Civilization VI: Fastest Science Victory Civs, Ranked

Conquer Civ 6 with These Speedy Science Victory Civilizations

Civilization 6 offers three victory conditions, but a swift Science victory can be surprisingly achievable with the right leader. While some civilizations excel at rapid technological advancement, these leaders stand out for their potential to dominate the tech tree and secure a quick win. This guide highlights four such leaders and their strategies for achieving a fast Science victory.

Quick Links

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

Seondeok - Korea

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

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

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

Seondeok's fast Science victory strategy hinges on maximizing Seowon placement and Governor promotions. Early game expansion is crucial. Utilize Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) for rapid city growth. Prioritize Civics unlocking Governor titles to boost Science and Culture via promotions.

Strategically position Seowons at least two tiles from city centers, adjacent to future Mines. This leverages Korea's unique ability, maximizing Seowon output while mitigating the penalty for adjacent districts. Early and efficient city placement is key to outpacing opponents.

Lady Six Sky - Maya

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

Civilization Ability: Mayab: No housing from freshwater or coastal cities; gain +1 Amenity per Luxury Resource adjacent to the city center. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production adjacent to an Observatory.

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

Lady Six Sky's strategy centers on a compact empire. Her leader ability rewards proximity to the capital, making early expansion within a 6-tile radius essential. Place Observatories near Plantations or Farms to maximize adjacency bonuses. This concentrated approach ensures high yield production, fueling rapid technological progress.

Peter - Russia

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy: Trade routes with more advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 technologies or civics they possess.

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia: +5 extra founding tiles; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units are immune to Blizzards; warring civilizations suffer double penalties in Russian territory.

Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial), Lavra (Holy District replacement, expands by 2 tiles when a Great Person is spent)

While Peter is versatile, his Science victory relies on leveraging trade routes. His extra founding tiles allow aggressive early expansion. Focus on establishing trade routes with technologically advanced civilizations, maximizing Science gains. Combine this with efficient Campus placement near mountains and strong harbor districts to boost trade profits.

Hammurabi - Babylon

Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum: Receive the cheapest building for free when constructing any District (except Government Plaza); gain a free Envoy when building other districts.

Civilization Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil: Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, but Science output is reduced by -50%.

Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum (Ancient), Palgum (+2 Production, +1 Housing, +1 Food for adjacent freshwater tiles)

Hammurabi's strategy counters Babylon's -50% Science penalty through rapid expansion. Focus on triggering Eurekas early, prioritizing diverse activities over pure Science production. Utilize spies to accelerate Eureka progress. Establish multiple cities quickly to offset the Science penalty. Delay Campus construction until later, leveraging the free building to maximize Science gains once infrastructure is in place. Continue building Science buildings over time to maintain technological momentum.

By mastering these strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving a rapid Science victory in Civilization 6. Remember that strategic planning, efficient resource management, and a keen understanding of each civilization's strengths are key to success.