Here’s an overview of all official Civilization 5 Scenarios. Delve into the topic by clicking the links taking you to my strategy guide overviews.

Some scenarios were part of the very first release of Civilization 5 (Vanilla). Three have been added with the Gods & Kings addon and two more scenarios came with the Brave New World expansion. Five great scenarios have been released as DLC. Here’s an overview of all available DLC for Civilization V. Log into Steam and view this page, to see which DLCs you might be missing: http://store.steampowered.com/dlc/8930/

The official Civilization 5 Scenarios

1066: Year of Viking Destiny

Being part of the “Denmark + Vikings” DLC, this scenario features the clash of Nordic and Norman kingdoms fighting for domination over England.

civilization-5-scenario-1066-year-of-viking-destinyThe Denmark Civilization and Scenario DLC itself also contains Denmark as new Civilization featuring Harald Bluetooth and his powerful Berserker warriors and the later Ski Infantry.

King Edward the Confessor is dead. The throne of England is up for grabs. Can you lead your warriors to victory defeating the other Viking claimants to the throne?

I had played this scenario already, including all achievements, before I started writing strategy guides for this site. But my goal was to play (and win) on Deity with every Civ in this scenario. Now I did that and have caught up with the strategy guide, including a detailed description of all 9 achievements:

Pillage, Then Burn Steam AchievementThis was their Finest Hour Steam AchievementYou The Conqueror Steam AchievementFetchez la Vache! Steam AchievementTime to Stitch a Tapestry Steam AchievementSurviving Domesday Steam AchievementOdin's Chosen Warrior Steam AchievementPurple People Eaters Steam AchievementSurviving Ragnarok Steam Achievement


American Civil War

Available with the Brave New World expansion, this purely militaristic scenario features the bloodiest years in American history. Economy, culture, social policies and religion play no role here. There is a small tech tree granting some combat-related improvements, abilities and some new units. You can’t build settlers either and cities can’t be razed.

civilization-5-scenario-american-civil-warOnly cities with specific improvements can build certain units: An Arsenal is required to build Infantry, Stable for Cavalry, Iron Works for Artillery or a Navy Yard for Naval Units. The limiting factor even for Infantry is “Manpower” of which your empire can only support so much.

From 1861 to 1865, America suffers through a bloody civil war with the brunt of the action centered between the capital cities of Washington and Richmond. Can you lead one of these fledging nations to victory?

You can find a full guide and description of all 5 Steam Achievements as well as a high resolution map in my Civilization 5 Civil War Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide.

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Steam AchievementSheridan's Valley Campaign Steam AchievementPickett's Recharge Steam AchivementStanding like a Stone Wall Steam AchievementRed Badge of Courage Steam Achievement


Conquest of the New World

Initially added with the “Spain + Inca” DLC, this scenarios was updated (Conquest of the New World Deluxe) with the Brave New World expansion.

Scenario Description: The year is 1492. To the courts of England, France, and Spain come intrepid explorers, anxious to voyage across the Atlantic in search of a western route to China and the Indies. Will they found a new trade route and uncover untold riches from the Asian shores?

Sail west looking for a passage to the Orient and see what you find. Or play as a Native American civilization facing and unexpected threat from the sea.

civilization-5-scenario-conquest-of-the-new-world-deluxecivilization-5-scenario-conquest-of-the-new-world

The last scenario I played comes with 8 achievements, none of them being a Deity achievement. A rough description you’ll find in the Civilization 5 Conquest of the New World Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide and from there you can navigate to all single strategy guides.

Macho PicchuTea and Crumpets for EveryoneSiglo de OroLeague of Extraordinary HoyanehsHuitzilopochtli’s ArrowTout le Monde Francophone?Au in the EUAll Aboard the Orient Express


Empires of the Smoky Skies

Added with the Gods & Kings expansion, this scenario satisfies the Steampunks out there! 🙂 Starting quite nicely with loads of new units, new civs with new unique abilities I expected a lot. To get to know a scenario I like to play it on Emperor once before I civilization-5-scenario-empires-of-the-smoky-skiesswitch to Deity difficulty. In “Empires of the Smoky Skies” I had expected more challenges: My motivation quickly dropped after I had made all Steam Achievements in only this one Emperor game.

The advent of steam power has revolutionized the world. It is a time of discovery, fueled by newfound resources and brilliant inventions. Can you harness the power of steam to bring your people to greatness?

But regardless whether you’re a Steampunk fan or on the hunt for those 4 Steam Achievements: Have a look at the Civilization 5 Empires of the Smoky Skies Scenario Steam Achievement Guide.

Gentlemen's Agreement Steam AchievementModern Major-General Steam AchievementQuite Accomplished Steam AchievementSky Admiral Steam Achievement


Fall of Rome

Also with Gods & Kings came the Fall of Rome Scenario. You can chose between playing Western and Eastern Rome, allies and always at peace, or the barbaric tribes (always at war) invading Rome. There’s no research in this scenario, but the scenario specific game mechanic make it interesting: For every social policy Rome (both East civilization-5-scenario-fall-of-romeand West) get a penalty, symbolizing the instability and decadence the empire underwent. Meanwhile the Barbarians grow stronger with every social policy, shifting the balance of power in their favor.

Defend Rome from the attack of the barbarian tribes, or try to take it down yourself and establish a new kingdom!

My first blog post about Civilization 5 scenarios was about this one and one achievement in particular: I Missed That Day in History Class Steam Achievement. All further guides for this amazing scenario are listed in one comprehensive overview: Fall of Rome Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide. Potentially you’ll also find the Civilization 5 Scenario Fall of Rome Map helpful.

Et tu, Brute Steam AchievementTurks Shmurks! Steam AchievementDouble KO Steam AchievementPax Romana Aeternum Steam AchievementI Missed That Day in History Class Steam AchievementI Sunk Your Imperial Capital! Steam Achievement


Into the Renaissance

Also with Gods & Kings came “Into the Renaissance”. The scenario features the struggle of European nations between Medieval times and the renaissance: Religious struggles, revolutionary new technologies and much more. Even though this scenario focuses much on late medieval warfare, you won’t be able to wage war without clever choices in research path and social policies.

civilization-5-scenario-into-the-renaissanceReligion is crucial: Catholicism, Islam and Orthodoxy are established when the game starts. Protestantism will be founded during the game. Holy cities are historically correct and controlling them contributes to a high score. Most Victory Points will be earned conquering cities of a different religion, so you’ll be able to live through what really happened over centuries all across Europe.

The stage is set for a dramatic battle between the faiths. But with such bloodshed on the horizon, will you be able to preserve civilization as we know it and lead the world into the glory of the Renaissance?

The best of all Civilization 5 scenarios comes with 6 achievements, where only 1 of them is a Deity achievement. All of them are roughly described in the Civilization 5 Into the Renaissance Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide and from there you can delve deeper into single strategy guides.

Renaissance Man Steam AchievementMehmet the Conqueror Steam AchievementNever take our freedom Steam AchievementReconquista Who Steam AchievementRichard the Lionheart Steam AchievementThe Yokes on the Mongols Steam Achievement


Paradise Found

This scenario is part of the Polynesia DLC: Take on the role of one of the four great Polynesian kingdoms and strive to become the dominant culture in Polynesia!

One of the weakest of the official scenarios (on par with Empires of the Smoky Skies). In four games you can make all the achievements easily. There are no big challenges in terms of difficulty, which is good civilization-5-scenario-paradise-foundbecause I reckon this one close to impossible to beat on Deity. It’s not very well balanced as the way to victory is always the same (regardless which of the Polynesian kingdoms you play).

Sail the wide expanses of the Pacific in your double-hulled canoes to spread your island culture and dominate this paradise.

There are 9 Steam achievements to be “hunted”. Winning with each civilization gives you 4 achievements, then there are 4 more discovery/exploration related ones and finally there is… well… Captain Cook. He’s special (but you get it for free). Read on all of them in the Civilization 5 Paradise Found Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide.

Surviving the Marquesas Steam AchievementBora! Bora! Bora! Steam AchievementHead and Shoulders Above the Rest Steam AchievementNgata Chance Steam AchievementBook 'em Danno! Steam AchievementHeads Up! Steam AchievementDo you have a little Captain in you? Steam AchievementThis isn't Kansas Steam AchievementSearching for the Precious Steam Achievement


Rise of the Mongols

I haven’t found a DLC that contained the Rise of the Mongols scenario. Was it part of the original game? Vanilla? I’m really not sure. But it’s a great scenario! As the Mongols are the only playable civilization here, the achievements represent your learning civilization-5-scenario-rise-of-the-mongolscurve: There are achievements for beating the game on the 4 highest levels of difficulty: King, Emperor, Immortal, Deity. Also there’s one for NOT beating the game. Technically you can get all achievements in 2 playthroughs: First game you experiment and lose. Second game you play on Deity and automatically make the other five achievements!

Ride with Genghis Khan and his Mongol horsemen to establish the largest continuous land empire ever seen.

If anybody could tell me, why the Rise of the Mongols scenario guide is the main source of traffic here on my site, that would be great 😀 Just put it in the comments!

Khan Steam AchievementGreat Khan Steam AchievementSupreme Khan Steam AchievementKublai Khan Steam AchievementGenghis Khan Steam AchievementKhaaan! Steam Achievement


Scramble for Africa

The second scenario Brave New World brought us was the Scramble for Africa. And this scramble will leave you black-eyed. It features some of the most challenging Deity achievements of the entire game (my opinion) as well as several other (easier but still) fun-to-make achievements. Overall there are 7 Steam Achievements to be earned here.

civilization-5-scenario-scramble-for-africaWhereas other scenarios provide you with the same map and a different resource spread, the map of Africa changes every single game. A strategically (dis-)advantageous mountain range might change the course of your history here!

By 1881, Europeans had discovered and claimed most of the world, with the exception of the Dark Continent of Africa. Who will prevail in the race to dominate this final continent?

Read about how to make the achievements or just get some general advice in the Civilization 5 Scramble for Africa Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide.

I Prefer my Africa Scrambled Steam AchievementPraise the Victories Steam AchievementOttoman Carpentry Steam AchievementDr Livingstone I presume? Steam AchievementThe Rhodes Colossus Steam AchievementNigerian Bank Account Steam AchievementDiscoverer Steam Achievement


The Samurai Invasion of Korea

The Korea Civilization and Scenario Pack brings you both the Korea Civilization and the new Scenario: The Samurai Invasion of Korea, to further enhance your Civilization V experience. Rule the world as Sejong, King of the Choson Dynasty, civilization-5-scenario-samurai-invasion-of-koreawith your invincible Turtle Ships and Hwach’a artillery!

The great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi has unified Japan. To keep his Samurai busy, his eye now turns west to Korea. Will he be able to expand his empire? Or will Korea’s Chinese ally arrive in time?

Click the Steam Achievements to get to the specific guides right away or check out the full The Samurai Invasion of Korea Strategy and Achievement Guide.

Fear the Turtle Steam AchievementHonoring the Ancestors Steam AchievementSeoul Power Steam AchievementTaekwon-DOH! Steam AchievementTurtle Power Steam AchievementThe Choson One Steam AchievementYow Ming! Steam AchievementSamurai Delicatessen Steam AchievementDragon Emperor Steam AchievementA Righteous Victory Steam AchievementEmperor Fu Manchu Steam Achievement


Wonders of the Ancient World

The Wonders of the Ancient World Scenario Pack adds three new wonders to Sid Meier’s Civilization V: The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Statue of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis. civilization-5-scenario-wonders-of-the-ancient-worldEach of these early wonders brings powerful benefits to the civilization which can construct them!

Many civilizations will thrive in the lush lands of the Fertile Crescent. Can your people become the ones forever known as the greatest builders of Wonders of this Ancient World?

Second to last scenario I played. Good fun for a limited time, but gameplay is quite monotonous. Still the Deity achievement is quite challenging. Read about all this scenarios Steam Achievements in the Civilization 5 Wonders of the Ancient World Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide.

ZeupiterBolt and ArrowRest in Gold PiecesParty in hattUSAGrecian FormulaEpic GilgameshRa's Mighty TruthIt satrap!WonderwallReverse EngineerKnow Thy EnemyThoughtful TelemachusOdysseus the Great TacticianFar-Shooting ApolloBright-Eyed AthenaAll-Achieving Zeus

14 thoughts on “Civilization V Scenarios”

  1. Will you do the Civilization VI Scenarios? I see that you have the game, but you only played 10 hours.

  2. Just grabbed the game a week ago and I love your content! Please complete the couple remaining scenarios 😀

  3. Hello there
    Started playing this in 2016 😀

    Got some little tips on the Conquest of the new world scenario (since it’s still open).

    Just competed every EU nation but haven’t play and win with any native yet.
    I’ll type some tips very soon 😛

    1. This is by far my most played scenario in civ 5 so i wanted to share some not well known tweaks.

      So here are 2 things that always bothered me.
      1. You cant play as the Mongols…..
      2. Spreading of Protestantism and the RNG involved in it means that in 50 percent of games it won’t spread….

      Now here is the thing. If you edit the Lua file in the Scenario Folder (MedievalScenarioLoadScreen) and add the the line:
      [12] = “civilization_Mongol”,
      Now you can play as the Mongols!!!
      Beware tho that sometimes you won’t spawn in the exact location south of Russia . Just restart.

      And now to the Protestant Reformation part. If you want to guarantee that it will spread ( important for Sweden and Netherlands) you need the IGE from the workshop ( in game editor) with that tool you can when Wittenberg gets protestantism give Wittenberg the printing press technology for 9 times faster spreading.

    2. Hi Hernan,
      wow! Crazy new information for me! I will get back to this with a dedicated post (thanks to you!) — right now however, I’m fighting Russia playing the Mongols myself. And same as the other way around it’s crazy hard.
      I’ve also checked the Lua files and do believe there’s ways to promote Protestantism w/o IGE, but with Lua file changes.
      Stay tuned! 🙂

  4. Hi Robert, thank you for your guides! They are incredibly helpful for some of the most difficult achievements! Glad to know you’re back making them; could you please make a guide for Russia in Into the Renaissance? I’m quite struggling with that one, and your help would be great here. (And I’d also love to eventually see your guide for the Roman Deity achievement, but I’m not sure if asking for two is not too much.)

    1. Hey, thanks for the compliment!
      Russia in Into the Renaissance (Yokes on the Mongols) I have played, but not written a guide yet. “Macgki” has written a guide though and posted it under the Into the Renaissance Scenario Strategy and Achievement Guide.

      For the Fall of Rome Achievements I need more time. I have those, but that was before I started writing guides. So it’s either playing again or loading dozens of savegames to find out what I did 😀

  5. did u ever get round to finishing your strategy guides or any plans to as they really are great

    1. I will for sure. Recently I did the “Samurai Invasion of Korea” scenario with all 4 civs on Deity. But since I just moved back to Berlin from Ireland three months ago after travelling for 2 months, I haven’t had the time to catch up on creating more guides (new job, settling in etc.). But new guides will definitely come in the near future! 🙂

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