Top Civs for Quickest Science Victory in Civilization VI, Ranked
Author: Caleb
May 02,2025
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In Civilization 6, there are three main victory conditions: Religious, Culture, and Science. Among these, Religious Victories are often the quickest to achieve, while Culture victories typically require more time. Science victories fall in the middle, but with the right Leader, they can become a swift and straightforward path to victory. The key to a fast Science victory lies in choosing civilizations that can rapidly advance through the Technology tree. Here are some of the best Leaders for achieving quick Science victories in Civ 6, along with strategies to maximize their unique abilities.
Seondeok - Korea
Build Seowons & Promote Governors For Fast Science
Every promotion a Governor has grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned city
Farms get +1 Food and Mines get +1 Science for every adjacent Seowon
Hwacha (Renaissance Ranged unit), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)
Seondeok, one of the Leaders for the Korean civilization, is renowned for her ability to achieve fast Science victories, primarily due to the Seowon and her Hwarang ability.
In the early game, leverage Magnus' promotion to prevent Population loss when creating Settlers, allowing you to expand quickly. This rapid expansion is crucial for maximizing Science production across your empire. Focus on unlocking Civics that grant Governor Titles to promote your Governors, thereby boosting Science and Culture output 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 positioning maximizes the Seowon's Science output, as Mines gain additional Science when next to a Seowon. By establishing numerous cities and optimizing Seowon placement, you can outpace other civilizations in technological advancement.
Lady Six Sky - Maya
Observatories Have Some Of The Best Science Output
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.
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.
Hul'che (Ancient Ranged unit), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency bonus, +1 from Farms)
Lady Six Sky's unique ability, Ix Mutal Ajaw, provides a significant advantage by granting extra Yields and a free Builder to cities within 6 tiles of your Capital. However, to maximize this benefit, you must keep your cities closely clustered.
Once Magnus gains the promotion to prevent Population loss, aim to settle at least five or six additional cities within this radius. Position Observatories next to resources that require Plantations or Farms, as these provide adjacency bonuses that boost Science output.
By carefully placing Observatories in optimal locations and maintaining a compact city layout, achieving a quick Science victory with the Maya becomes relatively straightforward.
Peter - Russia
Absorb Science From Other Civs With Trade Routes
Trade Routes with other Civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 Technologies or Civics they are ahead of 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.
Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy District, expand by 2 tiles in the nearest city whenever you spend a Great Person there)
Peter, widely regarded as one of the most versatile Leaders in Civilization 6, excels in multiple victory types, including Science victories. His ability to gain Science and Culture from Trade Routes with more advanced civilizations ensures he can keep pace technologically and culturally.
To leverage Peter's strengths, select the Dance of the Aurora Pantheon to enhance yields from Tundra tiles, which Russia is likely to start near. Utilize the extra tiles granted upon founding a city to forward settle effectively, expanding your empire quickly.
Focus on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing your trading capabilities with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts. This strategy maximizes the Science and Culture gains from your Trade Routes, facilitating a swift Science victory.
Hammurabi - Babylon
A Wide Empire Can Overcome -50% Science Easily
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.
Eurekas instantly unlock respective Technologies, but suffer -50% Science across your entire empire
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 the unique Babylon civilization ability, Enuma Anu Enlil. This ability allows instant Technology unlocks upon achieving Eurekas but comes with a -50% Science penalty across the empire.
In the early game, focus on triggering Eurekas to unlock Technologies without relying heavily on Science production. Expand your empire by settling multiple cities, which will mitigate the Science penalty over time. Prioritize Currency, Production, and city growth while continuing to pursue Eurekas.
By the end of the Classical era, aim to have established around six cities, each with a Campus. Delay building Campuses until later to benefit from Hammurabi's ability to get the lowest-tier building (like the Library) for free. Use accumulated Gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings, significantly boosting your Science output.
Continue focusing on Eurekas while gradually building Science infrastructure. By the time you initiate the Space Race, you should be several ages ahead of other civilizations, giving you ample time to complete all five steps before any competitors catch up.
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