Ludwig II of Bavaria might seem like an odd choice forCivilization 6, but Firaxis has adapted him quite well. Available in the Great Builders pack as part of the Leader Pass DLC, Ludwig is a great option for players who like to build tall and cover the map with Wonders.
Related:Civilization 6: The Best Wonders To Build First
Through smart use of Ludwig’s abilities, which allow him to get value out of Wonders before they’re even finished, you may make Germany the ultimate tourist destination. Will you succeed where the historical Ludwig ultimately failed? Read on to find out how to make his fairy-tale dreams come true!
Ludwig’s Abilities
Ludwig was known for building enormous, ornate palaces inspired by the stories he’d heard as a child, most famously Neuschwanstein Castle. His in-game abilities reflect the grandeur of these ambitious projects.
Swan King
All Wonders in Ludwig’s empire generatetwo additional Culture per turn for every District that’s adjacent to them.This is a great way to double up on the inherent adjacency bonuses for Theater Squares, but it doesn’t end there! Ludwig’s Wonders get this bonuseven if they aren’t finished.That means you can plop down a Wonder that you have no intention of finishing and get a hefty boost to your Culture income for very little investment.
Additionally, all adjacency bonuses that grant Culture also grant Tourism once Ludwig researches Castles.
Free Imperial Cities
As ruler of Germany, Ludwig gets access to their excellent civilization ability. German cities can haveone more District than their population would normally allow.Not only does this let you increase your overall productivity, but it also means that you can much more easilysurround Wonders with Districtsfor maximum Culture!
Hansa
Germany’s unique Industrial Zone, the Hansa, provides much-needed Production for Ludwig’s many Wonders and other projects. Hansas are cheaper than regular Industrial Zones, and get much better adjacency bonuses.
U-Boat
Despite Ludwig’s snappy uniform, he’s not a militaristic leader in Civ 6. Nevertheless, he is able to project extra power at sea when necessary with Germany’s unique unit, the U-Boat. It’s a cheaper and more powerful Submarine that allows you to easily ensure that enemy ships won’t reach your shores.
Related:Civilization 6: Tips For Playing As Qin Shi Huang
Early-Game Strategy For Ludwig
Ludwig starts the game like most Culture-focused leaders. It’s a good idea torush Astrology and found a Religion, even if it’s for nothing more than the Faith you’ll need in the late game. As soon as your first Holy Site or Campus is built, though, you shouldplace a Wonder next to itfor extra Culture from Swan King. Any Wonder will do, but it’s best to at least attempt to pick Wonders that you’ll finish.
Once your starting cities are in place, you shouldgo straight for Apprenticeshipin the technology tree and forDrama and Poetryin the Civics tree. The former will allow you to build Hansas and provide useful defensive technologies along the way, and the latter is necessary to build Theater Squares, which are a priority for Ludwig. The faster you can get both, the faster you’ll be able to start building Wonders and developing Great Works.
The Castles technology is also important, as it gives Ludwig a head-start on Tourism, but the amount is negligible at this early stage in the game.
Try to send Envoys to Industrial City-States, as they’ll provide extra Production toward Wonders, Buildings, and Districts. They’ll also enhance your Hansas and Diplomatic Quarter as the game goes on, so get those Envoys sent out early!
While you’re building up your cities, look for tiles that can take Wonders such as theTerracotta Army,Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, or (later in the game) theStatue of Liberty.These Wonders tend to be ignored by the AI; even if you never finish them, you may still use them as a source of Culture until another Civilization gets around to it!
Late-Game Strategy For Ludwig
Ludwig shouldkeep placing Districts and Wonders throughout the game.If you find yourself embroiled in a war,stay on defense and ride it outunless you have an opportunity to easily take a city with Wonders. Ludwig isn’t great at military expansion, but he can cause border cities to defect through Loyalty pressure; buildplenty of Entertainment Districtsand spam Bread and Circuses if a neighbor’s city looks vulnerable!
By the time the late-game rolls around, Ludwig should be well-prepared for the usual Tourism race. Remember that you’ll receive extra Tourism from Culture adjacency bonuses, sotry packing Theater Squares around Wondersto entice the most visitors. Meanwhile, use the Faith that you’ve been saving torecruit Rock Bandsand send them to other civilizations.
If you’re playing on higher difficulty levels, it can be hard to compete with the AI for Great Works. Having a few Commercial Hubs and Harbors will give you the money that you need tobuy Great Worksfrom other players… or you couldsend Spies to steal them.
Ludwig’s play style is laser-focused on achieving a Cultural Victory, so make Tourism and Culture your priority throughout the game and you’ll soon be able to chalk up another win!
