Confucius is an excellent leader in Civilization 7 for a Scientific Victory because of his unique Keju ability and how well his strategic Civ choices synergized across the Ages. The clearest path to a Scientific Victory for Confucius utilizes the Han, Ming, and Qing civilizations, all of which are either his strategic or geographic choices and will help maximize Science output through their many unique features, though there are many other viable options for Confucius and a Science Victory. As with all Legacy Victory types in Civ 7, a Science Victory requires planning across the Ages toward a final project - in this case, the Space Race.

Confucius can take advantage of the Han's Population-boosting features to maximize Science yields in dense Urban settlements. The Ming have an obviously beneficial bonus that boosts Science in the Capital by 50% during the Exploration Age, and the Qing's Unique Quarter and Economic proficiency help Confucius secure the Science Victory in Civ 7's Modern Age. Overall, winning a Science Victory with Confucius will require leaning into city development and maximizing Specialists in cities as much as possible. Here's a look at the best strategies in each Age for a Scientific Victory with Confucius in Civilization 7.

Best Scientific Strategy For Confucius In Civ 7's Antiquity Age

Choose Han For Confucius' Antiquity Science Civ

Before starting the Antiquity Age, equip Science or Production-based Mementos such as Yasakani no Magatana and The Analects. The Han are a clear choice for starting Civ, with the Nine Provinces ability, an excellent Population-boosting feature that basically activates two Growth Events instead of one on the first instance in any Settlement. Confucius can use this to his advantage to spread his empire early and maximize Science output and city growth across the Ages with his Keju ability.

For a Scientific Victory in Civ 7, Confucius should start working to achieve milestones for the Great Library Legacy Path, which requires 10 Codices to be displayed, the Antiquity Age Great Works. Consider a defensive approach for the Han, constructing Great Walls in strategic locations and fortifying them with Chu-Ko-Nu units. Codices can be pillaged and lost by invading enemies or natural disasters, so Confucius will need to place Libraries and other Codex buildings carefully and protect them at all costs. Constructing Codex buildings should also be a priority, making Writing and Mathematics essential Techs.

Completing the Han's unique Civic Tree is essential in preparing for the Exploration Age, where Confucius will need Traditions slotted instead of Social Policies to avoid a -15% Science penalty from the Ming's "Great Canon of Yongle" feature.

The easiest way to acquire Codices is through Technology Mastery, which typically awards a Codex upon completion. Confucius can maximize Science output with dense Urban districts and Specialists and focus on the Capital to maximize Science yields, at least initially. The Keju ability increases city growth by 25% and also gives Specialists a +2 Science bonus. While it might be tempting to upgrade all Towns to Cities as soon as possible, maintaining a few Towns is essential in balancing an empire's economy. Take advantage of the Shi Dafu, Han's unique Great People who can potentially create Codices, among many other Science-boosting abilities.

Best Scientific Strategy For Confucius In Civ 7's Exploration Age

Choose Ming For Confucius In The Exploration Age

The Exploration Age is where Confucius is most effective. With the various Specialist-enhancing features at his disposal, Confucius can produce some of the highest yields possible from individual Districts. The Enlightenment Legacy Path requires five Districts that are not the city center to produce over 40 yield each, which simply will not be an issue for Confucius, especially if he's advancing through the Scientific Leader Attribute tree, prioritizing Han and Ming Traditions, and focusing on Specialist placement in the Capital. Pursuing the Enlightenment path, the Distant Lands are less important, though spreading Religion can aid in boosting Science output.

Assuming he is pursuing the Ming's unique Civic Tree, Confucius can further boost Science yields by upgrading more towns to cities, investing in Gold buildings, and allocating city Resources strategically. The unique Mandarin units can simultaneously build roads and provide instant Gold and Science yields after completing the Da Ming Lu Civic. If Confucius has been constructing Great Walls and Ming Great Walls to fortify cities, the Forbidden City Wonder is an absolute essential as it will provide +2 Culture and Gold for every fortified District.

Confucius should utilize Religion in Civ 7 to further boost Science and Production back home. While a specific Reliquary Belief will be up to individual strategies, certain Founder Beliefs clearly benefit Confucius, such as Interfaith Dialogue, which provides +4 Science for every foreign Settlement following his Religion. Set up the Exploration Age with as many Universities as possible, as the Enlightenment Golden Age will allow them to retain their base yields, bonuses, and effects.

Best Scientific Strategy For Confucius In Civ 7's Modern Age

The Qing Empire Rounds Out A Confucius Science Victory

With the Enlightenment Golden Age in place and cities set up for massive Science and Production output, the Qing empire's Diplomacy and economy-focused features allow Confucius to complete Space Race projects quickly. Confucius will have an edge over opponents in acquiring Technologies, and investing in Specialists during the Modern Age is just as important as in previous Ages. Confucius should prioritize constructing Modern Age Food, Gold, and Science buildings, and then Railroads and Factories stocked with Production-boosting Resources.

Leaning into the Qing's Diplomatic strengths will give players an advantage, and befriending independent powers with Science boosts is ideal. The Qing Unique Quarter, the Huiguan, is comprised of the Shiguan and Qianzhuang buildings. These buildings provide extra Gold, and the completed Quarter gives a 25% boost to Influence in that Settlement, making this Quarter essential in the Capital. Confucius should complete Space Race buildings and projects in the city with the highest Production and will have healthy Gold reserves to spend on units, Hangshangs (the Qing unique trader unit), or city and town development. Communism will also provide an excellent Science boost during Celebrations.

Assuming Confucius completed both the Great Library and Enlightenment Legacy Paths, the First Staffed Space Flight project should have been completed relatively quickly, securing the Science Victory. Overall, Confucius has a clear path to a Science Victory with his historical and geographic Civs, the Han, Ming, and Qing. His ability to maximize District yields with Specialists and speedily advance through the Tech trees in each Age gives him a major leg up. Confucius should be well established as a Scientific powerhouse by the Modern Age, and will be able to complete Space Race projects incredibly fast, making him one of Civilization 7's top contenders for a Scientific Victory.