Civilization VI: Most Underrated Civilizations and Their Hidden Strengths

Introduction: Hidden Gems of Civ VI

In Civilization VI, while some civilizations like Rome, Germany, or the Aztecs often grab the spotlight due to their straightforward and powerful bonuses, several other civs are underrated despite having unique and potent capabilities. These civilizations can be incredibly effective in the right hands and under the right circumstances. Here’s a look at some of the most underrated civilizations in Civ VI and how to leverage their unique strengths to achieve victory.

1. Georgia — Led by Tamar

Unique Abilities and Strengths:

• Strength in Unity (Leader Ability): Extra bonuses from Dedications during Golden and Heroic Ages make Georgia better at maintaining loyalty and leveraging the benefits of Golden Ages.
• Glory of the World, Kingdom and Faith (Unique Ability): Defensive bonuses when fighting in their own territory and enhanced faith production.
• Khevsureti (Unique Unit) and Tsikhe (Unique Improvement) further bolster Georgia’s defensive capabilities.

Strategies for Success:

• Focus on achieving Golden Ages and maintaining a strong defensive posture. Use faith to build up cities and create an impenetrable homeland.
• Georgia’s ability to earn envoys quickly also makes them adept at city-state diplomacy, providing another layer of strategy to leverage.

2. Canada — Led by Wilfrid Laurier

Unique Abilities and Strengths:

• Four Faces of Peace (Leader Ability): Canada cannot declare surprise wars or be the target of one, which allows for stable development without fear of unexpected invasions.
• The Last Best West (Unique Ability): Canada excels in icy and tundra areas, turning otherwise marginal land into productive territory with bonuses to farms on these tiles.
• Mountie (Unique Unit): Can create national parks, which helps propel a Cultural Victory.

Strategies for Success:

• Expand into tundra regions that other players typically avoid. Use the terrain to your advantage, focusing on growth and cultural development.
• Push for a Cultural Victory by maximizing the use of Mounties to establish national parks and attract tourists.

3. Phoenicia — Led by Dido

Unique Abilities and Strengths:

• Mediterranean Colonies (Unique Ability): Settler units have additional movement and sight range. Coastal cities founded by Phoenicia and on the same continent as the capital always have full loyalty.
• Founder of Carthage (Leader Ability): Can move the capital to any city with a Cothon (unique building), providing flexibility in response to changing strategic situations.
• Bireme (Unique Unit): Strong naval unit that protects trade routes.

Strategies for Success:

• Focus on maritime expansion and trade. Use your mobility to settle advantageous coastal spots quickly.
• Utilize the ability to shift your capital as a strategic move in response to threats or to support a new focal point of your empire.

4. Indonesia — Led by Gitarja

Unique Abilities and Strengths:

• Exalted Goddess of the Three Worlds (Leader Ability): Bonus faith from coastal cities and reduced cost for naval units.
• Great Nusantara (Unique Ability): Major adjacency bonuses for certain districts when they are built on coastal tiles.
• Jong (Unique Unit): Faster and stronger naval unit that escorts civilian units.

Strategies for Success:

• Build an island empire with a strong navy and pursue a Religious Victory or dominate through control of the seas.
• Use the Jong to expand overseas rapidly and safely, setting up new cities and protecting trade routes.

Conclusion: Leveraging the Underrated

These underrated civilizations offer unique strategies and opportunities for victory in Civilization VI. By understanding and utilizing their special abilities, you can surprise opponents and carve out a niche strategy that leads to victory, demonstrating that every civilization has the potential to dominate the world stage under the right circumstances.