Top Civs for Quickest Science Victory in Civilization VI

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• Seondeok - Korea

• Lady Six Sky - Maya

• Peter - Russia

• Hammurabi - Babylon

In Civilization 6, achieving a victory can be a thrilling challenge, with three main victory conditions: Religious, Culture, and Science. Among these, Religious Victories are often the quickest to secure, while Culture victories typically require a longer time investment. Science victories, however, can be achieved at a moderate pace, especially with the right Leader and strategy. This guide will focus on the fastest Science victory civilizations, highlighting how specific Leaders can outpace others by several ages under optimal conditions.

To maximize Science bonuses, it's crucial to understand the requirements and expand your empire strategically. Let's explore how these Leaders can help you achieve quick Science victories in Civ 6.

Seondeok - Korea

Build Seowons & Promote Governors For Fast Science

Seondeok Leader Ability: Hwarang

Every promotion a Governor has grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned city.

Korea Civ Ability: Three Kingdoms

Farms get +1 Food and Mines get +1 Science for every adjacent Seowon.

Unique Units

Hwacha (Renaissance Ranged unit), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)

Seondeok, one of the leaders for the Korean civilization, excels in achieving fast Science victories, primarily through the effective use of Seowons and her unique Leader ability.

In the early game, leverage Magnus' promotion that prevents Population loss when creating a Settler to expand rapidly. This allows you to establish multiple cities quickly, maximizing your Science production. Focus on unlocking Civics that enable Governor Titles to promote your Governors, which will increase Science and Culture output by +3% per promotion.

When placing Seowons, ensure they are at least two tiles away from the city center and adjacent to tiles that will later host Mines. This strategy maximizes the Seowon's Science output, as Mines gain additional Science when next to a Seowon. By establishing many cities and optimally positioning your Seowons, you can outpace other civilizations in technological advancement.

Lady Six Sky - Maya

Observatories Have Some Of The Best Science Output

Lady Six Sky Leader Ability: Ix Mutal Ajaw

Cities within 6 tiles of your Capital get +10% to all Yields and a Builder when founded, but Cities further away than 6 tiles have -15% Yields.

Maya Civ Ability: Mayab

No Housing from Fresh Water or Coast cities, instead gain +1 Amenity for every Luxury Resource next to city center. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production if next to an Observatory.

Unique Units

Hul'che (Ancient Ranged unit), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency bonus, +1 from Farms)

Lady Six Sky's unique ability provides a significant advantage by granting extra Yields and a free Builder to cities within a 6-tile radius of your Capital. However, this benefit comes with the caveat that cities beyond this range suffer a -15% Yield penalty, necessitating a clustered city strategy.

Once Magnus gains the promotion to prevent Population loss, aim to settle at least five or six cities within this radius. Place Observatories next to resources that require Plantations or Farms to maximize their Science output through adjacency bonuses. By optimally positioning your Observatories and maintaining a compact empire, achieving a swift Science victory with the Maya should be relatively straightforward.

Peter - Russia

Absorb Science From Other Civs With Trade Routes

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 on founding a city, Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production. Units are immune to Blizzard, but civilizations at war with Russia suffer double penalties inside Russian territory.

Unique Units

Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy District, expand by 2 tiles in the nearest city whenever you spend a Great Person there)

Peter of Russia is renowned as a versatile Leader in Civilization 6, capable of excelling in various victory conditions. His ability to generate Science and Culture through Trade Routes ensures that he remains competitive, even when behind in technological or civic advancements.

To leverage Peter's strengths for a fast Science victory, choose the Dance of the Aurora policy to benefit from Tundra tiles. Russia's ability to gain extra tiles upon founding a city enables effective forward settling, which is crucial for rapid expansion. Focus on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing your trading capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize the benefits of your Trade Routes.

Hammurabi - Babylon

A Wide Empire Can Overcome -50% Science Easily

Hammurabi Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum

When building any District (except Government Plaza), get the lowest-cost building for that district for free. Get a free Envoy when building any other district, too.

Babylon Civ Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil

Eurekas instantly unlock respective Technologies, but suffer -50% Science across your entire empire.

Unique Units

Sabum Kibittum (Ancient Melee unit), Palgum (+2 Production and +1 Housing, +1 Food for all Fresh Water adjacent tiles in this city)

Hammurabi's strategy for a quick Science victory in Civilization 6 revolves around rapid expansion to counteract the civilization's inherent -50% Science penalty. By instantly unlocking Technologies through Eurekas, you can mitigate this disadvantage.

In the early game, prioritize triggering Eurekas for each Technology, engaging in a variety of activities to achieve these milestones. Initially, focus on Currency, Production, and city growth rather than direct Science production. Place Spies in technologically advanced civilizations to gain more Eureka opportunities.

By the end of the Classical era, aim to have established around six cities with Campuses. As you transition into the Middle Ages, use accumulated Gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings. Hammurabi's ability to receive the lowest-tier building for free means you'll automatically get Libraries, which can be complemented with purchased buildings for a significant Science boost.

By focusing on triggering Eurekas and building Science over time, you should be well ahead of other civilizations by the start of the Space Race. This lead will give you ample time to complete all five steps of the Space Race before competitors can catch up.