In, Religion and Faith play a central role in shaping strategy for any civilization, but these features have been changed completely in As part of the widespread updates to gameplay systems and mechanics, has taken the Religious Victory path off the table and repurposed Faith mechanics into different facets throughout each of the three Ages.
There are four Legacy Paths in that lead to each victory condition — Culture, Science, Economic, and Military, the latter two of which replace the Religion and Domination victories from This might be a divisive move for players who enjoy Religious combat and the unique role Faith plays in developing cities.
However, Religion in adds to the already innumerable micromanaging tasks, something developers seek to remedy in. has not done away with Religion entirely, and it will still play a pivotal role in specific Legacy Paths during certain Ages.
In, Faith is an essential resource similar to Science and Culture and requires players to establish a Religion with a Great Prophet, earned by accumulating Great Prophet points through various means.
A Great Prophet establishes a Pantheon, which gives unique bonuses tied to Terrain and eventually becomes an established Religion. Missionaries and Apostles are then purchased using Faith and sent out into the world to spread the player's designated Religion, either by spending charges near cities or by winning in combat versus opposing religious units.