Civilization VI: Fastest Science Victory Civs, Ranked

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• Seondeok - Korea

• Lady Six Sky - Maya

• Peter - Russia

• Hammurabi - Babylon

Of Civilization 6's three victory conditions, Religious Victories offer the quickest path to success, while Culture victories demand significantly more time. Science victories fall somewhere in between; however, with the right leader, a swift Science victory can be remarkably straightforward.

While many Civilization 6 leaders excel at navigating the tech tree, certain civilizations consistently outpace others by several eras under optimal circumstances. To achieve rapid Science victories, focus on maximizing Science bonuses and expanding your empire strategically. The following leaders are particularly adept at this:

Seondeok - Korea

Build Seowons & Promote Governors for Fast Science

Seondeok Leader Ability: Hwarang - Each Governor promotion grants +3% Culture and Science to their assigned city.

Korea Civ Ability: Three Kingdoms - Farms gain +1 Food and Mines gain +1 Science for each adjacent Seowon.

Unique Units: Hwacha (Renaissance Ranged unit), Seowon (Campus replacement, +4 Science, -2 Science for adjacent Districts)

Seondeok, one of Korea's two leaders, facilitates rapid Science victories through strategic Seowon placement and her Leader ability. Early expansion using Magnus's promotion (preventing population loss when a Settler is created) is key to maximizing Science production. Prioritize Civics that unlock Governor Titles to rapidly promote Governors, reaping the +3% Science and Culture bonus per promotion.

The Seowon's Science output diminishes with adjacent districts. Allow cities time to develop, then position Seowons at least two tiles from city centers, ideally near future Mine locations. Korea's bonus grants Mines extra Science adjacent to Seowons, making them effective buffers. Early and optimal Seowon placement will significantly accelerate technological advancement.

Lady Six Sky - Maya

Observatories Offer Superior Science Output

Lady Six Sky Leader Ability: Ix Mutal Ajaw - Cities within 6 tiles of your Capital receive +10% to all Yields and a free Builder upon founding; cities beyond 6 tiles suffer -15% Yields.

Maya Civ Ability: Mayab - No Housing bonus from Fresh Water or Coastal cities; instead, gain +1 Amenity per Luxury Resource adjacent to the city center. Farms gain +1 Housing and +1 Production when adjacent to an Observatory.

Unique Units: Hul'che (Ancient Ranged unit), Observatory (+2 Science from Plantation adjacency bonus, +1 from Farms)

Lady Six Sky's ability boosts yields and provides free Builders for cities within 6 tiles of the capital. This necessitates a clustered city layout. After securing Magnus's promotion, establish 5-6 cities within this radius. Place Observatories near resources requiring Plantations or Farms to maximize adjacency bonuses. Optimal Observatory placement within this 6-tile radius is crucial for a swift Science victory.

Peter - Russia

Leverage Trade Routes for Scientific Advantage

Peter Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy - Trade Routes with other Civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture for every 3 Technologies or Civics they possess that Russia lacks.

Russia Civ Ability: Mother Russia - Gain 5 extra tiles when founding a city; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production. Units are immune to Blizzards, and enemy civilizations suffer double penalties within Russian territory.

Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy District, expands by 2 tiles in the nearest city when a Great Person is spent there)

Peter is renowned as a well-rounded leader. His Trade Route ability ensures consistent progress in both Culture and Science. His powerful Lavra, extra founding tiles, and Great Person city expansion capabilities make him versatile.

While typically better suited for Culture and Religious victories, Peter can achieve fast Science victories with strategic expansion. Utilize the Dance of the Aurora to enhance Tundra tile yields. Russia's increased founding tiles allow for effective forward settling. Develop Campuses near mountains and enhance trading capabilities via Currency Exchange and Harbor Districts to maximize Science and Culture gains from trade routes.

Hammurabi - Babylon

Overcome the -50% Science Penalty Through Expansion

Hammurabi Leader Ability: Ninu Ilu Sirum - Building any District (except Government Plaza) grants the lowest-cost building for free, and also grants a free Envoy.

Babylon Civ Ability: Enuma Anu Enlil - Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, but inflict -50% Science across the 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)

Rapid expansion is key to a quick Science victory with Babylon. While Eurekas instantly unlock Technologies, the -50% Science penalty is mitigated by establishing numerous cities.

Initially, prioritize triggering Eurekas through diverse actions, focusing less on Science production. Concentrate on Currency, Production, and city growth. Utilize Spies to gain Eureka opportunities from technologically advanced civilizations.

By the Classical Era, aim for six cities with initial Campuses. By the Middle Ages, use accumulated Gold to purchase secondary Campus buildings. Hammurabi's ability provides free lowest-tier buildings, allowing for free Libraries and Gold-funded upgrades for a substantial Science boost. This compensates for the Science penalty. Continue building Science while primarily focusing on Eurekas to significantly outpace other civilizations by the Space Race.