Top Civs for Lightning-Fast Science Victories in Civilization VI

Civilization VI: Fastest Paths to Science Victory

Civilization VI offers three victory conditions, with Religious Victories being the quickest, and Culture Victories the slowest. Science victories fall somewhere in between, but with the right leader, they can be surprisingly efficient. While many civilizations can progress through the tech tree rapidly, these leaders excel at achieving a swift Science victory. Remember, maximizing science bonuses and expanding your empire are key to success.

Seondeok - Korea

Leader Ability: Hwarang - Each Governor promotion grants +3% Culture and Science to their city.

Civilization Ability: Three Kingdoms - Farms gain +1 Food and Mines gain +1 Science for each adjacent Seowon.

Unique Units: Hwacha (Renaissance), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)

Seondeok's fast Science victories stem from the synergy between Seowons and her Leader ability. Early expansion is crucial, utilizing Magnus' promotion (preventing population loss when creating Settlers) to rapidly build your empire. Prioritize Civics unlocking Governor titles to maximize the Science and Culture boosts from promotions.

Strategically place Seowons at least two tiles from your city center, adjacent to future Mines. The extra Science from Mines next to Seowons offsets the penalty for adjacent districts, maximizing Seowon output. Rapid early expansion and optimal Seowon placement will leave other civilizations struggling to keep pace.

Lady Six Sky - Maya

Leader Ability: Ix Mutal Ajaw - Cities within 6 tiles of your capital receive +10% to all yields and a free Builder upon founding; cities beyond 6 tiles suffer -15% yields.

Civilization Ability: Mayab - No housing from freshwater or coastal cities; instead, gain +1 Amenity per adjacent luxury resource. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production adjacent to Observatories.

Unique Units: Hul'che (Ancient), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency, +1 from Farms)

Lady Six Sky's ability rewards clustered city development. Focus on establishing five or six cities within a 6-tile radius of your capital, utilizing the free Builders. Place Observatories near resources requiring Plantations or Farms to leverage adjacency bonuses. Maintaining this compact empire, with optimally placed Observatories, provides a strong foundation for a rapid Science victory.

Peter - Russia

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy - Trade routes with other civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 Technologies or Civics they possess that Russia lacks.

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia - +5 extra tiles when founding a city; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units are immune to Blizzards; warring civilizations suffer double penalties within Russian territory.

Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Holy District replacement, expands by 2 tiles when a Great Person is spent there)

Peter is a versatile leader, often favored for Culture and Religious victories. However, his strong Trade Route bonuses can fuel a Science victory. His ability to rapidly expand through extra founding tiles allows for early aggressive expansion. Prioritize Campuses near mountains and invest in Harbor Districts and Currency Exchange to maximize Science and Culture gains from trade routes.

Hammurabi - Babylon

Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum - Building any District (except Government Plaza) grants the cheapest building for that district for free, plus a free Envoy.

Civilization Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil - Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, but Science output is reduced by 50%.

Unique Units: Sabum Kibittum (Ancient), Palgum (+2 Production, +1 Housing, +1 Food for adjacent freshwater tiles)

Babylon's -50% Science penalty is overcome through rapid expansion. Focus on triggering Eurekas early, engaging in diverse activities to achieve them. Prioritize city growth, currency, and production over initial Science production. Place Spies in advanced civilizations for additional Eureka opportunities.

Aim for around six cities by the Classical Era's end. By the Middle Ages, use accumulated gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings. Hammurabi's free lowest-tier building allows for free Libraries, boosting Science significantly. While Eurekas are the primary focus early on, maintain Science production to keep pace technologically, ensuring a substantial lead by the Space Race.