Civilization VI: Fastest Religious Victory Civs, Ranked

Civilization 6: Fastest Religious Victory Civs

A Religious Victory in Civilization 6 can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing heavy religious competition. Several Civs excel at Faith generation, enabling rapid expansion of your religion and a quick path to victory. While some Civs offer more consistent religious success, these leaders prioritize speed under the right conditions and strategic play.

Theodora - Byzantine: Conquest and Conversion

Leader Ability: Metanoia (Holy Sites grant 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 revolves around religious warfare. The Taxis ability provides significant combat and religious boosts for each converted Holy City, while unit kills spread your faith. Hippodromes fuel rapid conquest with free Heavy Cavalry. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics for faster policy unlocks. The Crusades founding belief enhances combat strength against same-religion units. Convert cities before conquering to accelerate religious dominance. Combine military pressure with Missionaries and Apostles for swift Holy City conversions.

Menelik II - Ethiopia: Hill Settlements for Balanced Growth

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 (Resource improvements gain +1 Faith per copy; International Trade Routes grant +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. Founding cities on Hills provides a balanced approach, generating Science and Culture alongside Faith. Focus on building Rock-Hewn Churches near mountains and hills for maximum Faith. Maximize Bonus and Luxury Resources and utilize Trade Routes for extra Faith. A secondary focus on Culture accelerates Civic progression.

Jayavarman VII - Khmer: River-Based Faith Generation

Leader Ability: Monasteries of the King (Holy Sites gain +2 Adjacency from Rivers, +2 Housing next to a River, and trigger a Culture Bomb; Food equal to Adjacency Bonus).

Civ Ability: Grand Barays (Aqueducts provide +1 Amenity and +1 Faith per Citizen; Farms gain +2 Food next to an Aqueduct, +1 Faith next to a Holy Site).

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 thrives on strategically placing Holy Sites near rivers, maximizing Faith generation and benefiting from the Culture Bomb. Aqueducts provide significant Amenities and Faith. The Prasat grants substantial Faith and boosts Culture. Prioritize Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to enhance city growth. Rapid city growth, high Faith output, and abundant Housing and Amenities allow for rapid religious expansion through Apostles and Missionaries.

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 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 District; expands by 2 tiles when a Great Person is spent).

Peter's strength is Russia's ability. Founding cities gains extra tiles, and Tundra tiles provide significant Faith and Production. The Lavra expands your borders with Great Person usage. The Dance of the Aurora Pantheon further enhances Tundra yields. Use Magnus-promoted Settlers to expand rapidly across Tundra, maximizing Faith generation. St. Basil's Cathedral provides additional Tundra bonuses. Early game expansion and efficient Great Person usage leads to rapid Faith generation and a swift Religious Victory.