Difficulty Levels

From Civilization V Wiki

Overview

The game difficulty determines a number of things, including the starting power of your AI opponents, the speed at which your civilization grows, and so forth.

Difficulty Levels

The Difficulty Levels are, in order from easiest to hardest:

Settler

Chieftain

Warlord

Prince

King

Emperor

Immortal

Deity

Effects of Difficulty

"Prince" is the middle level. On that level neither you nor your AI opponents get any particular bonuses. On levels below Prince you get bonuses in happiness and maintenance costs, and you get better results from Ancient Ruins. Barbarians are less aggressive and less smart on lower levels, as well.

On levels higher than Prince, the AIs receive increasing bonuses in city growth, Production, and Technology. They may also get additional starting units and free techs to boot.