Conquer Civ 6's Tech Tree: Fastest Science Victory Civilizations
Civilization VI offers three victory paths, with Religious Victories proving the quickest. Culture victories demand significantly more time, while Science victories fall somewhere in between. However, with the right leader, a rapid Science victory can be surprisingly straightforward.
Many Civ VI civilizations excel at technological advancement, but these leaders consistently outperform others, often surpassing them by several eras under optimal conditions. Mastering their unique abilities and strategically expanding your empire are key to achieving swift Science victories.
Seondeok - Korea: 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 Seowons and her Leader ability. Early game expansion is crucial. Utilize Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) for rapid city growth and maximized Science production. Prioritize Civics that unlock Governor titles to rapidly promote Governors, boosting Science and Culture.
Strategically place Seowons at least two tiles from your city center, adjacent to future Mine locations. Korea's bonus grants Mines extra Science near Seowons, creating a powerful Science-generating cluster while preventing adjacency penalties to the Seowon. This rapid city expansion and optimal Seowon placement will leave other civilizations struggling to keep pace.
Lady Six Sky - Maya: 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 bonus 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, +1 from Farm adjacency)
Lady Six Sky's ability incentivizes clustered city development. Focus on establishing five or six cities within a 6-tile radius of your capital, utilizing the free Builders for efficient early-game development. Place Observatories adjacent to resources requiring Plantations or Farms to maximize adjacency bonuses. This concentrated approach ensures high Science output within the 6-tile radius, paving the way for a swift Science victory.
Peter - Russia: Trade Routes for Scientific Domination
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 when a Great Person is spent there)
Peter is a versatile leader, excelling in Culture and Religious victories. However, his Trade Route ability ensures consistent Science and Culture gains, preventing him from lagging behind. His additional founding tiles allow for effective forward settling. Focus on expanding early, building Campuses near mountains, and enhancing trade capabilities through Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize Science and Culture gains from lucrative trade routes.
Hammurabi - Babylon: Overcoming the Science Penalty Through Rapid Expansion
Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum - Receive the cheapest building for free when constructing any District (except Government Plaza); 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 empire.
Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum (Ancient Melee unit), Palgum (+2 Production and +1 Housing; +1 Food for all adjacent Fresh Water tiles)
Hammurabi's strategy revolves around rapid expansion to offset the -50% Science penalty. Prioritize triggering Eurekas to instantly unlock technologies. Focus on Currency, Production, and city growth in the early game, utilizing Spies in technologically advanced civilizations for additional Eureka opportunities. Aim for around six cities by the end of the Classical Era. Delay Campus construction until later, utilizing Hammurabi's ability to obtain free buildings and using accumulated Gold to purchase secondary buildings for a significant Science boost. Maintain Science production while prioritizing Eureka triggers to maintain a technological advantage, ensuring a comfortable lead in the Space Race.
