Basics - World Congress

Describes what the World Congress is and what exactly you can do with it - if in your hands.

What is the World Congress?

The World Congress, or United Nations as it is later, is what is used to achieve a Diplomatic Victory.

The World Congress begins once a Civilization discovers the Printing Press and meets all of the Civilizations. If you are the lucky one to do both, the World Congress is held in your Capital city which allows you to have 2 starting Delegates and your choice of a policy chosen.

The World Congress is essentially an "early" version of the United Nations, so, this is the path towards a Diplomatic Victory if you are seeking that. Being the Chairman provides several advantageous benefits during the World Congress, such as additional delegates and ability to propose resolutions. City-States should always be your best friend as they will add Delegates to your Civilization once you are in the Industrial Era. Furthermore, the World Congress will turn into the United Nations once any Civilization reaches the Information Era or at least half the Civilizations are in the Atomic Era.



The spies in the game now have two abilities rather than the one "Spy" ability. Once you receive a spy and set their destination towards another Civilizations city it will ask if you want to send them in as a Diplomat or a Spy. The Diplomat is new and will allow you to have Cultural benefits alongside Diplomatic benefits.

Postive Resolutions

Video goes in order with list - follow the video if you want to listen, rather than read!

• World Leader

  If no Civilization gains enough support to win, the two Civilizations who received the most support permanently gain extra Delegates in future sessions.
  The best Resolution you could achieve strictly because you will win the game. This is, after all, the coup de grace of the World Congress/United Nations as it is what gives you a Victory! Remember, you are not able to select this for yourself but rather is selected at random intervals once the World Congress becomes the United Nations.
  
  

• Choose Host

  Once Civilizations advance to later era's these will come into session as a vote - you can not set a resolution out to continue yourself as Host.
  Obviously, in most scenarios, you are going to choose yourself as the Host because you... well.... want to Host the World Congress/United Nations. Once Host you'll receive additional Delegates and the ability to propose resolutions.
  
  

• World's Fair

  Once underway, Civilizations can contribute production towards it's completion by selecting it in the city production list. When complete, Civilizations receive bonuses based on how they contributed.
  1st place: Culture increases 100% for 20 turns.
  2nd place: Free Social Policy
  3rd place: 500 points towards next Golden Age
  Begins what could be considered an international art gallery.
  
  

• Cultural Heritage Sites

  You'll gain +3 Culture per city that has a Wonder in it.
  This may be more of a detriment to those who do not have any Wonders whatsoever and obviously a huge advantage for those who have many Wonders, if not all of them, in their possession. Huge advantage to those striving towards a Cultural Victory or just want more Social Policies.
  
  

• Natural Heritage Sites

  Each Natural Wonder provides +5 Culture when worked.
  Situational Resolution but very good if you've got multiple Natural Wonders in your borders. If not then this one doesn't help you in the least and could possibly be considered a Negative Resolution. Regardless, it's a neutral Resolution so I've put this in the Positive section.
  
  

• International Games

  Civilizations can contribute production towards it's completion by selecting it in the city production list. When complete, Civ's receive bonuses based on how much they contributed.
  1st place: Tourism increases by 100% for 20 turns. Plus a Free Social Policy.
  2nd: +3 Happiness. One time increase of 30 Influence with City-States
  3rd: +3 Happiness.
  This would be considered a World Cup, Olympics, etc. in relation to a real world correlation. It's also similar to the World's Fair Resolution. Remember that this is a "later" resolution that you are able to choose from.
  Very good Resolution to pass if you get any place, but obviously, the best if you get 1st place.
  
  

• International Space Station

  When complete, Civ's receive bonuses based on how much they contributed.
  1st: International Space Station wonder appears in Capital. (+1 production from Scientists, and +1 Science from Engineers. Great Scientists provide +33% more Science when used to discover new tech. May only be build collaboratively through the World Congress.)
  2nd: Free Great Scientists.
  3rd: One time research boost.
  To those looking for almost a guaranteed win in a Scientific Victory - look no more. If you are able to contribute the most then chances are you're set for Science, just hope to hold it all and nobody attacks you! Civ's contribute production towards it's completion by selecting it int the city production list.
  Fantastic Resolution to delegate with, plus is the way you would win a Scientific Victory.
  
  

• Historical Landmarks

  Great Person tile improvements provide +2 Culture when worked, and Landmarks built by Archaeologists provide +4 Culture when worked. Available once any Civ discovers Archaeology.
  This is again, more of a neutral Resolution as it doesn't really help unless you use landmarks frequently and doesn't hinder anybody in the game.

Negative Resolutions

Video goes in order with list - follow the video if you want to listen, rather than read!

• Embargo City-States

  No Trade Routes can be established with City-States. Any such Trade Routes are ended and must be reassigned.
  Now, in most cases trading with other AI players will always be the best route for you considering you'll obtain science and some other goodies compared to City-States. If you are a person who is trading fiercely with City-States this is a frightening Resolution to see.
  
  

• Embargo

  No Trade Routes can be established between the chosen Civilization and any other Civilizations. Any such Trade Routes are ended and must be reassigned.
  This is a direct negative on those that are affected by this. If you are the unfortunate one who got this put upon them then you have to choose someone else to trade with - which sometimes is a huge disadvantage to gold per turn. Otherwise it's fantastic to stop the AI from getting cash from their main supplier.
  
  

• Ban Luxury

  A Luxury resource is designated as immoral, endangered, or otherwise inappropriate for use by the general population. As long as the ban is in place, Civilizations receive no Happiness benefit from this Luxury resource.
  When I read "inappropriate for use by the general population" I thought of some funny things that are similar in the USA. Anyhow, this is just a pure negative. It's frustrating to have lots of a resource and it become outlawed and your Happiness tanks. However, it's a decisive move if you do this against another Civilization.
  
  

• Standing Army Tax

  Unit maintenance costs are raised 25% Gold.
  You'll always want to have some standing army to help defend in any way possible. You'll always be taxing yourself with this Resolution passed. Even if it is to stop that insane amount of troops around your borders from the big bully next door, sometimes that isn't even enough to stop them from invading your lands. It's a benefit to those with low armies - but a detriment to all who have any military unit around.
  
  

• Scholars in Residence

  Civilizations research a technology 20% more quickly if it has been discovered by at least one other Civilization.
  This was one I thought about putting into the positive category but changed my mind when I thought if I was leading the Tech race. This is a negative if you are leading because others can easily catch you. Obviously, if you are losing the race by a large margin this will help in ways unimaginable.
  
  

• World Religion

  Designate a religion as the official World Religion. Civilizations who have a majority of the cities in their empire following the religion get an additional 2 Delegates. The religion spreads 25% faster, and it's Holy City receives 50% Tourism. There can only be one World Religion at a time.
  Only a benefit if you are the one with the Holy City considering you'll get very good benefits. Pair this up with a few of the Social Policies regarding Tourism/Culture and you'll have a great chance at a Cultural Victory.
  
  

• Sciences Funding

  Increases generation of Great Scientists, Engineers, and Merchants by 33%. Decreases generation of Great Writers, Artists, and Musicians by 33%.
  Only benefits those who are looking towards a Scientific/Domination type of Victory considering those are the types of Great People you'll be seeking. Still a negative since it is isn't something that could benefit the entire world - unless nobody is seeking Cultural Victory.
  
  

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation

  All Civ's are prevented from constructing new nuclear weapons (Atomic Bomb and Nuclear Missile). Weapons already constructed, however, are not disarmed.
  Cold War anyone? Anyhow, this is a huge negative to those who are in earlier stages of the game while the more advanced Civ's have created an arsenal of Nuclear Weapons and have the option to just Dominate you while you can't counter a Nuke to them.
  
  

• World Ideology

  Designate an Ideology as the official World Ideology. Civ's following that Ideology get an additional 2 Delegates. Public opinion in favor of that Ideology is increased for all Civ's. There can only be one Ideology at a time.
  Something very powerful for a Civ that is looking for Influence over others. Those that do not want war will use the peer pressure to prevent that other Civ from choosing Autocracy. If this happens to you, you're in a world of hurt. If you do this to other Civ's you're Diplomatic relations will be crippled but you'll absolutely cripple them and make them listen to your rules.
  
  

• Arts Funding

  Increases generation of Great Writers, Artists, and Musicians by 33%. Decreases generation of Great Scientists, Engineers, and Merchants by 33%.
  This is the polar opposite of Sciences Funding as in now you'll produce less science and more culture. It's a good Resolution to choose if you are seeking a Cultural Victory. Otherwise, anything relating to Science/Wonders/etc. will be hindered since you'll have less production of that specific Great Person. Overall, a negative resolution that could be passed.

Why are you explaining something in-game?

• For those that do not have Brave New World - this will give them a comprehensive look at the new Diplomatic system, World Congress (United Nations).
  
  
• It will perhaps be the make or break decision on whether or not they will buy the expansion pack too! There are tiny tid bits that many people overlook and perhaps through the video explanations and written explanations will help any gaps within confusion.
  
  
• Those who have read my Basics guides just might want to check out what else I have to offer too, so say hello in the comments if you are!

Back to Brave New World

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[Noxrige]

Great information guide about what's new in BNW. Great to see that cultural and diplomatic victory got revamped significantly.

[Flower Power]

Good information - thanks.

[Arenius Nastrado]

Thanks for the great guide.

[Ryan]

Yep, I'm rather certain it was, as most of the guide was recorded in that game ;-). Thanks for checking out the guide!

[y]

Hey thank you for the vid's, also it looked 99% like you were on Africa as Pedro? Were you playing on Earth?

[Ryan]

Exactly, and it's even less frustrating when you play on a very small map with very few Civilizations. Those kinds of games makes the World Congress somewhat meaningless as the Delegations and proposals are very one sided and can be countered quite easily where the bigger maps, more City-State kinds of games makes it very "interesting". As El mentioned, make sure to keep a stash of gold right before votes to ensure your say for the next presi..... delegation.... phew almost went into American politics!

[El]

This is nice, but playing on very large maps with a lot of Civs can make the World Congress a frustrating experience. Make sure you keep lots of gold at hand to 'persuade' the city-states right before an election.

[Tasik]

I liked it :)

[Nodi]

Great guide !

[Anakin_the_Green]

World Congress is the new Diplomatic option in Brave New World. It makes getting to being world leader a funner way to play.
This adds another more sinister wepeon than brute force. Who cares if you have 100 units if all the cities you have desert you because your unhappy and poor.
A very good addition In my Opion.