Trung Trac – Guide and Strategy

Intro

For a brief and remarkable period in what is now Vietnam, two sisters—Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị—led a fierce uprising against the powerful Han Dynasty. When Trưng Trắc’s husband was executed, she and her sister united their people, wresting independence for three glorious years before the Han inevitably returned in force. Through countless stories and legends, they live on as revered symbols of Vietnamese unity and divine protectors of a proud heritage. In Civilization VII, Trưng Trắc channels this passion and determination into a leadership style that’s all about strategic conquest and territorial expansion, with a hint of surprising scientific flair.

Strategy

If you’re looking for a leader who excels at both gaining early military momentum and leveraging it for long-term benefits, Trưng Trắc should be near the top of your list. Her militaristic orientation is clear from the get-go, granting free Promotions to your first Commander, accelerating that snowball effect many warmongers crave. Even so, don’t sleep on her scientific perks—she gets bonus Science in Tropical cities and further amplifies this during Formal Wars.

Below is a practical breakdown of how to maximize her strengths:

1. Turbocharge Your First Commander: Gaining free Promotions early can make your initial Commander an unstoppable force. If you focus these Promotions in the Assault branch right away, you’ll be only a step away from top-tier boosts like Order or Advancement. This opens the door to crushing neighboring civs before they can develop a counter-strategy.
2. Leverage the Science Bonuses: A ten percent Science bonus may not sound huge, but it adds up, especially once you start chaining multiple conquests. You’ll see an even larger boost when you declare a Formal War, which can often mean outpacing rivals technologically in the mid to late game.
3. Pair with Synergistic Civilizations:
   • Persia is a prime option for an early rush strategy, thanks to unique Commanders like the Hazarapatis who gain the crucial Initiative Promotion, letting them move and attack right after unpacking.
   • Rome has its unique Legatus Commander, which can found settlements after earning enough Promotions, making expansion seamless.
   • For a slightly more balanced approach, pairing with Maya or French can add robust mid- and late-game benefits—Maya for more reliable Science growth, French for mitigating War Weariness and adding Commander synergy.
4. Stay Flexible: While Trưng Trắc is, at heart, a militaristic powerhouse, don’t forget that your aggression-fueled expansion can also fuel other victory paths. More land and cities naturally translate into extra yields—whether you want to pivot toward Culture, Science, or keep forging ahead with total domination.

Feel free to experiment with different civ pairings and Commander Promotion paths. Over time, you’ll find your own sweet spot for unleashing Trưng Trắc’s potential, whether you’re a beginner refining your basic city-building or an experienced warmonger going for record-fast conquests.

Lines

• Greeting: “The breeze from Fan Si Pan was cool this evening, and the Red River flows calm. And here you are.”
• Attacked: “The land will fight you. The rivers will rise against you. The sky will cast fire down upon you. You will not succeed.”
• Declares War: “We have borne your insults for too long. I will not bow my head when there is injustice.”
• Accepts Player’s Deal: “In harmony, like land and water.”
• Rejects Player’s Deal: “My people’s interests come first. No.”
• Defeat: “My ancestors await. My voice will be lost to time, but I will dwell with them in paradise.”

Civilopedia Entry

Southeast Asia’s geography is as diverse as its cultures. Mountains stand like towering green walls, rivers become vital arteries for trade, and monsoons transform whole landscapes in a single season. Vietnam’s historical ties with China, especially around the Red River Delta, meant centuries of both cultural exchange and conflict. Despite (or perhaps because of) repeated foreign invasions, the Vietnamese people have forged a rich tapestry of customs and resilience.

Trưng Trắc, along with her sister, stepped into this tumultuous stage as daughters of a prominent Lac Viet family during Han China’s first major domination. Overzealous governors enforcing Chinese traditions sparked dissent among the local population, leading to her husband’s execution when he openly opposed them. The spark of rebellion ignited swiftly under the sisters’ leadership, and they captured over 60 settlements, solidifying their hold over what could’ve become a fully independent state. Sadly, that dream lasted only three years before the Han returned with overwhelming might. Whether the sisters fell in battle, took their own lives, or simply vanished into legend, their story endures as an emblem of Vietnamese pride and defiance. Even today, festivals and parades honor them as national heroes who stood against impossible odds.

Unique Ability: Hai Bà Trưng

Trưng Trắc’s unique ability “Hai Bà Trưng” bestows the following key benefits:

• Free Promotions: Gain multiple free Promotions on your first Commander, allowing you to specialize in critical combat roles right from the beginning.
• Commander Experience Boost: All your Commanders gain experience faster, which helps you cycle through Promotion tiers swiftly.
• Science Bonus in Tropical Tiles: Enjoy a Science boost for all cities founded on Tropical terrain—this multiplier jumps even higher during any Formal War you declare, giving you a competitive tech edge at precisely the moment you’re expanding.

Agendas

Trưng Trắc follows the “Văn Minh” agenda:

• She decreases Relationship by a medium amount with whichever player holds the greatest number of Promotions across all Commanders. In the case of a tie, she reduces Relationship by a smaller amount to each tied contender.
• She increases Relationship by a medium amount with the player having the fewest Promotions across all Commanders. If there’s a tie, all players tied for the fewest get a smaller Relationship boost.

This agenda perfectly captures Trưng Trắc’s spirit: she values the underdog and remains wary of those whose Commanders become too powerful. If you’re planning to be the unstoppable juggernaut of Promotions, expect her to cast a suspicious eye in your direction!

Trivia

• “Hai Bà Trưng” translates roughly to “The Two Ladies Trưng,” referring to both Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị. These sisters are cherished in Vietnamese folklore as almost divine protectors of the nation.
• Trưng Trắc’s frequent mention of monsoons, rivers, and mountains in her dialogue reflects Southeast Asia’s challenging geography, which shaped the region’s military tactics for centuries.
• The historical Trưng sisters’ rebellion against the Han Dynasty is one of the earliest recorded uprisings led by women in world history, making them enduring symbols of Vietnamese identity and independence.

TL;DR

If you’re after a leader who kicks off with an extra-strong Commander, uses that advantage to conquer aggressively, and also dabbles in a nice Science boost while you’re at it, Trưng Trắc is a top contender. Lean on her free Promotions for early domination, declare Formal Wars for that sweet double Science bonus, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different civ combos to find your perfect synergy. Whether you’re fresh to Civ 7 or a seasoned veteran seeking a twist on conquest, Trưng Trắc’s style offers bold openings and flexible paths forward—a potent combination for any strategy fan.