In Civilization VI, choosing the best pantheon can significantly influence your strategy and overall gameplay experience. The «best» pantheon often depends on your civilization, the terrain around your start location, your long-term strategy, and what other civilizations are in the game. Here are some of the most universally beneficial pantheons and situations in which they excel:

1. God of the Forge

• Bonus: +25% Production toward Ancient and Classical military units.
• Best For: Aggressive early-game strategies. This pantheon is ideal if you plan to expand rapidly through conquest or need to defend against hostile neighbors early in the game.

2. Religious Settlements

• Bonus: Border expansion rate increased by 15%, and you receive a free Builder in your capital.
• Best For: Any civilization that benefits from rapid territorial expansion. This pantheon helps you access critical resources faster and can significantly accelerate your development.

3. Fertility Rites

• Bonus: City growth rate is 10% higher.
• Best For: Civilizations that will benefit from rapid population growth, particularly in games where space is limited or when planning to focus on district and civilian unit production.

4. Goddess of the Harvest

• Bonus: Gain Faith from clearing woods and harvesting resources.
• Best For: Civilizations that find themselves near many forest tiles or abundant resources that they plan to harvest. This can provide a significant early-game boost to faith, helping to found a religion or purchase early religious units.

5. God of the Sea

• Bonus: Fishing boats provide +1 Production, +1 Food from camps.
• Best For: Civilizations that start near the coast and will have access to multiple sea resources. This pantheon enhances the productivity and sustainability of coastal cities, making it a strong choice for naval or coastal empires.

6. God of Craftsmen

• Bonus: +1 Production and +1 Faith from improved Strategic Resources.
• Best For: Civilizations that have access to several strategic resources. This pantheon is particularly effective in the later stages of the game when more strategic resources become critical for military and industrial expansion.

7. Earth Goddess

• Bonus: +1 Faith from tiles with Charming or better Appeal.
• Best For: Civilizations that are focused on building a strong faith economy and have access to many tiles with high natural appeal. This is particularly effective for civilizations that also focus on culture and tourism, as high-appeal tiles are beneficial for both.

Considerations When Choosing a Pantheon

• Terrain and Resources: Always consider the immediate resources and terrain near your start location. Some pantheons synergize exceptionally well with certain types of terrain.
• Long-term Strategy: Align your pantheon choice with your long-term victory conditions. For example, if you’re aiming for a Cultural Victory, pantheons that boost culture or appeal might be more beneficial.
• Adaptability: Sometimes, the best pantheon is one that adapts to your situation, especially if your initial strategy becomes untenable due to other civilizations’ actions.

Choosing the right pantheon is about maximizing the synergy between your civilization’s strengths, your environment, and your planned victory path. Always assess your situation at the start of each game to make the most strategic choice.