Civ 6: Hermetic Order [How To Unlock & Guide]

Hermetic Order in Civ 6 is a secret society focusing on alchemy, mysticism, and magical concepts included in the "Gathering Storm" expansion.

The “Secret Societies” game mode allows the players of Civ 6 to have the option of joining one of the numerous secret societies, which provides their civilization special advantages, benefits, and skills. One of these secret societies is the Hermetic Order in Civ 6, which focuses on alchemy, mysticism, and magical concepts. Players can learn how to unlock hermetic order civ 6 in detail by following the steps below.

Key Takeaways
  • Secret Societies is a mode in Civilization VI that allows the player to join the Hermetic Order.
  • Joining the Hermetic Order gives you access to unique units, buildings, and powers based on mysticism and alchemy.
  • Ley Lines is an exclusive resource that becomes available to the players after joining the Hermetic order, which offers great benefits.
  • The four membership levels of the Hermetic Order:
    1. Initiation
    2. Ritual
    3. Indoctrination
    4. The master plan.
  • The civilizations which offer some of the best synergies in Civ 6 are:
    1. Canada
    2. Russia
    3. Brazil
    4. Kongo
    5. Scotland

What Is The Hermetic Order In Civilization 6

Governors of the Hermetic Order-
Governors of the Hermetic Order

Players who know how to unlock the Hermetic Order Civ 6 have access to special units, structures, and powers that are based on mysticism and alchemy. They might learn how to transform resources into more valuable ones, for instance, or they might learn how to examine ancient manuscripts to improve their knowledge of science and production.

Players who want to play Civilization VI with a magical or esoteric theme can gain a tactical edge over the Hermetic Order. To join the Hermetic Order in Civilization VI, you need to partake in the “Secret Societies” game mode, which is included in the “Gathering Storm” expansion pack.

Here’s how you can join the Hermetic Order:

  1. Start a new game in Civilization VI and enable the “Gathering Storm” expansion pack.
  2. Make sure to select the “Secret Societies” game mode during game setup.
  3. You can accomplish this by selecting the “Secret Societies” checkbox in the advanced game setup options.
  4. You can choose the civilization with which the game will begin.
  5. You will be informed of the secret societies’ arrival as soon as it begins.
  6. You can learn more about the available secret organizations, including the Hermetic Order, from the announcement.
  7. Click on the notification or head to the “Government” screen, which is found in the top left corner of the screen, to join the Hermetic Order.
  8. A new tab titled “Secret Societies” will appear on the “Government” screen.
  9. To view the available secret societies, click that tab.
  10. Click the “Join” option after selecting the Hermetic Order from the list of eligible secret societies.
Unlocking the Hermetic Order
Unlocking the Hermetic Order

Once you have joined the Hermetic Order, you will have access to special units, structures, and skills that are connected to society. You can use these resources to advance your gameplay and strategy in Civ 6.

Exclusive Resource Of The Hermetic Order: Ley Lines

In Civilization VI, ley lines are special features that can offer considerable advantages to nearby districts and improvements and are made available to civilizations when they join the Hermetic Order. When the player joins the Hermetic Order, ley lines are exposed to them after being produced on the map at the beginning of Civilization 6.

Ley Lines in Civilization 6
Ley Lines in Civilization 6

The following are some general  guidelines and pointers for making efficient use of ley lines:

District Location

It is crucial to arrange your city’s district location with ley lines in mind because they can grant advantages to neighboring districts. For instance, situating areas like Campuses, Industrial Zones, and Theater Squares close to ley lines can boost local production, culture, or science, respectively.

To benefit from the advantages offered by ley lines, try to establish cities in areas where they are present or strategically situated districts.

Improvement Placement

Ley lines may also benefit nearby projects, including farms, mines, and plantations. To increase the returns of these upgrades, think about sitting them next to ley lines. For instance, building a Farm or a Mine adjacent to a ley line can increase food output or production, respectively, increasing your city’s overall productivity.

Exploration

It’s crucial to explore the map early on to find the ley lines because they appear at the beginning but aren’t disclosed until you join the Hermetic Order. Plan your city settlements and district placements based on the position of ley lines by giving exploration a high priority and trying to uncover as much of the map as you can.

Bonuses

This last bonus makes Ley Line the main point of playing this secret society. You ought to receive a reward similar to this after advancing to the Industrial Era and becoming the governor of the Hermetic Order. a single tile with 20+ results (without considering district adjacency bonuses). 

  • Each earned Great Scientist, Great General, and Great Admiral contributions to science.
  • Each Great Engineer earns Culture, which drives production
  • Each great writer, musician, and artist contributes to culture.
  • Each Great Merchant earns Gold.
  • Faith is earned by each Great Prophet.

Membership Levels Explanation

Players can advance through four levels of membership in the Hermetic Order in Civilization VI. These degrees of membership are:

  • Initiation: Beginner’s level, unlocked by discovering a natural wonder, reveals Ley Lines for Great People and Science bonuses.
  • Ritual: Unlocked in the Medieval Era, introduces the Alchemical Society, replacing the University.
  • Indoctrination: Attainable in the industrial era, Ley Lines yield increased benefits based on your current age (Faith, Gold, Production, or Science).
  • Master Plan: The highest membership level, reached in the atomic era, introduces the Occult Research project, providing a random free technology or civic award upon completion.
Membership Levels of the Hermetic Order
Membership Levels of the Hermetic Order

You can improve your gameplay and strategy in Civilization VI with the help of the increasingly strong perks and powers that come with each degree of membership in the Hermetic Order.

Gaining points by performing tasks like creating a certain structure, hiring Great Scientists, or applying Hermetic Order specializations is the basis for moving forward in the Hermetic Order.

Hermetic Order In Different Eras Of Civ 6

Out of the four societies present in Civilization 6, the Hermetic Order is the least trustworthy one. Society improves significantly due to Ley Line Ley Lines’ bonuses and modifications to their spawn sites, but the reliability problem persists. Compared to the other three societies, their perks begin and peak considerably later, and they focus significantly on Ley Line Ley Lines, a new resource that only their members can see.

Civ 6 consists of four eras, namely the early game (ancient/classical era), the medieval era, the industrial era, and the atomic era. Strategies of the Hermetic Order in Civilization VI can be situational and depend upon the era you are currently in.

Here are some strategies for utilizing the Hermetic Order in different eras:

Early Game:

  • Find a natural wonder to join the Hermetic Order early.
  • Accumulate points as a priority; use “Transmutation” to convert less valuable resources.
  • Locate Ley Lines for city planning; their positions are revealed only upon joining the Hermetic Order.

Medieval Era:

  • Advance in the Hermetic Order for bonuses; Al-chemical Society replaces the University.
  • Generate additional Great Person points crucial for the Ley Lines tactic.
  • Strategically hire Great Scientists aligned with the Hermetic Order’s benefits.

Industrial Era:

  • Reach the industrial level to unlock indoctrination membership.
  • Leverage alchemical skills for advantages, especially through resource transmutation.
  • Capitalize on Ley Lines for significant boosts in productivity and economic growth.

Atomic Era:

  • Aim for the Hermetic Order’s Master level in the Atomic Era.
  • Unlock powerful perks like the “Alchemy” ability.
  • Utilize Occult Research for Gold and significant Great People points and Science from Ley Lines.
  • Focus on science-related structures, innovations, and Great Scientists for a competitive technical edge.
Hermetic Order Bonus in the Medieval Era
Hermetic Order Bonus in the Medieval Era

Best Civilization Synergies For The Hermetic Order

The hermetic Order depends on the large yields of the ley lines. Therefore, the Hermetic Order works best in societies that generate many Great Persons. The best ones are Sweden and Scotland for science, and Brazil, Russia, and Kongo for culture.

Scotland

The Scots must be content because if they are, they will gain additional points from Campuses and Industrial Zones for Great Scientist and Great Engineer, which is crucial for this plan. Cities in ecstasy receive double the bonuses.

Civilization of Scotland
Civilization of Scotland

Sweden

The Nobel Prize civilization ability of the Swedes gives them an additional Great Engineer and Scientist point from Universities and Factories, respectively. Additionally, this civilization gains +50 Diplomatic Favour upon hiring a Great Person.

This Diplomatic Favour can be exchanged with other Civilizations for up to 400 gold, which can then be used to patronize another Great Person, starting a beneficial cycle.

Civilization of Sweden
Civilization of Sweden

Russia

In Russia, a religious civilization, the Lavra serves as a substitute for Holy Sites, awarding an additional great writer, prophet, artist, and musician point.

If you’re determined to play with the Hermetic Order, Russia is a good option, although this civilization works much better with the Voidsingers’ secret society.

Civilization of Russia
Civilization of Russia

Brazil

Brazil, under Pedro II’s leadership, enjoys a significant advantage in the race for Great People. Magnanimous is the leader agenda of Pedro II; if a Great Person is hired or patronized, 20% of their point cost is refunded.

Civilization of Brazil
Civilization of Brazil

Kongo

In Civilization VI, the unique civilization Kongo, commanded by Mvemba a Nzinga, has its own set of skills and units. The cultural and religious aspects of Kongo’s talents can work nicely with specific gameplay techniques.

Civilization of Kongo
Civilization of Kongo

Canada

In Civilization VI, Wilfrid Laurier’s Canada is a distinct civilization with its own set of skills and units. The skills of Canada are centered on diplomacy and tundra geography, and they can work well with specific gameplay techniques.

Civilization of Canada
Civilization of Canada

Remember that the map structure, game settings, and play style are a few examples of the variables that might affect how well civilizations work together. To get the most out of your gameplay, it is critical to modify your approach based on your game situation and take advantage of the skills of your selected civilization in conjunction with the Hermetic Order.

Thus, the Hermetic Order is a civilization in Civilization VI that excels in scientific breakthroughs due to its special traits and abilities. Consider playing as the Hermetic Order and take advantage of their special benefits, skills, strategies, synergies, and bonuses to win if you love a scientific play style.

The Hermetic Order prevails in a science-focused playstyle from a strategic standpoint. Players should place developing Campuses and Research Labs, find natural wonders, and build Ley Line Nexuses first to maximize  Science Production. They have a major advantage in unlocking strong Great Scientists because of their ability to earn Great Scientist points through structures and projects.

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Sulaymaan Ahmad is a Senior Writer on eXputer who covers all the latest and greatest games. He has an engineering background and a knack for decimating players in First-Person Shooter games. He also enjoys narrative-driven games with characters he can emotionally invest in. Sulaymaan's love for gaming has been going strong for several years which is evident on his gaming profiles at Steam and PSN. Experience: 3+ Years || Written 150+ Guides || Mainly Covers Strategy Guides on eXputer

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