for land-based warfare, encourages aggression	Limited strategic options for naval-focused civilizations, crowded starts
Island Plates	Balanced mix of land and water, encourages diverse strategies	Some islands may be too small for viable cities, imbalanced starts
Fractal Maps	Unpredictable terrain, challenges players to adapt	Imbalanced starts, difficult terrain for expansion
Terra Maps	Incentivizes exploration and colonization	Slower early game, uneven resource distribution
TSL Earth Maps	Real-world geography, historical immersion	Civilization advantages or disadvantages, crowded starts
Four-Leaf Clover and Six-Armed Snowflake	Balanced starts, encourages competitive play	Mirrored landmasses, less emphasis on exploration
Splintered Fractal	Unique terrain, challenging gameplay	Imbalanced starts, difficult terrain for expansion
Primordial	More extreme conditions, dynamic gameplay	High risk of natural disasters, imbalanced starts
Seven Seas	Promotes naval strategies, mix of land and naval warfare	Less focus on land-based strategies, uneven resource distribution
Modded Maps	Unique and diverse gameplay experiences	Compatibility issues, quality varies by modder

Civ 6 offers various map types, each providing unique challenges, opportunities, and gameplay experiences. From the unpredictability of Fractal maps to the classic feel of Continents maps, players can immerse themselves in the rich and varied world of Civilization 6.

By understanding the distinct features and advantages of each map type, players can make informed choices that cater to their playstyle, strategies, and even the strengths of their chosen civilization.