Conquer Civ 6 with These Speedy Science Victory Civilizations
Civilization VI offers three victory paths, but a swift Science victory can be surprisingly achievable with the right leader. While many civilizations excel at technological advancement, a select few can truly dominate the tech tree, leaving other civilizations in the dust. This guide highlights four leaders uniquely suited for rapid Science victories.
Key to Success: Maximizing Science output requires strategic empire expansion and leveraging unique leader and civilization abilities.
Seondeok - Korea: Seowons and Governor Promotions Powerhouse
Leader Ability: Hwarang (+3% Culture and Science per Governor promotion)
Civilization Ability: Three Kingdoms (+1 Food and Science for Farms and Mines adjacent to Seowons)
Unique Units: Hwacha, Seowon (+4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)
Seondeok's strength lies in the synergy between her ability and Korea's unique Seowon district. Focus on early expansion using Magnus's promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) to establish numerous cities. Prioritize Civics that unlock Governor titles, rapidly promoting them for significant Science and Culture boosts. Strategically position Seowons at least two tiles from city centers, adjacent to Mines (which gain bonus Science next to Seowons), to maximize their output while mitigating the adjacency penalty.
Lady Six Sky - Maya: Observatory Adjacency Bonus Mastery
Leader Ability: Ix Mutal Ajaw (+10% Yields within 6 tiles of the capital, free Builder for founded cities; -15% Yields beyond 6 tiles)
Civilization Ability: Mayab (+1 Amenity per Luxury Resource next to city center; Farms gain +1 Housing and Production adjacent to Observatories)
Unique Units: Hul'che, Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency, +1 from Farms)
Lady Six Sky's ability encourages a compact empire. Settle five or six cities within a six-tile radius of your capital, utilizing the free Builders. Maximize Observatory adjacency bonuses by placing them next to Plantations or Farms. This concentrated approach ensures high yield and rapid scientific progress.
Peter - Russia: Trade Route Science Domination
Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy (+1 Science and Culture per 3 technologies/civics ahead of Russia on Trade Routes)
Civilization Ability: Mother Russia (+5 extra founding tiles; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and Production; Units immune to Blizzards; War penalties doubled for enemies within Russian territory)
Unique Units: Cossack, Lavra (Holy District replacement, expands by 2 tiles when a Great Person is spent)
Peter is a versatile leader, excelling in various victory types. For a Science victory, leverage his Trade Route bonus. Early expansion is crucial to establish numerous trade routes with technologically advanced civilizations. Focus on enhancing trade capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts. Russia's extra founding tiles facilitate rapid expansion, allowing you to secure advantageous locations for Campuses near mountains.
Hammurabi - Babylon: Eureka-Fueled Technological Leap
Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum (Free lowest-cost district building; Free Envoy when building any district)
Civilization Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil (Instant Eureka unlocks; -50% Science empire-wide)
Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum, Palgum (+2 Production and +1 Housing; +1 Food for adjacent Fresh Water)
Babylon's -50% Science penalty is offset by rapid expansion and strategic Eureka exploitation. Prioritize triggering Eurekas, even at the cost of initial Science production. Focus on Currency, Production, and city growth. Use Spies to gain access to advanced technologies for more Eureka opportunities. Delay Campus construction until later, leveraging Hammurabi's ability to obtain free buildings and purchase the second building with accumulated Gold for a massive Science boost. This strategy allows you to catch up and surpass other civilizations by the Middle Ages, setting the stage for a decisive Space Race victory.
