First, I want to applaud the Sid Meier's team for continually releasing fresh content for Civilization VI. The developers do an outstanding job of listening to the community -- which is exactly what they did when they augmented the barbarian experience by providing a free Barbarian Clans game mode.
When toggled on, barbarians are no longer wandering neanderthals who simply exist as aggressive and combative obstacles; instead, Civs can (a) bribe nearby clans to stay away, (b) hire and enlist a barbarian unit, (c) incite a clan to attack another civilization, and (d) pay a ransom to return a captured unit. (I guess they're still wandering neanderthals -- but at least you can enlighten them!) In addition, clans progress toward city-state status as Civs passively interact with them. On paper, that sounds like an appealing wrinkle that makes gameplay strategy that much more dynamic.
Yet, in my first playthrough of this game mode, I came across a notable issue: a lack of barbarians.
At first, I got an up-close and personal opportunity to study this new feature. After settling my capital city, I immediately discovered a nearby barbarian clan: the Hills Clan. Since money is at a premium in the early game, my initial interaction was somewhat passive. They attacked my scout unit, who promptly scurried away and circumvented the clan's domain.
Even as my treasury filled, I didn't feel inclined to deal with the clan. Much like the standard game, they became a nuisance. They stood in the way of expansion. A neighboring city-state took matters into its own hands and disbanded the Hills Clan.
I figured additional clans would sprout here and there like they usually do...but they haven't. I'm about 150 turns into this round of Civ, and barbarians have hardly been a factor. It's a bit of a downer, but -- like I said -- this is only one playthrough. Randomization could be to blame.
Had the Hills Clan been further from a city-state and in a less desirable location, perhaps I would have been more welcoming. We'll see how the next round goes.
