The digital battlegrounds of Civilization VI are often won and lost in the opening turns. For those who favor a swift, decisive victory, Montezuma I of the Aztecs offers one of the most potent early-game military advantages. This guide delves deep into the strategic nuances of an early domination victory with Montezuma, providing a comprehensive framework for leveraging his unique abilities to their fullest potential. We will explore the intricacies of the Eagle Warrior rush, the economic boom from captured builders, and the art of transitioning from early aggression to a sustainable mid-game empire.
The Philosophy of the Aztec Rush
Analysis on forums shows that the Aztec civilization is not about a slow, methodical build-up; it’s about a lightning-fast strike that cripples an opponent before they can even establish their second city. The core of this strategy revolves around the Eagle Warrior, a unit that replaces the standard Warrior and boasts a formidable 28 combat strength in the Ancient Era. This unit is the cornerstone of your early game, and your every decision should be geared towards maximizing its effectiveness.
A popular strategy is to view the early game as a “builder farm.” The Aztec’s unique ability, “Legend of the Five Suns,” gives your Eagle Warriors a chance to capture defeated enemy units and turn them into your own builders. This is not just a minor perk; it is a game-changing mechanic that can create a massive economic snowball. Every captured builder is a significant tempo swing in your favor, allowing you to rush districts and improve tiles at a pace no other civilization can match.
Early Game Priorities: The First 50 Turns
The first 50 turns are the most critical for an Aztec early domination strategy. Your opening moves will set the stage for your entire game. According to the player community, a slight deviation from the standard opening is required to fully capitalize on Montezuma’s strengths.
Initial Build Order and Technology Path
Your initial build order should be focused on getting your Eagle Warrior production online as quickly as possible. Many professional gamers suggest the following sequence:
- Scout: While it may be tempting to immediately start producing Eagle Warriors, a Scout is essential for gathering information. You need to know where your nearest neighbors are, what city-states are nearby, and the general layout of the surrounding terrain. This information is crucial for planning your attack.
- Slinger: A single Slinger can be a useful addition to your early army. It provides a ranged attack option and can be upgraded to an Archer later in the game.
- Eagle Warriors: Once your initial scouting is underway, it’s time to start mass-producing Eagle Warriors. Your goal should be to have a force of at least 4-5 Eagle Warriors before you declare your first war.
Your technology path should beeline for military advantages. Prioritize the following:
- Animal Husbandry: This technology reveals Horses on the map, which can be a valuable strategic resource. More importantly, it’s a prerequisite for Archery.
- Archery: Archers are a powerful support unit for your Eagle Warriors. Their ranged attack can weaken enemy units before your Eagle Warriors engage in melee combat.
- Bronze Working: This is a critical technology that reveals Iron on the map and unlocks the Encampment district. An early Encampment can provide a significant boost to your military production.
The Importance of Early Civics
Your civic choices are just as important as your technology choices. Your primary goal is to unlock powerful military policy cards as quickly as possible.
- Code of Laws: This is the first civic you will unlock. It provides access to your first government and policy cards.
- Craftsmanship: Beeline for this civic to unlock the Agoge policy card. This card provides a +50% production bonus towards Ancient and Classical era melee and ranged units, which is a massive boost to your Eagle Warrior production.
- Political Philosophy: This civic unlocks new government types and additional policy card slots. An early Oligarchy government can provide a significant combat bonus to your units.
Leveraging Montezuma’s Unique Abilities
Montezuma’s unique abilities are what make the Aztec early domination strategy so effective. Understanding how to leverage these abilities is the key to success.
Gifts for the Tlatoani: The Luxury Engine
Montezuma’s leader ability, “Gifts for the Tlatoani,” grants +1 Combat Strength for each different luxury resource you have improved in your territory. This is a powerful ability that can make your army incredibly strong.
- Settle for Luxuries: When choosing your city locations, prioritize settling near luxury resources. The more unique luxuries you have, the stronger your army will be.
- Improve Luxuries Immediately: As soon as you settle a new city, your first priority should be to improve any nearby luxury resources. The combat bonus is immediate and applies to all of your units.
- Trade for Luxuries: Don’t be afraid to trade with other civilizations to acquire additional luxury resources. The combat bonus is well worth the cost.
Legend of the Five Suns: The Builder Economy
The “Legend of the Five Suns” ability is the engine of your economic growth. Every captured builder is a huge injection of production into your empire.
- Farm Builders: When you go to war, your primary target should be enemy units. Every defeated unit has a chance to become a builder. City-states are excellent early targets for farming builders, as they often have a large number of weak units.
- Rush Districts: Use your captured builders to rush the production of districts. Each builder charge contributes 20% to a district’s production cost. This allows you to build districts in a fraction of the time it would normally take.
- Prioritize Encampments and Campuses: Your first districts should be Encampments and Campuses. Encampments will boost your military production, while Campuses will keep you from falling behind in technology.
Executing the Eagle Warrior Rush
With your army of Eagle Warriors and a clear understanding of your unique abilities, it’s time to execute the rush.
Target Selection: Choosing Your First Victim
Your first target should be a close neighbor, either a city-state or another civilization.
- City-States: City-states are often the ideal first target. They are typically weaker than major civilizations and have a large number of units that you can capture as builders. Conquering a city-state early can give you a significant economic and military advantage.
- Major Civilizations: If there is a major civilization that is particularly close or vulnerable, they can also be a good first target. Look for civilizations that have not yet built a strong military or that are distracted by other conflicts.
Combat Tactics and Promotions
Your Eagle Warriors are incredibly strong, but they are not invincible. Proper combat tactics are essential for success.
- Focus Fire: Use your Archers to weaken enemy units before your Eagle Warriors engage in melee combat.
- Terrain Advantage: Use the terrain to your advantage. Fight in hills and forests to gain a defensive bonus.
- Promotions: As your Eagle Warriors gain experience, they will earn promotions. The “Battlecry” promotion is an excellent choice, as it further increases their combat effectiveness.
Mid-Game Transition: From Conqueror to Emperor
A successful Eagle Warrior rush will leave you with a large, sprawling empire. The next challenge is to consolidate your gains and transition into a sustainable mid-game.
Consolidating Your Empire
- Infrastructure: Use your captured builders to improve your newly acquired lands. Build farms, mines, and other improvements to make your cities productive.
- Happiness: A large empire can be difficult to keep happy. Build Entertainment Complexes and trade for luxury resources to keep your citizens content.
- Loyalty: In the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, loyalty is a major concern. Place governors in your newly conquered cities and build monuments to ensure their loyalty.
Science, Culture, and Religion
While your early game is focused on military conquest, you cannot afford to neglect your science, culture, and religion.
- Science: Build Campuses in your cities to keep up with technology. A strong military requires a strong technological foundation.
- Culture: Build Theater Squares to generate culture and unlock new civics. A strong culture will help you to maintain the loyalty of your cities and to unlock powerful policy cards.
- Religion: While not essential for a domination victory, a religion can provide powerful bonuses. If you have the opportunity to found a religion, consider choosing beliefs that will support your military efforts.
Conclusion: The Path to Eternal Empire
The Aztec civilization under Montezuma I is a force to be reckoned with in the early game of Civilization VI. By mastering the Eagle Warrior rush and leveraging the power of captured builders, you can establish an early lead that is nearly impossible for other civilizations to overcome. The path to an early domination victory is not an easy one, but for those who are willing to embrace the way of the warrior, the rewards are immense. The strategies outlined in this guide, drawn from the collective wisdom of the player community, provide a clear roadmap for achieving a swift and decisive victory.