Conquer the World: Unveiling the Best Military Leader in Civilization 6

So, you’ve set your sights on world domination in Civilization 6? Excellent choice! While diplomacy and culture have their place, nothing beats the satisfaction of planting your flag on the capital of every other civilization. But who is the absolute best leader to lead your troops to victory?

The answer, like most things in Civ 6, is nuanced. However, if I were forced to pick just one, I’d say Genghis Khan of Mongolia reigns supreme as the best military leader for a Domination Victory. His unique abilities provide an unparalleled edge in early-to-mid-game warfare, allowing for swift and decisive conquests that can snowball into complete domination.

Why Genghis Khan? The Mongolian Advantage

Genghis Khan’s power lies in his synergy of abilities, which combined, offer an overwhelming advantage. Let’s break down why he’s a military powerhouse:

• Mongol Hordes (Civ Ability): This ability grants all cavalry-class units +1 movement. This is huge! Mobility is key in warfare, allowing you to outmaneuver enemies, quickly reinforce threatened cities, and launch surprise attacks. The extra movement effectively allows you to strike earlier than your opponents can respond.
• Örüü (Leader Ability): This ability is where Genghis Khan truly shines. It grants +3 combat strength to all cavalry-class units and creates a Cavalry unit whenever a Great General is earned. These free units appear near your capital, ready to join your war effort. This abundance of free Cavalry essentially gives you a second standing army as the game goes on, saving huge amounts of production.
• Keshig (Unique Unit): Replacing the Knight, the Keshig is a ranged cavalry unit with high movement and the ability to escort civilian units. This allows for safe scouting and raiding, further enhancing your strategic mobility. You can harass enemy cities early on, pillage improvements and scout ahead of your main army with unmatched speed.
• Ordu (Unique Improvement): Providing +1 movement to all cavalry-class units trained in the city and +10 combat experience to all cavalry-class units trained in the city, this allows for you to build a steady stream of veterans early on and keep the stream going. Also, allows for the production of cavalry units.

The beauty of Genghis Khan is how these abilities chain together. The +1 movement from the Mongol Hordes, combined with the Keshig’s ranged attack and the Örüü’s combat bonus, allows you to harass and conquer early game. He’s an absolute snowball leader. The free cavalry units from earned Great Generals provide a constant influx of reinforcements, keeping your war machine fueled throughout the game.

Honorable Mentions: Contenders for the Throne

While Genghis Khan takes the crown, several other leaders are incredibly strong for domination victories:

• Shaka of the Zulu: The Zulu’s Impi warriors and early access to Corps and Armies make them a force to be reckoned with, especially in the early to mid-game.
• Tomyris of Scythia: Tomyris excels at punishing wounded enemies and recovering losses, making her a relentless and aggressive leader. Her Saka Horse Archer is also extremely powerful in the early game.
• Alexander the Great of Macedon: Alexander’s combat bonuses and free units upon capturing cities can create a snowball effect, leading to rapid expansion.
• Montezuma of the Aztec: Montezuma’s ability to gain culture from defeated units allows for rapid civic advancement, leading to powerful military technologies and policies.
• Saladin of Arabia: Saladin can consistently get a religion and use it to boost his military power.

Domination Victory Strategy: More Than Just Brute Force

Choosing the right leader is only the first step. A successful domination victory requires careful planning and execution:

• Early Expansion: Secure strategic locations and resources quickly to fuel your war machine.
• Tech Focus: Prioritize military technologies to stay ahead of your opponents.
• Diplomacy: Be mindful of alliances and grievances. War declarations will quickly make you a target to all Civs.
• Resource Management: Maintain a strong economy to support your military.
• Strategic Warfare: Use terrain, unit compositions, and siege tactics to your advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about military victory in Civilization 6:

1. What is the easiest way to achieve a Domination Victory?

There’s no single “easiest” way, as it depends on your playstyle and the game’s circumstances. However, focusing on early aggression with a strong unique unit, like the Zulu Impi or Scythian Saka Horse Archer, can often lead to a quick advantage. The more that the opposition is down, the more you will snowball.

2. Which civilization is best for beginners aiming for a military victory?

Rome or Japan can be a good option for beginners. Rome has good production while Japan is well-balanced. They are both great for general beginners but are a little bit more forgiving.

3. How important is religion in a Domination Victory?

Religion can be beneficial, providing faith for military units, bonuses, or diplomatic leverage. Saladin of Arabia thrives on Religious synergy. However, it’s not essential and can be skipped if your Civ is focused on other advantages.

4. What are the best government types for Domination?

Autocracy in the early game, progressing to Oligarchy for the early combat bonus. Later, Fascism or Communism offer strong military bonuses and production boosts for a late-game military advantage.

5. How do Warmongering penalties affect a Domination Victory?

Warmongering penalties can severely impact your diplomatic relations, leading to alliances against you. Manage these penalties by liberating cities, returning captured territory, and understanding Casus Bellis (justifications for war).

6. Should I prioritize wonders when aiming for a Domination Victory?

Wonders are generally less important than military technologies and infrastructure. However, wonders that provide military benefits, like the Great Lighthouse or Terracotta Army, can be strategically valuable.

7. What are some essential military technologies to research?

Prioritize technologies that unlock powerful military units, such as Swordsmen, Crossbowmen, Cavalry, and later, Tanks and Bombers. Pay attention to technologies that grant combat bonuses or enhance your units’ capabilities.

8. How do Great Generals impact military campaigns?

Great Generals provide powerful combat bonuses and movement buffs to nearby units, making them invaluable assets. Use them strategically to support your attacking forces and secure key victories.

9. What is the ideal unit composition for a Domination Victory?

The ideal unit composition depends on the era and your civilization’s unique strengths. However, a balanced army with a mix of melee units, ranged units, siege weapons, and support units is generally effective.

10. How important is naval power in a Domination Victory?

Naval power is crucial for coastal civs and those with island capitals. Build a strong navy to control the seas, transport troops, and bombard enemy cities.

11. What are some effective siege tactics for capturing cities?

Use siege weapons, like catapults, bombard, and artillery, to weaken city defenses before launching an assault. Flank enemy cities with multiple units to prevent reinforcements and maximize damage.

12. How can I use spies to support my military campaigns?

Spies can be used to sabotage enemy cities, steal technologies, and gather intelligence. Sabotage production to delay enemy unit production, and steal technologies to catch up in the tech tree.

13. What are the best policies for a Domination Victory?

Policies that boost military unit production, combat strength, and experience gain are essential. Examples include Conscription, Military Training, and Strategic Mobility.

14. How do city-states contribute to a Domination Victory?

Envoys can be sent to city-states to get extra bonuses to certain types of units, such as having extra movement, which can contribute to military strength. Alliances with military city-states can provide unique units and combat bonuses. Alliances with industrial city-states are also strong to increase production.

15. How can I learn more about military strategy in Civilization 6?

Practice, experiment with different leaders and strategies, and learn from your mistakes. Watch videos and streams of experienced players to learn new tactics and insights. Also, explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to delve deeper into the strategies behind gaming.

Conclusion: Lead Your Civilization to Glory

A Domination Victory in Civilization 6 is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By choosing the right leader, mastering military strategy, and adapting to the ever-changing game environment, you can lead your civilization to conquer the world and establish your legacy as the greatest leader of all time. So, choose your leader, sharpen your swords, and prepare for war! The world awaits!