Science is the cornerstone of success in Civilization 7 as it promotes technological development, unlocks powerful military units, and enhances the overall potential of your empire. Whether you aim for a scientific victory or simply want a technological edge over your rivals, maximizing scientific output is crucial in the game.

How Science Works in Civilization 7

In Civ 7, science determines how quickly your nation progresses through the tech tree. Developing this tree unlocks new discoveries, military improvements, and infrastructural advancements, giving you an edge in the game. The main goal of a science victory is to achieve the Staffed Space Project, the final technological breakthrough required for victory.

Unlike gold or influence, science doesn't accumulate as a resource but rather reduces the time needed to unlock new technologies. The higher your science yield per turn, the faster you'll progress through the tech tree.

To achieve a science victory, you must research the final technology – Staffed Space Project. This requires a steady investment in science throughout all eras, meaning careful city planning, optimal tile management, and strategic policy choices to support continuous growth in scientific output.

Scientific progress is measured in Science yields, which are generated through buildings, resources, specialists, and policies. The faster you accumulate science, the earlier you can unlock key technologies ahead of your competitors. Additionally, science is influenced by Legacy Paths, which provide an additional science bonus at the end of an era, depending on the goals you've achieved.

Best Leaders and Civilizations for Science

The choice of leader and civilization plays a crucial role in the speed of science accumulation. Leaders with scientific abilities provide consistent bonuses to science income, while some civilizations have unique advantages that facilitate science accumulation.

Therefore, the first thing you can do to boost your science is to choose a science leader that gives a growth in certain science metrics and sets the foundation for your civilization's development.

Best Science Leaders

Choosing the right leader and civilization has a massive impact on scientific progress. Some leaders are specifically oriented towards scientific victory and have unique bonuses that accelerate research.

Best Science Civilizations

You can also choose a civilization path. To maximize science, you need to adapt your strategy according to the era your civilization is in. Each era provides unique resources and opportunities that can be used to accelerate scientific development.

Maximizing Science Yield through Resources and Tile Management

Expanding cities and strategically placing settlements play a crucial role in increasing scientific output. Certain tiles naturally produce science, so it's important to recognize and prioritize these zones.

Identify Scientific Tiles: Cells with a blue flask generate science. Expanding onto these tiles as early as possible will significantly boost your scientific income.

Place Scientific Resources: Incense (Antiquity): Provides +10% science but can only be placed in cities. Tea (Modernity): Offers +3% science if placed in a factory.

Research Technologies that Improve Scientific Districts: Some technologies and civics automatically increase science output. Check them in the tech tree.

Best Science Buildings and Wonders

Scientific Buildings by Era

Constructing scientific buildings directly impacts the amount of science your civilization produces. The most important buildings:

World wonders also play a key role in increasing science. For example, Serpent Mound provides +3 science and +2 production to all unique improvements in the settlement. Other great scientific wonders include Oxford University and Mundo Perdido.

Social Policies and Traditions for Science

Social policies determine the long-term efficiency of your empire. Prioritizing scientific policies ensures steady progress through the tech tree.

• Tool Making: +1 science and +1 production in the capital.
• Literature – +50% to science building production.
• Scholars – +1 science per specialist.
• Social Science – +2 science per specialist but +50% to food costs for specialists.
• Preservation Societies – +3 science from Great Works.

Events that occur in the game can also speed up scientific progress. Choosing scientific options during events often provides one-time bonuses, which can be a key advantage. Hosting a Scientific Festival allows for additional science equal to 25% of the city's production value.

• Research collaboration between leaders provides +6 science per turn when supported by both parties.
• Specialists increase science but require more food and happiness.

Best Technologies for Science

The correct development of the tech tree is the key to scientific victory. The most important technologies to research:

• Antiquity: Writing, Mathematics, Writing 2 – provide a fast science start.
• Era of Exploration: Education – unlocks educational institutions and improves research speed.
• Modernity: Aviation, Aerodynamics, Rocketry – necessary to achieve the Staffed Space Project.

Players can also start Research Collaborations with other nations to speed up development. Such agreements give +50% science to both parties, with the recipient spending fewer resources. It's crucial to prevent rivals from outpacing you in a scientific victory.