The Ultimate Civilization 6 Guide: Mastering Suleiman the Magnificent

The Great Commanders Pack, one of the six new DLCs introduced in the Civilization 6 Leader Pass, features two fresh Leaders for the game, namely Tokugawa and Nader Shah, along with an alternate Persona for Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman Muhteşem, the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire who reigned from 1520 to 1566, is known for his empire's peak of power and prestige. This is reflected in Civilization 6 through his Magnificent Leader Ability that emphasizes on Golden and Heroic Ages.

Suleiman the Magnificent's Features and Abilities

: Suleiman the Magnificent

Suleiman the Magnificent is a noteworthy Leader in Civilization 6, only accessible to players who have the Gathering Storm expansion. This is because his original version, Suleiman Kanuni, was introduced exclusively in that expansion. While Suleiman the Magnificent shares all of the Ottoman abilities of his original Persona, his unique Leader Ability promotes a distinctive playstyle.

How It Works

Leader Ability

During a Golden or Heroic Age, The Magnificent provides a significant boost in Science and Culture by 15%. However, even when not in a Golden or Heroic Age, this unit still holds a strong advantage with a 4-point increase in Combat Strength when battling civilizations that are also not in a Golden or Heroic Age.

Civilization Ability

Great Turkish Bombard

The Ottoman's unique unit is the Janissary, a powerful ranged infantry unit that replaces the Musketman. The Janissary has a higher combat strength and gains additional combat bonuses when fighting in close proximity to a Great General. Additionally, it has a unique ability that allows it to heal itself and adjacent units after successfully defeating an enemy unit.

This powerful naval raider unit, known as the Barbary Corsair, is a unique addition to the Ottoman army during the medieval era. It can be unlocked by adopting the Medieval Fairies Civic and serves as a replacement for the Privateer. What sets the Barbary Corsair apart is its lower production and maintenance costs, as well as its ability to perform coastal raids without expending any Movement. With 4 Movement and 2 Sight, this unit is incredibly agile and can quickly gain the upper hand in battles. Additionally, it boasts an impressive 40 Melee Strength and 50 Ranged Strength with a range of 2, making it a formidable opponent to any enemy.

Unique Building

Grand Bazaar

How to Play as Suleiman the Magnificent

Revolutionary Ottoman Architecture Enabled by Banking Technology Replaces Traditional Banking Methods — Enhanced Efficiency and Advantages Gain an additional Strategic Resource per turn for every type of Strategic Resource produced by the City, and receive a boost of +1 Amenity for each improved Luxury Resource in the City.

Suleiman the Magnificent's gameplay revolves around the Golden Age mechanic, which was introduced in the Gathering Storm expansion. This mechanic provides changing bonuses depending on whether the Ottomans are in a Golden/Heroic Age or not. When in a Golden or Heroic Age, The Magnificent's Science and Culture bonuses allow players to progress rapidly along the Technology and Civic trees, which are critical for achieving any victory type in Civilization 6. However, if not in a Golden or Heroic Age, The Magnificent bonus allows Suleiman players to focus on aggressive expansion and conquest, a fundamental aspect of the Ottoman playstyle. This enables them to capture new cities and take advantage of their Great Turkish Bombard Ability.

During Normal or Dark Ages, players should prioritize conquering Cities from other Civilizations that are also experiencing a Normal or Dark Age, leveraging the Combat Strength bonus and Siege unit buffs provided by The Magnificent. In contrast, during Golden and Heroic Ages, Suleiman players can utilize these bonuses to expedite their Science and Culture progress, providing a strategic advantage towards achieving a Science, Culture, or Domination victory in Civilization 6.