Civ 6 China Guide: Qin Shi Huang Strategy (Wonders & Science)

Analysis on forums shows that the key to a successful science victory with Qin Shi Huang lies in a deep understanding of his powerful early-game advantages. By exploiting the ability to rush Ancient and Classical Wonders with Builders, players can create a “Eureka slingshot” that propels them far ahead of the competition in the tech tree. This guide will provide a clear, actionable blueprint for achieving this, from your first turn to the final launch of the exoplanet expedition.

The Foundation of Power: Understanding Qin Shi Huang’s Abilities

To master China, one must first understand the core mechanics that make this civilization a scientific powerhouse. According to the player community, it is the potent combination of two key abilities that sets Qin Shi Huang apart:

• Dynastic Cycle (Civilization Ability): This ability is the cornerstone of China’s scientific potential. Eurekas, the game’s tech boosts, provide 60% of a technology’s cost instead of the standard 50%. This seemingly small difference has a compounding effect throughout the game, allowing you to shave turns off research and maintain a consistent technological edge.
• The First Emperor (Leader Ability): This ability is what makes the early game so explosive for China. Your Builders are created with an additional charge (four total), and you can spend these charges to rush the construction of Ancient and Classical era Wonders. Each charge contributes 15% of the Wonder’s production cost, meaning a single Builder can contribute a massive 60% of a Wonder’s production.

Many professional gamers suggest that the synergy between these two abilities is what creates the “Eureka slingshot.” By rushing Wonders, you not only gain their powerful unique benefits but also trigger the Dynastic Cycle, which provides a random Eureka from the Wonder’s era. This creates a powerful feedback loop: building Wonders accelerates your science, which in turn unlocks more Wonders to build.

Phase 1: The Ancient and Classical Wonder Rush (The First 100 Turns)

The first 100 turns are the most critical phase of the game for a Qin Shi Huang science victory. A popular strategy is to go all-in on an early Wonder rush, using your Builder advantage to secure key Wonders that will provide a lasting benefit for the rest of the game.

Initial Build Order and Priorities

Your opening moves should be precise and focused. The community consensus points to a build order that prioritizes early expansion and Builder production:

1. Scout -> Scout -> Settler: Your first two units should be Scouts. The information they provide is invaluable for finding tribal villages (which can grant free Eurekas), discovering city-states, and identifying ideal locations for future cities. An early Settler is crucial for establishing a second city and increasing your overall production.
2. Research Path: Pottery -> Writing -> Masonry: Your initial research should beeline towards technologies that unlock key early Wonders. Pottery is a prerequisite for Writing, which unlocks the Great Library and the essential Campus district. Masonry is required for the Pyramids and the Great Wall.
3. First Governor: Magnus with Provisions: Your first Governor title should be used to appoint Magnus to your capital. His “Provisions” promotion, which allows you to harvest resources without losing population, is incredibly powerful when combined with the “chopping” strategy (see below).

The Art of the “Builder Rush”

The “Builder Rush” is a technique that is central to Qin Shi Huang’s early-game dominance. Here’s how it works:

1. Place the Wonder: As soon as you unlock a desired Wonder, place its district in your city.
2. Assign a Builder: Move a Builder onto the Wonder’s construction site.
3. Expend Charges: Use the Builder’s charges to contribute to the Wonder’s production. With four charges, a single Builder can complete 60% of the Wonder’s production cost.
4. The “Chop”: To complete the Wonder quickly, you will need to supplement the Builder rush with “chopping.” This involves using a Builder to harvest woods or rainforests, which provides a one-time boost of production to the city. When combined with Magnus’s Provisions promotion, you can chop without losing population, making this an incredibly efficient way to rush production.

Essential Early Wonders: A Prioritized List

Not all Wonders are created equal. For a science victory, you should prioritize Wonders that provide a direct or indirect benefit to your scientific output.

• The Pyramids: This is, without a doubt, the most important early Wonder for Qin Shi Huang. It grants a free Builder and gives all of your Builders an additional charge. With this Wonder, your Builders will have a staggering five charges, making your Wonder-rushing capabilities even more potent. The Pyramids require a Desert tile, so your starting location will determine if this is a viable option.
• The Great Library: A game-changing Wonder for China. It grants all Eurekas from the Ancient and Classical eras. Since your Eurekas are more powerful, the benefit you receive is significantly greater than for other civilizations. Securing the Great Library can give you a massive and often insurmountable technological lead.
• The Oracle: An incredibly powerful Wonder for any victory type, but especially for Science. It provides Great People points, making it easier to recruit Great Scientists throughout the game. It also reduces the faith cost of purchasing Great People, which can be a powerful secondary strategy.
• Stonehenge: While not a direct science Wonder, securing an early religion can be highly beneficial. A popular strategy is to choose a religious belief that provides a bonus to science or production, such as “Work Ethic” (production bonus from Holy Sites) or “Cross-Cultural Dialogue” (science bonus from foreign followers).

Phase 2: Mid-Game Consolidation and Scientific Expansion

As you transition into the Medieval and Renaissance eras, your focus will shift from an all-out Wonder rush to a more balanced approach of strategic expansion and infrastructure development.

District Planning and Adjacency Bonuses

Your top priority in every city should be the Campus district. The placement of your Campuses is crucial for maximizing your science output.

• Mountain Synergy: Mountains provide a major adjacency bonus to Campuses. A popular strategy is to settle cities near mountain ranges to create high-yield Campus districts.
• Geothermal Fissures and Reefs: These terrain features also provide adjacency bonuses to Campuses.
• Government Plaza: The Government Plaza district provides a +1 adjacency bonus to all adjacent districts. Placing a Campus next to your Government Plaza is a simple and effective way to boost its science output.

In addition to Campuses, you should also begin building Industrial Zones in your core cities. The production bonus they provide will be vital for the late-game space race projects.

Key Mid-Game Wonders

While you won’t be rushing every Wonder as you did in the early game, there are still several mid-game Wonders that are highly beneficial for a science victory.

• Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: This is one of the most important Wonders for your strategy. It provides an additional charge for all Great Engineers. This is immensely powerful for rushing late-game Wonders and, most importantly, the space race projects.
• Kilwa Kisiwani: If you can become the Suzerain of two scientific city-states, Kilwa provides a massive 15% boost to your science output across your entire empire. This is a game-changing Wonder that can catapult you to a science victory.
• Apadana: Building this Wonder, especially after securing a few early ones, will grant you extra Envoys to help you become Suzerain of key city-states, which can in turn help you secure the bonus from Kilwa Kisiwani.
• University of Sankore: A solid Wonder that provides additional science based on your trade routes. This Wonder has great synergy with a trade-focused strategy.

Phase 3: The Race to the Stars

The late game is a sprint to complete the Science Victory projects. Your mid-game preparation in production and Great Engineer generation will pay off here.

The “Spaceport City”

Designate one city with extremely high production to be your “spaceport city.” This city should have the following characteristics:

• High Production: The city should be surrounded by hills and have a well-developed Industrial Zone with a Factory and Power Plant.
• Ruhr Valley: The Ruhr Valley Wonder provides a massive +20% production bonus in its city, making it an essential Wonder for your spaceport city.
• Magnus with Vertical Integration: Appoint Magnus to your spaceport city and promote him to “Vertical Integration.” This promotion provides a production bonus from adjacent Industrial Zones.

The Final Push: Great People and Builder Power

The space race projects are incredibly expensive, but you have two unique advantages that can help you complete them quickly:

• Great Engineers: Thanks to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, your Great Engineers that help with space projects will have multiple charges. This can significantly reduce the number of turns required to complete the projects.
• Royal Society: The Royal Society is a Tier 3 Government Plaza building that allows you to spend Builder charges to contribute to district projects, including the space race projects. With your five-charge Builders, you can significantly accelerate the final steps of the victory.

Advanced Strategies and Nuances

• The Great Wall: While often associated with a Culture Victory, the Great Wall can be a powerful tool in a science game. In the early game, it provides a significant source of gold, which can be used to purchase Builders or Settlers. Later in the game, it provides a tourism bonus, which can be a useful secondary source of income.
• Defensive Strategy: Qin Shi Huang’s unique unit, the Crouching Tiger Cannon, is a powerful defensive unit that does not require any strategic resources. A popular strategy is to build a few of these units to defend your borders while you focus on your scientific pursuits.
• Handling Setbacks: If you miss out on a key early Wonder, don’t despair. The player community suggests pivoting to a more traditional science game, focusing on building tall cities with well-developed Campuses. You can still leverage your Dynastic Cycle ability to stay ahead in the tech tree.

Conclusion: A Legacy Written in the Stars

A science victory with Qin Shi Huang is a testament to the power of strategic planning and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. By leveraging his unique ability to rush early Wonders, you can create a powerful “Eureka slingshot” that will propel you far ahead of the competition. From the early-game Wonder rush to the late-game space race, every decision you make should be focused on maximizing your scientific output and securing your place in the cosmos. The path to the stars is paved with the magnificent Wonders of your civilization, a lasting legacy of your strategic genius.