Four Lakes

Four Lakes places one large lake at each cardinal direction, leaving land corridors between them. The lakes invite light water play (Galleys, fishing ships) without committing to a full water civ. Hybrid civs that handle both land and water — Vikings, Italians, Japanese, Berbers — get the strongest start. Pure land civs can still win but miss out on the fishing economy. Expect Feudal Galley fights to soften the opponent before a Castle Age land push.