Civilization VI: Fastest Religious Victory Civs, Ranked

Civ 6's Fastest Religious Victory Paths: Top Faith Civs

Achieving a Religious Victory in Civilization 6 can be surprisingly swift, especially if you're not facing heavy religious competition. Several civilizations excel at generating Faith, quickly securing Holy Sites, and ultimately securing a Religious Victory. While some Civs offer more consistent Religious Victory potential, these leaders offer the fastest routes under the right conditions and with a focused Faith strategy.

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 hinges on religious warfare. Byzantium's ability boosts combat and religious strength with each converted Holy City, and enemy unit kills spread your faith. Hippodromes fuel rapid conquest with free Heavy Cavalry. Prioritize Theology and Monarchy civics for faster policy acquisition. The "Crusades" founding belief enhances combat against co-religionists. Convert cities before invading for a swift religious takeover.

Menelik II - Ethiopia: Hilltop Faith Generation

Leader Ability: Council of Ministers (Cities on Hills gain Science and Culture equal to 15% of their Faith output; +4 Combat Strength on Hills).

Civilization Ability: Aksumite Legacy (+1 Faith per copy of resource improvements; International Trade Routes gain +0.5 Faith per resource in 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, 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 Faith buildings early to secure a Pantheon and Religion. Maximize Rock-Hewn Church placement near mountains and hills for optimal Faith bonuses. Accumulate multiple copies of resources and trade with resource-rich civilizations. Prioritizing Culture alongside Faith accelerates Civic tree progression.

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, 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 excels at rapid cultural victories, but his ability to generate Faith is exceptional. Placing Holy Sites next to rivers maximizes Faith generation, Housing, and Culture. Aqueducts provide significant Faith and Amenity boosts. The Prasat provides substantial Faith and other benefits. Prioritize Wonders like the Great Bath and Hanging Gardens to support growth. Produce Apostles (or Missionaries) frequently for rapid peaceful conversion.

Peter - Russia: Tundra Faith 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 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).

Russia is a powerful all-around civilization, but Peter shines in Religious Victories. His ability to expand rapidly and gain extra tiles, coupled with the Faith and Production bonuses from Tundra tiles, allows for an early game Faith advantage. The "Dance of the Aurora" Pantheon further boosts Tundra yields. Lavras enable rapid expansion and increased Faith output. Utilize Builders to exploit resources gained from expansion. Peter's strategy is centered on dominating the Tundra and leveraging its Faith-generating potential.