Civilization 6 is all about warfare. Even if you want to turtle up and outpace your opponent's science, at some point you're going to need an army. All factions in the game have their own unique units, and some are better than others. Way, way better.

In this list, we'll take a look at the best units in the game, typically the faction's Unique Units, as of the closing of the Civilization 6 New Frontier Pass. This will include new units added to the game via the past expansions, like Rise and Fall.

Keep in mind that single-player and multiplayer Civ are very different beasts. For the purposes of this list, we'll be focusing on the performance of these units in regards to a Deity-level single-player game.

Updated on March 30, 2024 by Matt Arnold: We've added a versatile unit from the Classical Era to this list, bringing the count to an even ten. You can use the Immortal playing as either Persia's default leader, Cyrus, or their Leader Pass alternate Nader Shah.

10 Maryannu Chariot Archer

Egypt

Throughout the history of Civilization, Chariots have always been a powerful early-game unit. Civilization 6 is no different. They were such powerful units, in fact, that they've undergone several rebalancing changes in the game over the years.

As it currently stands, the Maryannu Chariot Archer unit is independent of the Heavy Chariots, is now classed as a Ranged Cavalry unit (pick the Maneuver policy card for your Maryannu, just do it), and cost an absolute fortune of Production and turn upkeep. Despite the costs, if you're going to war, there is no sight more horrifying for a neighboring Civ than a stack of Maryannu heading their way.

• Gains +2 Movement if the unit starts on flat terrain
• Has a ranged attack with two range
• Weaker against cities and districts

9 Eagle Warrior

Aztecs

A horde of Eagle Warriors approaching through the fog of war is a terrifying sight, no matter whether you're playing single-player or multiplayer. It is, no doubt, one of the most powerful early game units in the game. You will be able to work these units into a powerful early game strategy.

They're vicious against Cavalry, can capture enemy units and transform them into builders (this can give the Aztecs a massive advantage at the start of the game), and boast a boosted attack damage of 28 over their ordinary counterpart, the Warrior at 20.

• Replaces the Warrior, which makes the Eagle Warrior an extreme early game unit
• Captures defeated units and will turn them into builders
• Combat strength of 28 compared to the Warrior's 20

8 Gaesatae

Gaul

The Gaesatae is a unique unit to the Gallic faction, introduced in the Byzantium & Gallic expansion pack. These fierce troops replace the Warrior and are vastly superior. They have huge early game advantages against districts and pose a formidable threat to any nearby neighbors that get in your way.

Even if you fall into a Science disadvantage because of your early game warmongering, the Gaesatae have a bonus against higher-level units. This won't last long, but it's something to keep that war going a little while longer. Watch out for the high Production cost and the fact they upgrade into Men At Arms rather than Swordsman. This can put you at a disadvantage if you don't upgrade early.

• +5 combat bonus against anti-cav units
• +10 bonus to combat strength when fighting against units of a higher combat strength
• Costs 60 Production rather than the 40 of the Warrior

7 Pitati Archer

Nubia

Widely considered to be the most powerful ranged unit in the game right up until the Medieval era, these Nubian Archers are a nightmare to deal with. They deal more damage than the regular Archer unit, can move quicker, and will end up with a bunch of promotions thanks to Nubia's Ta-Seti ability (which provides extra Production towards Ranged units and more experience for them.)

Due to their speed, these Archers are ideal for attacking neighbors early in the game. They can get in and out before your opponent even really knows what's happening. Honestly, the Pitati might come close to the number one spot of any unit in the game: that's how devastating they are. Beware if you see Amanitore as your neighbor.

• Has a combat strength of 17 compared to the Archer's 15
• Can move one extra space each turn compared to the Archer
• Higher production cost that is reduced by the Nubian's ability

6 War-Cart

Sumer

It doesn't get much simpler than a cart filled with angry soldiers. The Sumerian War-Cart is at once the most simple and yet the most terrifying unit in all of Civilization 6. If you were already worried about Heavy Chariots in the early game, you might as well pack up shop if you see Gilgamesh appear as your neighbor.

Even though the historical precedent of War-Carts suggests they may have been used as a sort of bus to transport soldiers around the Battlefield, they're a formidable force in Civ 6. A player can start building these right from the start of the game, giving any neighbors hardly any time to prepare a significant fighting force. Watch out for the War-Carts, that's all we can say.

5 Voi Chien

Vietnam

If you thought Crossbows were a menace of the Medieval era, then wait until you get a load of these Vietnamese units. Crossbows. On Elephants. The Voi Chien are even more deadly because they're able to move after attacking. Put these units in the woods alongside Ba Trieu's boost to combat in Woods, Marsh, and Rainforests and you've got one of the strongest units in the Medieval era.

By far the biggest advantage of these units is the extra movement granted by its "move twice" ability and Ba Trieu's movement boosts. This means, with enough patience and skill, you can move these units in and out of the zone of control. Pretty broken.

• Can move after attacking
• Deals less damage to Districts (this goes some way to addressing balance problems)
• Higher movement than Crossbows, up to three from two

4 Immortal

Persia

Persia favors aggressive expansion, particularly early on, and they really hit their stride once they discover Iron Working thanks to the Immortal. The Immortal has identical stats to the Swordsman, with a base Combat Strength of 35, but has one major upgrade; they can make a ranged attack up to one tile away.

Groups of Immortals working together can wear down a nearby enemy without taking any damage themselves, until the target is weak enough that the last Immortal can move in for the kill. They're also great on defense, since they can fire from behind city or encampment walls.

Immortals are especially good under Nader Shah, whose Sword of Persia abilitiy gives them a damage buff against targets at full health.

• Costs slightly more Production (100 as opposed to 90) but half as much Iron (10, down from 20) compared to the Swordsman.
• Melee unit (35 Strength) with a Ranged attack (Strength 25).

3 Impi

Zulu

Don't worry, you're not the only one getting Civilization 5 flashbacks. The Zulu's Impis are back with a blast in Civ 6 and as strong as ever. They're cheap to train, get a boosted flanking bonus compared to Pikeman (the unit they replace), and will get a bonus of 50 percent experience for powerful promotions.

The concept of an "Impi Swarm" is something most experienced Civ players know about. Much like in earlier games, the Impi are cheap to train and can be spammed out with ease, especially by a competent Zulu player with a decent start. A huge force of Impi can be unstoppable (especially when it comes to conquering cities) unless your neighbors have prepared for war.

• Can be trained en-masse quickly and cheaply
• Strong flanking bonus

2 Llanero

Gran Colombia

The Llanero is the perfect complement to a Civilization that many have deemed "broken" over the past year or so. There's no doubt Gran Colombia is a powerful Civilization, and the stacking horde of Llanero light cavalry will only cause more fear and damage to your opponents.

Why are they so powerful? Well, Llaneros grow in strength according to how many other Llanero are adjacent. You're basically forced into training these as a massive swarm. Pair that with a Comandante General (or four) and you've got an incredibly powerful force capable of sweeping away other civilizations in a matter of turns.

• Strength in numbers, the more Llanero you have the better
• Extremely low gold upkeep cost of 2 gold per unit
• Regains ALL HP when in range of a Comandante General that uses Retire (this part is broken, broken, broken)

1 Minas Gerais

Brazil

The only naval unit (and the only late-game unit as well) on this list is the Minas Gerais, the Brazilian replacement of the Battleship. Although it's not exactly a replacement: you can get access to this powerful ranged naval unit an entire era before anyone else has Battleships. Yes, you heard that right: Brazilians get Battleships in the Industrial Era rather than the Modern Era.

Of course, to make any use of this massive advantage you need to have a decent naval infrastructure and some targets to attack over the sea. Regardless, the Minas Geraes can hold their own against air units thanks to anti-air buffs.

• Unlocked with Nationalism, so if you're planning a Naval assault keep this in mind
• Available an era earlier than the Battleship, pretty big advantage for the Brazilians
• Good boost against air units.

  

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