How to Play as China in Civilization VI: Strategies for a Prosperous Empire

Introduction: Harnessing China’s Unique Strengths

Playing as China in Civilization VI, led by Qin Shi Huang, offers a unique set of advantages tailored for players who enjoy focusing on early wonder construction and technology/civic boosts. With its distinctive ability to utilize builders for hastening construction and a strong emphasis on Great Wall defenses, China is well-suited for a defensive, wonder-focused, and culturally rich playstyle. Here’s how to maximize China’s strengths to build a powerful and enduring civilization.

1. Understand China’s Unique Traits

• Leader Ability (The First Emperor): Allows builders to use a charge to complete 15% of the original wonder cost. Early in the game, this can give China a significant advantage in securing important wonders.
• Unique Unit (Crouching Tiger Cannon): A powerful early gunpowder unit that does not require specific resources to produce. It’s excellent for defending against invasions and suppressing nearby threats.
• Unique Improvement (Great Wall): Provides additional defense and, later in the game, boosts to tourism, culture, and gold. The Great Wall can be strategically expanded to maximize these benefits as the game progresses.

2. Early Game Strategies

• Focus on Builders: Since builders can hasten the construction of wonders, prioritize getting at least one or two early in the game to take full advantage of your leader ability. Pair this strategy with policies that increase builder production or add additional charges.
• Secure Key Wonders: Target wonders that complement a defensive or cultural victory, such as the Great Library, Terracotta Army, or Forbidden City. Use your builder charges to ensure you can build these wonders before your competitors.
• Research Appropriate Technologies: Prioritize Masonry to start your Great Wall and technologies that unlock key wonders.

3. Mid-Game Development

• Expand the Great Wall: As your territory grows, continue to expand your Great Wall. Not only does it provide significant defensive bonuses, but it will also start generating more cultural and tourism outputs as you progress through the civic tree.
• Strengthen Your Military: While China’s strength lies in culture and defense, maintaining a competent standing army to deter aggressive neighbors is crucial. Upgrade your units and keep pace with military technologies.
• Leverage Crouching Tiger Cannons: Use your unique unit for defense and to deter aggressive neighbors. Its high firepower can be decisive in mid-game skirmishes.

4. Cultural and Scientific Victory Push

• Cultural Focus: Continue to focus on building wonders and cultural improvements. Enhance your cities with Theater Squares and utilize policy cards that boost cultural outputs from wonders and Great Works.
• Scientific Advancements: Take advantage of China’s ability to gain eureka moments from building wonders. Focus on scientific development to stay ahead or catch up in technology races, particularly those that enable new wonders and defensive capabilities.
• Manage International Relations: Engage in diplomacy with cultural and scientific city-states and civilizations that can boost your progress towards these victories. Use your unique abilities to secure alliances and protect your interests.

5. Late Game Strategies

• Maximize Tourism: Ensure you have ample cultural attractions and accessible Great Works to convert your cultural dominance into tourism. Wonders, especially those with slots for Great Works, and your expanded Great Wall will be crucial.
• Defense and Technology: Keep your defenses up to date and continue expanding your Great Wall, especially in border areas likely to be contested or near aggressive civilizations.

Conclusion: Building a Timeless Legacy with China

China is uniquely positioned in Civilization VI to excel in games focused on defensive strategies, cultural achievements, and scientific advancements. By strategically leveraging Qin Shi Huang’s abilities to accelerate wonder construction and expand the Great Wall, players can build a civilization that is as enduring as it is formidable.