
Conquering cities in *Spore* is a thrilling aspect of the game’s Civilization stage, where players must strategically expand their empire by taking over rival cities. Success hinges on balancing military might, economic resources, and diplomatic tactics. Players can deploy their armies to attack enemy cities, but victory often requires more than brute force—it involves managing spice (the game’s currency) to fund troops, using vehicles and creatures effectively, and sometimes even converting cities through religious influence. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your empire and your opponents is key, as is timing your attacks to maximize efficiency and minimize losses. With the right strategy, conquering cities becomes a rewarding way to dominate the planet and advance in the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game Stage | Civilization Stage |
| Required Tool | Cannon (purchased from the Space Stage or acquired via badges) |
| Target | Cities belonging to other civilizations |
| Objective | Destroy all buildings in the city to conquer it |
| City Defense | Cities are protected by defensive turrets and guards |
| Strategy | Use the cannon to destroy buildings from a safe distance; avoid direct confrontation with guards |
| Conquest Reward | Gain control of the city, increasing your civilization's territory and influence |
| Diplomatic Impact | Conquering cities may worsen relations with other civilizations |
| Alternative Method | Ally with a city by increasing alignment through socializing or trading |
| Alignment Effect | High alignment with a city can lead to it joining your civilization without conquest |
| Resource Gain | Conquered cities provide additional spice (resource) for your civilization |
| Difficulty | Varies based on city size, defenses, and the player's strategy |
| Tactical Tip | Focus on destroying key buildings first, such as the City Center, to weaken defenses |
| Gameplay Tip | Use the terrain for cover and avoid getting surrounded by guards |
| Post-Conquest | Manage the conquered city to maintain control and maximize resource output |
| Relevance | Conquest is a key mechanic for expanding your civilization's dominance in the game |
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What You'll Learn
- Strategic Cell Stage Dominance: Expand aggressively, consume resources, and eliminate rivals to establish early territorial control
- Tribe Stage Conquest: Unite tribes through alliances or warfare, securing key resource-rich areas for growth
- City Planning in Civilization Stage: Build efficient cities with defenses, trade routes, and military outposts for expansion
- Military Tactics for Domination: Use diverse units, ambushes, and siege strategies to overpower enemy cities
- Diplomacy and Espionage: Manipulate alliances, bribe enemies, and spy to weaken cities before attacking

Strategic Cell Stage Dominance: Expand aggressively, consume resources, and eliminate rivals to establish early territorial control
In the Cell Stage of Spore, the foundation for future dominance is laid through aggressive expansion and resource management. Your cell’s survival hinges on its ability to outcompete rivals for food, territory, and evolutionary advantages. Start by prioritizing size and speed upgrades, which allow you to consume resources faster and outmaneuver competitors. Smaller cells are easier prey, while larger ones can monopolize food sources, starving opponents into submission. This early phase is a zero-sum game—every resource you secure is one denied to others.
To maximize efficiency, focus on high-density food sources like plants or slow-moving creatures. Avoid wasting energy on elusive prey unless absolutely necessary. As your cell grows, invest in offensive abilities like spikes or electrical discharges to eliminate rivals directly. Ambush weaker cells near resource-rich areas, but avoid prolonged battles that deplete your energy reserves. Remember, the goal isn’t just to survive but to dominate, ensuring no competitor can challenge your supremacy.
A critical aspect of this strategy is territorial control. As you expand, claim as much space as possible by patrolling your boundaries and eliminating intruders. Cells that roam freely without establishing dominance risk losing ground to more aggressive opponents. Use the environment to your advantage—hide in tight spaces to ambush larger cells or use speed to outrun threats. By controlling key areas, you limit rivals’ access to resources, forcing them into decline.
However, aggression must be balanced with sustainability. Overconsumption can deplete food sources, leaving you vulnerable. Monitor your surroundings and migrate to new areas when resources dwindle. This stage is a delicate dance between exploitation and preservation, requiring constant adaptation. Cells that master this balance not only survive but thrive, setting the stage for uncontested dominance in later phases of the game.
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Tribe Stage Conquest: Unite tribes through alliances or warfare, securing key resource-rich areas for growth
In the Tribe Stage of *Spore*, securing resource-rich areas is the cornerstone of growth, but brute force isn’t always the answer. Alliances can be a strategic alternative to warfare, allowing you to expand influence without depleting your tribe’s energy. Identify neighboring tribes that control fertile hunting grounds, fruit-bearing trees, or water sources. Approach them with gifts of food to establish rapport, then propose a shared territory agreement. This not only grants access to their resources but also reduces the risk of conflict, freeing your tribe to focus on population growth and tool development. However, monitor these alliances closely—betrayal is common, and a sudden attack could leave you vulnerable if unprepared.
Warfare, while riskier, offers immediate control over contested areas. To succeed, scout enemy tribes to assess their numbers, tools, and defensive strategies. Focus on attacking during their hunting expeditions, when their defenses are weakest, or use distractions like fires to draw them away from their settlement. Equip your tribe with superior weapons—spears outclass clubs, and fire-based tools can turn the tide of battle. Remember, warfare depletes resources rapidly, so only engage when the reward (e.g., a large fruit tree or watering hole) justifies the cost. Always secure the area post-conquest by stationing tribe members to defend against retaliation.
A hybrid approach often yields the best results. Start by forming alliances to expand peacefully, then use the resources gained to strengthen your tribe for eventual conquest. For instance, ally with a tribe near a river for access to fish, then use the surplus food to arm your tribe for taking over a nearby forest. This balance of diplomacy and aggression ensures steady growth while minimizing risk. Keep in mind that tribes with unique resources (like rare fruits) are prime targets, but their defenses are often stronger, requiring careful planning.
Resource management is critical during this stage. Prioritize areas with multiple resource types—a location with both food and water is ideal, as it sustains your tribe and reduces travel time. Avoid overextending by conquering too many areas at once; unguarded territories are easy targets for rival tribes. Instead, consolidate control over one area before moving to the next. Use the game’s tool-making mechanic to your advantage: crafting better weapons and musical instruments (for alliances) accelerates your progress. By strategically uniting tribes and securing key areas, you’ll set the foundation for a dominant Civilization Stage.
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City Planning in Civilization Stage: Build efficient cities with defenses, trade routes, and military outposts for expansion
In the Civilization Stage of *Spore*, city planning is the linchpin of successful expansion. Efficient cities are not just about population growth; they’re about sustainability, defense, and strategic positioning. Start by prioritizing resource allocation—food, entertainment, and housing must be balanced to keep your citizens happy and productive. A well-planned city minimizes waste and maximizes output, freeing up resources for military and trade endeavors. Think of your city as a living organism: every structure, from homes to factories, must serve a purpose in the larger ecosystem of conquest.
Defenses are non-negotiable in a world where rival civilizations vie for dominance. Walls and turrets aren’t just decorative—they’re your first line of defense against invading armies. Position defensive structures at choke points and high-traffic areas to maximize their effectiveness. Pair this with a robust military presence, but avoid over-investing in defense at the expense of growth. A city that’s too focused on protection becomes stagnant, unable to expand or exploit trade opportunities. Strike a balance: defend what you have while preparing to take what you want.
Trade routes are the lifeblood of expansion, funneling resources and wealth into your empire. Establish trade depots early, connecting your city to neighboring civilizations and outposts. Focus on high-demand goods like spices or gems to maximize profits. Trade not only bolsters your economy but also fosters alliances, making it harder for rivals to justify attacking you. However, protect your trade routes with military outposts—unprotected routes are vulnerable to raids, turning a profit center into a liability.
Military outposts serve as both a sword and a shield in your expansion strategy. Place them at strategic locations—border regions, resource-rich areas, or near rival cities—to project power and secure territory. Outposts act as forward operating bases, allowing you to launch attacks or defend against encroachment. Equip them with a mix of ground and air units to counter various threats. Remember, outposts are investments: they require resources to maintain, so ensure they contribute to your overall strategy, whether by securing trade routes or weakening enemies.
The key to conquering cities in *Spore* lies in synergy—your cities, defenses, trade, and outposts must work in harmony. Avoid the trap of isolated planning; every decision should support your broader goal of expansion. For example, a city near a rival’s border should prioritize defenses and military production, while a trade hub might focus on economic structures and alliances. Adaptability is crucial: monitor your enemies’ movements, adjust your strategies, and always think two steps ahead. In the Civilization Stage, the most successful conquerors are those who build not just cities, but empires.
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Military Tactics for Domination: Use diverse units, ambushes, and siege strategies to overpower enemy cities
Diverse units are the backbone of any successful military campaign in Spore. Each unit type—ranged, melee, and aerial—brings unique strengths to the battlefield. Ranged units excel at picking off enemies from a distance, while melee units thrive in close combat, disrupting enemy formations. Aerial units provide mobility and strategic advantage, allowing you to strike from unexpected angles. Combining these units creates a balanced force capable of adapting to any situation. For instance, use aerial units to scout enemy defenses, ranged units to weaken them, and melee units to deliver the final blow. This synergy ensures no single tactic can counter your entire army.
Ambushes are a game-changer when conquering cities in Spore. By exploiting the terrain and stealth mechanics, you can neutralize enemy forces before they even engage your main army. Position ranged units on elevated ground to snipe key targets, while melee units hide in forests or behind buildings. Trigger the ambush when the enemy is divided or distracted, maximizing casualties. For example, lure enemy units away from the city gates with a decoy, then strike from multiple directions. This tactic not only reduces enemy numbers but also demoralizes their remaining forces, making the siege easier.
Siege strategies require patience and precision. Cities in Spore are often fortified with walls, turrets, and defenders, making direct assaults costly. Instead, focus on weakening defenses over time. Use ranged units to destroy turrets while keeping them out of melee range. Aerial units can drop bombs on walls to create breaches, allowing ground forces to infiltrate. Once inside, prioritize capturing key buildings like the city center to cripple the enemy’s ability to reinforce. A well-executed siege minimizes casualties and ensures a decisive victory.
Balancing offense and defense is crucial during city conquest. While pushing forward, maintain a defensive perimeter to protect your units from counterattacks. Use melee units as a shield for ranged and aerial units, ensuring they can operate without interruption. If the enemy deploys reinforcements, retreat to a strategic choke point to funnel them into a kill zone. For example, position ranged units on a narrow bridge to pick off advancing enemies one by one. This approach maximizes your army’s efficiency and minimizes losses, even against superior numbers.
Finally, adaptability is key to dominating enemy cities in Spore. No two battles are the same, and rigid strategies often lead to failure. Observe the enemy’s unit composition and adjust your tactics accordingly. If they rely heavily on melee units, use ranged and aerial units to keep your distance. If they have strong aerial defenses, focus on ground assaults. By staying flexible and leveraging the strengths of your diverse units, ambushes, and siege strategies, you’ll consistently overpower even the most formidable cities.
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Diplomacy and Espionage: Manipulate alliances, bribe enemies, and spy to weaken cities before attacking
In the intricate dance of conquest within *Spore*, brute force alone often falls short. Diplomacy and espionage emerge as subtle yet potent tools to dismantle defenses before a single shot is fired. Consider the city you covet: its alliances, its vulnerabilities, and the loyalties of its leaders. By manipulating these elements, you can sow discord, weaken resolve, and create opportunities for a decisive strike.
Begin by mapping the political landscape. Identify the city’s allies and rivals. A well-timed bribe to a neighboring city can turn a neutral party into an active opponent, diverting their attention and resources. For instance, offering 500–1000 spice units to a rival city can incite them to declare war, forcing your target to split their defenses. Alternatively, use diplomacy to isolate the city by forming alliances with its neighbors, ensuring they remain neutral or even hostile during your assault. Remember, a city without allies is a city already half-conquered.
Espionage is your silent blade. Deploy spies to infiltrate the city, gathering intelligence on troop movements, resource stockpiles, and defensive structures. A single spy can sabotage key buildings, reducing the city’s production capacity by 20–30%, or steal resources to cripple their economy. For maximum effect, time your espionage missions to coincide with diplomatic maneuvers. For example, while negotiations stall their attention, your spies dismantle their defenses from within.
Bribing enemy units directly can also tip the scales in your favor. A bribe of 200–300 spice units can turn a defending army’s loyalty, causing them to defect or even fight against their former masters. This tactic is particularly effective against cities with low morale or resource scarcity. Pair this with a propaganda campaign to lower morale further, and you’ll find the city’s grip on its forces weakening.
The art of diplomacy and espionage lies in timing and precision. Overplay your hand, and you risk exposing your intentions. Move too slowly, and the city may fortify itself beyond reach. Strike when the city is distracted by internal strife or external threats, and when your spies have weakened its core. By combining these strategies, you transform conquest from a battle of strength into a game of wits, where victory is secured long before your troops march on the gates.
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Frequently asked questions
The ability to conquer cities is unlocked in the Tribal Stage of Spore. You must first evolve your tribe to the point where you can create a warrior hut, which allows you to train warriors. Once you have warriors, you can attack and conquer nearby enemy tribes.
To conquer a city, focus on outnumbering the enemy tribe with your warriors. Ensure your tribe has a strong population and enough food to sustain your warriors. Use the terrain to your advantage, such as attacking from multiple directions or using natural barriers to funnel enemies. Additionally, upgrading your warriors with better weapons and armor increases your chances of success.
No, conquering cities is specific to the Tribal Stage. In later stages, such as Civilization and Space, you interact with cities differently—by allying with them, trading, or attacking them with vehicles and spacecraft, but the mechanic of conquering cities as seen in the Tribal Stage does not apply.






