Civilization VI: Best Civilizations for a Science Victory

Civilization VI offers a range of civilizations that can excel in a science victory, each bringing unique abilities, units, and infrastructure that can give them an edge in the race to colonize Mars. A science victory in Civilization VI is achieved by progressing through the technology tree to unlock space race projects and ultimately launch a Mars colony. Here’s a look at some of the best civilizations for achieving a science victory and the strategies that make them so effective.

1. Korea (Seondeok)

Unique Ability: «Three Kingdoms»

• Benefits: Science bonuses from Mines adjacent to Seowon (Korean unique district replacing the Campus). Receive additional science from Farms adjacent to Seowon.

Unique Infrastructure: Seowon

• Advantages: Provides a substantial fixed science yield, unlike the standard Campus which requires adjacency bonuses from mountains or rainforests. This makes it easier to plan cities and ensures consistent science output.

Strategy Tips:

• Prioritize building Seowon in every city early on to maximize Korea’s science output.
• Focus on defensive military strategies to protect your technological lead.

2. Germany (Frederick Barbarossa)

Unique Ability: «Free Imperial Cities»

• Benefits: One additional district per city than the population limit would normally allow, which is excellent for adding more Campuses.

Unique Infrastructure: Hansa

• Advantages: A cheaper and more efficient Industrial Zone, which can boost production in cities, speeding up the construction of space race project parts.

Strategy Tips:

• Build Hansas with high adjacency bonuses and surround them with other districts, especially Campuses, to harness the power of production towards science projects.
• Use Germany’s additional military policy slot to maintain a strong defense while focusing on technological advancements.

3. Australia (John Curtin)

Unique Ability: «Land Down Under»

• Benefits: Yields from Campuses, Commercial Hubs, Holy Sites, and Theater Squares are enhanced in attractive terrain (Charming or Breathtaking).

Unique Infrastructure: Outback Station

• Advantages: Provides food and production, later gaining additional bonuses, facilitating city growth and faster production.

Strategy Tips:

• Settle cities in locations with high appeal to maximize district bonuses.
• Take advantage of Australia’s ability to gain full housing from coastal starts to grow large, productive cities.

4. Arabia (Saladin)

Unique Ability: «The Last Prophet»

• Benefits: Automatically receive the final Great Prophet when the next-to-last one is claimed (if not already earned), ensuring access to a religion.

Unique Unit and Infrastructure: Mamluk and Madrasa

• Advantages: Madrasas provide more science than the traditional University.

Strategy Tips:

• Use the science bonus from Madrasas to advance through the tech tree quickly.
• Leverage Arabia’s religious strength to maintain happiness and loyalty in your cities through various beliefs that benefit scientific progression.

5. Scotland (Robert the Bruce)

Unique Ability: «Scottish Enlightenment»

• Benefits: Happy cities receive an additional 5% science and production. Ecstatic cities double these bonuses.

Unique Infrastructure: Golf Course

• Advantages: Increases amenities, which helps maintain city happiness and thus boosts the Scottish Enlightenment bonus.

Strategy Tips:

• Focus on keeping your cities happy and ecstatic to maximize science and production bonuses.
• Use the Golf Course to manage amenities and boost the appeal of nearby tiles.

Conclusion

These civilizations each offer unique paths to a science victory, through distinct advantages that can accelerate your progress through the tech tree and help you launch space race projects more efficiently. Whether you prefer the straightforward scientific powerhouse of Korea or the flexible production and amenity management of Scotland, choosing the right civilization to match your preferred playstyle can greatly enhance your chances of winning a science victory in Civilization VI.