Civilization 6: Scientific City-States - basic info, types, tasks Civilization VI Game Guide
Last update: 13 March 2022
The chapter below of Civilization 6 game guide contains a detailed outline of scientific city-states in Civilization VI, and the list of benefits resulting from a sphere of influence in the individual cities, and the advantages stemming from taking over such a city.
Emissary Bonuses
Each of the scientific city-states has the same bonuses for keeping a certain number of emissaries. Remember that if you keep a certain number of representatives in more than one city, the bonuses are combined into one bigger.
Number of Emissaries | Bonus |
1 | +2 to science in the capital city |
3 | +2 to science in every Campus |
6 | Additional +2 to science in every Campus |
It's evident that a bonus science points are useful to every civilization, in every scenario, and regardless of the bonus which it gives. The higher your scientific output is, the quicker you'll attain access to new technologies, which will translate to the ability to build new elements of infrastructure, which will generate further science bonuses. Remember that the bonus is counted for every owned Campus, so send extra emissaries to the city only when you own at least one Campus. Of course, this is determined by the bonuses that are offered by the individual cities, but you have to know that the base of achieving benefits that are adequate to invested means is building a few Campuses in the cities owned by you. You should keep on exploring the uncharted areas, keeping pace with other players, as the additional science points rewarded for discovering a city can be a real advantage in the early stages of the scenario. In case of all scientific city-states, you should make it one of the priorities to take the sovereign status, as every individual bonus is worth its weight in gold.
Geneva
Icon | Sovereign Bonus |
 | Your cities receive +15% to science when you are at peace with other civilizations. |
Usefulness of this bonus mainly depends on how you want to achieve victory in the current scenario. The nations taking part in the scenario are also important. Essentially, the bonus is really worth the effort, and if you have any chances of getting the title of sovereign, you should go get it. Try to maintain warmongering at a reasonable level, as to avoid provoking any conflict with other civilizations. Remember that the bonus brings revenue, which is generated passively through the infrastructure elements, so the benefits will be in direct proportion to the developed scientific infrastructure.
Hattusa
Icon | Sovereign Bonus |
 | Gives you 1 unit of each Strategic resource, you have revealed but do not own. |
A very important bonus, you could even say that it's the most important of all benefits which can be gained by taking the sovereign status. The access to strategic resources allows exploiting every achievement that can be gained through scientific research. Maximize the benefits by conducting further research and explore the map in search of resources that can be taken over with minimal cost. As an owner of a source, you can recruit units that base on this resource, but only in one town - in this case, the capital city. To make the most out of the bonus, you need to build infrastructure in your capital, but the benefits are surely worth it. If you are already in possession of a resource, the bonus will allow you to build units dependent on that resource in each of your cities.
Seoul
Icon | Sovereign Bonus |
 | When you enter a new era, you'll earn a random Eureka from that era. |
The bonus works in the same manner as the one described by Vilnius. You should acquire it especially when you have a clear vision of your technological growth, and the technologies you want to research first. There is only a small chance that the sovereign bonus will match your plans, but this doesn't have any influence on the gameplay itself, as regardless of the chosen direction, you'll have to return to previous research, to finally close the scenario with a scientific victory. It will be a success enough if the randomly generated bonus will allow you to reduce the time necessary for research.
Stockholm
Icon | Sovereign Bonus |
 | Your districts provide +1 Great Person point of their type. |
Another important bonus, which can be generated in a different way, and helps even if you don't divert much of your attention to recruiting Great Persons. If the infrastructure of your cities is developed, you can generate Great Person points much faster than other nations, divesting them of the profits resulting from this. Being a sovereign of this city pays off, but remember that you cannot neglect the growth of your districts to receive adequate benefits.