Best Ancient Era Civilizations In Civ 6

Key Takeaways

Persia, led by Cyrus the Great, dominates with extra trade routes and powerful military units in the Ancient Era.
Sumeria, despite early War-Cart strength, struggles with culture growth; ideal for early game domination, not sustainability.
Gaul’s well-rounded abilities complexify their playstyle; cultural, scientific, and militaristic victories within reach from the Ancient Era.

As a seasoned Civilization VI player with countless hours spent on crafting empires and leading them to victory, I must say that Babylon holds a special place in my heart. With its ability to bypass the game’s standard rules, it offers an exhilarating experience that no other civilization can match.

As we eagerly await the arrival of “Sid Meier’s Civilization 7”, let’s reminisce about the game that marked a significant milestone for the beloved franchise: “Civilization 6”. This game introduced numerous distinctive mechanics, along with leaders and civilizations not seen before. It has since become one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed installments in the series.

In Civilization 6, with 50 different civilizations and 67 unique leaders to pick from, it’s important to note that each doesn’t always have the same power during each phase of the game. The beginning of every game sets in the Ancient Era, a crucial point that can shape the path of a civilization significantly. This is when certain civilizations may flourish, either by exhibiting strong military abilities or spreading a new faith. Let’s dive into some outstanding Ancient Era civilizations in Civilization 6.

10. Persia (Cyrus)

Conquer Civilizations With Immortals

Civilization type	Domination/Cultural
Satrapies (Civ ability)	Gain an extra Trade Route after researching Political Philosophy. Domestic Trade Routes yield +2 Gold and +1 Culture. Roads built inside Persian territory are one level more advanced than usual.
Fall of Babylon (Leader ability)	Units gain +2 Movement for 10 turns after declaring a Surprise War. Declaring a Surprise War only counts as a Formal War for grievance purposes. Occupied cities do not incur penalties for their yields and gain +5 Loyalty with a garrisoned unit.

In the ancient era, Persia under the rule of Cyrus the Great is often considered one of the most challenging neighbors to have due to its formidable strength. A strategy to avoid this could be by assuming control over Persia yourself and swiftly conquer adjacent civilizations. With Cyrus’ exceptional leadership ability, Persia can become a truly fearsome force when wielded skillfully.

“Movement is a crucial aspect of the game, particularly during warfare, and Persian troops excel in this regard with their additional Movement points. This increased mobility makes it challenging for rival civilizations to match their pace. Cyrus’s leadership offers an alluring chance for surprise attacks in the early Ancient Era, becoming even more potent in the Classical Era due to the Immortal unique unit, which further strengthens Persia’s military prowess.

9. Sumeria

Unleash The War-Carts

Civilization type	Domination/Science
Epic Quest (Civ ability)	Gain a Tribal Village reward after capturing a Barbarian Outpost. Levying city-state units costs 50% less Gold.
Adventures of Enkidu (Leader ability)	Grievances will not be gained when declaring war on a civilization that is currently at war with an ally. Allied and Sumerian units share pillage rewards and combat experience within five tiles of each other when fighting a common enemy. They also gain +5 Combat Strength and extra Alliance Points each turn.

Since the debut of Civilization 6, Sumeria has become a favorite among players looking for an aggressive edge in the early stages of the game. With Gilgamesh leading the way, the distinctive Sumerian War-Carts can effortlessly charge over any resistance they encounter.

In contrast, it might seem that Sumeria was overvalued during the Ancient Era for its power. Although War-Carts can inflict heavy damage on opponents, their production requires an extensive period of time. Moreover, they fail to offer any substantial method of amassing Culture except by conquering adjacent civilizations. Ziggurats are effective in pursuing a Science victory, but they take some time before becoming operational. In conclusion, Sumeria is an enjoyable civilization to control during the early game; however, be prepared for them to be weaker than anticipated as the game progresses.

8. Gaul

A Well-Oiled Machine

Civilization type	Domination/Cultural/Science
Hallstatt Culture (Civ ability)	Mines provide +1 Culture Mines grant a +0.5 adjacency bonus for districts and trigger Culture Bombs. Specialty districts cannot be built next to the City Center and do not gain an adjacency bonus from other districts.
King of the Eburones (Leader ability)	Gain Culture equal to 20% of the Production cost after training a non-civilian unit. Ranged, anti-cavalry, and melee units gain +2 Combat Strength for every military unit adjacent

Among a handful of civilizations, Gaul stands out as a versatile one, often referred to as “jack-of-all-trades.” They possess the flexibility to aim for various victory conditions, excluding Religious, because they don’t naturally generate Faith. However, Ambiorix’s leader ability gives Gaul an unexpected strength when left to grow at their own pace.

If players manage to gather a large number of Gaesatae and engage in warfare, they significantly boost their power due to a +2 combat strength bonus for every military unit they have nearby. A succession of two to three waves of Gaesatae can swiftly lead to an entire continent being conquered by the Gauls. Consequently, choosing Gaul is an excellent choice for players aiming for a strong early-game advantage in the Ancient Era.

7. Greece

A Blend Of Civics And Might

Civilization type	Cultural (Pericles) or Domination (Gorgo)
Plato’s Republic (Civ ability)	Gain an extra Wildcard policy slot in any type of government
Surrounded by Glory (Pericles) or Thermopylae (Gorgo)	Receive +5% Culture per city-state Greece is the suzerain of (Pericles) Killing a unit provides Culture equal to 50% of its Combat Strength. +1 Combat Strength for all military units for every Military policy card in the government (Gorgo)

Greece is among the most secure and user-friendly civilizations in Civilization 6. If players choose Pericles as their leader, constructing Acropolises will empower you to dominate culturally and diplomatically. Conversely, Gorgo offers a more confrontational approach with her unique Hoplite unit and combat strength bonuses.

One key factor that made Greece a powerful civilization during ancient times was its unique advantage of having an additional Wildcard policy slot at the outset. This extra slot, which could be utilized after the research of Political Philosophy, offered multiple strategic options. It could expedite the expansion of the empire or enhance military prowess on the battlefield. The adaptability and dependability of Greece during this era was indisputable.

6. Cree

Trade And Prosper

Civilization type	Cultural/Science
Nîhithaw (Civ ability)	Gain a Trade Route and Trader after researching Pottery. Tiles which are unclaimed, within three tiles of a Cree city, become part of Cree territory when a trader moves into them for the first time.
Favorable Terms (Leader ability)	Any Alliance Type provides Shared Visibility. Trade Routes provide +1 Food in the sending city and +1 Gold per Pasture and Camp in the receiving city.

For those players seeking tranquility alongside a robust beginning rooted in the Ancient Era, the Cree could be your ideal choice. This civilization boasts an upgraded Scout, specifically the Okihtcitaw unique unit, which allows for extensive exploration during the early stages, surpassing many other civilizations in this critical phase of the game.

The strength of the Cree primarily revolves around trade. Rapidly obtaining a Trader in the game and acquiring neighboring territories during the Ancient Era, which emphasizes expansion, is incredibly advantageous. This allows the Cree to strategize ahead for possible conflicts or establish amicable relationships with other leaders. However, as the game progresses, the Cree may struggle due to unclear victory conditions; yet a powerful early game often paves the way towards a Science or Cultural triumph.

5. America (Bull Moose Teddy)

Become The Envy Of The World

Civilization type	Cultural
Founding Fathers (Civ ability)	Diplomatic policy slots are converted into Wildcard policy slots. +1 Diplomatic Favor per turn for each Wildcard policy slot in the government.
Antiquities and Parks (Leader ability)	Breathtaking tiles gain +2 Science when adjacent to a Mountain or Natural Wonder. Breathtaking tiles gain +2 Culture when adjacent to a Wonder or Woods. Cities with a National Park gain +1 Appeal on all tiles.

In the leadership of Teddy Roosevelt (nicknamed Bull Moose), America becomes an exhilarating civilization to govern. This version of America primarily aims for expansions of Holy Sites, Theater Squares, and Preserves across all cities. A couple of stunning tiles in the Ancient Era can set the stage for a relentless pursuit of a Cultural victory that is hard to halt.

Compared to Rough Rider Teddy, Bull Moose Teddy may find himself at a disadvantage in early wars due to a decrease of 5 combat strength when fighting on home ground. However, his superiority in Science and Culture provides a significant advantage from the start. If things don’t go as planned for Bull Moose Teddy, strategically placed Preserves can set him up for a dominating march through history, even from the Ancient Era.

4. Aztec

In The Name Of Huitzilopochtli

Civilization type	Domination
Legend of the Five Suns (Civ ability)	Spend Builder charges to complete 20% of a district’s Production cost
Gifts for the Tlatoani (Leader ability)	Improved luxury resources provide an Amenity to two extra cities. +1 Combat Strength for all units per each different luxury resource in Aztec territory

Similar to ancient Sumeria, the Aztecs are renowned as early powerhouses in strategy games. Armed with formidable Eagle Warriors and an abundance of Builders, the Aztecs can swiftly take over the game map. However, the Aztecs’ approach during the Ancient Era tends to be somewhat narrow, focusing primarily on conquest rather than exploring other opportunities. The main challenge with the Aztecs lies in their tendency to concentrate solely on defeating nearby civilizations through their superior strength.

If players encounter a civilization from the Ancient Era with similar power, there’s a risk that their strategies could backfire. Usually, this isn’t a major concern when players strategize their wars effectively, as the Aztecs exhibit extraordinary strength during the early stages of the game.

3. Nubia

Overwhelm Civilizations With The Pitati Archers

Civilization type	Domination
Ta-Seti (Civ ability)	Provides +30% Production for ranged units. They also gain +50% combat experience. +1 Production for mines over strategic resources and +2 Gold over bonus and luxury resources.
Kandake of Meroë (Leader ability)	Gain +20% Production for districts. This bonus is increased to 40% if there is a Nubian Pyramid adjacent to the City Center.

“Nubia is often overlooked among civilizations in Civilization 6, perhaps due to its simple gameplay mechanics and basic abilities. However, it’s important to acknowledge that Nubia possesses significant bonuses during the Ancient Era.

Having the privilege to utilize Pitati Archers, one of the game’s top unique units, boosted production for districts, and extra Gold as part of the civilization’s skills, is undeniably too strong. With Nubia under Amanitore, a swift Pitati Archer offensive in the Ancient Era can effortlessly overpower any rival on her continent, and this momentum carries through to guarantee an uncontested Domination victory.

2. Russia

Infinite Faith Generation

Civilization type	Religious/Cultural
Mother Russia (Civ ability)	Cities founded by Russia start with five additional tiles. Tundra Tiles have +1 Faith and +1 Production, in addition to their base yields. Units are immune to Blizzard damage. Civilizations that are at war with Russia, and inside their territory, receive +100% damage from Blizzards.
The Grand Embassy (Leader ability)	Trade routes to civilizations more advanced than Russia yield +1 Science for every three technologies, and +1 Culture for every three civics, that civilization is ahead of them.

In the strategy game Civilization 6, the civilization represented by Mother Russia, under the rule of Tsar Peter, is highly esteemed and potent. A single glance at their capabilities makes it evident why they are so powerful. Among the best districts in the game, an upgraded Holy Site known as Lavra truly stands out. When combined with the Dance of the Aurora pantheon, Russia can almost certainly find a religion in every game.

Once it gets going, choosing Work Ethic generally assures Russia a Cultural or Religious victory in many situations. This Faith-generating machine is nearly limitless and can foster a flourishing civilization that becomes a formidable force in both culture and religion. Among the civilizations, Russia is one of the most straightforward to learn and incredibly strong from ancient times, making it an excellent starting point for new players.

1. Babylon

The Ultimate Cheat Code

Civilization type	Domination
Enuma Anu Enlil (Civ ability)	Eurekas instantly unlocks the corresponding technology. -50% Science per turn
Ninu Ilu Sirum (Leader ability)	After building each specialty district, except the Government Plaza, for the first time, obtain the building with the lowest Production cost that can be built in that district. Receive a free Envoy after building any other district for the first time.

In Civilization 6, if there’s one civilization that embodies defiance, it’s Babylon. With their unique civilization ability, the Babylonians have a knack for rewriting the game’s typical regulations, offering a fresh, unconventional twist to the gameplay experience.

For skilled gamers, Babylon possesses an astonishing ability to rapidly escalate in the opening stages of play. Though they are among the hardest civilizations to master, they are also the most potent when everything falls into place. The fact that a player can construct a Factory, a building typically unlocked in the Industrial Age, during the Ancient Era itself highlights the extraordinary power Babylon wields.

2024-11-30 00:08