'Civilization 6: Rise and Fall' update: New expansion features Zulu

Shaka Zulu will be one of the nine new leaders in the new expansion of "Civilization VI: Rise and Fall."Civilization official website

A new expansion for "Civilization VI: Rise and Fall" will be available today, Feb. 8, and will feature the Zulu kingdom.

According to the announcement in the official Civilization website, the Zulu will be led by Shaka, the illegitimate son of Zulu chief Senzangakhona, and Nandi, the daughter of a Langeni chief. Not long after, Shaka and Nandi were exiled and scorned by the Zulu. The mother and son found refuge with Dingiswayo, the Mthethwa chief. Shaka enrolled in the ibutho, a traditional military program that trains young men to become warriors. When Senzangakhona died, Zulu left Dingiswayo's army to lead the Zulu, where he organized the army and implemented better training for warriors. 

Shaka will lead a unique Zulu unit called the Impi. The Impi is a highly disciplined unit in Shaka's army that will serve as a replacement for Pikeman. This unique unit has an increased flanking bonus, is less expensive than other combat units, has a low maintenance cost and earns XP faster.

The unique district for the Zulu is Ikanda — a self-sufficient, fortified Zulu homestead that has the ability to provide additional housing. Regiments will be stationed within Ikanda and when the necessary prerequisites are met, Corps (Mercenaries Civic) and Armies (Nationalism Civic) can be created immediately.

Shaka will have the unique ability called Amabutho that will allow him to form Corps and Armies earlier than other leaders. Amabutho will also provide an additional Base Combat Strength to both Corps and Armies.

The unique civ ability for the Zulu is called Isibongo. Isibongo will award bonus loyalty to cities conquered by Shaka when garrisoned. Cities conquered with units will be upgraded into a Corps or an Army if the proper Civic prerequisites are unlocked.

Other civs that were announced earlier include The Cree, Mongolia and the Netherlands. India, on the other hand, will gain Chandragupta as an alternate leader. The trailer for the Zulu expansion can be viewed at this link.