In the vast tapestry of Civilization 6, Great People arrive, serve, and fade into history. Heroes, a class of their own, offer a tantalizing taste of individual power, yet their path is linear, their growth predictable. But what if a Hero transcended this limitation? Community forums and strategy discussions have often buzzed with a fascinating hypothetical: what if the legendary warrior Mulan, instead of being a standard Hero, was a unique Great General with a dynamic, branching promotion tree, much like a unique unit? Such a change would transform her from a powerful, yet temporary, asset into a strategic centerpiece, an evolving warrior and commander whose impact could shape the destiny of an empire. This guide delves deep into that very possibility, constructing a comprehensive and strategically rich promotion tree that would make Mulan one of the most coveted figures in the game.
The Dragon’s Heart: Mulan’s Foundational Abilities
Upon being recruited, this reimagined Mulan would not merely be a strong combat unit. Analysis on forums shows a consensus that her starting point should reflect her legend: a warrior of immense potential, ready to be honed. She would begin with a unique replacement for the standard Great General retirement ability, instead possessing a permanent place in your army.
- Starting Promotions:
- Fa Zhou’s Honor: Mulan begins with +10 Combat Strength compared to the current era’s base unit. This establishes her as a formidable fighter from the outset. Furthermore, she automatically gains a free promotion, allowing for immediate specialization.
- Ancestor’s Guidance: Instead of a standard retirement charge, Mulan possesses a passive aura granting +5 Combat Strength and +1 Movement to all land units within two tiles. This aura is persistent and does not expire. Many professional gamers suggest this would make her an immediate and impactful military anchor.
- I’ll Make a Man Out of You: Mulan gains experience and promotions at double the normal rate. This unique trait is the cornerstone of her design, enabling her to rapidly ascend her promotion tree and adapt to the evolving needs of the battlefield.
These foundational abilities ensure that Mulan is a powerful presence from the moment she appears. Her intrinsic strength is significant, but her true potential lies in the choices you make as she grows.
The Path of the Warrior: Forging a Peerless Fighter
This promotion branch focuses on transforming Mulan into an unparalleled combatant, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of a battle. A popular strategy is to use this path to create a “super-unit” that can break through enemy lines and eliminate high-value targets.
- Level 1: Defy the Odds
- Mulan gains an additional +7 Combat Strength when fighting against units with a higher base Combat Strength. This promotion is a direct nod to her legend of facing overwhelming forces. In-game, this makes her an exceptional counter to more advanced enemy units, allowing a player to punch above their weight. For example, a Mulan with this promotion could effectively trade with Knights even if your army is still composed of Swordsmen.
- Level 2: Unseen Blade
- Mulan’s first attack each turn ignores enemy Walls and Fortification bonuses. This is a critical promotion for offensive players. According to the player community, this ability would make Mulan the ultimate siege-breaker. Imagine a scenario where a heavily fortified city is holding back your advance. With Unseen Blade, Mulan could strike directly at the city’s defenders, softening them up for your main force.
- Level 3: Whirlwind of Steel
- When Mulan defeats a unit, she may attack again. This promotion turns her into a true force of nature, capable of carving a path through a dense enemy formation. Many professional gamers suggest that this would be particularly devastating against an army with many weaker units, allowing Mulan to clear out a screen of defenders and expose the more valuable units behind them.
- Capstone: The Dragon’s Fury
- Mulan’s attacks deal 25% of their damage to adjacent enemy units. This powerful capstone promotion solidifies her role as a one-woman army. When facing a tightly packed enemy, The Dragon’s Fury would allow her to inflict massive area-of-effect damage, weakening multiple units with a single strike.
The Path of the Commander: Inspiring an Army
This branch enhances Mulan’s leadership capabilities, turning her into a force multiplier who elevates the effectiveness of your entire army. This path is ideal for players who prefer a more traditional, combined-arms approach to warfare.
- Level 1: For the Emperor!
- The Combat Strength bonus from Mulan’s “Ancestor’s Guidance” aura is increased to +7, and its range is extended to three tiles. This is a straightforward but powerful upgrade, significantly boosting the combat effectiveness of a larger portion of your army.
- Level 2: Disciplined Ranks
- Units within Mulan’s aura gain +100% experience from combat. This promotion is a long-term investment in the quality of your army. Analysis on forums shows that this would allow a player to rapidly build a veteran army, giving them a significant advantage in prolonged conflicts. A unit that would normally take ten battles to reach its final promotion could do so in just five with Mulan nearby.
- Level 3: A Hero’s Presence
- Units within Mulan’s aura are immune to loyalty pressure from other civilizations. This is a unique and powerful defensive ability. In a close-fought war where enemy loyalty pressure is a major concern, A Hero’s Presence would be invaluable. It would allow you to push your forces deep into enemy territory without fear of them flipping to the other side.
- Capstone: The Imperial Standard
- All units within Mulan’s aura receive a free promotion. This is a game-changing ability that can instantly upgrade your entire army. The strategic implications are immense. Imagine being on the verge of a major offensive and being able to give every unit in your army a powerful new ability. This could be the decisive blow that wins you the war.
The Path of the Strategist: Outwitting the Enemy
This promotion branch focuses on cunning, mobility, and unconventional tactics. It’s a path for players who enjoy outmaneuvering their opponents and striking from unexpected angles.
- Level 1: Swift as a Coursing River
- Mulan and all units in her aura ignore movement penalties from terrain. This promotion grants your army unparalleled mobility. You could move your forces through forests, hills, and across rivers as if they were open plains. A popular strategy is to use this to outflank your enemies and strike at their vulnerable rear lines.
- Level 2: The Art of Deception
- Enemy units that end their turn adjacent to Mulan have their movement reduced to 1 for their next turn. This is a powerful crowd-control ability that can be used to trap and destroy enemy units. According to the player community, this would be particularly effective against fast-moving cavalry units, allowing you to neutralize their mobility advantage.
- Level 3: Guerrilla Warfare
- Mulan and all units in her aura can heal 25 HP per turn in neutral territory. This promotion allows your army to operate deep in enemy territory for extended periods without needing to retreat to heal. This would be a massive advantage in a war of attrition, allowing you to maintain constant pressure on your opponent.
- Capstone: The Unwinnable Battle
- Once per era, Mulan can choose an adjacent enemy unit and reduce its Combat Strength to 1 for one turn. This is an incredibly powerful ability that can be used to eliminate even the most formidable enemy units. Imagine facing a powerful unique unit or a heavily promoted enemy. With The Unwinnable Battle, you could render it completely helpless and destroy it with ease.
The Unseen Blade: Espionage and Infiltration
A truly unique branch, this path would give Mulan a set of abilities that blur the line between a Great General and a Spy. This reflects her story of disguise and infiltration.
- Level 1: Disguised Identity
- Mulan can enter foreign territory without open borders. While in foreign territory, she is invisible to all units unless an enemy unit moves adjacent to her. This opens up a world of strategic possibilities for scouting and reconnaissance.
- Level 2: Sapping the Walls
- If Mulan starts her turn adjacent to an enemy city center, the city’s walls lose 50 HP. This provides a slow but steady way to weaken a city’s defenses from the inside, preparing it for a future assault.
- Level 3: Incite Rebellion
- Mulan can be stationed in a foreign city. While stationed, she reduces the city’s loyalty by 20 per turn. This is a powerful tool for destabilizing an enemy empire from within, potentially causing cities to rebel and become free cities.
- Capstone: A Single Grain of Rice
- If Mulan is stationed in a foreign capital that is at war with you, you gain vision of all of that player’s units. This is the ultimate intelligence-gathering ability, giving you a complete picture of your enemy’s military deployments and allowing you to plan your strategy with perfect information.
A Legend Reimagined
The concept of a Mulan with a unique promotion tree transforms her from a fleeting Hero into a permanent, evolving legend. This design offers players a wealth of strategic choices, allowing them to tailor her abilities to their playstyle and the specific challenges of their game. Whether you choose to forge her into an unstoppable warrior, an inspiring commander, a cunning strategist, or a master of espionage, this version of Mulan would be a game-changing force. She would be a testament to the power of individual greatness, a living legend whose story you would write with every promotion you choose. The community’s desire for more dynamic and engaging Great People is a testament to the depth of Civilization 6‘s strategic landscape, and a Mulan with her own promotion tree would be a brilliant addition to that landscape, a true dragon on the battlefield.