Can Gurus Spread Religion in Civ 6? A Deep Dive into Religious Units and Strategy

The straightforward answer is no, Gurus cannot directly spread religion in Civilization 6. They do not have the “Spread Religion” ability that Missionaries and Apostles possess. Gurus fulfill a very specific, support-oriented role, primarily focused on healing religious units engaged in theological combat or positioned near them. Understanding their intended use is key to mastering the religious aspects of the game, especially in scenarios where they are more prevalent, such as the Path to Nirvana scenario.

Understanding the Guru’s Role

The Guru is a unique religious unit that excels at healing other religious units. This is their primary function. They are designed to support your Missionaries and Apostles, keeping them in the field longer and allowing them to continue spreading your faith. While they can defend against theological combat, they cannot initiate it nor spread religion. This distinction is crucial for planning your religious strategy. Think of them as medics on the religious battlefield, vital for sustaining your offensive but not capable of directly converting cities themselves.

Instead of spreading religion, Gurus provide a valuable movement bonus to adjacent religious units. This bonus is especially helpful when navigating difficult terrain or trying to reach distant cities before rival religions gain a foothold. Using them strategically can significantly increase the efficiency of your religious spread, even though they don’t directly contribute to conversions.

Why Gurus are Best Used Sparingly

The original article highlighted a critical point: use Gurus sparingly. While their healing and movement bonuses are helpful, your core focus in a religious game should remain on spreading your religion effectively and defending against religious rivals. Missionaries and Apostles are your offensive and defensive units, respectively. Gurus are support; thus, investing too heavily in them detracts from your ability to actively convert cities or protect your own.

In essence, Gurus are best utilized when you anticipate heavy theological combat or when your religious units are frequently damaged by terrain or other factors. Otherwise, focusing on producing more Apostles with beneficial promotions or Missionaries to spread religion is generally a more effective strategy for achieving a Religious Victory. Prioritize the core units designed for spreading religion.

The Importance of Apostles and Missionaries

To reiterate, Apostles and Missionaries are your primary vehicles for spreading religion. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is vital for success:

• Missionaries: These are relatively inexpensive and readily available, making them ideal for initial religious spread and quick conversions of smaller cities. They have a limited number of charges, however, and are vulnerable to theological combat.

• Apostles: These are more expensive but far more versatile. They can spread religion more effectively, participate in theological combat, and, most importantly, Evangelize Beliefs. Evangelizing allows you to customize your religion with additional bonuses and abilities, significantly enhancing its power and effectiveness.

The article correctly emphasizes that Apostles are the most important religious unit aside from the Great Prophet. Their ability to Evangelize Beliefs and defend against other religions makes them indispensable for a successful religious campaign.

Mali and Religious Strategies

The article also mentions Mansa Musa and the Mali. While the Mali are known for their economic and faith-based perks, it’s crucial to understand how these perks interact with religious strategy. The Mali’s ability to generate significant faith can certainly fuel a religious campaign, allowing for the production of more Missionaries and Apostles. However, their unique abilities don’t directly affect Guru usage or effectiveness.

FAQs: Your Guide to Religious Dominance in Civ 6

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify religious mechanics in Civilization 6 and specifically the Guru’s role:

1. How do I spread religion in Civ 6?

To spread religion, move a Missionary or Apostle adjacent to a city center. Use the “Spread Religion” action. The city’s citizens will begin converting to your religion based on the unit’s strength and the city’s religious resistance.

2. What’s the best unit to spread religion?

The Apostle is generally the best unit due to its higher strength, ability to engage in theological combat, and the crucial ability to Evangelize Beliefs, adding powerful bonuses to your religion.

3. Can Gurus initiate theological combat?

No, Gurus cannot initiate theological combat. They can only defend against it.

4. How do I evangelize belief in Civ 6?

An Apostle with at least two charges of Spread Religion can Evangelize Belief. This action allows you to choose an additional belief for your religion. It can only be done in friendly territory.

5. How many times can I evangelize beliefs?

You can Evangelize Beliefs twice in a game, requiring two Apostles. Each evangelization allows you to choose one additional belief for your religion.

6. What buildings help me generate faith for religious units?

Shrines allow you to faith purchase Missionaries, and Temples allow you to faith purchase Apostles. Holy Sites are essential for generating Great Prophet points and faith.

7. What does a Guru do in Civ 6 besides heal?

Gurus provide a movement bonus to adjacent religious units. This is in addition to their healing ability.

8. How many religions can exist in a Civ 6 game?

The number of religions depends on the map size and the number of civilizations playing. The formula is approximately half the number of civilizations plus one.

9. Is religion worth it in Civ 6 even if I’m not going for a Religious Victory?

Yes! Religion can provide significant bonuses to other victory types. For example, certain beliefs can boost culture, science, or production. It’s never a waste to try and found a religion. The Games Learning Society and others advocate for understanding the different mechanics for success!

10. How do I prevent other civilizations from converting my cities?

Build Holy Sites in multiple cities to generate faith and produce religious units for defense. Consider using an Inquisitor to purge foreign religions from your cities.

11. Can I destroy a religion in Civ 6?

Yes, you can destroy a religion by conquering its Holy City, converting the city to your religion, and then using an Inquisitor to purify the city of the original religion. A Great Prophet of your religion is required to initially convert the city after conquest.

12. Can I steal another civilization’s religion?

No, you cannot take control of another civilization’s founded religion. However, if your civilization is converted to another religion, you can use that religion to attack other religions.

13. How many turns does a typical Civ 6 game last?

• Standard speed: 500 turns
• Epic speed: 750 turns
• Marathon speed: 1500 turns

14. Can I build multiple worship buildings in a Holy Site?

No, you can only build one worship building (e.g., Pagoda, Mosque, Temple) in a Holy Site. Choose wisely!

15. Can I found a religion without a Great Prophet?

No, you must earn a Great Prophet through Great Prophet Points to found a religion. Without one, you’re unable to create your own religion.

In conclusion, while Gurus play a supportive role by healing and providing movement bonuses to adjacent religious units, they cannot directly spread religion. Your core religious strategy should focus on utilizing Missionaries and Apostles effectively, especially the Apostles’ Evangelize Belief ability, to achieve religious dominance. Understanding the Guru’s limitations and focusing on the primary religious units is crucial for success in Civilization 6. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about gaming and education.