Civilization 7 Leaders Tier List

In *Civilization 7*, the introduction of the Ages mechanic marks a significant evolution in the series, allowing players to transition their civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. While civilizations change, your chosen leader remains constant throughout the game, offering unique abilities that can synergize effectively with different civilizations. To help you navigate the vast array of leaders, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player game. This guide will assist you in selecting the ideal leader to lead your empire into the Modern Age.

Note: This tier list does not account for synergies with civilizations and excludes multiplayer considerations and DLC leaders Ada Lovelace and Simón Bolívar.

Civilization 7 Leader Tier List

S-Tier Leaders

S-Tier: Ashoka, World Conquerer

Ashoka, World Conquerer excels in maintaining high levels of Happiness, which translates into significant production boosts. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, Ashoka can rapidly expand and strengthen his military. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, granting a +5 Combat Strength against Districts for all Units. This leader is perfect for players who enjoy a balance of internal prosperity and aggressive expansion.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on establishing numerous Towns, gaining +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns. With a 50% discount on purchasing Buildings in Towns, Augustus can efficiently expand his empire's cultural and economic influence. His strategy revolves around maintaining Towns rather than upgrading them to Cities, which maximizes his bonuses and saves resources.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is the go-to leader for those focused on rapid city growth and technological advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists, Confucius can quickly expand his borders and lead in technological development. His strengths lie in peaceful expansion and scientific dominance, though he may require alliances or strong defensive strategies to protect his empire.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is designed for players who prefer a direct military approach. With +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory and bonuses for capturing Settlements, Xerxes excels in conquest. He also gains Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement, fueling further military endeavors. His straightforward strategy makes him a formidable force on the battlefield.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on converting Happiness into population growth, offering +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration. This leader is ideal for players who prefer a more peaceful approach, focusing on internal development and population management.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a versatile leader for those aiming for a Science victory. With bonuses to Science from Production Buildings and the ability to have multiple active Endeavors, Franklin can accelerate technological progress and production. His strengths lie in creating a feedback loop between Science and Production, making him a strong choice for tech-focused players.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science, gaining Happiness from Military and Science Buildings and receiving free Cavalry Units during Celebrations. His strategy revolves around leveraging Celebrations to bolster his military, particularly Cavalry Units, making him a strong choice for early and mid-game dominance.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman excels in Espionage and defensive warfare, with +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions and bonuses to War Support when attacked. Her Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, making her a stealthy and resilient leader. Tubman is perfect for players who enjoy a more covert and strategic approach to victory.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut is a cultural powerhouse, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and +15% Production towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. Her strategy focuses on establishing strong trade relationships and leveraging river-adjacent cities for cultural and production advantages.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is the ultimate Culture leader, with significant bonuses to Happiness Buildings and Culture output. While she suffers a Science penalty, her ability to double Culture during Celebrations makes her a top choice for players pursuing a Cultural victory.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain substantial early-game advantages by discovering Natural Wonders, receiving Gold and enhanced tile yields. Her focus on Naval Units and Gold generation makes her a strong choice for players who can secure Natural Wonders and leverage them for economic and military growth.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels in prolonging and benefiting from Celebrations, gaining additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events. His strategy revolves around maximizing the duration and frequency of Celebrations, making him a strong choice for players focused on cultural and economic growth.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is the master of diplomacy and deceit, gaining Influence and Gold from Diplomatic Actions and the ability to levy Military Units from City-States. His strategy involves manipulating relationships and using his Influence to gain military and economic advantages.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is designed for players who want to leverage Army Commanders effectively. With bonuses to Commander experience and Science in Tropical Spaces, Trung Trac can create powerful military units and accelerate technological progress in the right environment.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid focuses on economic and cultural growth through Trade Routes and Unique Buildings. With bonuses to Culture and Gold from these sources, Xerxes can build a strong economic foundation and cultural presence, making him a versatile choice for players.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina offers bonuses to Resource Capacity and Gold generation from assigned Resources, making her a decent choice for players focused on resource management. Her situational combat bonus in Plains or Desert can be useful in specific scenarios.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is a strong cultural leader, gaining Culture from Great Works and additional Science in Tundra cities. Her effectiveness depends on access to Tundra and the ability to display Great Works, making her a situational but powerful choice.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique provides bonuses to Army Commanders and Infantry Units from Science Buildings. While not the strongest in terms of yields, his focus on military strength through Commanders can be effective in the right hands.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility through Wildcard Attribute Points and increased visibility of the map. His versatility can be powerful for experienced players who can leverage his traits effectively.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette provides bonuses to Combat Strength from Traditions and unconditional Culture and Happiness in Settlements. While not the most specialized, his balanced traits can be useful for a well-rounded strategy.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor gains Gold from being Unfriendly or Hostile with other leaders and can disrupt Trade Routes. His strategy involves managing relationships and leveraging his disruptive abilities, though it requires careful military planning.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary offers increased movement for Land Units and Culture from defending enemy units. His unique playstyle requires provoking enemies while maintaining a strong defense, making him a challenging but rewarding choice.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh gains bonuses from being Suzerain of City-States, offering increased Food, Production, and Combat Strength. His effectiveness depends on the ability to gain Influence and control City-States, making him a strategic choice for players who can set up the necessary infrastructure.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on maintaining friendly relationships, gaining Science from alliances and supporting Endeavors for free. Her strategy revolves around diplomacy and technological advancement, though it requires careful management of military defenses.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

Friedrich, Baroque offers minor bonuses from capturing Settlements and constructing Culture Buildings. While not particularly strong, his traits can provide some utility in specific scenarios.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti gains bonuses from proximity to Mountains, offering increased Food and reduced Happiness maintenance for Specialists. His effectiveness is highly dependent on map generation, making him a risky choice without favorable terrain.