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ghost-ng edited this page Jan 28, 2026 · 1 revision

Independents System (City-States & Tribes)

This document covers the independents system in Civilization VII, including city-states, independent tribes, and how to create custom content for both.

Overview

Civ VII's independents system includes:

  • City-States - Minor civilizations that provide suzerain bonuses
  • Independent Tribes - Neutral or hostile groups (barbarian equivalents)
  • City-State Bonuses - Unique effects when you become suzerain
  • Affinities - Determines initial disposition (Friendly, Neutral, Hostile)

Core Tables

Table Purpose
Types Register independents and bonuses as kinds
CityStateTypes Define city-state categories
Independents Define individual city-states/tribes
Affinities Define disposition types
CityStateBonuses Define suzerain bonuses
CityStateBonusModifiers Link bonuses to effects
IndependentTribeTypes Define tribe behavior patterns
TribeTagSets Define unit composition for tribes

Type Kinds

<Types>
    <!-- Independent (city-state or tribe) -->
    <Row Type="INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE" Kind="KIND_INDEPENDENT"/>

    <!-- City-State Bonus -->
    <Row Type="CITY_STATE_BONUS_MY_BONUS" Kind="KIND_CITY_STATE_BONUS"/>
</Types>

City-State Types

City-states are categorized by their focus/bonus type.

Built-in Types

Type Yield Description
CULTURAL Culture Art and tradition focused
ECONOMIC Gold Trade and commerce focused
MILITARISTIC Production Military and defense focused
SCIENTIFIC Science Research and knowledge focused
EXPANSIONIST Food Growth and settlement focused
DIPLOMATIC Diplomacy Influence and relations focused

CityStateTypes Table

<CityStateTypes>
    <Row CityStateType="CULTURAL"
         Name="LOC_CULTURAL_NAME"
         Weight="100"
         YieldType="YIELD_CULTURE"
         DisperseRewardAmount="100"/>
</CityStateTypes>
Column Type Description
CityStateType TEXT Unique type identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for name
Weight INTEGER Spawn weight relative to others
YieldType TEXT Associated yield type
DisperseRewardAmount INTEGER Base reward when dispersed

Affinities

Affinities determine the starting relationship with an independent.

Affinity Hostility Chance Neutrality Chance Description
AFFINITY_FRIENDLY 0% 0% Starts friendly, won't attack
AFFINITY_NEUTRAL 80% 100% Can become hostile
AFFINITY_HOSTILE 80% 100% Starts hostile, may raid 
<Affinities>
    <Row Affinity="AFFINITY_FRIENDLY" HostilityChance="0" NeutralityChance="0"/>
    <Row Affinity="AFFINITY_NEUTRAL" HostilityChance="80" NeutralityChance="100"/>
    <Row Affinity="AFFINITY_HOSTILE" HostilityChance="80" NeutralityChance="100"/>
</Affinities>

Defining Independents

City-States

<Independents>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE"
         Name="LOC_INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE_MINOR_NAME"
         CityStateName="LOC_INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE_MAJOR_NAME"
         Affinity="AFFINITY_FRIENDLY"
         BiomeType="BIOME_GRASSLAND"
         CityStateType="SCIENTIFIC"/>
</Independents>

Independents Table Columns

Column Type Description
IndependentType TEXT Unique independent identifier
Name TEXT Name when minor (tribe)
CityStateName TEXT Name when promoted to city-state
Affinity TEXT Starting disposition
BiomeType TEXT Preferred biome for spawning
CityStateType TEXT Category (CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, etc.)

City-State Bonuses

Bonuses are granted to the suzerain (player with highest influence).

Defining a Bonus

<CityStateBonuses>
    <Row CityStateBonusType="CITY_STATE_BONUS_MY_BONUS"
         Name="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_MY_BONUS_NAME"
         Description="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_MY_BONUS_DESCRIPTION"
         CityStateType="SCIENTIFIC"
         Shareable="false"/>
</CityStateBonuses>

CityStateBonuses Table Columns

Column Type Description
CityStateBonusType TEXT Unique bonus identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for name
Description TEXT Localization key for description
CityStateType TEXT Which city-state type uses this
Shareable BOOLEAN Can multiple players benefit

Linking Bonuses to Modifiers

<!-- For AI evaluation -->
<CityStateBonusModifiers>
    <Row CityStateBonusType="CITY_STATE_BONUS_MY_BONUS" ModifierID="MOD_MY_CS_BONUS"/>
</CityStateBonusModifiers>

<!-- Actually applies the modifier in-game -->
<GameModifiers>
    <Row ModifierId="MOD_MY_CS_BONUS"/>
</GameModifiers>

Note: Bonuses require entries in both CityStateBonusModifiers (for AI evaluation) and GameModifiers (for actual application).

Independent Tribe Types

Tribes define the behavior of hostile independents.

Built-in Tribe Types

Type Description
TRIBE_DEFAULT Standard land-based tribe
TRIBE_NAVAL Naval-focused tribe
TRIBE_CRISIS Special crisis event tribes

IndependentTribeTypes Table

<IndependentTribeTypes>
    <Row TribeType="TRIBE_MY_TRIBE"
         DefenderTagSet="DEFAULT_DEFENDER_TAGS"
         RaidOperation="Independent Large Raid"
         AdvancedRaidOperation="Independent Large Raid"
         RespawnTime="6"
         IgnoreSpacing="false"
         CanBeBefriended="true"
         CampConstructibleType="IMPROVEMENT_ENCAMPMENT"/>
</IndependentTribeTypes>
Column Type Description
TribeType TEXT Unique tribe type identifier
DefenderTagSet TEXT Tags for defender units
RaidOperation TEXT AI operation for raids
AdvancedRaidOperation TEXT AI operation for advanced raids
RespawnTime INTEGER Turns to respawn after defeat
IgnoreSpacing BOOLEAN Can spawn near other independents
CanBeBefriended BOOLEAN Can become friendly
CampConstructibleType TEXT Building type for camps

Tribe Unit Composition

TribeTagSets

Define how many units of each type a tribe can have:

<TribeTagSets>
    <Row TribeTagName="DEFAULT_SCOUT_TAGS" InitialUnitAmount="1" MaxUnitAmount="1"/>
    <Row TribeTagName="DEFAULT_DEFENDER_TAGS" InitialUnitAmount="1" MaxUnitAmount="1"/>
    <Row TribeTagName="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" InitialUnitAmount="0" MaxUnitAmount="5"/>
    <Row TribeTagName="DEFAULT_COMMANDER_TAGS" InitialUnitAmount="0" MaxUnitAmount="0"/>
</TribeTagSets>

TribeCombatTags

Define which unit classes can be in each tag set:

<TribeCombatTags>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_MELEE"/>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_RANGED"/>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_SKIRMISH"/>
</TribeCombatTags>

TribeRequiredCombatTags

Define required unit classes:

<TribeRequiredCombatTags>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_SCOUT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_RECON"/>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_DEFENDER_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_COMBAT"/>
</TribeRequiredCombatTags>

TribeForbiddenCombatTags

Define excluded unit classes:

<TribeForbiddenCombatTags>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_NAVAL"/>
    <Row TribeTagSet="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS" CombatTag="UNIT_CLASS_NO_INDEPENDENTS"/>
</TribeForbiddenCombatTags>

Linking Tag Sets to Tribes

<TribeScoutTagSets>
    <Row TribeTypeName="TRIBE_MY_TRIBE" TribeTagSetName="DEFAULT_SCOUT_TAGS"/>
</TribeScoutTagSets>

<TribeCombatTagSets>
    <Row TribeTypeName="TRIBE_MY_TRIBE" TribeTagSetName="DEFAULT_COMBAT_TAGS"/>
</TribeCombatTagSets>

<TribeCommanderTagSets>
    <Row TribeTypeName="TRIBE_MY_TRIBE" TribeTagSetName="DEFAULT_COMMANDER_TAGS"/>
</TribeCommanderTagSets>

Visual Art Configuration

Building Cultures

Assign visual styles to independents:

<VisArt_IndependentBuildingCultures>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE" BuildingCulture="BUILDING_CULTURE_MED"/>
</VisArt_IndependentBuildingCultures>

Unit Cultures

Assign unit visual styles:

<VisArt_IndependentUnitCultures>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE" UnitCulture="Med"/>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_MY_CITYSTATE" UnitCulture="CIVILIZATION_GREECE"/>
</VisArt_IndependentUnitCultures>

Global Parameters

Control independent spawning:

<GlobalParameters>
    <Update>
        <Where Name="INDEPENDENT_NUM_PER_MAJOR"/>
        <Set Value="3"/>
    </Update>
    <Update>
        <Where Name="INDEPENDENT_EXTRAS_PER_MAJOR"/>
        <Set Value="1"/>
    </Update>
    <Update>
        <Where Name="INDEPENDENT_ENCAMPMENT_RESPAWN"/>
        <Set Value="6"/>
    </Update>
</GlobalParameters>

Complete Example: Custom City-State

Step 1: Register Types

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <Types>
        <Row Type="INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA" Kind="KIND_INDEPENDENT"/>
        <Row Type="CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA" Kind="KIND_CITY_STATE_BONUS"/>
    </Types>
</Database>

Step 2: Define the City-State

<Independents>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA"
         Name="LOC_INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA_MINOR_NAME"
         CityStateName="LOC_INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA_MAJOR_NAME"
         Affinity="AFFINITY_FRIENDLY"
         BiomeType="BIOME_GRASSLAND"
         CityStateType="SCIENTIFIC"/>
</Independents>

Step 3: Define the Bonus

<CityStateBonuses>
    <Row CityStateBonusType="CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA"
         Name="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA_NAME"
         Description="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA_DESCRIPTION"
         CityStateType="SCIENTIFIC"/>
</CityStateBonuses>

<CityStateBonusModifiers>
    <Row CityStateBonusType="CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA" ModifierID="MOD_CS_ACADEMIA_SCIENCE"/>
</CityStateBonusModifiers>

<GameModifiers>
    <Row ModifierId="MOD_CS_ACADEMIA_SCIENCE"/>
</GameModifiers>

Step 4: Define the Modifier (GameEffects)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <Modifier id="MOD_CS_ACADEMIA_SCIENCE"
              collection="COLLECTION_ALL_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD">
        <SubjectRequirements>
            <Requirement type="REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IS_SUZERAIN">
                <Argument name="CityStateBonusType">CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA</Argument>
            </Requirement>
        </SubjectRequirements>
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_SCIENCE</Argument>
        <Argument name="Amount">3</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Step 5: Visual Configuration

<VisArt_IndependentBuildingCultures>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA" BuildingCulture="BUILDING_CULTURE_MED"/>
</VisArt_IndependentBuildingCultures>

<VisArt_IndependentUnitCultures>
    <Row IndependentType="INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA" UnitCulture="Med"/>
</VisArt_IndependentUnitCultures>

Step 6: Localization

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <LocalizedText>
        <Row Tag="LOC_INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA_MINOR_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Academia Scholars</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_INDEPENDENT_ACADEMIA_MAJOR_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Academia</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Hall of Learning</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_CITY_STATE_BONUS_ACADEMIA_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>+3 [ICON_SCIENCE] Science in all cities.</Text>
        </Row>
    </LocalizedText>
</Database>

Example Bonus Modifiers

Building Unlock

<Modifier id="MOD_CS_UNIQUE_BUILDING"
          collection="COLLECTION_ALL_CITIES"
          effect="EFFECT_GRANT_BUILDING_IN_CITY">
    <SubjectRequirements>
        <Requirement type="REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IS_SUZERAIN">
            <Argument name="CityStateBonusType">MY_BONUS</Argument>
        </Requirement>
    </SubjectRequirements>
    <Argument name="BuildingType">BUILDING_MY_UNIQUE</Argument>
</Modifier>

Unit Production Bonus

<Modifier id="MOD_CS_UNIT_PRODUCTION"
          collection="COLLECTION_ALL_CITIES"
          effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_UNIT_PRODUCTION_PERCENT">
    <SubjectRequirements>
        <Requirement type="REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IS_SUZERAIN">
            <Argument name="CityStateBonusType">MY_BONUS</Argument>
        </Requirement>
    </SubjectRequirements>
    <Argument name="UnitTag">UNIT_CLASS_MELEE</Argument>
    <Argument name="Percent">25</Argument>
</Modifier>

Free Tech/Civic

<Modifier id="MOD_CS_FREE_TECH"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_PROGRESSION"
          run-once="true" permanent="true">
    <SubjectRequirements>
        <Requirement type="REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IS_SUZERAIN">
            <Argument name="CityStateBonusType">MY_BONUS</Argument>
        </Requirement>
    </SubjectRequirements>
    <Argument name="Amount">1</Argument>
    <Argument name="SystemType">SYSTEM_TECH</Argument>
    <Argument name="FreeProgressionType">FREE_PROGRESSION_NODE_ANY_UNLOCKED</Argument>
</Modifier>

AI Configuration

AI Definitions for Independents

<AiDefinitions>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="BehaviorTreeManager"/>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="IndependentStrategic"/>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="IndependentTactical"/>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="Military"/>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="Planning"/>
    <Row LeaderTrait="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" AiComponent="Tribe_AI"/>
</AiDefinitions>

AI Tactics

<AiListTypes>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics"/>
</AiListTypes>

<AiLists>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics" LeaderType="TRAIT_LEADER_INDEPENDENT" System="Tactics"/>
</AiLists>

<AiFavoredItems>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics" Item="Rampage"/>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics" Item="Attack High Priority Unit"/>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics" Item="Explore"/>
    <Row ListType="My Independent Tactics" Item="Defend Home"/>
</AiFavoredItems>

Best Practices

  1. Diverse Bonuses - Each city-state type should have varied bonus options
  2. Biome Distribution - Spread independents across different biomes
  3. Affinity Balance - Mix friendly, neutral, and hostile independents
  4. Visual Consistency - Match building and unit cultures to region
  5. Shareable Flag - Mark bonuses as Shareable="true" if appropriate
  6. Suzerain Requirement - Always include REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IS_SUZERAIN in bonus modifiers
  7. Both Modifier Tables - Add modifiers to both CityStateBonusModifiers and GameModifiers

Related Documentation

Navigation

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Getting Started

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Database Reference

Units & Combat

Religion

Independents

Diplomacy

Technology & Civics

Victory Conditions

Legacy Paths

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Technical Reference

Tutorials

Examples

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