The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Civilization 6

Civilization 6 is a captivating strategy game that can easily lure players into losing track of time with its addictive gameplay. Once players grasp the basics and develop their own strategies, they can easily find themselves engrossed in hours of gameplay. However, mastering the game and understanding its complex concepts and mechanics can be challenging for beginners. This comprehensive guide aims to provide players with a complete understanding of the key elements of Civilization 6, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in the game and maximize their enjoyment.

Main Game

Updated on July 24, 2023, by Ashely Claudino: Although Civilization 6 has been around for a few years, it continues to offer an abundance of content, especially with the recent release of DLC packs and the Leader Pass. This comprehensive guide has been thoroughly revised to provide additional assistance on the latest Leader Pass leaders, along with other valuable topics, including the inclusion of mods that enhance the game's overall experience.

Civilization 6 offers players two distinct gameplay options: the main game and scenarios. Although this guide primarily focuses on the main game, which encompasses the classic Civilization experience, many of the strategies and tips shared here can also be applied to scenarios. When delving into the main game, players have the flexibility to dive into a random game immediately or tailor their own game by choosing preferred settings and customizations.

Civ & Leaders Breakdown

In this section of the article, we provide invaluable insights on how to make the game setup process a breeze. Before diving into the excitement, players will discover essential factors to consider, such as settings, mechanics, and game modes. By referring to our curated selection of How-to guides and frequently asked questions, players can enhance their gaming experience. Moreover, they will find valuable information about the game's leaders and uncover helpful tips and strategies.

Best Leader For Beginners

Best Religious Civ and Leader

Best Culture Civ and Leader

Best Domination Civ and Leader

Best Science Civ and Leader

Best Civ and Leader for Every Victory Type

Leader Tier List

Beginner Tips For Using Vietnam (New Frontier Pass)

Civ Breakdown: Alexander to Gitarja

Civ Breakdown: Gorgo to Matthias Corvinus

Civ Breakdown: Simon Bolivar to Wilhelmina

Leaders

Egyptian Cleopatra Guide

Konge Harald Hardrada Leader Guide

Leaders

Egyptian Cleopatra Guide

Konge Harald Hardrada Leader Guide

DLC Leaders

Joao III Leader Guide

Kublai Khan Leader Guide (China)

Joao III Leader Guide

Kublai Khan Leader Guide (China)

Kublai Khan Leader Guide (Mongolia)

How-to Guides

How To Set Up A Game

How To Set Up A Game

How to Get Started

How to Use Builders

How to Use Builders

How To Pick The Best Start Position

How To Increase Population Growth

How To Increase Population Growth

How to Earn Envoys

How to Rename a City

How to Increase Housing

How to Deal with Barbarians in the Early Game

How To Get Iron

How To Get Iron

How to Form Alliances

How to Form Alliances

How to Remove a District (You Can't)

How to Found a Religion

How to Get a Religious Victory

How to Get Relics

How to Get Units Across Water

How to Win Wars in the Early Game

How to Use a Battering Ram

How to Get Amenities

How to Do a Culture Bomb

How to Use Great Writers

How to Get Visiting Tourists

How to Use a Naturalist to Make a National Park

How to Get and Use Archaeologists

How to Use the Industry Tile Improvement (New Frontier Pass)

How to Construct the Preserve (& What It's For) (New Frontier Pass)

How to Get Spies and Steal Great Works, Gold, and More

How to Use Nukes

How to Get and Use the Giant Death Robot

How to Get a Heroic Age (Rise and Fall DLC)

How to Get a Heroic Age (Rise and Fall DLC)

Tips & Tricks

Best and Worst Wonders To Build

Best and Worst Natural Wonders

District Priority Tier List

Which District to Get First and When to Build It

Optimal District Placement Cheat Sheet

Best Pantheon For Each Victory Type

Best Religious Beliefs

Best Civilization Abilities

Best Unique Units

Overpowered Unique Units

Tips on How to Get a Science Victory

Tips on How to Get a Cultural Victory

Best Leaders for a Cultural Victory

Tips on How to Get a Religious Victory

Tips on How to Get a Domination Victory

Best Leaders for a Domination Victory

Tips and Tricks to Dominate

Tips to Avoid Warmonger Penalties

How to Get Rid of War Weariness

Tips on How to Get a Diplomacy Victory (Gathering Storm DLC)

Best Leaders for a Diplomacy Victory (Gathering Storm DLC)

Best Government

Best Governors

Beginner Tips for the Monopolies and Corporations Game Mode (New Frontier Pass)

Beginner Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Gaming Experience

First Things You Should Do In The Industrial Era

First Things You Should Do In The Industrial Era

First Things You Should Do In The Information Era

First Things You Should Do In The Information Era

How to Build Farm Triangles

How to Build Farm Triangles

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should You Build Monuments?

When Should You Build Settlers and Expand?

What is the Best Build Order for the Early Game?

Should You Settle on a Resource?

How Far Apart Should Cities Be?

How Many Cities Should You Have?

Should You Harvest Bonus Resources?

Should You Remove Rainforests?

Should You Open Borders?

Should You Accept Embassies and Delegations?

Should You Pass on a Great Person?

Should You Trade Great Works?

Is Religion Worth It?

Should You Conquer City-States?

When Should You Go to War?

Should You Form Corps?

Should You Keep or Raze Cities?

Should You Trade Diplomatic Favor? (Gathering Storm DLC)

Can Epic Games Store Play With Steam?

In Civilization 6, players have the opportunity to enhance their gaming experience by exploring various options that offer versatility and diversity. They can engage in specialized scenarios, which concentrate on specific themes and objectives, allowing for unique and varied gameplay. Additionally, players can further modify their gaming experience by selecting and activating alternative game modes, thereby altering the way the main game unfolds.

Scenarios

Over time, the release of new content for Civilization 6 has significantly expanded the variety of scenarios and game modes available, offering players an extensive array of fresh content to delve into. This section aims to assist players by providing a comprehensive guide to all the available scenarios and game modes, enabling them to anticipate and familiarize themselves with the diverse options at their disposal.

Best Scenarios

Game Modes

Apocalypse Game Mode Explained (New Frontier Pass)

The Four Secret Societies Explained (New Frontier Pass)

How to Get the Most Out of Vampire Castles (New Frontier Pass)

Dramatic Ages Game Mode Explained (New Frontier Pass)

Heroes and Legends Game Mode Explained (New Frontier Pass)

Monopolies and Corporations Game Mode Explained (New Frontier Pass)

Leader Pass

Great Negotiators Pack

Nzinga Mbande Leader Guide

Nzinga Mbande Leader Guide

Sultan Saladin Leader Guide

Sultan Saladin Leader Guide

Abraham Lincoln Leader Guide

Abraham Lincoln Leader Guide

Julius Caesar Leader Guide (Bonus)

Julius Caesar Leader Guide (Bonus)

How to Get Julius Caesar Leader for Free

How to Get Julius Caesar Leader for Free

Great Commanders Pack

Tokugawa Leader Guide

Tokugawa Leader Guide

Suleiman the Magnificent Leader Guide

Suleiman the Magnificent Leader Guide

Rulers of China Pack

Wu Zetian Leader Guide

Wu Zetian Leader Guide

Qin Shi Huang the Unifier Leader Guide

Qin Shi Huang the Unifier Leader Guide

Yongle Leader Guide

Yongle Leader Guide

Rulers of the Sahara Pack

Ptolemaic Cleopatra Guide

Ptolemaic Cleopatra Guide

King Sundiata Keita Leader Guide

King Sundiata Keita Leader Guide

Great Builders Pack

Theodora Leader Guide

Sejong Leader Guide

Ludwig II Leader Guide

Great Builders Pack

Theodora Leader Guide

Sejong Leader Guide

Ludwig II Leader Guide

Rulers of England Pack

Elizabeth I Leader Guide

Varangian Harald Hardrada Leader Guide

Victoria Age of Steam Leader Guide

Varangian Harald Hardrada Leader Guide

Victoria Age of Steam Leader Guide

Achievements

Steam and consoles offer numerous achievements for players to unlock in Civilization 6 as they delve further into the game. Including DLC, Steam alone offers 307 achievements for players to strive for. To obtain all of them, gamers must fulfill specific requirements, achieve victories under particular conditions, and complete scenarios and game modes.

This section aims to assist players in unlocking more challenging achievements, particularly those that necessitate starting a new match with the achievement as a goal and requiring specific steps to be taken.

How to Unlock the Mask of Baphomet Achievement (New Frontier Pass)

Mods and Map Seeds

Although some players prefer to stick with the standard version of the game, incorporating mods can greatly enhance the gaming experience by not only introducing exciting gameplay features but also improving overall quality-of-life aspects. Additionally, exploring and playing through specific Civilization 6 map seeds can bring immense joy and excitement as they can lead to astonishing outcomes during gameplay. When combined, mods and map seeds offer countless hours of replayability, ensuring enduring entertainment for players.

This section discusses the top mod and map seeds options in Civilization 6, which are ideal for both inexperienced players seeking to customize specific game elements and seasoned players looking to introduce some variation.

Installing Mods on the Epic Games Store:

Best Map Seeds to Try Out

Best Mods