Are you ready for a new challenge?

Playing against the standard AI can feel boring and stale; spice things up with AI mods! For those of you stuck in the ancient era, AI mods are modifications on the original or “vanilla” version of the game.

These mods change the nature and behavior of the AI to add dynamic, fun, new challenges and breathe new life into Civ VI once again.. With Christmas around the corner, these mods are the best kind of gifts: free.

1. Dynamic Diplomacy (Friendship Bonuses Version) This mod shows the true value of friends with benefits.

This mod makes the diplomacy system feel a bit more...well, diplomatic.

Dynamic Diplomacy lowers the incursion threshold of penalties against other civs’ agendas, so no more doing the denouncement shuffle every turn you’re at war with someone.

Encouraging friendships by giving bonuses is always a plus, and really, who doesn’t like friends with benefits?

How Dynamic Diplomacy (Friendship Bonuses Version) make the game more fun

Rebalancing of penalties and rewards makes diplomacy flow more naturally.

Forces players to think more carefully when considering potential friends and enemies, creating a more immersive experience.

Makes having relationships with the AI more rewarding, plus, makes waging war much more tolerable.

Get the mod here.

2. CIVITAS City-States Expanded Civitas, Latin for citizens, boasts sturdy walls for city-states

CIVITAS adds 4 new types of city-states such as agricultural and consular, as well as 40 new city-states, each with their unique suzerain bonus.

This mod brings 40 new city-states with fresh coats of paint for a crisp new look. With such a large variety of city-states, games feel less predictable, adding a new layer of replay value and potential with every game.

How CIVITAS City-States Expanded makes the game more fun

Packs on a whopping 40 new city-states adding variety and replay value.

New city-state types are well-balanced and are expanded to cover all main yield types.

City-states are now more formidable, though whether they can stand up to the mighty war-cart remains to be seen.

Get the mod here.

3. Real Strategy AI Reform the battle lines!

Real Strategy AI subtly tweaks AI choices, priorities and tactics both in and out of combat.

Civs closer to coastal tiles, for example, will tend to become maritime focused.

This mod is great for the war-weary player who wants to try their skill at diplomacy.

How real strategy AI makes the game more fun

The AI acts more realistic; civs build based on what can be seen, not necessarily where resources will appear later.

More realistic attacks/counter-attacks; enemy armies use battering rams, siege towers and aircraft more effectively.

AI uses diplomatic counter-tactics to prevent civs from achieving various victory types, making glory progressively more difficult to achieve.

Get the mod here.

4. AI+* More aggressive AI challenges players at every turn

AI+ is a mod for players looking for more of a militaristic challenge. This mod’s as enjoyable as it is difficult; historically warlike civs are especially challenging as they can easily overwhelm you.

AI+ is best enjoyed on Deity difficulty and on a Pangea Map; just remember, no milk drinkers!

How AI+ makes the game more fun

Greatly increases difficulty, forcing players to strategize troop placement so they’re not overrun by civs on the warpath.

War-like leaders tend to act more war-like.

Religious civs become much more evangelistic, creating games where the Spanish Inquisition is more than a Monty Python reference.

Get the mod here.

*AI+ last update was in March 2019 and appears as though it is no longer being supported.

5. JT: Elder Scrolls Mod Lead the Nords as Ysgramor or the Dunmer as Vivec

Halloween just passed, but any time of the year is a good time to cosplay, right? JT: Elder Scrolls Mod allows Civ fans to play as their favorite leaders and races from The Elder Scrolls Universe.

Fans of TES should nerd out at the chance to play as Ysgramor leading the Nords, Vivec leading the Dunmer, and Mehrunes Dagon leading Oblivion, just to name a few.

How JT: Elder Scrolls Mod makes things more fun:

It contains 17 factions/civs and with more than 30 leaders to choose from.

Lore-friendly unique abilities for leaders/factions feel relatively well-balanced.

While there’s room for improvement, I recommend trying the mod just to see the Dwarven Centurion in action.

Get the mod here.

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