There are several difficult choices to make in Civilization 6, one of which is choosing a Pantheon. This is something that fans will need to do in the early turns of a game, and the sheer number of Pantheons in Civilization 6 can prove somewhat overwhelming. As such, this guide looks to shine some light on the best Civ 6 Pantheons and will hopefully make the decision at least a bit easier for new players.
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To start, it is important to note that there is no one best Pantheon in Civilization 6, as the optimal choice can vary based on things like the victory type a player is pursuing. That said, there are a handful of Pantheons that are almost always good choices, and they may just be the best options for those fans who are looking to win by Domination or Diplomacy.
Updated September 26, 2024 by Ewan Selmes: Civilization 6 is a great game that allows a lot of choice for players in how to move their civilization forward, from choices in diplomacy and war to founding their own religion. One of the cool things about the religious system in Civilization 6 is how customizable it is, with players being able to select both a founding Pantheon belief as well as more advanced religious tenets which come later during gameplay.
Although the Pantheon is the first aspect of a religion chosen by players, it's certainly not unimportant, as the choice of Pantheon can have massive benefits during the length of the game. Some Pantheons offer great early-game boosts at the expense of efficacy later on, whereas others are much more consistent throughout the game. There's a good range of options for players to choose from, and many are great choices situationally, but some choices are better than others most of the time.
City Patron Goddess
- +25% Production toward districts in cities without a specialty district
While players will likely not receive the bonus from this Civ 6 pantheon in later stages, the extra Production can be a huge boon in the early game. Cities and districts can't expand without Production, so capitalizing on this boost early on can give players a leg-up on the competition.
Fertility Rites
- When chosen, receive a Builder in your capital. City growth rate is 10% higher
The combination of increased city growth and an additional Builder makes this pantheon a great choice for getting ahead of the curve. In addition to the bonus to city growth rate, the extra Builder that players receive as part of this Pantheon can come in handy. Players can save some extra Gold and Production by putting this useful freebie to work.
God Of The Forge
- +25% Production toward Ancient and Classical military units
A strong choice for players defending against barbarians or pursuing a Domination victory, this Civilization 6 Pantheon will produce military units at a faster clip. Aggressive players who enjoy rushing their enemies through inexorable might will find God of the Forge quite useful. Securing a strong position from the early going can save players a lot of headaches.
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Being able to marshal a large military force in the Ancient and Classical eras is a fine advantage to possess no matter what kind of victory players intend on winning.
Religious Settlements
- When chosen, receive a Settler in your capital. Border expansion rate is 15% faster
Similar to Fertility Rites, this Pantheon can really help fans get established in the early game by providing a free Settler. Settlers are used to found new cities, so acquiring an extra one for free nets the player an additional opportunity for expansion.
Again, players should feel free to choose one of these best Civ 6 Pantheons in almost all instances, though there are options for fans who have their sights set on Culture, Religion, or Science victories that are worth considering.
River Goddess
- Receive +2 Amenities and +2 Housing to cities with a Holy Site adjacent to a river
Housing and Amenities in Civilization 6 can be hard to come by, especially as some of the key buildings to boost these things are gated behind districts. Sometimes, an Amenities or Housing deficit can occur when there are no spaces left to build, or when the city doesn't have a high enough population for a new district. The River Goddess Pantheon is a real boon in these cases.
This is a pretty nice bonus that can make the difference between having to build Entertainment Districts or Neighborhoods now rather than later. The downside to the bonus is that some cities aren't founded along a river, but a source of fresh water is always good to have. This Pantheon works well for Civs that want to build a lot of Holy Sites, too.
Best Pantheons For A Culture Victory
Pantheons that grant additional Culture are the way to go here, and Goddess of Festivals and God of the Open Sky do just that. The benefits of these two Pantheons include:
- Goddess of Festivals: +1 Culture from Plantations
- God of the Open Sky: +1 Culture from Pastures
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Depending on the layout of the map and the location of resources, these Pantheons represent great choices for those looking to secure a Culture Victory. Players who are lucky enough to spawn in an area where the requisite resources for Plantations/Pastures are close at hand will find these Pantheons to be a tremendous help in accumulating Culture points.
Best Pantheons For A Religion Victory
Players who want to win by Religion are going to need Faith. The God of War, Initiation Rites, and Religious Idols Pantheons can help boost one's Faith, providing stepping stones to securing that Religion Victory. The stats for these Pantheons are:
- God of War: Bonus Faith equal to 50% of the strength of each combat unit killed within 8 tiles of a Holy Site district
- Initiation Rites: +50 Faith for each Barbarian Outpost cleared. The unit that cleared the Barbarian Outpost heals +100 HP
- Religious Idols: +2 Faith from Mines over Luxury and Bonus resources
Additionally, Dance of the Aurora, Desert Folklore, and Earth Goddess can all be good choices too depending on the nearby terrain. The characteristics of these Pantheons include:
- Dance of the Aurora: Holy Site districts get +1 Faith from adjacent Tundra tiles
- Desert Folklore: Holy Site districts get +1 Faith from adjacent Desert tiles
- Earth Goddess: +1 Faith from tiles with Breathtaking Appeal
Any of these six Pantheons can prove useful in seeking a Religion Victory. The first three reward particularly aggressive players serious about expansion. The latter three are more location-dependent, but can still come in handy if the land proves favorable.
Best Pantheons For A Science Victory
Players interested in achieving a Science Victory will also find a Pantheon worth exploring. Divine Spark, namely, should appeal to the more scientifically inclined players looking to attract as many Great People to their civilization as possible. Its stats include:
- Divine Spark: +1 Great Person point from Holy Sites (Prophet), Campuses with a Library (Scientist), and Theater Squares with an Amphitheater (Writer)
Divine Spark is a strong Pantheon to couple with Civ 6 leaders who want to make their way through the tech tree. Fans hoping to attract a Great Prophet and start their own religion will find this Pantheon of particular use.
Best Pantheons for Early Wonder Production
Some strategies for some civs in Civilization 6 rely on early Wonder production to gain that competitive advantage over the other players, whether AI or human. In this case, the Monument to the Gods Pantheon is just what the doctor ordered.
- Monument to the Gods: +15% Production towards Ancient and Classical era Wonders
+15% Production toward Ancient and Classical era Wonders is a pretty nice bonus for any player looking to boost their early game Wonder production, but this does come at a cost because this Pantheon belief isn't at all useful once all the Ancient and Classical era Wonders have been built. But while it lasts, it can help the dedicated player pump out important early game wonders such as the Great Bath or the Temple of Zeus - including many others which provide powerful early-game boosts.
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