Civilization 7 introduces significant changes to the series, notably the Ages mechanic, which requires players to transition their civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. A unique aspect is that while civilizations change, the chosen leader remains constant throughout the game. Leaders in Civilization 7, though not as comprehensive in traits and units as civilizations, possess powerful abilities that can lead to strategic advantages when combined effectively. To aid players in selecting the best leader for their gameplay, we've compiled a detailed tier list that evaluates each leader's strengths and weaknesses, focusing on a standard, single-player game.
Note: This tier list does not consider synergies with civilizations, and excludes multiplayer scenarios and 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 excels at maintaining high levels of happiness while dominating other civilizations. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, Ashoka can rapidly increase unit production. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, providing a +5 Combat Strength boost against Districts for all units. This leader is perfect for players who can manage happiness and settlement unrest, leveraging excess Happiness for continuous production boosts and military strength during Celebrations.
S-Tier: Augustus
Augustus thrives by expanding widely through settlements and towns. He gains +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and can purchase Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% discount. His strategy revolves around maintaining numerous Towns without upgrading them to Cities, maximizing Gold and Production benefits. Augustus is ideal for players who enjoy a straightforward expansion strategy focused on economic growth and cultural development.
S-Tier: Confucius
Confucius is the go-to leader for rapid city growth and scientific advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists, Confucius can quickly expand and advance technologically. This leader suits players who prioritize peaceful expansion and technological dominance, though they should consider strong alliances or defensive strategies to protect their advancements.
S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings
Xerxes, King of Kings is designed for aggressive players aiming for a Military Victory. He gains +3 Combat Strength for units attacking in neutral or enemy territory and benefits from capturing settlements, gaining 100 Culture and Gold per Age. With an increased settlement limit per Age and a 10% Gold bonus in all settlements, Xerxes is perfect for those who want to dominate through military conquest.
A-Tier Leaders
A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer
Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on converting happiness into population growth rather than military might. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and a 10% Food bonus in all Settlements during Celebrations, this leader is excellent for players who prefer a peaceful expansion and city management strategy, avoiding the unrest associated with conquest.
A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is ideal for players focused on science and production. His traits include +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings, 50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings, and additional Science from active Endeavors. Franklin's versatility allows for a strong feedback loop between Science and Production, making him suitable for those aiming for technological advancement.
A-Tier: Charlemagne
Charlemagne combines military and scientific prowess, gaining Happiness from Military and Science Buildings and receiving free Cavalry Units during Celebrations. With a +5 Combat Strength boost for Cavalry during Celebrations, Charlemagne is perfect for early and mid-game dominance, particularly with a horse-centric strategy.
A-Tier: Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman excels in espionage and defensive strategies. With 100% Influence towards Espionage Actions, 5 War Support when wars are declared against her, and units that ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, Tubman is ideal for players who enjoy a stealthy and disruptive gameplay style.
A-Tier: Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut leverages trade and production bonuses, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and 15% Production towards Buildings and Wonders adjacent to Navigable Rivers. She's perfect for players focusing on cultural growth and early Wonders, provided they can utilize rivers effectively.
A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman
Himiko, High Shaman is a top choice for cultural development, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings, 50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings, and a significant +20% Culture boost (doubled during Celebrations). However, she suffers a -10% Science penalty, making her suitable for players who can manage this trade-off.
A-Tier: Isabella
Isabella's strategy revolves around exploiting Natural Wonders, gaining 300 Gold upon discovery and doubled if in Distant Lands. With additional tile yields from Natural Wonders and reduced costs for Naval Units, Isabella is perfect for players who can locate and utilize these wonders early in the game.
A-Tier: Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal excels in leveraging Celebrations, with a 50% increase in Celebration duration and Happiness towards Celebrations. He also gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, making him ideal for players who can capitalize on frequent and extended Celebrations.
A-Tier: Machiavelli
Machiavelli is the master of deception and diplomacy, gaining Influence and Gold from Diplomatic Actions and the ability to declare Formal Wars without Relationship requirements. He can also levy military units from City-States he is not Suzerain of, making him suitable for players who enjoy a cunning and opportunistic playstyle.
A-Tier: Trung Trac
Trung Trac is designed for players who want to maximize the power of Army Commanders. With free levels on the first Army Commander, 20% Commander experience, and Science bonuses in Tropical Spaces during Formal Wars, Trung Trac is perfect for those who can utilize Commanders effectively and have access to tropical tiles.
A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid
Xerxes, The Achaemenid offers a variety of benefits through trade, gaining Culture and Gold from creating Trade Routes and Roads. With an additional Trade Route limit and bonuses on Unique Buildings and Improvements, Xerxes is ideal for players focusing on economic and cultural growth through trade.
B-Tier Leaders
B-Tier: Amina
Amina is a decent choice for players interested in resource management, gaining +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned. Her units also receive a +5 Combat Strength boost in Plains or Desert, making her suitable for specific map types.
B-Tier: Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great is focused on cultural development, gaining additional Culture from Great Works and Science from cities settled in Tundra. She's suitable for players who can effectively utilize Tundra and engage in the Culture Legacy Path.
B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique
Friedrich, Oblique enhances Army Commanders with the Merit Commendation and gains Infantry Units from Science Buildings. He's a good choice for players focusing on a scientific approach to military growth, though he lacks direct yield boosts.
B-Tier: Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta offers flexibility through Wildcard Attribute Points and increased visibility of other leaders' explored areas. He's ideal for players who can strategically use these attributes and map information to their advantage.
B-Tier: Lafayette
Lafayette provides additional Social Policy slots through the Reform Endeavor and gains Combat Strength from Traditions. With bonuses to Culture and Happiness in Settlements, particularly in Distant Lands, Lafayette is a solid choice for a well-rounded strategy.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor
Napoleon, Emperor thrives on being disliked, gaining Gold from unfriendly or hostile relationships and using the Continental System Sanction to disrupt trade. He's suitable for players who enjoy a confrontational style but must be prepared for potential backlash.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary
Napoleon, Revolutionary offers increased movement for Land Units and Culture from defending enemy units. He's ideal for players who can provoke and defend against enemies effectively, leveraging these encounters for cultural growth.
B-Tier: Tecumseh
Tecumseh gains Food, Production, and Combat Strength bonuses from being Suzerain of City-States. He's suitable for players who can invest time and resources into becoming Suzerain of multiple City-States.
B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa
Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on maintaining friendly relationships, gaining Science bonuses from alliances and the Friend of Wei Endeavor. She's perfect for players who can manage diplomatic relations to boost their technological advancement.
C-Tier Leaders
C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque
Friedrich, Baroque offers a Great Work upon capturing a Settlement and an Infantry Unit from Culture Buildings. However, his traits lack the strength and distinctiveness needed to compete with higher-tier leaders.
C-Tier: Pachacuti
Pachacuti is dependent on Mountains for Food and Happiness bonuses from Buildings and Specialists. He's a strong choice in the right map conditions but can be ineffective without access to Mountains.
This comprehensive tier list should help players navigate the diverse array of leaders in Civilization 7, selecting the best fit for their preferred playstyle and strategy as they progress through the Ages.
