I’ve been diving deep into Civilization 6, and I’ve got to share what I’ve learned about Wonders. They’re more than just stunning structures; they’re the very heart of your civilization’s progress, culture, and power. Building a Wonder is how you declare your strength and strategic vision to the world.
But we’ve all been there: for every glorious pyramid you manage to complete, a rival snatches another one from right under your nose, leaving you with nothing but wasted production and frustration. This is the classic dilemma of Wonder planning—a high-risk, high-reward game that can either rocket you to victory or leave you in the dust.
This is my guide to the art and science of building Wonders. I’m moving past simple tier lists to give you a real framework for making strategic decisions. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of opportunity cost, production management, and long-term planning that separates the master architects from the hopeful dreamers. You’ll learn not just what Wonders to build, but when, where, and most importantly, why. Let’s get ready to transform your cities from simple settlements into centers of architectural genius, paving your way to victory one carefully planned Wonder at a time.
The Foundation: To Build or Not to Build?
Before you even think about laying the first stone, you have to ask yourself: is this Wonder really worth the investment? The production cost of a Wonder is huge, often the same as several districts, buildings, or military units. This “opportunity cost” is the key to planning your Wonders. You have to ask yourself: will the immediate benefits of a stronger military, a new district, or a crucial settler outweigh the long-term advantages of the Wonder you’re considering?
A perfect example is the Pyramids. The free Builder and +1 build charge for all future Builders is incredibly powerful, especially for civilizations that focus on rapid expansion and lots of improvements, like Egypt or the Aztecs. However, if you rush the Pyramids in the Ancient Era, you might be leaving yourself open to an early attack from a militaristic neighbor. If you see a nearby Scythia or Nubia building up an army, switching that production to a few archers and warriors is almost always the right move. The Pyramids can wait; your survival can’t.
On the other hand, ignoring Wonders completely is a sure way to fall behind. They offer unique bonuses you can’t get anywhere else, and these bonuses often work together to create an unstoppable snowball effect. The key is to be selective and strategic in your construction. A well-timed Wonder can change the game; a poorly timed one is a tombstone for your ambitions.
Early Game Marvels: Setting the Stage for Dominance
The Ancient and Classical eras are a mad dash for land and resources. Wonders in this period are especially risky because of their high relative cost and the unpredictable nature of the early game. However, getting the right one can set the course for your entire game.
Stonehenge: This is a common trap for new players. While guaranteeing a Great Prophet and founding a religion sounds tempting, its high production cost and restrictive placement requirement (on a flat tile next to Stone) make it a risky bet. In most cases, a well-planned Holy Site with a Shrine and the Holy Site Prayers project will get you a Great Prophet more reliably and with less risk. The exception? If you start with a lot of Stone and a clear path to an early Pantheon like Religious Settlements for the extra settler, Stonehenge can be a viable, though still risky, shortcut to a religious victory.
Great Bath: This is a powerful but situational Wonder. The Faith it generates from floodplain tiles can be huge, especially in the early game. For civilizations like Egypt, which thrives on floodplains, or leaders like Lady Six Sky of the Maya, who can use the early Faith for a strong religious or cultural start, the Great Bath can be a cornerstone. However, for a civilization with few or no floodplains, it’s just a waste of production. Always check your starting location before you even consider this Wonder.
Pyramids: As I mentioned, the Pyramids are a top-tier Wonder for any civilization aiming for wide expansion and lots of tile improvements. The extra build charge on every Builder is a massive economic boost that pays off throughout the entire game. The ideal scenario is a desert start (a requirement for placement) with a few hills for production. A successful Pyramids rush often involves an early focus on the Craftsmanship civic for the Agoge policy card, which boosts production towards ancient and classical era units that can clear barbarian camps and protect your building phase.
Oracle: This might be the most universally powerful early-game Wonder. The Oracle’s -20% cost to purchase Great People with Faith or Gold is a game-long advantage that can’t be overstated. More importantly, its +2 Great Person Points of each type in the city it’s built in turns that city into a Great Person factory. A city with the Oracle, a Pingala with the Grants promotion, and districts geared towards a specific Great Person type (a Campus with a Library for Great Scientists, for instance) will produce Great People at an incredible rate. If you have a strong production city with a few hills, making a beeline for the Mysticism civic to unlock the Oracle is almost always a smart move.
Mid-Game Momentum: Forging a Path to Victory
The Medieval, Renaissance, and Industrial eras are when civilizations really start to specialize and push for their chosen victory condition. Wonders in this period are often directly tied to a specific victory path, making their selection a critical strategic decision.
The Path of Faith: Wonders for Religious Victory
A Religious Victory depends on converting the majority of cities in every other civilization to your faith. Wonders that boost Faith generation, enhance religious units, or provide unique religious pressure are essential.
Mahabodhi Temple: This is a must-have for any serious religious contender. When you complete it, it grants you two Apostles, which you can immediately use to evangelize your religion, add a new belief, or launch an Inquisition. The timing is crucial. You should aim to complete the Mahabodhi Temple shortly after you’ve founded your religion and established your core beliefs. This influx of powerful religious units can give you an insurmountable lead in the race to convert the world.
Hagia Sophia: While not as flashy as the Mahabodhi Temple, the Hagia Sophia’s bonus to religious spread is a slow but steady engine of conversion. The +4 Faith it provides is also a welcome boost. Its real power, however, lies in the extra charge it gives to all Missionaries and Apostles. This allows for more spreads per unit, saving you a lot of Faith in the long run.
Meenakshi Temple: This Wonder supercharges your Gurus, making them powerful support units for your religious onslaught. The -30% cost to purchase Gurus and their +5 Religious Strength and +1 Movement make them invaluable for healing your Apostles and Missionaries during theological combat. For a civilization like India under Chandragupta, with his Varu’s combat strength advantage, a well-supported religious army can be surprisingly resilient.
The Pursuit of Culture: Masterpieces of Cultural Victory
A Cultural Victory is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires accumulating a huge amount of Tourism, which is generated from Great Works, relics, artifacts, and certain Wonders and improvements.
Chichen Itza: This is a powerhouse for any city with a lot of rainforest tiles. The +2 Culture and +1 Production from each rainforest tile in the city can turn a dense jungle into a cultural and industrial heartland. This Wonder is particularly powerful for civilizations like Brazil, whose unique abilities already synergize with rainforests. Before you commit to Chichen Itza, carefully survey the city you plan to build it in. A city with only one or two rainforest tiles will see a negligible return on investment.
Bolshoi Theatre: This is a straightforward but effective Wonder for boosting your Culture and Tourism. The free Great Writer and Great Musician points it provides speed up your acquisition of Great Works, and the two free civics upon completion can help you rush key cultural policies. The real value lies in the extra slots for a Great Work of Writing and a Great Work of Music, providing a direct source of Tourism.
Eiffel Tower: This is a game-changing Wonder for any cultural victory aspirant. Its appeal bonus to every tile in your empire is a massive boost to seaside resorts and national parks, two of the primary sources of late-game tourism. The timing of the Eiffel Tower is critical. It should be built as you are beginning to establish your national parks and seaside resorts to maximize its impact. A well-placed Eiffel Tower can single-handedly double or even triple your tourism output in the late game.
Christo Redentor: While more situational, Christo Redentor can be a powerful tool for a cultural victory. It prevents other civilizations from using rock bands, which can be a major source of tourism for them. It also gives a significant boost to your own tourism from seaside resorts. If you’re in a tight race for a cultural victory and another civilization is spamming rock bands, Christo Redentor can be the key to securing your win.