Religious Victory, Ranked: Top Civilities in Civilization VI

Conquer the World of Faith: Top Civ 6 Leaders for a Speedy Religious Victory

A Religious Victory in Civilization 6 can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing stiff religious competition. Several Civ 6 leaders excel at generating faith, securing Holy Sites, and achieving a rapid Religious victory. While some Civs offer more consistent religious paths, these leaders, with the right strategy, can achieve victory remarkably fast.

This guide highlights the best faith-generating Civs in Civ 6, prioritizing speed and focusing on effective strategies for each leader.

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).

Civ 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 for each converted Holy City, and killing enemy units spreads your religion. The Hippodrome provides free Heavy Cavalry, facilitating rapid conquest. The Culture bonus from Holy Sites accelerates civic progression; prioritize Theology and Monarchy for more policy slots.

Combine domination and religious strategies. Focus on combat engagements to spread your religion, converting cities before full invasion. The Crusades founding belief enhances combat strength against units of your religion. Simultaneously, deploy Missionaries and Apostles to rapidly convert target Holy Cities.

Menelik II - Ethiopia: Hilltop Faith and Resource Abundance

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).

Civ Ability: Aksumite Legacy (All Resource improvements gain +1 Faith per copy; International Trade Routes gain +0.5 Faith per resource in the origin city; Archaeologists and Museums can be purchased with Faith).

Unique Units: Oromo Cavalry (Medieval Light Cavalry), Rock-Hewn Church (+1 Faith per adjacent Mountain or Hills 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 your victory path. Focus on Faith buildings early to secure your Pantheon and Religion. Build Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains and hills for maximum Faith bonus. Maximize Bonus and Luxury Resource copies and trade with resource-rich civilizations. Prioritize Culture alongside Faith to quickly unlock policies boosting religious influence.

Jayavarman VII - Khmer: Riverine Faith and Cultural Synergies

Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King (Holy Sites gain Food equal to adjacency bonus; +2 adjacency from Rivers; +2 Housing near Rivers; triggers Culture Bomb).

Civ Ability: Grand Barays (Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per citizen; Farms gain +2 Food near Aqueducts and +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 is excellent for both Cultural and Religious victories. His leader ability makes Holy Sites near rivers incredibly powerful, generating massive Faith, Housing, and Culture. The Khmer ability provides extra Amenities and Faith from Aqueducts. The Prasat unique building significantly boosts Faith and Culture.

Prioritize Holy Sites next to rivers, build Aqueducts, and utilize Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to boost growth and amenities. Generate Apostles and Missionaries to rapidly convert Holy Cities peacefully.

Peter - Russia: Tundra Domination and Lavra Expansion

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy (Trade Routes with advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture per 3 technologies or civics they are ahead).

Civ Ability: Mother Russia (+5 extra founding tiles; 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 a Great Person is spent).

Peter is a formidable leader for any victory type, but excels at Religious victories. Russia's ability provides extra founding tiles, Faith, and Production from Tundra. The Lavra expands your borders when Great People are spent, allowing rapid territorial growth.

Start near Tundra, utilize the Dance of the Aurora pantheon for increased Tundra yields, and expand widely using Settlers with the Magnus promotion. The Lavra's expansion capability, combined with high Faith output from Tundra tiles, leads to a rapid religious victory. Build St. Basil's Cathedral for further Tundra bonuses.

By mastering these strategies, you can significantly accelerate your path to a Religious Victory in Civilization 6. Remember that adapting your approach based on the game's circumstances and your opponents' actions is crucial for success.