Top Ranked Civilizations for a Swift Religious Victory in Civilization VI

Civilization VI: Conquer the Faith – Fastest Religious Victory Civs

Securing a Religious Victory in Civilization VI can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing stiff religious competition. Several civilizations excel at generating Faith, rapidly claiming Holy Sites, and achieving a quick Religious victory. While some civs offer more consistent religious success, these leaders can achieve incredibly fast wins under the right conditions and with a focused Faith strategy.

Theodora – Byzantine: A Master of Religious Warfare

Leader Ability: Metanoia – Holy Sites gain Culture equal to their adjacency bonus; Farms gain +1 Faith from Hippodromes and Holy Sites.

Civilization Ability: Taxis – +3 Combat and Religious Strength for each converted Holy City; killing a unit spreads your religion to its owner.

Unique Units: Dromon (Classical ranged unit), Hippodrome (replaces Entertainment Complex, grants Amenities and a free Heavy Cavalry unit).

Theodora's strategy hinges on religious warfare. The Byzantine ability boosts combat and religious strength with each converted Holy City, and conquered units spread your faith. Hippodromes facilitate rapid conquest by providing free Heavy Cavalry. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics for faster policy unlocks. The Crusades founding belief adds combat strength against same-religion units, making conversion easier before invasion. Combining military pressure with Missionaries and Apostles ensures swift Holy City conversions.

Menelik II – Ethiopia: Faith from Hills and Resources

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 can be purchased 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. Founding cities on Hills provides a significant boost to Science and Culture, allowing for balanced development while prioritizing Faith. Maximize Faith by building Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains and hills. Focus on acquiring multiple copies of Bonus and Luxury Resources and trading with resource-rich civilizations. Prioritizing Culture alongside Faith accelerates Civic progression and boosts religious influence.

Jayavarman VII – Khmer: River-Based Faith Generation

Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King – Holy Sites gain Food equal to their 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 next to Aqueducts and +1 Faith next to 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 excels at rapid Religious victories due to his powerful Leader ability. Placing Holy Sites next to rivers yields massive Faith, Housing, and Culture. Aqueducts provide additional Amenities and Faith, while the Prasat building offers substantial Faith and Culture. Prioritize Aqueduct construction and Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to boost growth and mitigate negative river effects. Focus on rapid city growth and Apostle production for swift Holy City conversions.

Peter – Russia: Tundra Domination

Leader Ability: The Grand Embassy – Trade Routes with more advanced civilizations grant +1 Science and +1 Culture per 3 Technologies or Civics they are ahead.

Civilization Ability: Mother Russia – +5 extra tiles when founding a city; Tundra tiles grant +1 Faith and +1 Production; units are immune to Blizzards; 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).

Russia, under Peter, is a formidable Religious Victory contender. The ability to found cities with extra tiles and the Lavra's expansion mechanic enables rapid territorial control. Tundra tiles provide a significant Faith and Production bonus. Utilize the Dance of the Aurora pantheon to further enhance Tundra yields. Combine this with the Magnus promotion to prevent population loss when expanding. The Lavra's expansion allows for quick access to resources, fueling Faith generation. St. Basil's Cathedral further amplifies Tundra tile benefits, resulting in potentially the fastest Religious Victory.