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In Civilization 6, achieving a victory can be approached through various paths, with Religious Victories often being the quickest, while Culture victories require more time. Science victories fall somewhere in the middle, yet with the right Leader, they can become one of the most efficient ways to secure a win. The key to a fast Science victory lies in understanding the specific Science bonuses each civilization offers and expanding 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, a Leader for the Korean civilization, excels in achieving rapid Science victories through strategic use of the Seowon and her Leader ability. To maximize your Science output early on, leverage Magnus' promotion that prevents Population loss when creating Settlers. This allows you to expand quickly, establishing numerous cities to boost your overall Science production. Focus on unlocking Civics to promote Governors, which will grant a +3% increase in Science and Culture per promotion.
When planning your city layouts, remember that the Seowon unique District loses Science if placed next to other districts. Allow your cities some time to grow before positioning Seowons at least two tiles away from the city center, ideally next to future Mine locations. Mines adjacent to a Seowon yield extra Science, making them an excellent buffer to maximize Seowon efficiency.
With a well-planned expansion and optimal Seowon placement, you can outpace other civilizations technologically, securing 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 get +10% to all Yields and a Builder when founded, but Cities further away 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 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 significantly boosts the Yields of cities close to your Capital and provides a free Builder upon their foundation. However, to fully capitalize on these benefits, you must keep your cities clustered within a 6-tile radius of your original city.
Once Magnus is promoted to prevent Population loss, aim to establish at least five or six cities within this radius throughout the age. Strategically place Observatories next to Resources that require Plantations or Farms, as these will enhance the Observatory's adjacency bonus.
By optimizing the placement of your Observatories and maintaining a compact city layout, you can achieve a rapid Science victory as the Maya.
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 Russia remains competitive. Additionally, the powerful Lavra, extra founding tiles, and border expansion through Great People make him highly adaptable.
While typically geared towards Culture and Religious victories, Peter can achieve fast Science victories with strategic expansion and trading. Choose the Dance of the Aurora Pantheon to maximize yields from Tundra tiles, which Russia often starts near. Leverage Russia's extra tiles upon city founding to forward settle effectively, focusing on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing trade through Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts.
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, mitigating the -50% Science penalty. Babylon's unique ability allows you to instantly unlock Technologies upon triggering their respective Eurekas, making it crucial to focus on achieving these milestones.
In the early game, prioritize triggering Eurekas over direct Science production. Concentrate on Currency, Production, and city growth while triggering Eurekas through diverse activities. Position Spies in technologically advanced civilizations to gain more Eureka opportunities.
By the end of the Classical era, aim to have established around six cities, each with a Campus. Delay building these Campuses until later to benefit from Hammurabi's ability, which grants the lowest-tier building (like the Library) for free. Use accumulated Gold from trade and Currency Exchange to purchase secondary Campus buildings, significantly boosting your Science output.
This strategy will place you on par with other civilizations early in the game, but your Technology boosts will propel you far ahead. Continue focusing on Eurekas and Science production to maintain your lead, ensuring you're well ahead by the start of the Space Race, allowing ample time to complete all five steps before competitors catch up.
