Civ 6: Conquer the Tech Tree with These Leaders for Speedy Science Victories
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, these leaders offer unique advantages for outpacing the competition. This guide highlights four leaders particularly suited for rapid Science victories, emphasizing strategic city placement and leveraging their unique abilities.
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Seondeok - Korea
Leader Ability: Hwarang - Each Governor promotion grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned city.
Civ Ability: Three Kingdoms - Farms gain +1 Food and Mines gain +1 Science for each adjacent Seowon.
Unique Units: Hwacha (Renaissance), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)
Seondeok's strength lies in the synergy between her ability and the Seowon district. Early expansion is key. Utilize Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) for rapid early growth. Prioritize Civics that unlock Governor titles to maximize the Science bonus from Hwarang. Strategically place Seowons at least two tiles from city centers, adjacent to future Mines to leverage the Three Kingdoms bonus. This approach ensures significant Science production, leaving other civilizations struggling to catch up.
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.
Civ Ability: Mayab - No Housing from Fresh Water or Coastal cities; gain +1 Amenity per Luxury Resource adjacent to the city center. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production if next to an Observatory.
Unique Units: Hul'che (Ancient), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency, +1 from Farm adjacency)
Lady Six Sky's ability necessitates a compact empire. Focus on settling five or six cities within a 6-tile radius of your capital, utilizing the free Builders for rapid infrastructure development. Place Observatories near Plantations and Farms to maximize their adjacency bonuses. This concentrated approach, combined with the Observatory's bonus, fuels rapid Science growth within the restricted area.
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.
Civ Ability: Mother Russia - Gain 5 extra tiles when founding a city; 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 Era), Lavra (Holy District replacement)
While Peter excels in Culture and Religion, his ability makes him a viable Science contender. His expanded city founding radius allows for effective forward settling. Prioritize Campuses near mountains and focus on building Harbors and utilizing Currency Exchange to maximize the Science and Culture gains from Trade Routes. This strategy leverages Peter's diplomatic advantages to acquire technological knowledge from other civilizations.
Hammurabi - Babylon
Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum - When building any District (except Government Plaza), receive the cheapest building for that district for free. Also receive a free Envoy when building any other district.
Civ Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil - Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, but Science output is reduced by 50%.
Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum (Ancient), Palgum
Hammurabi's seemingly detrimental Civ Ability is overcome by rapid expansion. The key is to prioritize triggering Eurekas early, focusing on Production and Currency to fund later development. Don't prioritize Science initially; instead, focus on growth and triggering Eurekas through diverse actions. By the Classical Era, establish around six cities with Campuses. Hammurabi's ability allows for free Libraries, significantly boosting Science output later in the game. This strategy offsets the Science penalty and leads to a substantial technological advantage.
By mastering these strategies and leveraging the unique strengths of these leaders, you can achieve remarkably fast Science victories in Civilization VI. Remember that strategic city placement and a keen understanding of each leader's abilities are crucial for success.
