Highlights

  • Lincoln's military prowess in Civ 6 is unmatched, providing free infantry units and bonuses that make domination victories almost effortless.
  • His focus on industrial zones boosts production, making him ideal for domination, culture, and science victories in the game.
  • Lincoln will need some adjustments for balance's sake if he returns as a leader in Civ 7.

Civilization 6 is beloved for its complexity, impressive number of leaders, and historical accuracy. With the amount of strategies that arise from its depth, the replay value is through the roof. With the recent Leader Pass, it added the familiar President Abraham Lincoln to its mix.

America is one of the strongest nations to play in Civilization 6, until now headed by Theodore Roosevelt. But for a game that facilitates thoughtful strategy, the shocking military capability Honest Abe brings to the map practically hands players a win. Given how he achieves a domination victory far more easily than other leaders, the upcoming Civilization 7 should nerf his best abilities, at the least, if it plans on bringing him back.

Civilization 6 Abraham Lincoln Diplomacy Screen
Related
Civilization 6: Abraham Lincoln Leader Guide

Abraham Lincoln is an American Leader introduced in the Great Negotiator's Pack for Civilization 6, with a focus on industry and strong units.

Abraham Lincoln Heads the Industrial Revolution

Abraham Lincoln is suited for a domination victory but also serves well for culture and science. One of the hardest parts of building a powerful military in Civ 6 is the production it takes per unit, but Lincoln provides free units in the mid-to-late game and major boosts toward other valuable resources. He takes quite an investment at first, but the payoff for that overwhelming late-game win is well worth it.

Free Infantry for World Domination

Gaining an industrial zone and its buildings produces a free melee infantry unit under the Civil War-era president, and units produced this way gain a permanent +5 strength. In addition, IZs grant Lincoln additional Civ 6 amenities and loyalty. Later, switching between power sources also unlocks a free unit. If players can keep their cities powered otherwise, switching IZs constantly is a major exploit for military might.

On lower difficulties, at least against an AI, building up technological advancement to access industrial-era buildings will easily back the most formidable army on the map at an insanely low cost. This frees up production space for more units, and players can even try to get a wonder or great person that unlocks infantry earlier. With Lincoln’s boost to combat strength, corps or army units' additional strength, great general boons, military world wonders, and suzerain combat bonuses, even a single infantry unit could be nearly unstoppable.

Production Toward Cultural Victory

When the free units free up production space in cities, players going for domination might prioritize military buildings or other units. However, not spending production on training units at all means players can put their energy toward wonders and districts, making Lincoln a viable option for a Civ 6 cultural victory, for which wonders, artwork, and artifacts are key.

For a Civilization installment revered for its unique strategic depth, Abraham Lincoln is simply too powerful to not be strongly adjusted for Civilization 7.

Culture victories only occur after advancing to tourism in the late game, which Lincoln already facilitates with his abilities. But a heavy culture focus also encourages players to operate peacefully, as being at war slows down tourism and discourages open borders. The free infantry gives Abe excellent defense off the bat, which is especially useful while playing against other humans or a more aggressive AI.

With such a heavy incentive to create more industrial zones and boost production under Lincoln, players will rapidly snowball into any victory they go for, and taking out every other civilization is a breeze. As fun as that may be, that snowball effect throws off the balance of the game. For a Civilization installment revered for its unique strategic depth, Abraham Lincoln is simply too powerful to not be strongly adjusted for Civilization 7.