Civilization VII: Patch Notes – July 28, 2026

PUBLISHED:
UPDATED:

Update 1.4.2 is rolling out to all platforms today!

With Test of Time in the rearview mirror, we’ve continued to be hard at work revisiting some of Civ’s preexisting systems to help give them greater depth. To that end, this update brings a handful of features and improvements we’re excited to share with you.

We’ve heard players asking for more options in Peace Deals, and with 1.4.2, we’re happy to add new ways to negotiate. You'll now have an expanded toolkit of items to exchange to bring a war to a close, along with an upgraded, cleaner UI. In a similar vein, we’re also making improvements to Leader Relationships that give you more control and clarity over your diplomatic strategy.

With Victories getting an overhaul in Test of Time, we had to do some tinkering to get individual Victory settings back up and running. Now, with 1.4.2, you can once again disable or enable specific Victory types, crafting a path to greatness that’s all your own!

Lastly, we’re launching the second part of the paid Brush and Blade Collection.* We introduced Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Heian Japan, and Sengoku Japan last month, and now, players can delve into Korean history with the addition of Yi Sun-sin, Goryeo, and Joseon. For more details on their Unique Abilities, Units, and gameplay styles, read more below!

We’re grateful for your continued support and the many turns taken! To hang out and keep the conversation going, join our growing empire over on the Official Civ Discord. You can share your latest game stories, leave feedback on Update 1.4.2 (and other areas of Civilization VII), and join in on fun community events with fellow Civ fans. As always, read on for the details, start your next empire, and stay civilized!

*Base game required. Each DLC will be delivered automatically in-game when they are available. Terms apply.

Before You Dive In…

Active Mods Will Be Disabled

An important note for PC players regarding mods: Like our previous update, this update will do a reset to disable all active mods. We highly recommend giving our amazing modding community a little time to update their work before toggling things back on manually.

Using a mod that has been updated and is stable? You can simply re-enable these mods by navigating to "Add-ons" in the Main Menu. Browse your list of installed mods and toggle on the ones you want to play with. 

Some Additional Reminders

  • Update drivers: We recommend ensuring your graphics drivers are up-to-date and to double check our Minimum System Requirements for the best experience.
  • Backwards compatibility: While we aim to maintain backwards compatibility for existing saves as much as possible, some new abilities or effects may not appear until you start a new game. For the best experience, we recommend starting a new game.
  • Legacy branch: Are you playing on Steam and want to finish your current save under a previous version? You can do so using our legacy Steam beta branch. To join the legacy branch, right-click Sid Meier's Civilization VII in your Steam library, select Properties, then click over to the Betas tab. From there, select the “legacy” option. 

As a reminder, you can visit our tracker to see known issues. If you’re encountering an issue, you can submit a bug report with the team here.

Feature Spotlight

Improved Peace Deals

We’ve given Peace Deals some more options so you can settle your disputes like a true statesman (or a highly pragmatic conqueror). 

Peace deals are no longer strictly a property market! Where previously you could trade Settlements, you can now throw Gold and Influence onto the table to resolve your conflicts. Notably, the amount of Gold and Influence that can be traded is determined by Age; we chose to focus on meaningful lump sums to help better manage the economy of war and, importantly, set up the AI to better negotiate. 

As with most of our changes, we’re rounding it out with some new UI to improve the overall experience. The Peace Deal screen will feel more colorful and compact, and yes(!) - you can now dismiss a Peace Deal temporarily to survey the map and make a truly informed decision when it comes to Settlement swaps. 

We still have more in store for deepening Diplomacy and War, including new ways to maintain your alliances without joining allies’ wars, among other new features. Stay tuned! 

Improved Leader Relationships

No empire is complete without some clever diplomacy, and with this update, we’re making it easier to keep track of how you’re faring with other Leaders. For starters, the Leader Relationship panel now displays which Leader initiated an event that changed your relationship (for example, which of the two started an Endeavor). 

We’re also adding more information to the Leader Agenda notifications, as well as new, unique messages from Leaders when their Agenda significantly changes your relationship.

Additionally, we’ve updated the Reconciliation Diplomatic Action. Previously, you were only able to initiate Reconciliation with a Hostile opponent. Now, you can extend an olive branch even earlier and initiate Reconciliation with an Unfriendly leader, too.

Content Collection: Brush and Blade Part 2

Launching alongside Update 1.4.2 is the second part of our latest paid content collection: Brush and Blade.* This collection journeys deep into East Asian history, exploring the balance between art and conflict, ambition and fortitude.

Part Two Includes:

  • New Leader: Yi Sun-sin
  • New Civilizations: Goryeo and Joseon
  • More Customization: a new border for your player profile

How it works:

If you purchased the Brush and Blade Collection when it launched alongside Update 1.4.1 last month, you’ll receive access to this Part 2 content right as Update 1.4.2 releases. Otherwise, you can purchase the collection any time to receive Part 1 and Part 2 content together!

*Base game required. Each DLC will be delivered automatically in-game when they are available. Terms apply.

Leaders

  • NEW Leader: Yi Sun-Sin

The famed admiral, Yi Sun-sin, was a man of duty and resolve. Through a volatile career plagued by betrayal, Admiral Yi never strayed from his duty, answering the call of his king even from the depths of prison. From the splintered remains of the Korean navy, he forged a fleet of strength and led his men to victory against the overwhelming odds of the enemy, cementing his legacy as a hero to his men and to his people.

  • Attributes: Militaristic, Scientific
  • Unique Ability - Samdo Sugun Tongjesa: Can train Fleet Commanders after studying the Discipline Civic during the Antiquity Age. Receive a free Fleet Commander once you have both a Harbor and Discipline in Antiquity. Defeating an enemy with a Naval Unit provides Science equal to a percentage of its Combat Strength. All Fleet Commanders receive XP upon construction of Science Buildings. Gain a set amount Gold per Age per point of Fleet Commander XP earned in Combat.
  • Agenda - 13 Ships: Increase Relationship with civilizations that have a minimum amount of Naval Units and Fortification Buildings. Decrease Relationship with civilizations that don't meet these minimums.

Check out the full Game Guide for Yi Sun-Sin here.

Civilizations

  • NEW Civilization: Goryeo

Out of the fragmentation of Korea’s Three Kingdoms period came Goryeo, a center for scholarship and art, and a formidable force in East Asia. Established in 918 CE, Goryeo became a bastion of Buddhist scholarship, and was an early innovator in moveable type – in other words, the printing press. Additionally, Goryeo celadon pottery is famous for its sophistication and artistry. Goryeo faced challenges, though, keeping peace on the peninsula at first through strength, and then through strategic positioning as a vassal of the Yuan Dynasty of China. Yet in that empire’s fall, a new order arose – Joseon. 

  • Apex Age: Exploration
  • Attributes: Cultural, Diplomatic
  • Unique Ability - Byeongjo: 
    • Tier 1, Antiquity Age: Increased Culture from active Endeavors you started or supported. Increased Culture on Unique Improvements in Towns and increased Influence on Unique Improvements in Cities.
    • Tier 2, Exploration Age (Apex): Further increased Culture from active Endeavors you started or supported. Increased Culture on Unique Improvements in Towns and increased Influence on Unique Improvements in Cities.
    • Tier 3, Modern Age: Even further increased Culture from active Endeavors you started or supported. Increased Culture on Unique Improvements in Towns, increased Influence on Unique Improvements in Cities, and increased Tourism from all Unique Improvements.
  • Unique Military Unit - Hwacha (Unique Siege Unit): Deals Splash damage equal to a percentage of the total damage done to the target.
  • Unique Military Unit - Tobang (Unique Cavalry Unit): Increased Combat Strength when Stationed or Occupying a District. Increased Influence for each City Center with a Stationed Tobang.
  • Associated Wonder - Buseoksa: Increased Happiness. Joyous Settlements within a set number of tiles from this Wonder receive increased Influence on Unique Improvements. Ecstatic Settlements within a set number of tiles from this Wonder receive increased Influence and Gold on Unique Improvements. Must be placed on Tropical or Grassland Terrain adjacent to at least one Mountain tile. Goryeo receives increased Production toward constructing this Wonder.

Check out the full Game Guide for Goryeo here.

  • NEW Civilization: Joseon

As stable as it was isolated, the Joseon Dynasty was a five-centuries-long period of peace in Korea, marked by the elaboration of Confucianism, a strong defense, and a carefully balanced political system. Founded in 1392, the kingdom lasted until just before the dawn of the 20th century, repelling invasion after invasion from its neighbors. It was a highly structured society, with a rich scholarly tradition that carefully monitored outside influences, selecting only that which would make Joseon prosper. It would fall in 1897, after pressure from the ascendant Meiji Empire and the United States became overwhelming.

  • Apex Age: Modern
  • Attributes: Cultural, Expansionist
  • Unique Ability - Munchi: 
    • Tier 1, Antiquity Age: Increased Specialist Limit in the Capital. Decreased Specialist Limit in all Cities other than the Capital. Joseon begins the Age with a set City Limit. Can purchase Tier 1 Science and Culture Buildings in Towns.
    • Tier 2, Exploration Age: Increased Specialist Limit in the Capital. Decreased Specialist Limit in all Cities other than the Capital. Joseon begins the Age with a set, increased City Limit. Can purchase Tier 1 Science and Culture Buildings in Towns.
    • Tier 3, Modern Age (Apex): Further increased Specialist Limit in the Capital. Increased Specialist Limit all Cities other than the Capital with a Seowon Unique Quarter; decreased Specialist Limit in non-Capital Cities without a Seowon Unique Quarter. Joseon begins the Age with a set, increased City Limit. Can purchase Tier 1 Science and Culture Buildings in Towns.

Unique Civilian Unit -  Jangyongyoung (Unique Commander Unit): Land Units in a Capital receive increased Combat Strength within the Command Radius.

Unique Military Unit - Turtle Ship (Unique Heavy Naval Unit): Decreased Ranged and Bombard Strength compared to other Heavy Naval Units. Has increased Bombard Strength and increased Ranged Strength when on Coast Terrain.

Associated Wonder - Hwaseong: Increased Culture, Tradition Slots, and Social Policy Slots. Acts as a Fortified District that must be conquered. Must be placed on a Flat tile adjacent to at least one Rough tile. Joseon receives increased Production toward constructing this Wonder.

Check out the full Game Guide for Joseon here.

Update Notes

(★ = Community Influenced Item)

Gameplay

AI

  • Addressed a reported issue where AI Gilgamesh would continue making new alliances after finding his best friend, not taking advantage of his War Support Bonus.  
  • Addressed an issue where the AI fails to use the Disperse Shinobi Clan action when the player moves a Shinobi near the AI Leader's Military Unit.

Diplomacy & Peace Deals

  • (★) In addition to Settlements, Gold and Influence can now be traded during Peace Deal negotiations.
    • Dev Note: The amount of Gold and Influence you can trade is set by Age. Instead of continuously tweaking a deal to squeeze a couple extra Gold, we chose to focus on meaningful lump sums. Trading Yields in predetermined amounts helps us better manage the economy of war and set up the AI to negotiate better.
  • (★) The Peace Deal screen has been updated with a more compact design, and can be temporarily closed during negotiations so players can survey the map. 
  • The Reconciliation Endeavor can now be used with leaders that are Hostile OR Unfriendly, instead of just Hostile.
  • The Leader Relationship screen now displays which leader initiated an event that changed the relationship (i.e. who started an Endeavor or declared war).
  • Added new unique messages when an Agenda significantly changes your relationship with another Leader.

Independent Powers

  • Independent Powers will no longer spam-build fortifications at the beginning of each turn.

Miscellaneous

  • You can now enable or disable any of the individual Victory conditions (including scores for that particular Victory). Newly compatible with the reworked Victories from Test of Time!
  • Addressed an issue where Machu Pikchu could become an uncapturable District when surrounded by walls.
  • Updated in-game descriptions of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Agenda to be more consistent across sources.
  • Addressed an issue where the Despotism Celebration was able to stack multiple times.
  • Addressed an issue where Mexico’s Revolución Government passive ability affects all players in games with Mexico.
  • Made several changes to resolve crashes and improve overall stability.

Military

  • Addressed a reported issue where AI could stack multiple Combat Units in a City Center. (Sorry, AI, no more death stacks!) 
  • Addressed an issue preventing purchased Units from spawning when Quarters were occupied.

Triumphs & Dedications

  • Triumph-based Leader Challenges now consistently grant completion credit.
    • Dev note: We've tracked down the root cause of this issue, and we’re sorry to everyone who missed out on Leader XP as a result. This issue is resolved going forward as of Update 1.4.2. While we don't currently have the ability to restore previously missed XP, we're actively exploring improvements to our backend tools that would allow us to do so in the future. If you ran into this bug and would like to be kept informed, please hit Follow on our Known Issues page and you'll receive an email when updates become available. Thanks for your patience!
  • Addressed an issue where some Dedications would fail to appear at the start of the next Age.
  • Addressed an issue where Tonga's Ngatu I Tradition incorrectly applies +1 Culture to Warehouse Buildings.
  • Addressed an issue where a Settler would fail to spawn when players completed the “From Nagu to Nagu” Triumph while a Commander occupied the Capital.

Leaders & Civs

Leaders

  • Added new DLC leader Yi Sun-Sin.
  • Ashoka, World Renouncer:
    • Ashoka was nerfed due to surrounding balance changes in Test of Time, and now, we get to bring him back up to fighting weight as he makes use of our new Happiness mechanics.
    • New Abilities:
      • +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness (unchanged)
      • +10% Food in all Happy Settlements during a Celebration, or +15% in Joyous Settlements, or +20% in Ecstatic Settlements. (Previously: +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration)
      • Happiness, Food, and Unique Buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for all Improvements. (Previously: only Unique Buildings)
        • Dev Note: This stacks, so a Food/Happiness Building or a Unique Happiness Building gets double!

Civs

  • Added new DLC civ Goryeo (Apex in Exploration Age).
  • Added new DLC civ Joseon (Apex in Modern Age).

UI/UX

Alignment & Spacing

  • Improved slot alignment on the Choose Dedications screen on lower resolutions.
  • Improved icon and element alignment in the Civilization Details screens.

Controller-Specific

  • The player is no longer blocked by unbuildable items when viewing the “Hidden list” of the Production menu.
  • Civilization and Leader selection menus retain scroll functionality after navigating away and returning within the Multiplayer Lobby.
  • Controller functionality now remains stable when the player disconnects from the network.
  • The Legacies icon now properly appears in the radial menu during the tutorial.
  • Improved cursor functionality while navigating various screens and menus.
  • The Radial Menu and Unit Panel can no longer be opened at the same time.
  • The scrollbar for the Legacy menu can now be more easily moved downwards.
  • The "Inspect" button remains functional on the Victories Menu while progressing to the next turn.
  • Resource icons tooltips no longer shake when highlighted in the Commerce Screen.
  • Tile tooltips are now hidden while the Great Works menu is open.

General

  • Newly founded Settlements will no longer have the same name as your Capital.
  • The Specialist Slots UI now correctly appears inactive when viewing Damaged/Pillaged/Radioactive Fallout tiles with the Growth Lens.
  • The Heian Defeat screen now correctly plays when retiring during the Antiquity Age.
  • The “Choose your Advisor” pop-up no longer appears twice when passing a turn where a Unit was auto-moving.
  • Hovering over Treasure Resources text in the Treasure tab of the Commerce menu now plays the correct audio when using Narrate on Hover.
  • The turn axis of the Economic Victory graph now properly syncs with the current turn.
  • Leader portraits no longer disappear when opening the Economic Victory tab while progressing to the next turn.
  • Selecting “Itsaraprahab” while closing the Diplomacy menu of an Independent Power no longer causes a game crash.
  • Oshikochi No Mitsune's Activate Great Person button should now work properly when standing on a tile with one completed Culture Building and one Culture Building being constructed.
  • The Government Selection screen now shows which Civics are required to unlock a Tradition.
  • The Befriend Independent Power UI in the Diplomacy Menu now correctly displays the top two Leaders competing to befriend an Independent Power.
  • The Fleet Commander Focus Fire ability now is able to target Fortified Districts with garrisoned Units.
  • The progress timer now properly appears when hovering over keywords of a tooltip with Tooltip Autolock enabled.
  • The Unit movement highlight now correctly excludes invalid tiles and tiles for units that have consumed all movement.
  • Addressed an issue where players could not select Units after triggering the Exploration tutorial in the Antiquity Age.
  • The Just One More Turn button is no longer present when the player selects No More Turns after losing to an AI opponent.
  • The Leader XP bar no longer fails to appear when viewing the progress menu.
  • [MP] The Friends tab no longer replaces the Lobby tab when opening the social menu in the Internet Lobby.
  • The promo image now correctly changes when swapping tabs with pips in the Carousel menu.
  • [Steam, Windows only] If an outdated driver causes a crash, a window communicating this will be displayed.

Hotseat

  • The player swap screen now correctly appears when the turn timer reaches 0 with the Diplomacy menu opened.
  • The Advisor Council menu is no longer empty when loading the save created by the client in Hotseat mode.
  • The 'Close Peace Deal Proposal?' pop-up now correctly appears when selecting the 'Close' button in the Peace Deal Menu as the receiving player.
  • Choose Dedications menu selection slots now correctly register for the non-host player when a turn timer is active.
  • Players are no longer able to observe other players’ unit move track when viewing the fog of war.
  • The Turn Timer will now have Extended Turn time on the first turn of Antiquity. 
  • “First to” Triumphs are now correctly locked for other players and cleared from their journals once completed by a player.
  • Hovering over the text on the Hotseat Player Curtain now correctly narrates the Leader name when using Narrate on Hover.
  • The Defeat screen now correctly appears when the current player is defeated in a two-player game.

Text Changes

  • Diplomacy Menus now feature iconography to help identify actions more easily. 
  • Leader attribute descriptions no longer disappear when switching tabs in the Leader Attributes menu.
  • City Caps have been renamed to City Limits to keep terminology consistent throughout the game.

Tooltips

  • (★) The City Details Panel now has a tooltip you can look at to see a breakdown of the "base" Improvements in the Settlement, accessible via a small icon next to the Improvements header.
    • E.G., if a Settlement has one tile with a Farm, and one tile that was a Farm but now has a Unique Improvement on it, this tooltip communicates that the Settlement has 2 Farms.
  • New tooltips for Population and Production have been added, accessible by hovering the mouse cursor over City Banners.
  • You can now hold inspect on a tooltip to permanently hide it and hold inspect to have it pop up again.
  • Addressed several instances of tooltips not properly closing.
  • The game no longer crashes when opening many nested tooltips.

Modding

  • Note for modders using utility-serialize.js: The utility provides a "catalog" to Store and retrieve arbitrary key/values for the world or per-player, and has been significantly updated since the last patch. Any mods currently using this file may run into issues where values read immediately after writing to a "catalog" may receive incorrect values: those mods should be updated to await an event confirming the write operation has completed before reading values. Currently catalogs are cleared out each Age by default. An upcoming release will have catalogs persist across Ages. Please refer to the corresponding utility-serialize.ts in the SDK for more notes on usage. 

Audio

  • Added new Test of Time ambient war track during the Antiquity Age. 
  • Addressed instances of incorrect or overlapping SFX playing.
  • Addressed a reported issue where loading screen VO continued to play after entering a multiplayer game.
  • Civilization themes will now properly update when switching players during Hotseat multiplayer. 

Platform-Specific

Switch

  • Addressed an issue where AI failed to declare war despite having Hostile relations (this fix was previously addressed for other platforms in Update 1.4.1 Hotfix 2).
  • [Switch 2] Made several stability improvements and reduced crashing.

PlayStation

  • [PS4] The Leader and Diplomacy Screen no longer shifts downward and cuts off buttons when accessed via the radial menu.