Civilization VI: Conquer the World of Faith – Top 4 Religious Victory Civs
A Religious Victory in Civilization VI can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're the only one pursuing it. While many civilizations offer strong religious options, some excel at achieving this victory type faster than others. This guide highlights four leaders who can dominate the faith game and secure a rapid Religious Victory.
1. Theodora – Byzantine: A Master of Religious Warfare
Leader Ability: Metanoia – Holy Sites gain Culture equal to their adjacency bonus; Farms gain +1 Faith from Hippodromes and Holy Sites.
Civilization Ability: Taxis – +3 Combat and Religious Strength for each converted Holy City; killing a unit spreads your religion to its owner.
Unique Units: Dromon (Classical ranged unit), Hippodrome (replaces Entertainment Complex, grants Amenities and a free Heavy Cavalry).
Theodora's strategy hinges on combining military might with religious expansion. The Taxis ability provides a significant combat and religious boost for each converted Holy City, while the automatic religious spread on unit kills makes conquest efficient. The Hippodrome generates free Heavy Cavalry, facilitating rapid expansion. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics to maximize policy slots. The "Crusades" founding belief further enhances combat strength against those of your faith. Combine military pressure with Missionaries and Apostles for swift Holy City conversions.
2. Menelik II – Ethiopia: Faith from Hills and Resources
Leader Ability: Council of Ministers – Cities founded on Hills gain Science and Culture equal to 15% of their Faith output; +4 Combat Strength for units on Hills.
Civilization Ability: Aksumite Legacy – Resource improvements gain +1 Faith per copy; International Trade Routes gain +0.5 Faith per resource in the origin city; Archaeologists and Museums can be purchased with Faith.
Unique Units: Oromo Cavalry (Medieval Light Cavalry), Rock-Hewn Church (+1 Faith per adjacent Mountain or Hill, provides Tourism from Faith after Flight, spreads +1 Appeal).
Menelik II's strength lies in his ability to generate Faith from various sources without sacrificing Science or Culture. Founding cities on Hills provides a significant boost to all three yields. Maximize Faith from multiple copies of resources and lucrative trade routes. Construct Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains for optimal Faith generation. A focus on Culture alongside Faith ensures rapid Civic tree progression.
3. Jayavarman VII – Khmer: River-Based Faith Powerhouse
Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King – Holy Sites gain Food equal to their adjacency bonus, +2 adjacency from Rivers, +2 Housing near Rivers, and trigger a Culture Bomb.
Civilization Ability: Grand Barays – Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per citizen; Farms gain +2 Food near Aqueducts and +1 Faith near Holy Sites.
Unique Units: Domrey (Medieval Siege unit), Prasat (+6 Faith, Relic slot, extra Housing, Culture, and Food with certain beliefs). +0.5 Culture per citizen.
Jayavarman VII excels at generating massive Faith through strategic Holy Site placement near rivers. His ability boosts Food, Housing, and Culture, fostering rapid city growth. Aqueducts provide additional Amenities and Faith, while the Prasat building offers substantial Faith and other benefits. Prioritize Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to enhance growth and mitigate negative river effects. Use Apostles and Missionaries to rapidly convert Holy Cities.
4. Peter – Russia: Tundra-Dominating Faith
Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy – Trade Routes with more advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture per 3 Technologies or Civics they are ahead.
Civilization Ability: Mother Russia – +5 extra tiles on founding a city; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units are immune to Blizzard; warring civilizations suffer double penalties in Russian territory.
Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy Site, expands by 2 tiles when a Great Person is spent).
Peter's Russia offers an unconventional path to a Religious Victory. The ability to found cities with extra tiles and the Lavra's expansion mechanism allow for rapid territorial control. Tundra tiles provide a significant Faith and Production bonus, amplified by the Dance of the Aurora pantheon. Focus on expanding across Tundra regions, maximizing the Lavra's expansion potential, and constructing St. Basil's Cathedral for additional Tundra bonuses. This approach can lead to an exceptionally fast Religious Victory.
