Can you choose the founding city of a religion?

[petermarkab]

I've found that by pop rushing in certain cities, or by spreading another religion to all but one of my cities, I can influence where the holy city of religion X is founded.

But has anyone delved deeper and discovered the mechanics of holy city foundation?

I've attached my save game (BtS 3.17 i think, with an unofficial patch - Bhruic?). There's a Great Prophet in Canterbury which you can use to pop Theology, but I want the Holy City to be in Canterbury, and can't get it!!!

For info: Emperor level, map is large, tectonics 60% ocean, 18 civs

Thanks for your help

Peter

[johnmcd]

generally, it will go to the second city founded.

It won't when other religions and things are present, but if it's the first religion in your empire, it's going to be the second city you founded.

That might vary if someone has taken your city and then you've taken it back I suppose.

[Lord Avalon]

You can determine the holy city, if you only have one city.

[ColdPhoenix]

The city with the fewest religions becomes the holy city. If more than one city has joint fewest then it goes to the oldest city that's not the capital.

[joncnunn]

1. Can never go to the capital (unless that is your only city)

2. It then seems to normally be the city with fewest religions.

3. If more than one of those then it tends to normally be the one of those that is largest in size.

[Willem]

Originally posted by ColdPhoenix
If more than one city has joint fewest then it goes to the oldest city that's not the capital.

It's the size that matters, not the age. And even then there's no guarentee.

[sciguy001]

I think it always goes to your smallest city it seems, which stinks because you want your big cities to get a religion and when your smallest city is always an easy target to AIs.

[jnh140]

I forced two religions in my capitol-- of course, i waited to build that settler ALL THE WAY to monotheism.

Doesn't really seem worth it.

[Willem]

Originally posted by sciguy001
I think it always goes to your smallest city it seems, ...

Not according to Blake, the guy who did the AI for BtS. It's supposed to prefer the largest city.

[Supr49er]

I have seen two religion holy cities from the AI, but if I am lucky enough to found two religions, they are always in different cities for me.

Welcome to Apolyton sciguy001.

[rah]

I get double holy cities all the time. You must pay attention. All your cities must have a religion before the original holy city can double up.

[Garth Vader]

Originally posted by Willem


Not according to Blake, the guy who did the AI for BtS. It's supposed to prefer the largest city.

Well I just had a size 2 with no religion get Confucianism over a size 3 with no religion.

[Supr49er]

Originally posted by rah
I get double holy cities all the time. You must pay attention. All your cities must have a religion before the original holy city can double up.

Aha!
Spread your original religion faster, and it's possible to get a second religion in your Holy City.

[jnh140]

Must the other cities have the original religion, or may they have competing religions?

example, all my cities have buddhism, except for 1, which has hinduism. I discover judaism, will it go to the holy city, or to the hindu city?

[AloysiusAuebauch]

I discovered all religions, except Hinduism, in one game... how come that doesnt lead to manic civil unrest (especially in the earlier stages of the game when there is not liberalism and such)? With the possible exceptions of "Golden Age" Islamic Empire (which is contentious) and the Mongols, religious pluralism never really flourished in the pre-modern world....