Civilization 6 is a complex game of strategy and conquest where players lead their civilizations from the Stone Age to the Information Era. One common strategy for victory is focusing on science to advance through the technology tree quickly and achieve a Scientific Victory. However, some civilizations are better equipped than others to counter science-focused opponents, either through military might, cultural influence, or alternative advancement methods. Here are the seven best civilizations to counter scientific civs in Civilization 6.

1. Aztecs (Leader: Montezuma)

The Aztecs can leverage their unique ability, “Legend of the Five Suns,” to use builders to speed up district construction, including the Campus district. With an early focus on military, using the Eagle Warrior unique unit, Aztec players can potentially capture other civilization’s units and use them as additional builders. This means they can hinder scientific civs’ progress by capturing their cities and districts.

2. Zulu (Leader: Shaka)

Shaka’s Impi warriors are cheaper and faster to produce than other military units and have additional flanking bonuses. Domination over science civs can be swift if they haven’t invested in defense. Zulu’s unique ability “Isibongo” upgrades military units whenever they capture a city, thus potentially snowballing through an enemy’s territory before they have a chance to build it back up with science.

3. Russia (Leader: Peter)

Under Peter’s rule, Russia gets extra science from trade routes to more advanced civilizations with their “Grand Embassy” policy. This lets them keep pace with scientific civs while focusing on other aspects like culture or religion. Their ability to expand quickly with extra territory upon city founding can provide strategic advantages for resources or positioning against sci-tuned opponents.

4. Sumeria (Leader: Gilgamesh)

Sumeria thrives with its War-Cart unit, which is particularly strong in the early game, allowing for rapid conquest of neighboring enemy cities including high-science producing cities. Additionally, their unique ability “Epic Quest” gives them bonus rewards for clearing barbarian outposts, which can include crucial early game boosts that hinder opponent’s progress.

5. Macedonia (Leader: Alexander)

A civilization built for war, under Alexander, their unique units don’t suffer war weariness making it easier to sustain long-term conflicts against scientific civs without a penalty at home. Macedonian conquest ensures that captured Campus districts grant additional science helping you leap forward in technology.

6. Arabia (Leader: Saladin)

Saladin ensures that each Arabian player retains religious strength by guaranteeing the last Great Prophet when others may miss out. With the unique unit Mamluk that heals every turn even after moving or attacking – Arabia can maintain pressure on science-based enemies while also leveraging their own religious and scientific advancements due to Madrasas providing extra faith which translates into more science.

7. Australia (Leader: John Curtin)

Australia is capable of rapid mid-game expansion fueled by their Land Down Under ability – which yields bonuses for coastal cities and districts on attractive terrain – and can counter scientific civs by bullying them over land disputes forcing them into challenging positions where they must either fight or give up precious space needed for vital districts.

These civilizations offer varied approaches on how best to confront opponents heavily focused on science; through direct conflict utilizing unique units or indirect methods such as diplomatic pressure via trade routes or religion that can all disrupt a scientific civilization’s well-laid plans for victory in Civilization 6.