Religious Domination: Top Civs for Quickest Faith Conquests

Civilization VI: Fastest Religious Victory Paths

Securing a Religious Victory in Civilization VI can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing intense religious competition. While many civilizations boast strong faith generation, some excel at achieving this victory type faster than others. This guide highlights the top contenders for a rapid Religious Victory.

These civilizations offer the quickest routes to religious dominance, prioritizing rapid faith generation, efficient Holy Site acquisition, and overall speed. While others may offer more reliable paths, these leaders, with the right strategies, can achieve victory remarkably fast.

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 enemy unit kills spread your faith. Hippodromes facilitate rapid conquest by providing free Heavy Cavalry. The Culture bonus from Holy Sites accelerates Civic progression; prioritize Theology and Monarchy for quick Policy Slots.

Combine Domination and Religious strategies. Focus on combat engagements to spread your religion. The Crusades founding belief enhances combat strength against those of your faith. Convert cities before invasion; your religious influence will aid conversion. Combine military pressure with Missionaries and Apostles for swift Holy City conversions.

Menelik II - Ethiopia:

Leader Ability: Council of Ministers (Cities 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 grant +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. Found cities on Hills to gain Science and Culture from Faith, balancing faith generation with other yields. Focus on Faith buildings early to secure your Pantheon and Religion. Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains maximize Faith bonuses. Acquire and trade Bonus and Luxury Resources to boost Faith further. Prioritize Culture alongside Faith to unlock beneficial policies faster.

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 a Culture Bomb).

Civilization Ability: Grand Barays (Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per Citizen; Farms gain +2 Food near Aqueducts, +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 provides extra Amenities and Faith from Aqueducts. Prasat further boosts Faith and Culture.

Prioritize Holy Sites next to rivers, build Aqueducts, and acquire Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to enhance growth and mitigate negative river effects. Generate Apostles (or Missionaries) to quickly convert Holy Cities peacefully.

Peter - Russia:

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

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia (+5 extra tiles when founding a city; 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 there).

Russia is a strong all-around civilization, but Peter shines in Religious Victories. His Leader ability boosts Science and Culture through Trade Routes. Russia's ability provides extra tiles, Faith, and Production from Tundra. Lavras expand your borders with Great Person usage.

Focus on Tundra expansion using the Dance of the Aurora Pantheon for extra yields. Use Settlers with the Magnus promotion to prevent population loss during expansion. Lavras significantly boost your Faith output. St. Basil's Cathedral further enhances Tundra tile yields. Utilize Builders to exploit new resources unlocked by expansion. Peter's strategy allows for exceptionally fast Religious victories.