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 victory can be approached through various paths, with Religious Victories being the quickest, followed by Science victories, and Cultural victories often requiring the most time. Among these, Science victories can be streamlined significantly with the right Leader, making them one of the most efficient ways to secure a win in Civ 6.

While many civilizations in Civ 6 are designed to excel in Science, certain Leaders can propel you through the Technology tree several ages ahead of their competitors under optimal conditions. To maximize your Science bonuses, it's crucial to understand the specific requirements and expand your empire effectively. Here’s how you can achieve swift Science victories with these standout Leaders in Civilization 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 Korea, is renowned for her ability to achieve fast Science victories, largely due to the Seowon and her unique Leader ability.

Leverage Magnus' promotion to prevent Population loss when creating Settlers in his assigned city. This allows for rapid expansion in the early game, maximizing Science production. Focus on unlocking Civics that grant Governor Titles to quickly promote Governors, thereby boosting your Science and Culture output by +3% per promotion.

The Seowon, a unique District, loses Science if placed next to other districts. Allow your cities to develop initially, then strategically position Seowons at least two tiles away from the city center, adjacent to future Mine locations. Mines adjacent to a Seowon provide additional Science, making them an effective buffer to maximize Seowon efficiency.

With early city expansion and optimal Seowon placement, your technological advancement will outpace most other civilizations, setting you up for a swift Science victory.

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 receive +10% to all Yields and a Builder when founded, but Cities further than 6 tiles suffer -15% Yields.

Maya Civ Ability: Mayab

No Housing from Fresh Water or Coast cities; instead, gain +1 Amenity for every Luxury Resource next to the 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 Leader ability offers a significant advantage by boosting Yields and providing a free Builder for cities within 6 tiles of your original city. However, this benefit comes with the caveat of reduced Yields for cities further away.

Similar to Seondeok, after Magnus gains his promotion, aim to establish at least five or six cities within the 6-tile radius during the age. Position Observatories next to resources that require Plantations or Farms, as these provide adjacency bonuses to the Observatory.

By optimizing Observatory placement and maintaining a compact city layout within the 6-tile radius, achieving a quick Science victory with the Maya becomes a feasible and straightforward goal.

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, expands by 2 tiles in the nearest city whenever you spend a Great Person there)

Peter is widely regarded as one of the most versatile Leaders in Civilization 6, excelling in various victory types. His ability to generate Science and Culture through Trade Routes ensures Russia stays competitive in technological and cultural advancements. Additionally, the powerful Lavra, extra founding tiles, and border expansion through Great People make Peter exceptionally well-rounded.

While Peter is traditionally favored for Culture and Religious victories, he can also achieve fast Science victories with strategic expansion and a bit of luck. Choose the Dance of the Aurora Pantheon to enhance yields from Tundra tiles, which Russia is often positioned near.

Take advantage of Russia's ability to start with more tiles when founding cities to forward settle effectively. Build Campuses near mountains and prioritize enhancing trading capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize the benefits of your Science and Culture-generating 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)

The key to a swift Science victory with Babylon lies in rapid expansion to establish multiple cities that can collectively generate substantial Science, mitigating the -50% Science penalty.

As Babylon, you instantly unlock Technologies upon triggering their respective Eurekas, but your Science output is halved. This disadvantage becomes less impactful as you expand and establish more cities.

In the early game, prioritize achieving Eurekas for each Technology by diversifying your efforts. Initially, focus on Currency, Production, and city growth rather than direct Science production. Position Spies in technologically advanced civilizations to gain more Eureka opportunities.

By the end of the Classical era, aim to have established about six cities, each with a Campus. By the start of the Middle Ages, you should have accumulated enough Gold through trade and Currency Exchange to purchase secondary Campus buildings.

Hammurabi's ability to receive the lowest-tier building for free means waiting to build Campuses until later will grant you Libraries at no cost, significantly boosting your Science output. This strategy should align your Science production with other civilizations early on, while your Technology boosts propel you further ahead.

Continue building Science capacity while focusing on Eurekas, ensuring you remain well ahead in the Technology tree by the time the Space Race begins. This lead will give you ample time to complete all five steps of the Space Race before competitors catch up.