In the epic saga of Civilization VI, the path to greatness is paved with structured governance. From the tribal council to the futuristic synod, a government is the very spine of an empire, providing the strength and flexibility needed to achieve any victory. But for the true iconoclast, a daring thought experiment presents itself: What if you could succeed not by mastering the system, but by rejecting it outright?
This is the ultimate challenge—a deliberate descent into anarchy, where policy cards remain locked and the conventional tools of power are cast aside. It is a strategy reserved for the boldest of leaders, a high-stakes gambit to prove that an empire can triumph through sheer force of will alone.
According to the player community, the “no government” challenge is a self-imposed handicap that forces a complete re-evaluation of the game’s core mechanics. It is a test of skill, a trial by fire that strips away the safety net of government policies and bonuses, leaving you with nothing but your wits and your leader’s unique abilities. This guide will delve into the strategic depths of this challenge, exploring the mechanics of anarchy, the best leaders for the job, and the unconventional paths to victory that emerge when you embrace the chaos.
The Allure of the Void: Why Go Anarchist?
Before we dive into the “how,” it’s important to understand the “why.” Why would any sane player choose to intentionally hobble their civilization? The answer, according to many professional gamers, lies in the pursuit of a unique and rewarding gameplay experience. The “no government” challenge is not about finding a hidden, overpowered strategy; it’s about the satisfaction of overcoming a severe and self-imposed limitation. It’s about winning the game on the hardest possible difficulty, not by adjusting a slider, but by fundamentally changing the way you play.
Analysis on forums shows that the appeal of the anarchy challenge can be broken down into a few key factors:
- The Ultimate Test of Game Knowledge: Without the crutch of government policies, you are forced to rely on a deep and nuanced understanding of the game’s mechanics. Every decision, from the placement of a district to the movement of a unit, carries more weight.
- A New Strategic Puzzle: The “no government” challenge transforms Civilization VI into a completely different game. The familiar paths to victory are blocked, forcing you to find new and creative solutions to the problems you face.
- The Thrill of the Underdog: There is a certain satisfaction that comes from winning against all odds. Leading a “failed state” to global domination is a story worth telling.
Surviving the Void: Core Anarchy Mechanics
To succeed in a “no government” challenge, you must first understand the mechanics of anarchy. In Civilization VI, there are two forms of “anarchy” to consider: the temporary state of anarchy that occurs when you switch governments, and the permanent state of “no government” that you are intentionally imposing on your civilization.
The Temporary State of Anarchy
When you switch to a government you have previously used, your civilization will descend into a temporary state of anarchy for three turns. During this time, you will suffer the following penalties:
- Complete Loss of Yields: Your civilization will generate no Gold, Science, Culture, or Faith.
- Continued Expenses: You will still be responsible for all maintenance costs for units and buildings.
- Negative Consequences: The sudden loss of all income can quickly lead to a bankrupt treasury, which will result in the forced disbandment of your military units.
A popular strategy is to intentionally trigger this state of anarchy at regular intervals, a so-called “Anarchy Challenge.” The goal is to play through the chaos, not around it. This forces you to carefully manage your treasury and to time your periods of anarchy to coincide with moments of peace.
The Permanent State of “No Government”
The “no government” challenge, on the other hand, involves playing the entire game without ever selecting a government beyond the initial, default “Chiefdom.” This presents a significant and permanent handicap:
- Limited Policy Slots: You will be permanently limited to only two policy card slots: one military and one economic.
- No Government Bonuses: You will forgo the powerful bonuses, additional policy slots, and legacy bonuses offered by all other governments.
This is the true test of your strategic prowess. You must find a way to win the game without the tools that are considered essential for success.
Masters of Chaos: Best Leaders for Anarchy
Choosing the right leader is crucial for any “no government” challenge. You need a leader whose unique abilities are not dependent on government policies and can provide a significant advantage in the early game. According to the player community, the following leaders are the best choices for an anarchy run:
Frederick Barbarossa (Germany)
Barbarossa is widely considered to be the strongest choice for this challenge. His “Holy Roman Emperor” ability grants an additional military policy slot in any government. In a “no government” run, this means you will have a military policy slot when no one else does, providing a significant advantage.
- Strategy: Focus on early aggression against city-states to leverage his +7 combat strength bonus. The extra district you can build due to the “Free Imperial Cities” ability allows for powerful, well-defended cities that can also pump out units.
Tomyris (Scythia)
Tomyris is a powerful early-game military leader. Her “Killer of Cyrus” ability gives units +5 combat strength when attacking wounded units and heals them up to 30 HP upon defeating an enemy. This allows for sustained early warfare without needing policy cards for unit production or maintenance.
- Strategy: Leverage the “People of the Steppe” ability to create a large, early army of Saka Horse Archers. For every light cavalry unit or Saka Horse Archer you train, you receive a second one for free. This allows you to quickly overwhelm neighbors before they can establish strong defenses.
Alexander (Macedonia)
Alexander is built for perpetual war. His cities do not incur war weariness, a major advantage when you can’t use policy cards to counteract it. This allows for a relentless military campaign without worrying about your cities’ happiness and productivity.
- Strategy: Go to war early and stay at war. Alexander’s abilities are all geared towards conquest. His unique Hypaspist and Hetairoi units are strong, and his Basilikoi Paides building provides science for every military unit trained, helping you keep up in technology without a government’s help.
Simón Bolívar (Gran Colombia)
Simón Bolívar’s strength lies in his unique Comandante Generals, which he receives at the start of every era. These powerful units provide significant combat bonuses and movement advantages to your army.
- Strategy: Use the Comandante Generals to lead your armies. Their passive and retirement bonuses can turn the tide of battles. Gran Colombia’s units also have a +1 movement bonus, making them incredibly fast and effective at surprise attacks and flanking maneuvers.
Paths to Victory in a Lawless World
Winning the game without a government is a monumental task, but it is not impossible. The key is to focus on a victory condition that is not heavily reliant on government policies and to leverage your leader’s unique abilities to their fullest potential.
Domination Victory
A domination victory is the most straightforward path in a “no government” challenge. The leaders listed above are all well-suited for early-game aggression, and their unique abilities can help you overcome the lack of military policy cards.
- Strategy: Focus on building a large and powerful army early in the game. Use your unique units and abilities to overwhelm your opponents before they can establish strong defenses. Pillaging and plundering enemy cities can provide a much-needed injection of gold, science, and culture.
Diplomatic Victory
A diplomatic victory is a more challenging but still viable option. By not settling a city, you cannot be the target of a declaration of war, allowing you to freely explore the map, establish contact with all city-states, and accumulate diplomatic favor and gold through trade and emergencies.
- Strategy: Focus on finding city-states early and becoming their suzerain. Use your gold to win diplomatic favor in the World Congress. The “no city” challenge is a popular variation of the “no government” challenge, and it has been successfully completed with a diplomatic victory.
Religious Victory
A religious victory is also possible, but it is more challenging than a domination or diplomatic victory. You will need a leader with strong faith generation that is not dependent on government policies.
- Strategy: Focus on building a strong faith economy and spreading your religion to every civilization in the game. The “Work Ethic” belief, which grants production equal to the Holy Site’s adjacency bonus, is particularly strong in a “no government” challenge.
The Deliberate Descent: Is Intentional Anarchy Ever Worth It?
While the “no government” challenge is a popular and rewarding experience, the same cannot be said for the temporary state of anarchy that occurs when you switch governments. Analysis on forums shows that intentionally triggering this state of anarchy is almost never a good idea. The penalties are severe, and the benefits are negligible.
There are a few niche, edge-case scenarios where a player might consider intentionally entering a state of anarchy. For example, a player might switch to a government with more military policy slots for a few turns to deal with a sudden war, and then switch back to their previous government to regain their economic or diplomatic slots. However, this is a high-risk maneuver that can easily backfire. The loss of gold per turn can quickly lead to a bankrupt treasury, and the collapse in amenities can lead to widespread revolts.
In conclusion, the “no government” challenge is a unique and rewarding experience that will test your skills as a Civilization VI player. It is a long and arduous journey, but the satisfaction of leading a “failed state” to global domination is a prize worth fighting for. The temporary state of anarchy, on the other hand, is a punitive mechanic that should be avoided at all costs. While the idea of intentionally plunging your empire into chaos may be tempting, the reality is that it is a high-risk, low-reward gambit that is almost never worth the cost.