Civilization 7 introduces a significant shift with the Ages mechanic, allowing players to transition their civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. While you can change civilizations, your chosen leader remains constant throughout the game. Leaders in Civilization 7, though less versatile than civilizations, come with unique abilities that can be strategically combined for powerful gameplay. To aid in your leader selection, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses for a standard, single-player game. This list does not include multiplayer considerations or the DLC leaders 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 thrives on maintaining high levels of happiness within his cities. For every 5 excess happiness points, you gain +1 production, and settlements not founded by you receive a +10% production boost. Declaring a formal war triggers a celebration, granting a +5 combat strength against districts for all units. This leader excels in converting happiness into military might, making him a formidable force in wars. However, managing unrest in newly acquired settlements is crucial to maintaining this advantage.
S-Tier: Augustus
Augustus excels in expanding his empire through multiple towns, enhancing his capital's production by +2 for every town. He can purchase culture buildings in towns and enjoys a 50% discount on building purchases there. Augustus's strategy revolves around establishing and maintaining numerous towns, leveraging them to bolster his capital's production and culture output. This approach is straightforward yet effective, promoting both expansion and economic growth.
S-Tier: Confucius
Confucius accelerates city growth with a +25% growth rate and boosts science output by +2 from specialists. This leader is perfect for players focusing on rapid expansion and technological advancement. His ability to quickly expand borders and dominate in science makes him a top choice, though he may require additional support for defense.
S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings
Xerxes, King of Kings is tailored for aggressive play, with units gaining +3 combat strength in neutral or enemy territory. Capturing a settlement for the first time grants 100 culture and gold per age, and he enjoys a +10% gold bonus in all settlements, especially those not founded by him. His +1 settlement limit per age further supports his expansionist approach. Xerxes is ideal for players aiming for a military victory.
A-Tier Leaders
A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer
Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on population growth, with +1 food in cities for every 5 excess happiness and a +10% food increase during celebrations. Buildings gain a +1 happiness adjacency bonus from improvements. This leader shifts the focus from military conquest to population and land management, offering a strong alternative strategy.
A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin enhances science and production, gaining +1 science per age from production buildings and a +50% production boost towards constructing them. He can also have two endeavors of the same type active, furthering his science output. Franklin is a versatile leader for players aiming for a science victory.
A-Tier: Charlemagne
Charlemagne combines military and science, with buildings receiving happiness adjacency bonuses from quarters. Entering a celebration grants two free cavalry units and a +5 combat strength boost for cavalry. This leader is excellent for early to mid-game dominance, though he may struggle in the modern age.
A-Tier: Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman excels in espionage, with a +100% influence towards initiating actions and gaining 5 war support when wars are declared against her. Her units ignore movement penalties from vegetation, making her a stealthy and elusive choice.
A-Tier: Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut thrives on trade, gaining +1 culture for every imported resource and a +15% production boost towards buildings and wonders near navigable rivers. She is a strong contender for players focusing on cultural victories.
A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman
Himiko, High Shaman, is the premier culture producer, with +2 happiness per age on happiness buildings and a +50% production boost towards them. She enjoys a +20% culture boost, doubled during celebrations, though this comes at the cost of -10% science. Himiko is perfect for players aiming for a cultural victory but must manage her science disadvantage.
A-Tier: Isabella
Isabella can gain significant gold and tile yields from natural wonders, making her a strong choice if you can secure them early. She also benefits from a +50% gold discount on naval units and reduced maintenance costs. Isabella is ideal for players looking to leverage natural wonders and maintain a powerful navy.
A-Tier: Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal excels in celebrations, with a +50% duration and +50% happiness towards them. He gains additional culture and gold from narrative events, making him a great choice for players focusing on culture and leveraging celebrations effectively.
A-Tier: Machiavelli
Machiavelli is a master of diplomacy and deceit, gaining +3 influence per age and significant gold from diplomatic actions. He can ignore relationship requirements for declaring formal wars and levy units from city-states he isn't suzerain of. Machiavelli is ideal for players who enjoy a cunning, strategic approach.
A-Tier: Trung Trac
Trung Trac is a military powerhouse, with her army commanders gaining three free levels and a +20% experience boost. She also receives a +10% science boost in tropical spaces, doubled during formal wars she declares. Trung Trac is perfect for players focusing on military and technological advancement.
A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid
Xerxes, The Achaemenid, focuses on trade and economic growth, gaining +1 trade route limit with other leaders and significant culture and gold from creating trade routes or roads. He also benefits from unique buildings and improvements, making him a strong choice for players aiming for an economic victory.
B-Tier Leaders
B-Tier: Amina
Amina enhances resource management, with +1 resource capacity in cities and +1 gold per age for each assigned resource. Her units gain +5 combat strength in plains or desert, making her a decent choice for resource-focused players.
B-Tier: Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great boosts culture through great works, gaining additional slots and culture per age. Cities in tundra gain science based on culture output, making her a situational but strong culture producer.
B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique
Friedrich, Oblique, starts army commanders with a merit commendation and gains an infantry unit when constructing a science building. While useful, his lack of direct yield boosts limits his potential.
B-Tier: Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with wildcard attribute points and increased unit sight. His unique endeavor, Trade Maps, allows visibility of other leaders' explored areas, making him a versatile but complex choice.
B-Tier: Lafayette
Lafayette gains an additional social policy slot through his unique endeavor, Reform, and boosts combat strength with traditions. He also enjoys a small but unconditional culture and happiness boost, making him a solid but unspectacular choice.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor
Napoleon, Emperor, thrives on antagonizing other leaders, gaining gold for every unfriendly or hostile relationship. His Continental System sanction disrupts trade routes, though it comes at a high diplomatic cost.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary
Napoleon, Revolutionary, enhances land unit movement and gains culture from defending against enemy units. This unique playstyle can be rewarding but requires careful management of military engagements.
B-Tier: Tecumseh
Tecumseh benefits from being suzerain of city-states, gaining food, production, and combat strength for each. While potentially powerful, achieving this status requires significant setup and time.
B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa
Himiko, Queen of Wa, excels in alliances, gaining significant science boosts from friendly relationships and the Friend of Wei endeavor. She must balance her diplomatic approach with adequate defense.
C-Tier Leaders
C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque
Friedrich, Baroque, gains a great work and an infantry unit from specific actions but lacks strong yield bonuses, making him a less impactful choice.
C-Tier: Pachacuti
Pachacuti is highly situational, thriving near mountains with food adjacency bonuses and reduced specialist maintenance. Without mountains, his effectiveness is severely limited.
This tier list provides a comprehensive guide to help you select the best leader for your playstyle in Civilization 7, focusing on their unique abilities and strategic potential.
