Civilization 6: Fastest Religious Victory Paths
Securing a Religious Victory in Civilization 6 can be surprisingly swift, particularly if you're not facing intense religious competition. Several civilizations excel at generating Faith, quickly seizing Holy Sites, and achieving a dominant religious presence. While some offer consistent Religious Victory potential, these leaders prioritize speed under specific conditions and strategic approaches.
Theodora - Byzantine: Conquest and Conversion
Leader Ability: Metanoia (Holy Sites gain Culture equal to adjacency bonus; Farms gain +1 Faith from Hippodromes and Holy Sites).
Civilization Ability: Taxis (+3 Combat and Religious Strength per converted Holy City; killing a unit spreads your religion).
Unique Units: Dromon (Classical ranged unit), Hippodrome (replaces Entertainment Complex, grants Amenities and a free Heavy Cavalry).
Theodora's strategy centers on religious warfare. Byzantium's ability boosts combat and religious strength with each converted Holy City, while enemy unit deaths spread your faith. The Hippodrome provides free Heavy Cavalry, facilitating rapid conquest. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics for extra policy slots. The "Crusades" founding belief enhances combat strength against same-religion units. Convert cities before invading; your religious influence will accelerate conversion. Combine military pressure with Missionaries/Apostles for swift Holy City conversions.
Menelik II - Ethiopia: Hilltop Faith Generation
Leader Ability: Council of Ministers (Cities founded on Hills gain Science and Culture equal to 15% of their Faith output; +4 Combat Strength for units on Hills).
Civilization Ability: Aksumite Legacy (Resource improvements gain +1 Faith per copy; International Trade Routes gain +0.5 Faith per resource in the origin city; Archaeologists and Museums purchasable with Faith).
Unique Units: Oromo Cavalry (Medieval Light Cavalry), Rock-Hewn Church (+1 Faith per adjacent Mountain or Hill tile; provides Tourism from Faith after Flight, spreads +1 Appeal).
Menelik II's strength lies in his Leader ability. Found cities on Hills to gain Science and Culture from Faith, balancing religious focus with other yields. Maximize Faith building production. Build Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains and hills for maximum Faith bonuses. Accumulate Bonus and Luxury Resources, trading with resource-rich civilizations. Prioritizing Culture alongside Faith accelerates Civic tree progression and boosts religious influence.
Jayavarman VII - Khmer: River-Based Faith Boom
Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King (Holy Sites gain Food equal to adjacency bonus, +2 adjacency from Rivers, +2 Housing near Rivers, and trigger a Culture Bomb).
Civilization Ability: Grand Barays (Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per citizen; Farms gain +2 Food near Aqueducts, +1 Faith near Holy Sites).
Unique Units: Domrey (Medieval Siege unit), Prasat (+6 Faith, Relic slot, extra Housing, Culture, and Food with certain beliefs; +0.5 Culture per citizen).
Jayavarman VII's Leader ability is key. Place Holy Sites next to rivers for massive Faith generation, Housing, and Culture Bombs. Khmer's ability grants extra Amenities and Faith from Aqueducts. The Prasat provides significant Faith and boosts Culture. Prioritize Aqueducts and Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens for growth and amenity boosts. Produce Apostles/Missionaries to rapidly convert Holy Cities.
Peter - Russia: Tundra Domination
Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy (Trade Routes with advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture per 3 technologies or civics ahead).
Civilization Ability: Mother Russia (+5 extra tiles when founding a city; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units immune to Blizzard; enemies suffer double penalties in Russian territory).
Unique Units: Cossack (Industrial Era), Lavra (Replaces Holy Site, expands by 2 tiles when spending a Great Person).
Russia's strength lies in its civilization ability. Found cities to gain extra tiles and utilize the Lavra to expand borders with Great People. Tundra tiles provide significant Faith and Production. The "Dance of the Aurora" pantheon further enhances Tundra yields. Use Settlers with the Magnus promotion to prevent population loss during expansion. Build Holy Sites and St. Basil's Cathedral for Tundra bonuses. Peter can achieve remarkably fast Religious Victories through rapid expansion and high Faith output.
