Civilization VI: Fastest Religious Victory Civs, Ranked

Civ 6: Fastest Religious Victory Paths – Top Faith Civs

Achieving a Religious Victory in Civilization 6 can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing intense religious competition. Several civilizations prioritize Faith, but some excel at rapid Religious Victory more than others. This guide highlights the Civs best suited for a quick religious win, focusing on strategies to maximize Faith generation and Holy Site control. While other Civs might offer more consistent Religious Victory potential, these Leaders can achieve it rapidly under the right conditions and with focused Faith strategies.

Theodora – Byzantine:

Leader Ability: Metanoia (Holy Sites gain Culture equal to Adjacency Bonus; Farms gain +1 Faith from Hippodromes and Holy Sites).

Civilization Ability: Taxis (+3 Combat and Religious Strength per converted Holy City; killing a unit spreads your religion).

Unique Units: Dromon (Classical Ranged unit), Hippodrome (replaces Entertainment Complex, grants Amenities and a free Heavy Cavalry).

Theodora's strategy centers on religious warfare. Byzantium's ability boosts combat and religious strength with each converted Holy City, and killing enemy units spreads your religion. Hippodromes facilitate rapid conquest by providing free Heavy Cavalry. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics for quick Policy Slot acquisition. The Crusades founding belief enhances combat strength against units of your religion. Convert cities before invading, maximizing religious influence and weakening enemies. Combine military pressure with Missionaries and Apostles for swift Holy City conversions.

Menelik II – Ethiopia:

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 Hills tile; provides Tourism from Faith after Flight; spreads +1 Appeal).

Menelik II's strength lies in his Leader ability. Founding cities on Hills provides Science and Culture alongside Faith, allowing balanced development. Prioritize Faith buildings early to secure the first Pantheon and Religion. Maximize Rock-Hewn Church placement near mountains and hills for optimal Faith bonuses. Accumulate Bonus and Luxury Resources and trade with resource-rich civilizations. Focusing on Culture alongside Faith accelerates Civic progression, unlocking beneficial Religious policies.

Jayavarman VII – Khmer:

Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King (Holy Sites gain Food equal to Adjacency Bonus; +2 Adjacency from Rivers; +2 Housing near Rivers; triggers 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 rapid Religious Victories. His Leader ability makes Holy Sites near rivers incredibly powerful, generating substantial Faith, Housing, and Culture. Khmer's ability enhances Aqueducts, providing Amenities and Faith. Prasat further boosts Culture and Faith. Prioritize Holy Site placement near rivers, build Aqueducts, and utilize Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to maximize growth and amenities. Generate Apostles and Missionaries to rapidly convert Holy Cities.

Peter – Russia:

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy (Trade Routes with advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture per 3 Technologies or Civics they are ahead).

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia (+5 extra founding tiles; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units immune to Blizzard; enemies 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).

Russia's strength lies in its ability to rapidly expand and generate significant Faith from Tundra tiles. Peter's Leader ability helps maintain Science and Culture. The Lavra's expansion mechanic allows for rapid territorial growth. The Dance of the Aurora pantheon further boosts Tundra tile yields. Focus on early expansion using Settlers with the Magnus promotion, maximizing Faith and Production from Tundra. Construct Lavras and St. Basil's Cathedral for additional bonuses. This strategy can lead to exceptionally fast Religious Victories.