The Byzantines are one of the latest additions to New Frontier . These people developed from the Eastern Roman empire and ruled over portions of the Mediterranean. In Civ 6 they’re led by Emperor Basil II, famous for his military success.
Byzantium gameplay leans toward domination and religious expansion, blending them with their Taxis ability. This makes their religion spread to nearby cities after defeating an enemy and also gives their military units more combat strength for each Holy City following their religion. Using their unique naval ship and heavy cavalry unit, they’re a force to be reckoned with. This guide will explore how players can take advantage of these bonuses to lead the Byzantines to victory.
The Byzantine Early Game in Civilization 6
When looking for cities to found, settle near mountains and forests if possible; they’ll increase the faith output of Holy Sites. Founding a religion and spreading it is integral to the Byzantine strategy, so players will want one as soon as possible. Additionally, found coastal cities so naval units can be built. That way, players can build their special boat once it’s unlocked and take advantage of the sea. Consider settling close to other civilizations as well, so the Taxis ability will activate more to convert neighboring cities.
Getting Basil II ready for conquest requires players to research several important technologies and civics. Here are the 5 most important players should prioritize to get their victory underway.
- Astrology. Holy Sites, required to found religions, are essential for Byzantium’s playstyle. Their Taxis ability grants one more Great Prophet point from this district, allowing them to create a religion quicker. Because Taxis also increases combat strength based on converted Holy Cities, Byzantium units will gain +3 combat strength immediately when their religion is founded. Due to these reasons, Astrology should be the very first technology researched.
- Bronzeworking. This reveals Iron on the map, a strategic resource needed to build Basil’s unique Tagma cavalry. It also unlocks the Swordsman unit that will help any early combat.
- Shipbuilding. Allows units to embark into coastal tiles and the construction of the Dromon, Byzantium’s special ship. Building 2 Galleys will trigger the eureka, reducing the science cost, so use the Maritime Industry policy to quickly craft these vessels.
- Games & Recreation. This civic will let players build the special Hippodrome district, which can be pivotal to Byzantium’s success.
- Divine Right. Allows players to train the legendary Tagmas. Once these are available, players will gain a powerful edge in combat.
As mentioned, players will always found a religion as Byzantium. So what beliefs should be chosen? Crusade is a must-have, as it will increase combat strength when fighting cities that follow their religion; something that is very easy to accomplish with the Taxis ability. Church Property and Tithe are also great choices, as their gold yields will help pay for the maintenance of Byzantium’s mighty army.
When choosing a Secret Society, pick Sanguine Pact for more offensive power, or Voidsingers to improve their faith output. It all depends on which path the player wants to lean towards, but both can make a difference if the game mode is turned on.
Byzantium’s Unique Units in Civilization 6
The earliest of these players have access to are the Dromons. These ranged naval units have 2 range instead of 1, allowing them to safely attack cities a tile away. They even have bonus combat strength against other units. Settling coastal cities to produce these ships will let Basil succeed in naval endeavors in the early game. They will continue to be relevant for a long time and can be used alongside their other unique unit.
Tagmas are heavy cavalry units that replace Knights. Their unique attribute is their ability to grant nearby allies +4 combat strength. Amassing several of them will result in a powerful force that will tear through enemy lines. They also utilize Basil II’s Porphyrogénnētos, or ‘Born in the Purple’, ability rather well, which lets cavalry units deal full damage against cities following Byzantium’s religion; Another reason to spread it far and wide. Defeat enemy units defending their city first to convert it, and then march in for the seize. Tagmas also grant bonus combat strength to religious units, so use these heavy cavalries to escort them from city to city.
The Hippodrome is Byzantium’s last unique, a special Entertainment Complex district. They held exciting horse races, which the people of Constantinople loved to watch. What makes the Hippodrome special, is that it grants a free Heavy Cavalry unit whenever it, or it’s buildings, are built. , Tagmas are unique Heavy Cavalry, so constructing many will easily increase their military’s size. However, they won’t produce Tagma until they are unlocked and will instead give Heavy Chariots. To save gold upgrading them into Tagma, wait until obtaining Divine Right before these districts are complete. Spend some turns building them, then stop until they’re one turn away from completion. That way, players gain immediately gain a sizable army of Tagmas once they are available.
Winning with the Byzantines in Civilization 6
Once players reach mid-game, they should start thinking about what victory path is most possible at that point. Byzantium has a few options available that they can easily pursue.
- Domination. The logical route given their strengths, Byzantium’s military prowess will help players capture enemy capitals with ease. Tagmas upgrade into Cuirassiers in Gathering Storm and Tanks in all other versions of Civilization 6, so look out for the technologies required to upgrade them: Ballistics and Combustion respectively. Be sure to keep an eye on gold, because the larger the army, the higher the maintenance.
- Religious. Thanks to their ability to ively spread their religion through combat victories, this is a solid alternative. Even nearby cities that aren’t fought will be converted. Whenever there is a military emergency, always ; more enemies to defeat means more cities converted. Additionally, if there are any allies currently at war with a common foe, consider ing their ongoing war to continue the worldwide conversion.
- Culture. This victory is more unorthodox, but still possible due to one important factor: the Hippodrome. Because Entertainment Complexes grant major adjacency to Theatre Squares after the amenity update, Byzantine will have easy culture yields thanks to all the Hippodromes they’ve built. If other civilizations are too strong to defeat or have too powerful of a religion, then this is a more peaceful route.
Civilization 6 is available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.
