Civilization VI: Ranking Top Civs for Swift Science Triumphs

Conquer Civ 6's Tech Tree: Fastest Science Victory Civilizations

In Civilization VI, a Science Victory can be achieved surprisingly swiftly with the right Leader. While some civilizations excel at rapidly advancing through the Technology tree, these Leaders offer strategic advantages for achieving a fast Science victory. This guide highlights key strategies for each, emphasizing rapid expansion and maximizing Science bonuses.

Quick Links

• Seondeok - Korea
• Lady Six Sky - Maya
• Peter - Russia
• Hammurabi - Babylon

Of Civilization VI's three victory conditions, Religious Victories are the quickest to achieve, while Culture victories typically demand significantly more time. Science victories fall somewhere in between; however, with the right Leader and strategy, they can become one of the most straightforward paths to victory.

Seondeok - Korea

Leverage Seowons and Governor Promotions for Exponential Science Growth

Leader Ability: Hwarang - Each Governor promotion grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned city.

Civilization Ability: Three Kingdoms - Farms gain +1 Food and Mines gain +1 Science for each adjacent Seowon.

Unique Units: Hwacha (Renaissance Ranged unit), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)

Seondeok's strength lies in the synergy between her Leader ability and the Seowon District. Early game expansion is crucial. Utilize Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) to rapidly expand your empire. Prioritize Civics that unlock Governor Titles to quickly promote Governors, maximizing the Science and Culture bonuses.

Strategically place Seowons at least two tiles from your city center, adjacent to future Mine locations. The adjacency bonus from Mines next to Seowons significantly boosts Science output. Careful placement prevents the Seowon's adjacency penalty from negatively impacting its yield. This rapid expansion and optimized Seowon placement will allow Korea to outpace other civilizations technologically.

Lady Six Sky - Maya

Maximize Observatory Adjacency Bonuses for Concentrated Science

Leader Ability: Ix Mutal Ajaw - Cities within 6 tiles of your capital receive +10% to all Yields and a free Builder upon founding; cities beyond 6 tiles suffer -15% Yields.

Civilization Ability: Mayab - No Housing from Fresh Water or Coastal cities; instead, gain +1 Amenity per Luxury Resource adjacent to the city center. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production when adjacent to an Observatory.

Unique Units: Hul'che (Ancient Ranged unit), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency bonus, +1 from Farms)

Lady Six Sky's ability necessitates a tightly clustered empire within a 6-tile radius of your capital. This concentrated growth, combined with the free Builders, allows for rapid city development. Place Observatories adjacent to resources requiring Plantations or Farms to maximize their adjacency bonuses. This focused expansion and optimized Observatory placement ensures a strong Science advantage.

Peter - Russia

Exploit Trade Routes for Science Acquisition

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy - Trade Routes with other civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 Technologies or Civics they possess that Russia lacks.

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia - Gain 5 extra tiles when founding a city. Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production. Units are immune to Blizzards; civilizations at war with Russia suffer double penalties within Russian territory.

Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy District; expands by 2 tiles in the nearest city whenever a Great Person is spent there)

Peter is a versatile Leader, excelling in Culture and Religious victories. However, his ability to generate Science and Culture through Trade Routes ensures he remains competitive in the Science race. His increased founding range allows for highly effective forward settling. Focus on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing trading capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize Science and Culture gains from trade routes.

Hammurabi - Babylon

Conquer the -50% Science Penalty Through Rapid Expansion

Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum - When building any District (except Government Plaza), receive the cheapest building for that District for free. Also receive a free Envoy when building any other District.

Civilization Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil - Eurekas instantly unlock respective Technologies, but suffer -50% Science across the entire empire.

Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum (Ancient Melee unit), Palgum (+2 Production and +1 Housing; +1 Food for all Fresh Water adjacent tiles in this city)

Babylon's -50% Science penalty is offset by rapid expansion and strategic Eureka exploitation. Focus on triggering Eurekas to instantly unlock Technologies, prioritizing those that provide significant early-game advantages. Initially, prioritize Currency, Production, and city growth over direct Science production. Utilize Spies to gain access to more Eureka opportunities from technologically advanced civilizations. By the Middle Ages, you should have sufficient Gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings, significantly boosting Science output. Hammurabi's free building ability further accelerates this process. While the initial Science penalty is significant, the technological advantage gained through rapid Eureka completion will quickly surpass other civilizations.

By mastering these strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a swift and decisive Science victory in Civilization VI. Remember that adaptability and strategic decision-making are key to success in any Civilization game.