Embarking on your journey in Civilization VI during the Ancient Era can often present unique challenges. Factors such as map layout, barbarian concentrations, and aggressive rival leaders can contribute to a rocky start. These issues become even more pressing in scenarios with advanced environmental factors, like Zombie Defense or Apocalypse Mode. Consequently, devising an effective strategy for navigating the early game begins with selecting the right civilization and leader.
Fortunately, certain leaders in Civilization VI are exceptionally suited for success during the Ancient Era, offering advantages through unique units, buildings, and abilities. Here, we outline ten civilizations that can significantly enhance your capabilities during this pivotal phase of the game.
10 Māori: Ideal for Water-Rich Environments
Leader: Tick
The Māori civilization shines in games set on archipelagos, small continents, or islands. Thanks to their unique ability, Kupe’s Voyage, players start on an Ocean tile and receive a bonus of +2 Science and Culture per turn until settling their first city. Additionally, this ability grants a free Builder and +1 Population upon establishing the first city, facilitating an effective early-game strategy.
The Māori possess the Mana feature, which unlocks Sailing and Shipbuilding technologies from the outset and permits all units to traverse Ocean tiles. This enables enhanced movement for embarked units, which is particularly beneficial in ocean-heavy maps, though less effective on landlocked maps.
9 Sumeria: Masters of Barbarian Conquest
Leader: Gilgamesh
Sumeria’s unique ability, Epic Quests, thrives during the chaotic Ancient Era filled with Barbarian raids, rewarding players with extra incentives when capturing Barbarian Outposts. Players gain access to a “goody hut”(tribal village) in addition to the usual Gold focus. The Ziggurat, Sumeria’s unique building, can be constructed by Builders, providing +2 Science and +1 Culture when built next to rivers.
For those facing early warfare, Gilgamesh’s Adventures of Enkidu ability offers significant bonuses for forming Alliances. Additionally, the War-Cart, a potent Ancient Era military unit, possesses superior strength and movement, providing early military dominance.
8 Nubia: Rapid Production Surge
Leader: Amanitore
Under Amanitore’s leadership, Nubia excels in production and military prowess. Her ability, Kandake of Meroë, enhances production in all districts by 20%, escalating to 40% with a Nubian Pyramid adjacent to the City Center. Early access to the Nubian Pyramid after unlocking Masonry grants extra Faith and Food bonuses, paving the way for rapid development.
Nubia’s unique feature, Ta-seti, provides a 30% boost in Production for Ranged Units, particularly the Pítati Archer, which boasts additional movement and superior capabilities than standard Archers. This allows players to amass a formidable ranged army very early in the game.
7 Greece: Dual Leaders Offer Cultural Advantages
Leaders: Gorgo & Pericles
Greece provides players with the choice between two powerful leaders, Gorgo and Pericles, both of whom are endowed with remarkable Culture bonuses right from the Ancient Era. Their access to Hoplites—an anti-cavalry unit that gains additional strength when near fellow Hoplites—allows for effective early combat strategies.
The civilization’s Plato’s Republic ability grants an additional Wildcard policy slot in any government type, which is advantageous throughout the game. Pericles shines for newcomers, as his Surrounded by Glory ability offers a +5% Culture bonus for each Suzerain—best utilized when near multiple city-states. Conversely, Gorgo’s ability focuses solely on awarding Culture from combat victories, which may be more variable.
6 Aztec: Early Lead with Districts
Leader: Montezuma
Under leader Montezuma, the Aztec civilization benefits immensely from the Legend of the Five Suns ability, which allows players to spend Builder charges to instantly complete 20% of any original district’s construction. This feature is crucial for early district completion, maximizing their adjacency benefits.
Additionally, the Aztec’s unique military unit, Eagle Warrior, can capture enemy military units and transform them into Builders, significantly aiding district production. This opens a strategic avenue for early aggression and expansion, strengthening the Aztec’s position in the Ancient Era.
5 Gaul: Strategic District Planning
Leader: Ambiorix
King Ambiorix leads the Gauls, who benefit from unique bonuses in the Ancient Era, such as Hallstatt Culture, providing minor adjacency bonuses to all districts placed next to Mines, along with a Culture Bomb effect when a Mine is constructed. The Gaesatae unit is more expensive but offers increased combat strength against stronger foes.
Most notably, the Oppidum district, which replaces the Industrial Zone, can be established earlier and unlocks the Apprenticeship technology upon its construction. This gives Gaul a competitive edge in district placement and resource management during the early game.
4 Phoenicia: Mastery of Coastal Settlements
Leader: Dido
As the leader of Phoenicia, Dido possesses exceptional bonuses for coastal gameplay. The Mediterranean Colonies ability grants players the Writing Eureka from the start, ensuring 100% loyalty for coastal cities sharing the same continent as the capital while improving Settler movement and sight range.
The Cothon district, an economical version of the Harbor, offers +50% Production for naval units and Settlers. The Bireme, a unique Phoenician naval unit, also enhances trade protection, which is invaluable in safeguarding against early Barbarian attacks.
3 Maya: Thriving in Dense Environments
Leader: Lady Six Sky
Leading the Mayans, Lady Six Sky’s Ix Mutal Ajaw ability enhances cities near the Capital, offering a +10% yield boost and a free Builder when such cities are founded. This ability encourages players to form a tight cluster of productive cities, although it results in a -15% penalty for yields in other cities outside this range.
The Mayan Observatory, which replaces the Campus, is less expensive and provides Science bonuses enhancing Farms and districts. Furthermore, the Hul’che, their unique Ancient Era unit, boasts a formidable ranged attack, particularly lethal against wounded foes.
2 Cree: Land Acquisition Advantage
Leader: Poundmaker
The Cree civilization, under the leadership of Poundmaker, gains a significant advantage through the Nîhithaw ability, which allows for early land claims via Trader units. Upon reaching Pottery, players gain +1 Trade Route capacity and an automatic free Trader, enabling them to claim unoccupied tiles quickly.
The Okihtcitaw, a unique Ancient Era unit, replaces the Scout and comes with an automatic promotion, while Builders can create the Mekewap structure, providing essential bonuses in Production, Housing, Gold, and Food. This allows players to optimize yields and adjacency in the Ancient Era efficiently.
1 Egypt: Comprehensive Advantages
Leaders: Cleopatra (Egyptian & Ptolemaic) & Ramses II
Egypt stands out as the premier civilization for the Ancient Era, boasting multiple effective leaders and unique abilities. Players can choose between the Egyptian and Ptolemaic variations of Cleopatra or opt for Ramses II. Through the Iteru ability, Egypt gains +15% Production when districts are adjacent to rivers, and the Maryannu Chariot Archer serves as a robust ranged unit with mobility advantages.
In summary, these civilizations offer players crucial advantages in navigating the Ancient Era. Strategies centered on productive districts, cultural growth, and military dominance are emphasized within these top recommendations, ensuring you have the upper hand in the early rounds of Civilization VI.
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