Unciv Early Game: Key Numbers and Ancient Ruin Rewards

Overview

The numbers that matter in the first turns of Unciv, read from the game's data and code: unit and building costs, growth, policy and tech cost scaling, happiness and barbarians — plus every ancient ruin reward and its conditions. This page lists facts only.

An analysis-based guide: this guide is based on our analysis of Unciv's data files and source code. It describes what the data shows and is not a guarantee of results.

Early-Game Numbers

Fact	Value	Source
Settler	106 production; can't be built below size 2; excess food turns into production while it's being built	Units.json
Worker / Warrior / Scout	70 / 40 / 25 production. Scout ignores terrain movement cost	Units.json
Monument	40 production, +2 culture, 1 gold upkeep	Buildings.json
Food to grow (size 1→2, 2→3, 3→4)	15, 24, 33 (Standard speed)	CityPopulationManager.kt
Food eaten	2 per citizen (specialists too)	CityStats.kt
First policies (culture)	25, 30, 60, 105, 170 (1 city, Standard, Prince)	PolicyManager.kt
Policy cost per extra city	+10% Tiny–Medium, +7.5% Large, +5% Huge	PolicyManager.kt
Tech cost per extra city	+5% Tiny–Medium, +3.75% Large, +2.5% Huge	TechManager.kt
Happiness	Start 9 (Prince+); −3 per city, −1 per citizen, +4 per different luxury	CityStats.kt, Difficulties.json
Barbarians entering your land	Never on Settler, from turn 60 Chieftain, turn 20 Warlord, turn 1 Prince+	Difficulties.json

Data from the game's own files (Civ V: Gods & Kings ruleset that ships with Unciv), read from the source at the commit of 2026-10-02. Updates and mods can change these numbers.

Ancient Ruin Rewards

Ruin result	Effect and conditions
discover cultural artifacts	Gain 20 Culture ((modified by game speed))
squatters willing to work for you	Free Worker found in the ruins Unavailable (on Prince difficulty or higher)
squatters wishing to settle under your rule	Free Settler found in the ruins Unavailable (on Prince difficulty or higher)
your exploring unit receives training	This Unit gains 10 XP Only available (after turn number 10) Unavailable (for Civilian units)
survivors (adds population to a city)	+1 population in a random city
a stash of gold	Gain 50-100 Gold ((modified by game speed))
discover a lost technology	1 free random researchable Tech(s) from the Ancient era
advanced weaponry for your explorer	This Unit upgrades for free including special upgrades
reveal nearby Barbarian camps	Reveal up to All Barbarian encampment within a 10 tile radius
find a crudely-drawn map	From a randomly chosen tile 4 tiles away from the ruins, reveal tiles up to 4 tiles away with 80% chance
discover holy symbols	Only available (when religion is enabled) Gain enough Faith for a Pantheon Only available (before founding a Pantheon) Only available (after turn number 20)
an ancient prophecy	Only available (when religion is enabled) Gain enough Faith for 33% of a Great Prophet Unavailable (after generating a Great Prophet) Only available (after founding a Pantheon) Only available (after turn number 20)

Free Workers and Settlers from ruins are only possible below Prince difficulty.

FAQ

Why can't I build a Settler in my new city?

Settlers need the city to be at least size 2.

Why did my second policy cost more than I expected?

Policy cost rises with every policy adopted and with every non-puppet city beyond the first. See the policy cost calculator.

Are ruin rewards random?

Yes, chosen from the list above among those whose conditions you meet.

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Unciv Guide Social Policies Growth and Happiness

Early Game: Key Numbers and Ancient Ruins

Overview

Early-Game Numbers

Ancient Ruin Rewards

FAQ

Why can't I build a Settler in my new city?

Why did my second policy cost more than I expected?

Are ruin rewards random?

Continue reading

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