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

Legacy Path System

This document covers the Legacy Path system in Civilization VII - the primary progression and victory mechanism that replaces traditional victory types from previous games.

Overview

Legacy Paths are Civ VII's core victory-like progression system. Each Age has four Legacy Paths (Science, Culture, Military, Economic), and players earn "path points" toward each by accomplishing specific goals. Completing milestones on these paths grants Legacy Points, which are the primary currency for winning the game.

Key Concepts

Concept Description
Legacy Path A progression track within an Age (e.g., LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE)
Legacy Path Class The category of a path (Science, Culture, Military, Economic)
Path Points Points earned toward a specific Legacy Path
Milestones Thresholds on each path that grant rewards when reached
Legacy Points Final victory currency - most Legacy Points at game end wins
Age Progression Timer system that advances the game through Ages

Core Tables

Table Purpose
LegacyPathClasses Define the four path categories
LegacyPaths Define specific paths for each Age
AgeProgressions Age timer configuration
AgeProgressionMilestones Milestone thresholds per path
AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards Rewards granted at milestones
AgeProgressionRewards Define reward modifiers
AgeProgressionEvents Events that accelerate Age progression
Strategies AI strategy definitions for paths
StrategyConditions Conditions for AI to follow a strategy

Legacy Path Classes

Four fundamental classes are defined in base-standard/data/gameplay.xml:

<LegacyPathClasses>
    <Row LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_CULTURE" Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_CULTURE_NAME" />
    <Row LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_ECONOMIC" Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_ECONOMIC_NAME" />
    <Row LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_MILITARY" Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_MILITARY_NAME" />
    <Row LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_SCIENCE" Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_SCIENCE_NAME" />
</LegacyPathClasses>

LegacyPathClasses Columns

Column Type Description
LegacyPathClassType TEXT Unique identifier for the class
Name TEXT Localization key for display name

Defining Legacy Paths

Step 1: Register the Type

Legacy Paths use KIND_LEGACY_PATH in Antiquity but KIND_VICTORY in later ages:

<!-- Antiquity uses KIND_LEGACY_PATH -->
<Types>
    <Row Type="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE" Kind="KIND_LEGACY_PATH"/>
</Types>

<!-- Exploration/Modern use KIND_VICTORY -->
<Types>
    <Row Type="LEGACY_PATH_EXPLORATION_SCIENCE" Kind="KIND_VICTORY"/>
</Types>

Step 2: Define the Legacy Path

<LegacyPaths>
    <Row LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         Age="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_SCIENCE"
         Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_NAME"
         Description="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_DESCRIPTION"/>
</LegacyPaths>

LegacyPaths Table Columns

Column Type Description
LegacyPathType TEXT Unique path identifier
Age TEXT Age this path belongs to (AGE_ANTIQUITY, AGE_EXPLORATION, AGE_MODERN)
LegacyPathClassType TEXT Reference to LegacyPathClasses
Name TEXT Localization key for path name
Description TEXT Localization key for description

Legacy Paths by Age

Antiquity Age

Path Class Goal
LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE Science Collect Great Works of Writing
LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_CULTURE Culture Build Wonders
LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_MILITARY Military Control settlements (conquest/expansion)
LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_ECONOMIC Economic Collect unique resources

Exploration Age

Path Class Goal
LEGACY_PATH_EXPLORATION_SCIENCE Science Build high-yield districts (40+ yield)
LEGACY_PATH_EXPLORATION_CULTURE Culture Collect Relics
LEGACY_PATH_EXPLORATION_MILITARY Military Settle/conquer in Distant Lands
LEGACY_PATH_EXPLORATION_ECONOMIC Economic Accumulate treasure resources

Modern Age

Path Class Goal
LEGACY_PATH_MODERN_SCIENCE Science Complete space projects
LEGACY_PATH_MODERN_CULTURE Culture Collect Artifacts
LEGACY_PATH_MODERN_MILITARY Military Conquer with ideology bonuses
LEGACY_PATH_MODERN_ECONOMIC Economic Build industrial infrastructure

Milestones

Each Legacy Path has 3 milestones. Reaching them grants rewards and accelerates Age progression.

Step 1: Register Milestone Type

<Types>
    <Row Type="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_1" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
    <Row Type="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_2" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
    <Row Type="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_3" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
</Types>

Step 2: Define Milestones

<AgeProgressionMilestones>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_1"
         LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         RequiredPathPoints="3"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_2"
         LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         RequiredPathPoints="6"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_3"
         LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         RequiredPathPoints="10"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3"
         FinalMilestone="true"/>
</AgeProgressionMilestones>

AgeProgressionMilestones Columns

Column Type Description
AgeProgressionMilestoneType TEXT Unique milestone identifier
LegacyPathType TEXT Parent Legacy Path
RequiredPathPoints INTEGER Path points needed to reach
AgeProgressionEventType TEXT Event triggered (affects Age timer)
FinalMilestone BOOLEAN Whether this is the final milestone

Antiquity Milestone Requirements

Path Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3
Science 3 points 6 points 10 points
Culture 2 points 4 points 7 points
Military 6 points 9 points 12 points
Economic 7 points 14 points 20 points

Milestone Rewards

Link milestones to rewards using AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards:

<AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards>
    <!-- Immediate legacy point reward -->
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_1"
         AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE"
         IsImmediate="true"/>
    <!-- Attribute unlock reward -->
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_1"
         AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_MILESTONE1_SCIENCE_1"/>
</AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards>

AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards Columns

Column Type Description
AgeProgressionMilestoneType TEXT Milestone this reward is for
AgeProgressionRewardType TEXT Reward to grant
IsImmediate BOOLEAN Whether reward applies immediately

Age Progression Rewards

Define what rewards do using GameEffects:

<AgeProgressionRewards>
    <Row AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE"
         ModifierId="MOD_AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE"
         Name="LOC_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE_REWARD_NAME"
         Description="LOC_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE_REWARD_DESCRIPTION"
         DescriptionFinalAge="LOC_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE_REWARD_FINAL_AGE_DESCRIPTION"
         icon="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE"/>
</AgeProgressionRewards>

AgeProgressionRewards Columns

Column Type Description
AgeProgressionRewardType TEXT Unique reward identifier
ModifierId TEXT GameEffect modifier to apply
Name TEXT Localization key for name
Description TEXT Localization key for description
DescriptionFinalAge TEXT Alternate description in final Age
icon TEXT Icon reference

Reward GameEffects

<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <!-- Grant 1 Legacy Point of Science type -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_SCIENCE"
              collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
              effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_LEGACY_POINTS"
              permanent="true">
        <Argument name="Amount">1</Argument>
        <Argument name="Type">CARD_CATEGORY_SCIENTIFIC</Argument>
    </Modifier>

    <!-- Unlock selection for Age transition -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_AGE_REWARD_GOLDEN_AGE_SCIENCE_1"
              collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
              effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_UNLOCK"
              permanent="true">
        <Argument name="Unlock">UNLOCK_WON_SCIENTIFIC_VICTORY_1</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Path Point Scoring

Define how players earn path points using scoring modifiers:

<PlayerModifiers>
    <Row ModifierId="VICTORY_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"/>
</PlayerModifiers>

<Modifiers>
    <Row ModifierId="VICTORY_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"
         ModifierType="MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"
         SubjectRequirementSetId="REQSET_PLAYER_IS_MAJOR"/>
</Modifiers>

<ModifierArguments>
    <Row ModifierId="VICTORY_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"
         Name="VP" Value="1"/>
    <Row ModifierId="VICTORY_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"
         Name="LegacyPathType" Value="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"/>
    <Row ModifierId="VICTORY_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_GREAT_WORK_SCORING"
         Name="GreatWorkObjectType" Value="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"/>
</ModifierArguments>

Scoring Modifier Types

ModifierType What it scores
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_GREAT_WORK_SCORING Great Works by type
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_WONDER_SCORING Wonders built
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_SETTLEMENT_COUNT_SCORING Settlements (conquest/non-conquest)
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_RESOURCE_SCORING Resources collected
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_HIGH_YIELD_DISTRICT_SCORING High-yield districts
MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_SETTLEMENT_SCORING Modern settlement scoring

Scoring Arguments

Argument Description
VP Path points awarded per item
LegacyPathType Which path gets the points
Conquest Only count conquered settlements
NonConquest Only count peacefully acquired settlements
DistantLands Only count settlements in distant lands
FollowsReligion Bonus if settlement follows your religion
HaveIdeology Bonus if you have an ideology
OpposingIdeology Bonus for conquering opposing ideology
GreatWorkObjectType Filter by Great Work type
Reversible Whether losing the item loses points

Age Progression System

Ages advance based on accumulated progression points:

<AgeProgressions>
    <Row AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"
         AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         EndsAge="true"
         MaxPoints_Abbreviated="160"
         MaxPoints_Standard="200"
         MaxPoints_Long="240"/>
</AgeProgressions>

Progression Events

Events add points to the Age timer:

<AgeProgressionEvents>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1"
         Points="5"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2"
         Points="5"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3"
         Points="10"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_FUTURE_CIVIC"
         Points="10"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_FUTURE_TECH"
         Points="10"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_ELIMINATED"
         Points="25"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
</AgeProgressionEvents>

Per-Turn Progression

<AgeProgressionTurns>
    <Row AgeProgressionTurnType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PER_TURN_BASE"
         Points="1"
         GameSpeedScaling="false"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_AGE_TIMER"/>
</AgeProgressionTurns>

Dark Age Rewards

When failing to achieve milestones, Dark Age rewards provide consolation bonuses:

<AgeProgressionDarkAgeRewardInfos>
    <Row LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_DARK_AGE_REWARD_TEXT"
         Description="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_DARK_AGE_DESCRIPTION"
         Icon="CARD_AT_EXP_DARK_AGE_SCIENCE"/>
</AgeProgressionDarkAgeRewardInfos>

AI Legacy Path Strategies

Define how AI pursues Legacy Paths:

<Strategies>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         MinNumConditionsNeeded="2"
         MaxNumConditionsNeeded="5"/>
</Strategies>

Strategy Conditions

Conditions the AI evaluates to determine if it should pursue a strategy:

<StrategyConditions>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         ConditionFunction="GovernmentMatches"
         ThresholdValue="1"
         StringValue="GOVERNMENT_DESPOTISM"/>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         ConditionFunction="NumCities"
         ThresholdValue="3"/>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         ConditionFunction="TopSciencePercent"
         ThresholdValue="33"/>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         ConditionFunction="NumGreatWorks"
         ThresholdValue="2"/>
    <Row StrategyType="LEGACY_PATH_STRATEGY_SCIENCE"
         ConditionFunction="HasLeaderTrait"
         ThresholdValue="1"
         StringValue="TRAIT_LEADER_ATTRIBUTE_SCIENTIFIC"/>
</StrategyConditions>

Available Condition Functions

Function Description
GovernmentMatches Player has specific government
NumCities Player has at least X cities
NumConqueredCities Player has conquered at least X cities
NumCommanders Player has at least X commanders
NumGreatWorks Player has at least X great works
NumWonders Player has at least X wonders
TopMilitaryPercent Player is in top X% military
TopSciencePercent Player is in top X% science
TopYieldPercent Player is in top X% for specific yield
VictoryPoints Player has X path points
HasLeaderTrait Leader has specific trait
LimitedWars Player has limited wars
NumMajorsMet Player has met X major civs

Victory Conditions

The ultimate victory is determined by Legacy Points:

<Victories>
    <Row VictoryType="VICTORY_LEGACY"
         VictoryClassType="VICTORY_CLASS_LEGACY"
         Name="LOC_VICTORY_LEGACY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_VICTORY_LEGACY_DESCRIPTION"
         RequirementSetId="REQSET_LEGACY_VICTORY"/>
</Victories>

<Requirements>
    <Row RequirementId="REQ_LEGACY_VICTORY"
         RequirementType="REQUIREMENT_TEAM_LEGACY_VICTORY"/>
</Requirements>

The REQUIREMENT_TEAM_LEGACY_VICTORY checks which team has the most Legacy Points at the end of the final Age.

Complete Example: Custom Legacy Path

Database XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <!-- 1. Register Types -->
    <Types>
        <Row Type="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC" Kind="KIND_VICTORY"/>
        <Row Type="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_1" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
        <Row Type="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_2" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
        <Row Type="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_3" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_MILESTONE"/>
    </Types>

    <!-- 2. Define Legacy Path Class (or use existing) -->
    <!-- Using existing LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_CULTURE for diplomatic -->

    <!-- 3. Define the Legacy Path -->
    <LegacyPaths>
        <Row LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"
             Age="AGE_EXPLORATION"
             LegacyPathClassType="LEGACY_PATH_CLASS_CULTURE"
             Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_NAME"
             Description="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DESCRIPTION"/>
    </LegacyPaths>

    <!-- 4. Define Milestones -->
    <AgeProgressionMilestones>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_1"
             LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"
             RequiredPathPoints="5"
             AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1"/>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_2"
             LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"
             RequiredPathPoints="10"
             AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2"/>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_3"
             LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"
             RequiredPathPoints="15"
             AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3"
             FinalMilestone="true"/>
    </AgeProgressionMilestones>

    <!-- 5. Define Milestone Rewards -->
    <AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_1"
             AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_CULTURE"
             IsImmediate="true"/>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_2"
             AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_CULTURE"
             IsImmediate="true"/>
        <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="MY_DIPLOMATIC_MILESTONE_3"
             AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_LEGACY_POINT_CULTURE"
             IsImmediate="true"/>
    </AgeProgressionMilestoneRewards>

    <!-- 6. Define Scoring -->
    <PlayerModifiers>
        <Row ModifierId="MY_DIPLOMATIC_ALLIANCE_SCORING"/>
    </PlayerModifiers>

    <Modifiers>
        <Row ModifierId="MY_DIPLOMATIC_ALLIANCE_SCORING"
             ModifierType="MODIFIER_PLAYER_ADJUST_ALLIANCE_SCORING"
             SubjectRequirementSetId="REQSET_PLAYER_IS_MAJOR"/>
    </Modifiers>

    <ModifierArguments>
        <Row ModifierId="MY_DIPLOMATIC_ALLIANCE_SCORING"
             Name="VP" Value="3"/>
        <Row ModifierId="MY_DIPLOMATIC_ALLIANCE_SCORING"
             Name="LegacyPathType" Value="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"/>
    </ModifierArguments>

    <!-- 7. Dark Age Info -->
    <AgeProgressionDarkAgeRewardInfos>
        <Row LegacyPathType="LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC"
             Name="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DARK_AGE_REWARD_TEXT"
             Description="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DARK_AGE_DESCRIPTION"
             Icon="CARD_AT_MOD_DARK_AGE_CULTURE"/>
    </AgeProgressionDarkAgeRewardInfos>
</Database>

Localization

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <LocalizedText>
        <Row Tag="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Diplomatic Legacy</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Form alliances and build diplomatic relationships to earn Legacy Points.</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DARK_AGE_REWARD_TEXT" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Isolated Start</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_LEGACY_PATH_MY_DIPLOMATIC_DARK_AGE_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Begin the next Age with reduced diplomatic visibility.</Text>
        </Row>
    </LocalizedText>
</Database>

Best Practices

  1. Balance Path Points - Ensure milestones are achievable within the Age duration
  2. Distinct Scoring - Each path should have unique ways to earn points
  3. AI Strategies - Define reasonable conditions for AI pursuit
  4. Reward Variety - Mix immediate rewards with persistent bonuses
  5. Age Consistency - Keep path themes appropriate to the historical era
  6. Legacy Point Balance - Ensure paths award comparable Legacy Points total
  7. Dark Age Fallbacks - Provide meaningful consolation for missed milestones

Related Documentation

Navigation

Home Cross-Reference Index

Getting Started

Civilization Creation

Database Reference

Units & Combat

Religion

Independents

Diplomacy

Technology & Civics

Victory Conditions

Legacy Paths

Modifier System

JavaScript API

Narrative Events

Technical Reference

Tutorials

Examples

Progress Tracker

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