Top Civs for Quickest Science Victory in Civilization VI, Ranked

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• Seondeok - Korea

• Lady Six Sky - Maya

• Peter - Russia

• Hammurabi - Babylon

In Civilization 6, achieving victory can be approached through various strategies, with Religious Victories being the quickest to secure, while Culture victories often demand more time. Science victories, positioned between the two, can become one of the most straightforward paths to victory with the right Leader. Though many Science-focused civilizations in Civ 6 can swiftly navigate the Technology tree, certain Leaders can outpace their rivals by several ages under optimal conditions. To secure quick Science victories, it's crucial to understand the requirements for Science bonuses and expand your empire strategically.

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 of the Korean civilization, excels in achieving fast Science victories, leveraging the Seowon and her unique Leader ability. By promoting Governors, especially Magnus, who prevents Population loss when creating Settlers, you can expand rapidly in the early game to maximize Science production. Focus on Civics that unlock Governor Titles to quickly boost Science and Culture by 3% per promotion.

Strategically, the Seowon unique District requires careful placement to avoid adjacency penalties. Allow your cities to develop initially, then position the Seowon at least two tiles away from the city center and near future Mine locations. This setup benefits from Korea's bonus Science from adjacent Mines, creating a buffer zone from other Districts to optimize Seowon output. With early city establishment and optimal 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 a Builder when founded, but Cities further away than 6 tiles suffer a -15% Yields penalty.

Maya Civ Ability: Mayab

No Housing from Fresh Water or Coast cities; instead, gain +1 Amenity for every Luxury Resource next to the 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 offers significant advantages for cities within a 6-tile radius of your original Capital, granting extra Yields and a free Builder. However, this benefit requires a concentrated city cluster for optimal growth and production.

After promoting Magnus to prevent Population loss, aim to establish at least five or six cities within this radius over the course of the age. Position Observatories adjacent to resources that necessitate Plantations or Farms, as they provide an Adjacency Bonus. By optimally placing Observatories and maintaining a compact city layout, a quick Science victory as the Maya becomes achievable.

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, expands by 2 tiles in the nearest city whenever you spend a Great Person there)

Peter, considered one of the most versatile Leaders in Civilization 6, excels at both Culture and Science due to his Trade Routes ability. This ensures Russia remains competitive in technological and cultural advancement. The powerful Lavra, additional founding tiles, and the capacity for Great People to expand city borders make Peter a strong contender in various victory types.

To secure fast Science victories, choose Dance of the Aurora to maximize yields from Tundra tiles, which Russia tends to start near. Leverage Russia's ability to gain more tiles when founding cities for effective forward settling. Focus on building Campuses near mountains and enhancing trade with Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize the Science and Culture benefits from your Trade Routes.

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. Also, gain a free Envoy when building any other district.

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 Science-producing cities, mitigating the -50% Science penalty. Babylon's Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, allowing for accelerated technological progress despite the Science reduction.

In the early game, focus on triggering Eurekas by diversifying your efforts. Initially, prioritize Currency, Production, and city growth over direct Science production. 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 placed your first Campus in each. As you enter the Middle Ages, utilize saved Gold from trade and Currency Exchange to purchase secondary Campus buildings. Hammurabi's ability to receive the lowest-tier building for free means you can automatically gain a Library and afford the next building, significantly boosting your Science output.

This strategy should align your Science production with other civilizations early on, while your Technology boosts propel you further ahead. Continue building Science over time while focusing on Eurekas, positioning you several ages ahead by the start of the Space Race. This gives you ample time to complete all five steps of the Space Race before your rivals catch up.