José Rizal – Strategy and Guide

Intro

Long admired for his unwavering dedication to the Filipino people, José Rizal takes center stage in Civ 7 as a leader who champions Cultural and Diplomatic pursuits. Historically, he was a writer, physician, and activist whose calls for peaceful reforms under Spanish rule led to his eventual arrest and execution, inspiring generations of Filipinos. In the game, this background translates into abilities that focus on uplifting your Culture, forging alliances, and amplifying your influence through special Narrative Events.

Whether you’re a newcomer looking to learn the ropes or a veteran strategizing your next victory, playing as José Rizal introduces a unique blend of economic growth, celebration-based boosts, and thoughtful diplomacy.

Strategy

Rizal’s toolkit suits those who love gradually building a strong Culture base, fostering alliances, and navigating the diplomatic landscape with a steady hand. His Unique Ability rewards you for engaging with Narrative Events—which can provide an unexpected push toward crucial yields like Gold and even help you surge ahead when it comes to Celebrations.

Here are a few tips for leveraging Rizal’s strengths:

• Capitalize on Narrative Events: Every time a Narrative Event triggers, you gain Culture and Gold per Age. Watch for event chains in the mid to late game that can be repeated, ensuring a steady influx of resources.
• Prolong Your Celebrations: Rizal extends Celebration duration and improves Happiness from these festivities. Prolonged Celebrations boost loyalty in your cities, which is handy if you’re looking to maintain stability on multiple fronts.
• Balance Diplomacy and Expansion: Since Rizal lends himself to a more Diplomatic playstyle, consider carefully curated alliances and trade deals. Aim to avoid early wars unless absolutely necessary; instead, leverage your relationships to grow your empire’s culture and trade networks.
• Go for Cultural or Diplomatic Victories: Rizal’s focus on Culture, combined with strong Diplomatic ties, makes him a prime candidate for either a robust Tourism-centered Cultural Victory or a seat of power in the World Council, pushing toward a Diplomatic Victory.

Overall, José Rizal is a leader who excels in fostering goodwill while quietly amassing cultural influence. His ability to turn events into tangible advantages means you can keep pace with faster-expanding civilizations and negotiate your way through potential conflicts.

Lines

Rizal speaks Tagalog in the game, reflecting his Filipino heritage. Here are a few of his notable in-game quotes:

• Greeting: “I am Jose Rizal, poet, painter, revolutionary.”
• Attacked: “We do not sleep; we wait for you with fire in our hearts and weapons in our hands.”
• Declares War: “You must shatter the vase to spread its perfume, and smite the rock to get the spark.”
• Defeated: “It is finished. (Consummatum est.)”

These lines reflect Rizal’s poetic spirit and unwavering resolve in the face of danger.

Civilopedia Entry

José Rizal stands as a testament to the unity and resilience of the Philippine archipelago. Under Spanish rule, the islands were fractured by geography and overlapping local powers, yet Filipinos discovered a shared identity through common struggles. Rising out of this climate, Rizal—a brilliant writer and medic who studied in Europe—channeled newfound ideas of liberalism and reform into novels that exposed the injustices of colonial administration.

Though executed in 1896, Rizal’s lasting influence stems from his calls for representation, equal rights, and peaceful advocacy. Today, he symbolizes the power of intellectual and cultural movements to inspire broad societal change. In Civ 7, Rizal’s leadership style echoes these principles, rewarding cooperation and cultural development while giving you a diplomatic edge on the world stage.

Unique Ability: Pambansang Bayani

This unique ability, meaning “National Hero,” epitomizes Rizal’s spirit:

• Bonus Culture and Gold from Narrative Events per Age.
• Extended Celebration Duration, bolstering Happiness and loyalty.
• Additional Narrative Events become available, giving you more chances to gain yields and shape your civilization’s story.

When used well, these effects let you accumulate resources quickly while maintaining a positive relationship with city-states and other leaders. It’s especially useful in times when you need an extra burst of Culture or Gold to upgrade units, build Wonders, or fund diplomatic envoys.

Agendas

Known as Kapwa, Rizal’s agenda draws on the Filipino concept of a “shared inner self.” Game-wise, it influences how he treats other leaders:

• Higher Approval for the player with the most active Endeavors. Build alliances, promote global events, and establish humanitarian or cultural missions to win his favor.
• Lower Approval for the player with the most Sanctions. Warmongers or isolationist empires might incur Rizal’s disapproval.
• Tiebreaker Effects: If there’s a tie in active Endeavors or Sanctions, he adjusts his opinion by a smaller margin accordingly.

If you’re looking to stay on his good side, avoid penalties and strive for cooperative ventures. If you are playing as Rizal, stay true to this diplomatic nature, but don’t be afraid to push for cultural dominance when the opportunity arises.

Trivia

• Rizal’s special ability name, Pambansang Bayani, translates directly to “National Hero,” reflecting his status in Filipino history.
• His personal agenda, Kapwa, is derived from a Filipino psychological concept emphasizing shared identity and mutual respect.
• One of his most famous novels, “El Filibusterismo,” delves into themes of social inequality and revolution, influencing how Narrative Events unfold in Civ 7.

TL;DR

José Rizal in Civ 7 leverages his Cultural and Diplomatic attributes to nurture a stable, resource-rich empire. His leader ability, Pambansang Bayani, provides extra Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, extends Celebrations, and boosts Happiness. Combined with the Kapwa agenda, which rewards positive engagement and punishes aggression, Rizal is a perfect pick for players aiming for either a Cultural or Diplomatic Victory. By focusing on relationships, strategic celebrations, and a strong event-based economy, you’ll see his civilization flourish on the world stage.