Civilization VI: Fastest Culture Victory Civs, Ranked

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• Jayavarman VII - Khmer

• Kristina - Sweden

• Peter - Russia

• Catherine de Medici - Magnificence

Achieving a swift Culture victory in Civilization VI is more challenging than it initially appears. Culture and Science are priorities for almost every civilization, making them difficult to outpace. However, with the right strategies and a bit of luck, a rapid Culture victory is entirely feasible.

While some civilizations might generate Tourism more consistently or adapt to diverse situations better, these recommended civilizations excel at securing quick Culture victories. Under the right circumstances, they can dominate the cultural landscape faster than any other.

Jayavarman VII - Khmer

A Powerful, Yet Specialized, Khmer Relic Rush Strategy

Jayavarman VII Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King: Holy Sites gain Food equal to their adjacency bonus, receive +2 adjacency from Rivers, +2 Housing next to a River, and trigger a Culture Bomb.

Khmer Civ Ability: Grand Barays: Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per citizen in the city. Farms gain +2 Food next to an Aqueduct and +1 Faith next to a Holy Site.

Unique Units: Domrey (Medieval Siege unit), Prasat (+6 Faith, Relic slot, extra Housing, Culture, and Food with certain beliefs, +0.5 Culture per citizen).

The Khmer are often considered a primarily Religious civilization, benefiting from Holy Sites near rivers and a special building granting Relic slots and bonus Faith (plus a Culture Bomb).

However, focusing on Culture generation through Relics as Jayavarman VII, while maximizing city size, enables one of the fastest Culture victories in Civ VI. The Prasat's Relic slot and 0.5 Culture per population, alongside other bonuses, are key. Prioritize the Great Bath to mitigate flood damage and the Hanging Gardens for enhanced growth.

Later, rush St. Basil's Cathedral to boost religious tourism from Relics, and the Mont St. Michel to ensure all Missionaries and Apostles create a Relic upon death, filling your extra slots.

Kristina - Sweden

Prioritize Wonders and Great Work Slots for High Tourism

Kristina Leader Ability: Minerva of the North: Buildings with 3x Great Work slots and Wonders with 2x Great Work slots automatically become Themed when filled. Unlocks Queen's Bibliotheque (Government Plaza building with multiple Great Work slots).

Sweden Civ Ability: Nobel Prize: +50 Diplomatic Favor per Great Person. +1 Engineer or Scientist point per Factory or University. Gain 3x unique World Congress competitions in the Industrial Era.

Unique Units: Carolean (Renaissance Anti-Cavalry unit), Open-Air Museum (+2 Loyalty, +2 Culture & Tourism per terrain type in your city. Only one per city).

Kristina, while no longer overpowered, remains an exceptionally strong civilization. Her ability automatically Themes buildings and wonders with Great Work slots, doubling Tourism and Culture output effortlessly.

The Queen's Bibliotheque boasts six Great Work slots, and the Open-Air Museum significantly boosts Culture and Tourism in cities with diverse terrain. Focus on Wonders with at least two Great Work slots and Buildings with at least three, rushing the Theater District for Great Person points and Great Works of Art, Music, and Writing.

Then, your Tourism will rapidly surpass other civilizations as you continue upgrading and progressing.

Peter - Russia

Absorb Culture and Expand Widely for Massive Tourism

Peter Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy: Trade Routes with other civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 Technologies or Civics they are ahead of Russia.

Russia 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, while enemies suffer double penalties in Russian territory.

Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy Site, expands by 2 tiles in the nearest city when a Great Person is spent there).

Peter is widely considered one of the best leaders in Civilization VI, excelling in Culture and Religious victories. To achieve a fast Culture victory, rush early Faith for the Dance of the Aurora pantheon (Tundra bonuses), then focus on city expansion. The extra tiles from founding cities and Great Person spending lead to rapid growth.

Ensure sufficient Builders to capitalize on this rapid expansion. Rush St. Basil's Cathedral in your highest-Faith city to double Relic Tourism. Use the Mont St. Michel to ensure all Religious units gain the Martyr promotion for quick Relic acquisition. Gather Great People, fill Theater and Holy Site Districts with Great Works, and maintain Trade Routes to keep up Science production for a swift victory.

Catherine de Medici - Magnificence

Hoard Luxury Resources and Wonders for Enormous Tourism

Catherine de Medici Leader Ability: Catherine's Magnificences: +2 Culture for improved Luxury Resources next to a Theater Square or Château. Unlocks the Court Festival project, granting Culture and Tourism based on excess Luxury Resources.

French Civ Ability: Grand Tour: +20% Production towards Medieval, Renaissance, and Industrial Era Wonders. Wonders grant double Tourism in every era.

Unique Units: Garde Imperiale (Industrial Melee unit), Château (Tile improvement granting Culture, Gold, Appeal, and extra Culture next to a Wonder).

The "Magnificence" version of Catherine de Medici is significantly stronger for fast Culture victories. Her ability synergizes with the French civilization's doubled Wonder Tourism and production bonuses.

Châteaus, placed next to Wonders, generate extra yields, including Appeal. The Court Festival in cities with Theater Squares boosts Culture and Tourism based on excess Luxury Resources.

The strategy involves establishing Culture foundations early, shifting to Industry and Production for Wonders, and maximizing Luxury Resources and trades to enhance Court Festivals. While complex, a fortunate starting location near Luxury Resources and successful Wonder acquisition will provide a significant advantage by the Modern era. Continue building Theater Squares, acquiring Great Works, and utilizing Court Festivals for a fast Culture victory.