Trajan is one of the most balanced and beginner-friendly leaders in Civilization VI, leading the Roman Empire. He offers a versatile gameplay experience that adapts well to different victory conditions. His unique bonuses focus on early infrastructure, cultural dominance, and expansion efficiency, making him a solid choice for both new and experienced players. Learning how to play Trajan effectively involves understanding how to utilize Rome’s unique strengths to outpace rivals in development, military, and culture. Whether you aim for a domination victory or cultural influence, playing as Trajan allows for flexible and powerful empire-building strategies.
Understanding Trajan’s Abilities
Trajan’s Column
Trajan’s leader ability, ‘Trajan’s Column,’ grants a free building (a Monument) in every new city you found. This is extremely useful in the early game, as it boosts your culture output immediately, helping you unlock Civics faster than other civilizations. Early access to culture means quicker policies, governments, and access to key bonuses that shape your civilization’s identity and strengths.
All Roads Lead to Rome
The Roman Empire’s unique civilization ability automatically builds roads to newly founded cities and grants a free Trading Post in those cities. This improves movement and trade efficiency across your empire and allows for quicker military reinforcement. The extra Trading Posts help increase trade route yields and open up more route possibilities.
Legion Unique Unit
The Legion replaces the Swordsman and is stronger in combat. It can also construct Roman Forts and roads. This unit gives Rome an early military edge and supports offensive expansion. They require Iron, so securing access to this resource early is essential to take advantage of them.
Bath Unique Building
The Bath replaces the Aqueduct and offers extra housing and amenities. It helps cities grow faster and stay happy. Since Bath provides +6 Housing instead of +2 from a regular Aqueduct, it’s easier for Roman cities to reach high population sizes, which is important for district production and overall empire output.
Early Game Strategy
Founding Your Capital
When starting a game as Trajan, look for a strong capital location with access to fresh water, production, and ideally a nearby Iron source. Since you get a free Monument, your culture will grow quickly, allowing for an early push down the Civics tree.
Initial Build Order
- Scout Explore the surrounding land and locate city-state neighbors and natural wonders.
- Builder Improve tiles around your city to boost growth and production.
- Settler Expand to a second city quickly to leverage your free Monument bonus.
- Warrior or Slinger Defend against barbarians or prepare for early war if needed.
Depending on nearby resources and your chosen victory path, adjust your build order accordingly, but always prioritize expansion to make the most of Trajan’s Column.
Exploration and Expansion
Rome’s infrastructure bonuses support rapid early expansion. Found new cities aggressively near luxury resources or strategic terrain. Each new city comes with a free Monument and road connection, giving you immediate cultural and logistical advantages. Early expansion also lays the groundwork for future military or economic dominance.
Mid-Game Development
Leveraging Culture and Civics
Trajan’s culture advantage helps unlock powerful government types earlier. Prioritize Political Philosophy to choose a government that matches your goals Oligarchy for military, Classical Republic for infrastructure, or Autocracy for a balanced approach. Continue down the Civics tree to unlock district bonuses and policies that benefit trade and production.
District Planning
Rome’s cities will grow quickly due to the Bath’s housing and the early Monument boost. Plan for the following districts:
- Campus Boost science output to stay technologically competitive.
- Commercial Hub Take advantage of early Trading Posts and roads.
- Theater Square Lean into cultural victory or keep up with Civic progress.
- Encampment Pair with Legions to push military strength.
Because cities grow faster, you can build more districts and get better adjacency bonuses, improving yields significantly over time.
Military Timing and Legion Use
Legions are ideal for early to mid-game conquest. They are strong and versatile. Train them as soon as you unlock Iron Working and have Iron available. Use them to capture nearby city-states or weaker neighbors. Their ability to build roads and forts adds extra tactical advantages, especially when positioning against enemies.
Victory Condition Options
Domination Victory
Rome is naturally inclined toward domination thanks to its early military potential and logistics advantages. Legions can clear early threats, while roads keep reinforcements flowing smoothly. Maintain strong production in core cities to support siege units and later-era armies. Aim to conquer capitals methodically, using Rome’s infrastructure to manage war weariness and resistance.
Cultural Victory
The free Monuments and early Civics access make culture a viable route. Build Theater Squares in key cities and develop Great Works slots. Use Wonders like the Colosseum to boost amenities and culture. Trade routes also help spread your influence and support tourism growth. A high population from Baths means you can support multiple culture-oriented districts efficiently.
Science Victory
Although not Rome’s specialty, a science victory is achievable with proper planning. Use your fast-growing cities to build multiple Campuses and space-related Wonders. Roads and trade routes can be used to boost production in spaceport cities. Focus on research agreements with scientific city-states and civs to accelerate late-game tech.
Religious Victory
Trajan doesn’t have specific religious bonuses, but an early start can still secure a religion. Use that religion defensively or to influence city-states and allies. However, unless religion is central to your strategy or required for synergy, it’s often better to focus on other victory types.
City Management and Amenities
Housing and Growth
Baths give a major edge in population growth. A large population allows more specialists, districts, and better yields. Focus on placing Baths early, especially in cities away from rivers or natural fresh water sources.
Keeping Citizens Happy
High amenities are vital for maintaining production and loyalty in a wide empire. The Bath also provides amenities, helping reduce discontent. Secure luxury resources through trade, war, or settlement to further support your cities’ happiness.
Loyalty Management
With rapid expansion, loyalty pressure may become a concern. Keep governors in newly founded cities, build monuments and Baths to increase loyalty pressure, and place cities closer together for stronger borders. Rome’s culture advantage often keeps loyalty issues manageable.
Trade and Diplomacy
Maximizing Trade Routes
Rome’s free Trading Posts in new cities allow more flexible and productive trade routes. Establish trade with allied civilizations or city-states for extra yields. Internal trade routes can support new cities’ growth and development, while international routes can fuel gold and science production.
Dealing with Other Civilizations
Rome’s strength lies in its versatility. Use your infrastructure to build diplomatic leverage by maintaining a strong military, competitive science, and open trade. Respond to warmongers with force, and maintain alliances when mutually beneficial. Rome’s reputation as a powerful empire can deter aggression while giving you room to expand diplomatically or militarily.
Final Tips for Playing Trajan in Civ 6
- Expand early and often each city is more valuable with a free Monument and trade network.
- Secure Iron as soon as possible to unleash Legions for early dominance.
- Focus on infrastructure and road networks to ensure fluid movement across your empire.
- Utilize Baths to support high-growth cities capable of sustaining multiple districts.
- Adapt your victory type based on the game’s progression Rome is flexible enough to shift strategies mid-game.
Mastering how to play Trajan in Civ 6 means taking full advantage of Rome’s superior early game and snowballing those advantages into a powerful, well-connected empire. Whether conquering with Legions or building a world-spanning trade network, Trajan offers one of the most rewarding and strategically deep experiences in the game. Embrace expansion, maximize your culture output, and lead the Roman Empire to greatness in any way you choose.
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