In the grand tapestry of Civilization 6, Spain, under the steadfast leadership of Philip II, is a civilization intrinsically designed for religious fervor and colonial ambition. Philip’s power is sharp but narrow, his armies gaining a formidable +5 Combat Strength, but only when engaged with enemies of a different faith. This conditional bonus shapes every strategic decision, forcing Spain to walk a path of religious conversion before conquest can truly begin. But what if this limitation was removed? What if Philip II’s righteous fury was unleashed upon all, regardless of their creed?
This guide explores a fascinating hypothetical: a version of Civilization 6 where Philip II’s +5 Combat Strength bonus is active against every other civilization from the moment the game begins. We will dissect how this single, fundamental change would catapult Spain from a strong, situational contender into an undisputed, top-tier domination powerhouse. Analysis on forums shows that the current Spanish strategy requires a delicate balance of faith generation and military preparation. This alteration would shatter that paradigm, creating a relentless aggressor capable of dictating the tempo of the game from the Ancient Era. This is not merely a tweak; it is a complete redefinition of Spain’s strategic identity.
The Dawn of an Aggressor: Early Game Blitz Redefined
Under the existing rules, Philip’s early game is a race to establish a religion. Without it, his military is just a standard fighting force. Player communities often highlight this “ramp-up” period as Spain’s primary vulnerability. An opponent can exploit this window, launching an attack before the +5 combat bonus comes online.
If the combat bonus were universal, this vulnerability would vanish. Instead, it would be replaced by an immediate and terrifying threat to every neighbor.
Ancient Era Onslaught
From turn one, every Spanish Warrior and Slinger would effectively possess superior combat strength. A standard Warrior attacks with 20 Combat Strength; Philip’s would attack with 25. This 25% increase is monumental in the early game, where small advantages have cascading effects.
- Barbarian Dominance: Barbarian encampments, a common early-game nuisance, would become trivial. Spain could clear them with unparalleled efficiency, securing tribal village rewards and protecting its fledgling cities without breaking a sweat.
- Neighborly Disputes: Many professional gamers suggest that the first 50 turns are about securing land and resources. With a universal combat bonus, Philip could do more than just secure; he could conquer. A surprise war declared in the Ancient Era would be devastatingly effective. An adjacent civilization would find its warriors crumbling against Spain’s super-charged units, potentially leading to the capture of a capital before walls can even be constructed. A popular strategy would be to build a second city, produce a few extra Warriors, and immediately roll over a neighbor, effectively doubling the size of the Spanish empire before the Classical Era even dawns.
Classical Era Conquest
As the game transitions to the Classical Era, the advantage would only compound. Swordsmen, Horsemen, and Archers would all benefit from this permanent +5 bonus.
- Unstoppable Legions: A Spanish Swordsman would attack with 41 Combat Strength (36 base + 5), making it stronger than an unpromoted Man-at-Arms from the next era. This allows Spain to punch far above its technological weight class.
- Siege Without Siege: The need for early siege units like Catapults would be diminished. A wave of universally buffed melee and ranged units could often overwhelm early city defenses through sheer brute force, especially when combined with a Battering Ram.
This change would fundamentally alter the risk-reward calculation of early warfare. For Philip, the risk would be minimal, and the reward would be an entire civilization.
The Conquistador Rush: An Unstoppable Mid-Game Force
The Conquistador is already a potent unique unit, replacing the Musketman. Its existing +10 Combat Strength bonus when stacked with a religious unit is a cornerstone of traditional Spanish strategy. Now, imagine this unit with an additional, unconditional +5 Combat Strength against everyone.
A Conquistador’s base strength is 55. With the hypothetical universal bonus, it would have 60. When paired with an Apostle or Inquisitor, this would skyrocket to 70. For context, a standard, unpromoted Knight has 48 Combat Strength, and even the powerful Cuirassier of the Industrial Era starts at 64.
The New Conquistador Playbook
The strategic implications are staggering. The moment Conquistadors are unlocked at Military Science, Spain could launch a world-changing offensive.
- No Faith Required (For Combat): The current strategy requires carefully maneuvering Apostles with your army. While the +10 bonus would still be desirable, it would no longer be essential. A lone Conquistador would be a terror on the battlefield, capable of defeating contemporary units with ease. This frees up Faith to be spent on Grand Master’s Chapel, allowing the purchase of military units, or on Jesuit Education, to accelerate scientific and cultural progress.
- Automatic Conversion on a Global Scale: The Conquistador’s ability to automatically convert a captured city to Spain’s majority religion would become an engine of global domination. Philip would no longer need to pick and choose targets based on their faith. Every city he conquered would instantly join his religious bloc, creating a snowball effect of faith and loyalty. This would make a Religious Victory an almost accidental byproduct of a Domination push.
- The Ultimate Escort: The +10 bonus for being near a religious unit would transition from a primary combat tactic to a strategic “overdrive.” A player could move a single Apostle with a large group of Conquistadors, granting them all the massive 70 Combat Strength. This death stack would be virtually unbeatable by any force in the Medieval or Renaissance eras.
Analysis on forums shows that timing pushes with unique units is key to victory. This change would make Spain’s timing window wider and its impact far more decisive.
Naval Power and Colonial Expansion: A Global Empire
Spain’s Treasure Fleet ability already encourages overseas expansion. Trade routes to other continents provide bonus yields, and new cities on foreign shores get a free Builder and a production boost. A universal combat bonus would make securing these overseas holdings dramatically easier.
Clearing the Seas
Naval warfare would be heavily skewed in Spain’s favor. From Galleys to Caravels, every Spanish ship would have a distinct advantage.
- Securing Sea Lanes: Pirates and rival navies would pose less of a threat. Spain could confidently send settlers across the ocean, knowing their naval escorts could fend off most threats. This accelerates the establishment of lucrative intercontinental trade networks.
- Coastal City Sieges: A +5 bonus for naval units would make coastal cities prime targets. A combined arms assault, with buffed Caravels bombarding from the sea and Conquistadors storming the gates, would be a spectacle of military might.
The Mission-Fueled Engine
The Mission, Spain’s unique improvement, provides Faith, and when on a foreign continent, bonus Science, Food, and Production. A universal combat bonus would allow Philip to aggressively plant cities on new continents, confident in his ability to defend them.
- Aggressive Settling: Players could settle closer to rival civilizations, daring them to attack. The +5 combat bonus would act as a powerful deterrent, making it costly for opponents to try and remove these forward-operating bases.
- Science and Faith Symbiosis: With more secure overseas cities, more Missions could be built. Placing them adjacent to Campuses and Holy Sites generates significant Science. Many professional gamers suggest that Spain’s biggest weakness can be falling behind in science. This change would mitigate that weakness, as military conquest would directly fuel scientific advancement by securing the land needed for these powerful improvements. The empire would conquer with steel and advance with faith-fueled science.
Diplomatic and Defensive Strategy: The World on Notice
The change wouldn’t just make Spain a better attacker; it would make it a formidable defensive powerhouse and a diplomatic wildcard.
The Spanish Fortress
Any civilization contemplating an attack on Spain would have to think twice. Their units would face an immediate and permanent disadvantage.
- Deterring Surprise Wars: The AI, and human players, are programmed to look for favorable combat matchups. Attacking a Spanish unit would always be an unfavorable trade. This inherent defensive strength would give Philip the security to focus on economic development or wonder-building, should he choose a more peaceful path.
- Punishing Aggressors: If an opponent did declare war, they would find their armies breaking against a Spanish wall. The +5 bonus would be especially potent when defending in favorable terrain or behind city walls. A defensive Spain could bleed an attacker dry, then launch a devastating counter-attack with its superior units.
A New Diplomatic Calculus
In the world of Civilization 6 diplomacy, military strength is the ultimate currency. A universally powerful Spain would be treated with a new level of respect and fear.
- Favorable Alliances: Other leaders would be more inclined to seek alliances with Spain, hoping to avoid being on the receiving end of its military might. Philip could leverage this to forge powerful military alliances, calling upon his allies to join his conquests.
- Demanding Tribute: A popular strategy for militarily superior civilizations is to demand tribute from weaker city-states and civilizations. With his enhanced power, Philip could bully the entire world, extracting gold and resources to further fuel his war machine. The world would not be divided by religion, but by those who paid tribute to Spain and those who were conquered by it.
The Rise of a Tier-S Dominator
Removing the religious condition from Philip II’s combat bonus would be one of the most powerful buffs imaginable in Civilization 6. It would transform Spain from a civilization that needs to carefully orchestrate its religious and military efforts into a relentless, all-conquering force. The early game vulnerability would be erased, replaced by an immediate and potent threat. The mid-game, powered by unstoppable Conquistadors, would become a tidal wave of conquest and conversion. The late game would see a global Spanish empire, fueled by intercontinental trade and defended by a military that has been superior since the dawn of time.
This hypothetical change underscores the delicate balance of leader abilities in the game. It demonstrates how a single conditional clause can define a civilization’s entire strategic identity. Without that clause, Philip II of Spain would not just be a strong choice for a domination victory; he would arguably be the strongest. The player community consistently ranks leaders based on their flexibility and the power of their earliest bonuses. A universally applied +5 Combat Strength from turn one would place Philip in a league of his own, a true emperor upon whose empire the sun would never set.