Ashoka, World Renouncer – Strategy and Guide

Intro

Welcome to a deep dive into Civ 7 and one of its most intriguing leaders:
Ashoka, World Renouncer. He is one of two Personas of the Leader Ashoka, the other one being Ashoka, World Conqueror.

Ashoka, the historical Mauryan Emperor, offers a fascinating blend of peaceful and expansive
playstyles. Though remembered for spreading Buddhism and championing non-violence, he also
had a fierce past. This dual nature makes him an excellent option for players who want a
somewhat flexible approach—balancing growth, happiness, and the occasional necessary show
of military strength. Ready to delve in? Let’s explore the strategies, quirks, and stories that
make Ashoka, World Renouncer, a leader worth trying.

Strategy

In Civ 7, Ashoka’s toolkit revolves around Happiness (sometimes referred
to as “Amenities” in previous installments), which significantly influences population growth
and city productivity. Here are a few ways to make the most of his unique gifts:

1. Happiness Focus: Ashoka’s special ability grants extra Food for
   every certain amount of surplus Happiness in a city. If you keep your people content
   (or even ecstatic), you’ll reap the rewards of accelerated population growth.
   That larger population base, in turn, boosts science, production, and your overall
   potential.
2. Plan for Celebrations: During a Celebration (a game event where your
   empire is particularly happy or prosperous), Ashoka’s cities receive a Food
   multiplier. Consider timing these surges alongside key technological or production
   milestones to maximize city development and outpace rivals.
3. Use Happiness Adjacencies: Buildings under Ashoka gain a special
   adjacency bonus for improvements that further enhance Happiness. This mechanic rewards
   thoughtful placement of improvements around your cities—pay attention to your layout
   for optimal yields.
4. Diplomatic Leverage: Thanks to his reputation for mercy and
   collaboration, Ashoka has a natural edge when it comes to forging alliances. As your
   empire grows, build friendships with players who share your interest in
   high-Happiness or pacifist ideals. You’ll find alliances easier to maintain—and more
   rewarding when it’s time to vote on global matters.
5. Military Caution: Despite his historical conversion to non-violence,
   Ashoka isn’t a pushover. While you won’t want to emphasize aggressive expansion,
   maintaining a solid defense is still crucial—especially if you border an enemy
   civ known for early rushes. Use your strong growth to fund a modern army if
   deterrence becomes necessary.

Ultimately, Ashoka’s power is most evident when you steer your civilization toward a balanced
empire—one that prospers from within and rarely falters in diplomacy.

Lines

Ashoka’s Maghadi Prakrit voice lines provide added flavor and immersion. Though the
English translations vary, here are a few you might hear:

• Greeting: “I am Ashoka, the great king at the center of the world, and
  profound sinner.”
• Attacked: “Violence echoes across multiple lives, multiple worlds.
  It will return to you.”
• Declares War: “The path of violence is a path that I swore never to
  take again. But here we are.”
• Accepts Player’s Deal: “The righteous path.”
• Rejects Player’s Deal: “This is adharma, an error.”
• Defeated: “And now, the burning wheel passes over me.”

These lines emphasize his dual identity: once a fierce conqueror, now a repentant peace-seeker.
Yet, as his remarks suggest, he’s still more than willing to fight if pushed too far.

Civilopedia Entry

Ashoka rose to power in the Mauryan Empire during a period of turmoil and
ambition, ultimately becoming one of the most influential rulers in Indian history. Renowned
for his eventual rejection of cruelty, Ashoka embraced Buddhist teachings after
witnessing the devastating outcome of his campaigns. He cultivated a message of peace,
erected monumental edicts to codify moral governance, and championed public welfare
initiatives.

Under Ashoka’s guidance, the Mauryan territories transformed into a place where commerce,
faith, and diverse cultural exchange flourished. Inspired by Buddhist principles of
non-violence, Ashoka commissioned hospitals, rest-houses, and other philanthropic endeavors
throughout his realm. Over time, he evolved from a feared conqueror into a figure whose
legacy is intimately tied to compassion and self-improvement. Even centuries later,
his life’s arc continues to resonate, making him a compelling choice in Civ 7
for players who prefer leading by benevolence (while still keeping a watchful eye on those
who might exploit their kindness).

Unique Ability: Dhammaraja

Ashoka’s signature Dhammaraja ability rewards high Happiness. Here’s the
breakdown:

• Extra Food per Surplus Happiness: For every fixed number of surplus
  Happiness points, each city gains additional Food, helping them grow more
  rapidly.
• Boosted Food During Celebrations: Whenever your empire enters a
  Celebration, all settlements receive a percentage boost to Food production.
  This bonus can stack nicely with your already-expanding population, so time your
  expansions carefully.
• Happiness Adjacency: All buildings benefit from adjacency with
  improvements that generate Happiness, encouraging you to plan city placement in a
  strategic layout. Together, these bonuses can power your cities to impressive heights.

Agendas

Ashoka’s Without Sorrow agenda reflects his personal journey toward
enlightenment:

• Likes: Leaders who maintain high Happiness yields. If your
  empire is a beacon of contentment, expect a friendly relationship and possibly
  beneficial alliances.
• Dislikes: Civilizations with consistently low Happiness.
  Failing to keep your population satisfied will incur his disapproval and may lead
  to diplomatic rifts.

Because his diplomatic disposition is closely tied to Happiness, be mindful of global
situations that affect population morale (like wars or resource shortages). A sharp decline
in your people’s contentment can quickly strain relations with Ashoka, so plan ahead.

Trivia

• The name “Ashoka” is sometimes translated as “without sorrow,” linking
  directly to his in-game agenda and peaceful persona.
• He is known historically for popularizing Buddhism across much of Asia, using
  official edicts to spread non-violent teachings.
• In Civ 7, Ashoka represents his post-conversion self. Nonetheless,
  his fierce past is alluded to in certain flavor texts and voice lines.
• Historically, Ashoka’s empire was among the largest in the Indian subcontinent,
  bridging cultural and trade links between east and west.

TL;DR

Ashoka, World Renouncer, is an exceptional leader choice for Civ 7 if you enjoy
balancing population growth and diplomacy. Focus on keeping your people happy to maximize
extra Food benefits, gain Happiness adjacency bonuses for strategic urban
planning, and ride the momentum of Celebrations to stay one step ahead of rival civs.
Although he’s historically associated with non-violence, don’t underestimate his potential
to rally a sizable army when threatened. Above all, Ashoka’s gameplay style highlights the
power of compassion and cunning in equal measure—perfect for those who want a thoughtful,
versatile approach to empire-building.