Conquer Civilization VI with These Speedy Science Victory Leaders
Civilization VI offers three victory conditions, with Religious Victories being the quickest and Culture Victories the slowest. Science victories fall somewhere in between, but with the right leader, they can become surprisingly straightforward. While many civilizations excel at technological advancement, certain leaders offer unique advantages for achieving rapid Science victories. This guide highlights four such leaders and their strategies.
Quick Links
The Key to Swift Science: Rapid expansion and strategic district placement are crucial for outpacing opponents. Leverage leader abilities and civilization bonuses to maximize science output.
Seondeok - Korea
Leader Ability: Hwarang: Each Governor promotion grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned 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 strength lies in the Seowon and her Governor bonus. Early game expansion is key, utilizing Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating settlers) for rapid city growth. Prioritize Civics unlocking Governor titles to boost Science and Culture. Strategically place Seowons at least two tiles from city centers, adjacent to future Mines to maximize science output. Early city proliferation and optimal Seowon placement are vital for maintaining technological dominance.
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 Fresh Water or Coastal cities; +1 Amenity per adjacent Luxury Resource. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production adjacent to Observatories.
Unique Units: Hul'che (Ancient), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency, +1 from Farms)
Lady Six Sky's ability rewards clustered city development. Focus on establishing 5-6 cities within a 6-tile radius of your capital early on. Place Observatories near resources requiring Plantations or Farms to leverage adjacency bonuses. Maintaining this tight city formation is essential for maximizing the benefits of her ability and achieving a rapid Science victory.
Peter - Russia
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: +5 extra founding tiles. Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production. Units are immune to Blizzards; enemies suffer double penalties in Russian territory.
Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial), Lavra (Holy District replacement)
While Peter excels in Culture and Religious victories, his Trade Route bonus makes him a viable Science contender. His expansive founding radius allows for effective forward settling. Focus on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing trade capabilities through Currency Exchange and Harbors to maximize Science gains from trade routes.
Hammurabi - Babylon
Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum: Receive the cheapest building for free when constructing any District (except Government Plaza). Also receive a free Envoy.
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 Fresh Water)
Hammurabi's strategy revolves around rapid expansion to offset the -50% Science penalty. Prioritize triggering Eurekas through diverse actions. Initially focus on Currency, Production, and city growth rather than direct Science production. Utilize Spies to steal Eureka opportunities from advanced civilizations. Aim for around six cities by the Classical Era's end, delaying Campus construction until later to utilize the free building bonus. By the Middle Ages, purchase secondary Campus buildings with accumulated gold for a significant Science boost. Maintain Science production while prioritizing Eureka triggers to maintain a technological advantage throughout the game.
By mastering these strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving a swift and decisive Science victory in Civilization VI.
