There are six ways to achieve victory in Civilization IV.
Conquest
Eliminate all other civilizations.
Tips for Conquest Victory
- Tanks and planes are the most ideal troops for the job, as the planes will destroy the defences while the tanks do the work.
- Do NOT use an ICBM, as it will turn the city into a radioactive wasteland.
Cultural
Be in possession of 3 cities with legendary culture.
Tips for Cultural Victory
TBA
Domination
Lead in world population by 30% and have 65% of the world under your control (the percentages may vary).
Tips for Domination Victory
TBA
Space Race
Build and Launch your spacecraft and get to Alpha Centauri first.
Tips for Space Race Victory
- Boost science to research Rocketry and the rest of the necessary technologies.
- Complete the Apollo Program as quickly as possible.
- Build buildings and tile improvements that enhance production (e.g. Workshops, Factories, and Coal/Hydro/Nuclear Plants).
- Collect Aluminum and Copper to speed up construction of the parts.
- Make sure to build a lab in all of your city’s, as this increases spaceship building by 50%
- The space elevator can be used to get another 50% spaceship building rate.
Diplomatic
Win a United Nations election as world leader for diplomatic victory.
First, you must reach the Modern Era and build the United Nations wonder. Once it has been built, an election will be held and one leader will be chosen to be the Secretary General. This leader can then choose from a number of different voting agendas, including the election for a world leader. If the Secretary General holds a world leader election and a single leader receives at least 60% of the votes, he or she becomes the world leader and wins a Diplomatic Victory.
In Beyond the Sword, it is also possible to win a Diplomatic Victory by building the Apostolic Palace wonder, which allows a world leader to be chosen in much the same way as the United Nations.
Tips for Diplomatic Victory
- Rush Mass Media.
- Build the United Nations as quickly as possible.
- Focus on founding cities and increasing your empire's population - a larger population means more voting power in elections.
- If you have to go to war with other civilizations, try to make them your vassals so that they will be forced to vote for you in elections.
- If you are attempting to win with the Apostolic Palace, you can control the spread of the AP religion to give yourself an advantage.
Time
Have the highest score when the time ends. (At Normal speed, it ends in 2050 AD.)