In *Civilization 7*, the introduction of the Ages mechanic marks a significant shift in the series, allowing players to transition their civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. While civilizations change, your chosen leader remains constant, bringing unique abilities that can synergize well with different civilizations. To help you navigate the game effectively, we've compiled a detailed tier list of leaders, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player setting. This guide will assist you in selecting a leader that aligns with your strategy as you progress into the Modern Age.
Note: This tier list does not account for synergies with civilizations and is designed for standard, single-player gameplay. It excludes multiplayer scenarios and DLC leaders like Ada Lovelace and Simón Bolívar.
Civilization 7 Leader Tier List
S-Tier - Confucius, Xerxes King of Kings, Ashoka World Conquerer, Augustus
A-Tier - Ashoka World Renouncer, Benjamin Franklin, Charlemagne, Harriet Tubman, Hatshepsut, Himiko High Shaman, Isabella, Jose Rizal, Machiavelli, Trung Trac, Xerxes The Achaemenid
B-Tier - Amina, Catherine The Great, Friedrich Oblique, Ibn Battuta, Lafayette, Napoleon Emperor, Napoleon Revolution, Tecumseh, Himiko Queen of Wa
C-Tier - Friedrich Baroque, Pachacuti
S-Tier Leaders
S-Tier: Ashoka, World Conquerer
Ashoka, World Conquerer, excels in transforming happiness into military dominance. With a +1 Production bonus for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, you can rapidly expand your military and economic base. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, boosting your units' combat strength by +5 against Districts. This leader's ability to leverage happiness into sustained military advantage makes him one of the strongest choices for aggressive players.
S-Tier: Augustus
Augustus thrives on expansion through settlements. His abilities grant +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% discount on Gold. Augustus encourages a wide settlement strategy, focusing on maintaining towns rather than upgrading them to cities. This approach not only saves resources but also maximizes production and culture, making Augustus a powerful leader for those looking to dominate through sheer territorial expansion.
S-Tier: Confucius
Confucius is the master of city growth and scientific advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists, he allows for rapid territorial expansion and technological superiority. Early land-grabbing becomes effortless, and his science boost in the late game can lead to a technological edge. However, players may need to fortify their defenses or seek alliances to protect their expansive empire.
S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings
Xerxes, King of Kings, is the epitome of military conquest, with a +3 Combat Strength bonus for units attacking in neutral or enemy territory. Capturing a Settlement grants 100 Culture and Gold per Age, and his increased Settlement limit per Age encourages continuous expansion. Xerxes is ideal for players aiming for a Military Victory, as his abilities directly support aggressive territorial conquest.
A-Tier Leaders
A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer
Ashoka, World Renouncer, focuses on population growth and happiness. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during Celebration, he's perfect for players who prefer a peaceful expansion strategy. His ability to turn happiness into population growth can lead to strong, sprawling empires, though it requires careful management to avoid unrest.
A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is a powerhouse in science and production, with bonuses that create a self-sustaining loop. His +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings, +50% Production towards constructing them, and additional Science from active Endeavors make him a top choice for science-focused players. Franklin's versatility allows for rapid technological advancement and strong production capabilities.
A-Tier: Charlemagne
Charlemagne combines military and science with his focus on Cavalry Units and Happiness. Military and Science Buildings gain Happiness adjacency bonuses, and entering a Celebration grants free Cavalry Units with enhanced combat strength. Charlemagne is ideal for early game dominance, particularly with a cavalry-focused strategy, though he may face challenges in the Modern Age.
A-Tier: Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is the master of espionage and guerrilla warfare. With +100% Influence towards initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support on wars declared against her, she can disrupt opponents and maintain resilience. Her units ignore movement penalties from vegetation, making her a challenging opponent to pin down and defeat.
A-Tier: Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut leverages trade for cultural dominance. With +1 Culture for every imported Resource and +15% Production towards building Wonders and Buildings near Navigable Rivers, she excels in the early Culture Legacy Paths. Hatshepsut is a strong choice for players aiming to achieve cultural victories through trade and wonder construction.
A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman
Himiko, High Shaman, is the ultimate cultural leader, with a +20% Culture boost that doubles during Celebrations. Her focus on Happiness Buildings and the associated production bonuses make her ideal for players pursuing the Cultural Legacy Path. However, her -10% Science penalty requires strategic compensation to maintain technological competitiveness.
A-Tier: Isabella
Isabella can gain significant advantages from Natural Wonders, with bonuses that include 300 Gold for discovery and doubled yields if located in Distant Lands. Her naval focus, with reduced maintenance costs and increased purchasing power, makes her a strong choice for players who can secure early Natural Wonders and build a powerful naval presence.
A-Tier: Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal excels in prolonging and maximizing Celebrations, with bonuses to duration and happiness towards them. Additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events further enhance his cultural strategy. Rizal is a great choice for players looking to leverage celebrations for sustained cultural and economic growth.
A-Tier: Machiavelli
Machiavelli thrives on influence and gold, gaining bonuses from Diplomatic Actions and the ability to levy units from City-States. His ability to ignore relationship requirements for declaring wars makes him a versatile and potentially dangerous leader. Machiavelli is ideal for players who enjoy a strategic, influence-driven approach.
A-Tier: Trung Trac
Trung Trac is the leader for those who want to master Army Commanders. With free levels on the first Army Commander and increased experience gain, she can create powerful military units. Her +10% Science bonus in Tropical Spaces during Formal Wars further supports a strong science and military strategy, though it's map-dependent.
A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid
Xerxes, The Achaemenid, focuses on trade and economic growth, with bonuses to Culture and Gold from Trade Routes and Roads. His increased Trade Route limit and enhanced yields from Unique Buildings and Improvements make him a strong choice for players pursuing an Economic Victory.
B-Tier Leaders
B-Tier: Amina
Amina benefits from resource management, with increased Resource Capacity and Gold generation from assigned resources. Her units gain +5 Combat Strength in Plains or Desert, making her a solid choice for players who can leverage these terrain types.
B-Tier: Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great focuses on culture and science, with bonuses from Great Works and Tundra settlements. Her versatility makes her a good choice for players who can utilize these specific conditions to their advantage.
B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique
Friedrich, Oblique, enhances Army Commanders with the Merit Commendation and provides Infantry Units from Science Buildings. While strong in certain situations, he lacks direct yield bonuses, making him less competitive against more specialized leaders.
B-Tier: Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with Wildcard Attribute Points and increased map visibility. His versatility is valuable for experienced players, but may be challenging for newcomers to fully leverage.
B-Tier: Lafayette
Lafayette provides additional Social Policy Slots and combat bonuses from Traditions. His unconditional bonuses to Culture and Happiness make him a decent choice, though his traits may not be as compelling as those of higher-tier leaders.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor
Napoleon, Emperor, gains Gold from being Unfriendly or Hostile with other leaders and can disrupt trade with the Continental System. His troll-like approach requires careful management to avoid becoming a target, but can be rewarding for players who manage it well.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary
Napoleon, Revolutionary, enhances land unit movement and provides Culture from defensive combat. His unique playstyle requires players to provoke enemies while holding ground, which can be challenging but rewarding if executed correctly.
B-Tier: Tecumseh
Tecumseh gains bonuses from being Suzerain of City-States, offering increased Food, Production, and Combat Strength. His potential is high, but requires significant setup and time to realize, making him less ideal for players seeking immediate impact.
B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa
Himiko, Queen of Wa, benefits from friendly relationships, gaining Science from alliances and supporting Endeavors for free. Her strategy requires careful diplomacy to maintain positive relations, but can lead to significant technological advantages.
C-Tier Leaders
C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque
Friedrich, Baroque, provides a Great Work upon capturing a Settlement and Infantry Units from Culture Buildings. While his traits are decent, they lack the strength and distinctiveness to compete with higher-tier leaders.
C-Tier: Pachacuti
Pachacuti's abilities are highly dependent on the presence of Mountains, offering Food and Happiness benefits. His potential is high in favorable map conditions, but he can be ineffective without them, making him a risky choice for players who prefer a more consistent strategy.
This comprehensive guide should help you choose the right leader for your Civilization 7 gameplay, ensuring you can build a formidable empire throughout the Ages.
