Top Civs for Quickest Science Victory in Civilization VI

Quick Links

• Seondeok - Korea

• Lady Six Sky - Maya

• Peter - Russia

• Hammurabi - Babylon

In Civilization 6, achieving a victory can be approached through various paths, with Religious Victories being the quickest, while Culture victories often require more time. Science victories, however, offer a balanced approach and can be expedited with the right Leader. The fastest Science victory civilizations in Civ 6 can significantly outpace others, provided you leverage their unique abilities and spread your empire effectively.

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 at achieving fast Science victories through the strategic use of Seowons and her Leader ability. Early in the game, utilize Magnus' promotion to prevent Population loss when creating Settlers, allowing for rapid expansion. Focus on unlocking Civics that grant Governor Titles to quickly promote Governors, thereby boosting Science and Culture by +3% per promotion.

When placing Seowons, ensure they are at least two tiles away from the city center and adjacent to future Mine locations. This setup maximizes the Science output from Mines, which gain additional Science when next to a Seowon. By establishing numerous cities early and optimizing Seowon placement, 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 get 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 Leader ability provides a significant advantage by granting extra Yields and a free Builder to cities within 6 tiles of your Capital. To maximize this benefit, settle multiple cities within this radius, ideally five or six, over the course of the game. Position Observatories next to resources that require Plantations or Farms to harvest, as they gain an Adjacency Bonus from these resources.

By clustering your cities and optimizing Observatory placement, achieving a swift Science victory as the Maya becomes more feasible.

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 is renowned as a versatile Leader in Civilization 6, capable of excelling in various victory types. His ability to generate Science and Culture through Trade Routes ensures he remains competitive. To leverage this, focus on enhancing your trading capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts.

Start by choosing the Dance of the Aurora to benefit from Tundra tiles, which Russia is often near. Utilize the extra tiles gained when founding cities to forward settle effectively, and prioritize building Campuses near mountains to maximize Science output. With strategic expansion and trade, Peter can achieve fast Science victories.

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 Civ 6 revolves around rapid expansion and leveraging Eurekas. Despite the -50% Science penalty, settling numerous cities mitigates this drawback. Focus on triggering Eurekas to instantly unlock Technologies, rather than solely on Science production.

In the early game, prioritize Currency, Production, and city growth while triggering Eurekas. 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, and by the Middle Ages, use accumulated Gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings.

Hammurabi's ability to get the lowest-tier building for free means you can delay building Campuses until later, automatically receiving a Library for free. This strategy, combined with continued focus on Eurekas, positions you well ahead in the Technology tree, setting the stage for a successful Space Race and a swift Science victory.