In Civilization 7, the Modern Age is a pivotal era where the fate of your empire is decided, and the game reaches its climax. Transitioning from the Exploration Age, it's crucial to leverage your strengths and make strategic decisions to secure victory. The civilization you choose during this age can significantly influence your success, with ten civilizations available (eleven if you include the Crossroads of the World DLC). When paired with the appropriate Civ 7 Leaders, these civilizations can create powerful synergies that propel you towards victory. To help guide your choice, here's our tier list for the best Modern Age civilizations in Civ 7.
Note: Your Leader can enhance your gameplay with specific buffs. When combined with the right civilization, these synergies can boost their effectiveness. Our tier list ranks civilizations based on their standalone capabilities, so consider how each civ will interact with your chosen Leader when making your selection.
Best Civ 7 Modern Civs
Civ 7 Modern Civs Tier List
S-tier: America, Meiji Japan
A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing
B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam
C-tier: Mughal
Note: We haven't ranked the new DLC Civ Great Britain yet - time will tell how it measures up!
S-Tier Modern Civs
The cream of the crop in Civilization 7, S-tier civilizations offer exceptional advantages, from powerful military units to superior resource management, enabling you to dominate the game.
S-tier: America
Frontier Expansion - Gain 100 Gold every time you improve a Resource. +30% Production towards constructing the Statue of Liberty.
Marine - American Unique Infantry Unit with the Amphibious ability, making them cheaper to train.
Prospector - American Unique Civilian Unit that can claim Land Resources beyond your regular Settlement radius.
Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district, providing +2 Food for every Resource assigned to the City.
Railyard - +5 Production and +1 Production Adjacency for Quarters and Wonders. American Unique Production Building, ageless.
Steel Mill - +6 Production and Gold adjacency for Resources and Wonders. American Unique Production Building, ageless.
America is a versatile and robust choice for the Modern Age, excelling in resource utilization. The Frontier Expansion trait provides significant gold boosts from improving resources, while the Industrial Park, formed by the Railyard and Steel Mill, offers substantial Food, Production, and Gold. This makes the USA well-rounded and capable of rapid expansion and production. The Prospector can secure crucial resources, and the Marine's Amphibious ability adds tactical flexibility.
For those aiming for an Economic Victory, understanding how to leverage Factory Resources in Civilization 7 can be key.
S-tier: Meiji Japan
Goisshin - Gain Science equal to 50% of a Building's Production cost when Overbuilding. +30% Production towards constructing Dogo Onsen.
Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit that respawns at 50% HP in the closest Settlement upon destruction.
Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit with increased range and +4 Combat Strength against other Fighters, capable of intercepting enemy Air Units.
Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Ginko and Jukogyo in the same District, boosting Gold and Production on adjacent Buildings.
Ginko - +5 Gold and +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Gold Building, ageless.
Jukogyo - +5 Production and +1 Production Adjacency for Coastal Terrain and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Production Building, ageless.
Meiji Japan offers a dynamic approach to the Modern Age, with the Goisshin trait enabling strategic district and building adjustments while gaining Science. The Zaibatsu Quarter maximizes Gold and Production, facilitating a strong endgame push. The Mikasa and Zero units provide formidable military options, with the Mikasa's respawn ability offering strategic resilience and the Zero dominating the skies.
For a comprehensive understanding of military options, explore all the Civ 7 Unit Types.
A-Tier Modern Civs
A-tier civilizations provide a balanced mix of resources and military power, suitable for various victory paths.
A-Tier: French Empire
Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - Choose Celebration effects from any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower.
Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit with Ranged attack capability and +2 Combat Strength within a friendly Army Commander Radius, though more expensive to train.
Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities with an Avenue, with the specific Jacobin received once. Cost increases per Jacobin trained.
Avenue - French Imperial Quarter formed by constructing the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon in the same District, providing +2 Happiness on Quarters in the City.
Jardin a la Francaise - +5 Culture and +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Culture Building, ageless.
Salon - +5 Happiness and +1 Culture Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Happiness Building, ageless.
The French Empire excels in cultural synergy, making it an excellent choice for a Cultural Victory. The Avenue, formed by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, creates a powerful loop of Culture and Happiness, enhancing your civilization's progress through the Modern Age. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait amplifies this effect through Celebrations. The Garde Imperiale offers defensive capabilities, ensuring your cultural pursuits remain undisturbed.
To maximize your cultural strategy, delve into Celebrations and Government Types in Civ 7.
A-Tier: Mexico
Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion, offering a Celebration effect of +30% Culture for 10 Turns. Cannot enter other Government types. +30% Production towards constructing Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Soldaderas - Mexican Unique Infantry Unit that heals adjacent Units +10 HP, non-stacking.
Revolucionario - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities with a Zocalo, with the specific Revolucionario received randomly. Each Revolucionario can only be received once. Cost increases per Revolucionario trained.
Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes in the same District, providing +2 Culture for every Tradition slotted into the Government.
Catedral - +5 Culture and +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building, ageless.
Portal de Mercaderes - +5 Culture and +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building, ageless.
Mexico is a powerhouse for Culture, offering a blend of Culture and Gold. The Revolucion trait provides a significant Culture boost during Celebrations, while the Zocalo Quarter, formed by the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes, further enhances your cultural output. The Soldaderas Unit adds a defensive layer, making Mexico a strong contender for a Cultural Victory.
For a complete guide on achieving victory, check out How to Win Civ 7 - every victory type explained.
A-Tier: Qing
Kang Qian Shengshi - +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, but -1 Science from imported Resources. +30% Production towards constructing Chengde Mountain Resort.
Gusa - Qing Unique Infantry Unit with +4 Combat Strength when adjacent to another Gusa.
Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant capable of establishing Trade Routes to import Resources from foreign Settlements, gaining 50 Gold per Resource acquired via naval Trade Routes.
Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Qianzhuang and Shiguan in the same District, providing +35% Influence in the Settlement.
Shiguan - +6 Science and +1 Happiness Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Science Building, ageless.
Qianzhuang - +5 Gold and +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Gold Building, ageless.
The Qing Civilization offers a mix of Gold, Culture, and Influence, though it comes with a Science penalty from imported Resources. Managing this trait is crucial in the fast-paced Modern Age, where technological advancement is key. The Shiguan can help offset the Science deficit, and the Huiguan Quarter boosts Influence. The Gusa Unit provides strong military options when grouped, making Qing a versatile choice.
For new players, understanding Civ 7 Map Settings can enhance your gameplay experience.
B-Tier Modern Civs
B-tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized, suitable for specific strategies.
B-Tier: Buganda
River Raids - Gain Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the yield or healing gained. Land Military Units gain the Amphibious ability. +30% Production towards constructing Muzibu Azaala Mpanga.
Abambowa - Bugandan Unique Infantry Unit that heals +10 HP from Pillaging any tile.
Mwami - Bugandan Unique Army Commander that yields 50% from pillaging within its Command Radius.
Kabaka’s Lake - +3 Happiness and receives Lake yield bonuses, including yields for all Buganda’s abilities and the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder. Bugandan Unique Improvement, ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. One per Settlement.
Buganda is ideal for aggressive players who enjoy pillaging. The River Raids trait, along with the Abambowa and Mwami units, offers significant benefits from pillaging, but requires constant warfare. The Kabaka’s Lake provides Happiness and Lake resources, but Buganda lacks direct access to crucial Modern Age yields like Science, Culture, Gold, and Influence, making pillaging essential for success.
For those engaged in warfare, explore the best Civ 7 Commander Upgrades.
B-Tier: Prussia
Blood and Iron - Units receive +1 Combat Strength for every Unfriendly or worse Civ Relationship.
Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit with +1 Movement and +1 Combat Strength for every Movement remaining.
Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit with +3 Combat Strength against Land Units.
Staatseisenbahn - Prussian Unique Railroad providing +2 Gold and Production on Rural tiles with a Staatseisenbahn.
Prussia is perfect for players who thrive on conflict, gaining Combat Strength from poor relationships with other civilizations. The Hussar and Stuka units are formidable in combat, but Prussia's focus on military might can be limiting. To keep up with Science and Culture, you'll need to capture Settlements, and the Staatseisenbahn can only do so much for Gold and Production. Aggressive play is essential, but be wary of overcommitting and facing a united front.
For those interested in diplomacy, learn How to Get and Use Civ 7 Influence.
B-Tier: Russia
Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts in Cities in Tundra. +30% Production towards constructing the Hermitage.
Cossack - Russian Unique Cavalry Unit with +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory.
Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit with +1 Movement and the Splash ability, dealing damage to enemy Units adjacent to the target.
Obschchina - +2 Food from adjacent Farms and +2 Culture in Tundra. Russian Empire Unique Improvement, ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Obshchina.
Russia offers modest yield bonuses on Districts, with a focus on Science and Culture, particularly in Tundra. While these bonuses are helpful, they may not be enough to outpace more specialized civilizations. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities, but their effectiveness is limited to specific scenarios.
B-Tier: Siam
Itsapharahab - Gains a unique Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Influence cost than Befriend Independent. +30% Production towards constructing Doi Suthep.
Chang Beun - Siamese Unique Ranged Unit with increased Ranged Strength, +1 Movement, and the ability to move after attacking.
Uparat - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended, with the specific Uparat received randomly. Each Uparat can only be received once. Cost increases per Uparat trained.
Bang - +3 Culture and Happiness. Siamese Unique Improvement, ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on a Navigable River.
Siam's unique trait allows immediate Suzerainty over City-States, which can be powerful if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun is a versatile ranged Unit, but Siam's overall impact depends on the City-States you ally with. This civilization requires careful management of Influence and strategic alliances.
To understand the role of City-States, learn more about Civ 7 Independent Powers and their bonuses.
C-Tier Modern Civs
C-tier civilizations are situational and may require a unique playstyle, best suited for experienced players.
C-Tier: Mughal
Paradise of Nations - +75% Gold from all sources. -25% to all other yields. +30% Production towards constructing the Red Fort.
Sepoy - Mughal Unique Infantry Unit capable of making a Bombard Ranged attack.
Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler capable of founding new Towns, providing +1 Population on new Settlements.
Stepwell - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. Mughal Unique Improvement, ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Stepwell.
The Mughal civilization offers a significant Gold boost but at the cost of reduced yields in other areas. This can be a powerful strategy if managed correctly, but the -25% penalty to other yields can be challenging, especially in the Science and Culture-driven Modern Age. The Sepoy and Zamindar units are useful, but the Mughal's success hinges on mitigating the yield penalty through strategic investments.
For those looking to master the game, understanding the nuances of each civilization is key to achieving victory in Civilization 7.
