Colonists (CivBE)

For the unit, see Colonist (CivBE).

Colonists is one of the selections players make when starting a new game in Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth and its Rising Tide expansion. It allows players to choose what kinds of people were on their colony ship and provides a city-based bonus.

	Colonists	Ability
	Scientists	+2 Science in every city
	Refugees	+2 Food in every city
	Aristocrats	+4 Energy in every city ^[1]
	Engineers	+2 Production in every city
	Artists	+2 Culture in every city (3 in Base BE) ^[1]
	Pioneers	Build colonists and explorers twice as fast ^[2]
	Mercenaries	All Cities have +25 Hit Points, and all units have +10% Combat Strength and Ranged Strength in friendly territory ^[2]

Strategy[]

It is debatable whether or not one should double down here (e.g., choosing Engineers when playing as the PAC, which already receives a Production bonus toward wonders). Such a choice will make a colony very strong in one area, but could potentially leave it vulnerable in another. A safer choice as a beginner is to select colonists that will provide something you might struggle to get otherwise.

Scientists: Straight-up Science boost, and lets you get those early techs a bit faster.
Refugees: Also quite simple, as it will boost your Population growth in all cities. However, you need to mind your Health a bit more.
Aristocrats: Provides a boost to Energy, which can be used to support and purchase buildings, improvements, and units. Good for a commerce game.
Engineers: Another straightforward option, as Production takes place a bit faster.
Artists: A Culture boost that starts up your progress towards Virtues from the get-go.

Notes[]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 In the December 2014 patch the +1 Health bonuses from Artists and Aristocrats were removed, but their Energy and Culture outputs were increased by one.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Pioneers and Mercenaries are only available as unlockables playing Sid Meier's Starships.

See also[]

Colonist(s) in other games

Civilization: Beyond Earth [Edit]
Games: Base Beyond Earth • Rising Tide • Starships†
Lists Aliens Artifacts Alien Old Earth Progenitor Biomes Buildings Cargo Colonists Orbital Units Personality Traits Planets Quests Resources Sponsors Spacecraft Technologies Terrain Tile Improvements Trade Agreements Units Virtues Wonders Yields
Affinities Harmony Purity Supremacy
Concepts Alien gameplay Aquatic gameplay Artifacts System Buildings Cities Covert Operations Diplomacy Expeditions Marvel System Miasma Movement Orbital Layer Stations Strength Tech Web Trade Units Victory
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Misc. Starting a new game Starter Guide Strategy Guides Steam Achievements Mods Updates Soundtrack Starships Unlockables Exoplanets Map Pack
Introduced in the Rising Tide expansion pack. † Spin off game based in the same fictional universe

[Artists-1] 1.0 ^1.1 In the December 2014 patch the +1 Health bonuses from Artists and Aristocrats were removed, but their Energy and Culture outputs were increased by one.

[SSColonists-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Pioneers and Mercenaries are only available as unlockables playing Sid Meier's Starships.

[1]

[2]