Civilization 7 Leaders Tier List

Civilization 7 introduces a number of large adjustments to the collection, most notably the Ages mechanic that has you swap out your civilization for a brand new one as the sport progresses by means of Antiquity, Exploration, and Fashionable Ages. Your alternative of chief, although, sticks with you all through the whole recreation.

Whereas they don’t present as many traits and models as Civilizations, Leaders nonetheless have highly effective skills that may create some glorious combos when combined and matched. That can assist you out, we’ve created this tier record of each Chief and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. This could assist you select who you wish to be the face of your empire as you construct your future all the way in which into the Fashionable Age.

Civilization 7 Chief 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 Excessive Shaman, Isabella, Jose Rizal, Machiavelli, Trung Trac, Xerxes The Achaemenid

B-Tier – Amina, Catherine The Nice, Friedrich Indirect, 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

• +1 Manufacturing for each 5 extra Happiness in Cities.
• +10% Manufacturing in Settlements not based by you.
• Declaring a Formal Conflict grants a Celebration. +5 Fight Power in opposition to Districts for all Items throughout a Celebration.

Ashoka, World Conquerer is all about protecting your personal residents completely satisfied whereas terrorizing different civilizations. Happiness is a really sturdy yield, and so long as you may preserve a powerful circulation of extra Happiness, you’ll get continuous advantages. Settlements not based by you and extra Happiness end in additional Manufacturing which means you can also make a number of Items and keep a powerful base to gas your struggle efforts. Additionally, declaring a Formal Conflict grants you an computerized Celebration. This offers you an on the spot +5 Fight Power in opposition to Districts and All Items. This makes you glorious at placing your enemy on the again foot instantly as soon as a struggle is asserted.

With all the surplus Happiness, you may probably get one or two additional Celebrations throughout a struggle, so that you undergo durations of utmost navy energy. The one factor to handle is, as you are taking over Settlements out of your fellow civs, coping with the unrest they convey. Nonetheless, should you can handle that and preserve everybody completely satisfied, Ashoka, World Conquerer is among the strongest leaders within the recreation.

S-Tier: Augustus

• +2 Manufacturing within the Capital for each City. Can buy Tradition Buildings in Cities.
• +50% Gold in the direction of buying Buildings in Cities.

Augustus will get a number of advantages from a comparatively easy model of play. He’s all about going broad together with his Settlements and establishing as many Cities as potential, be that by means of settling or conquest. Apparently although, his worth is available in not upgrading Cities to Metropolis. That saves him Gold, however he will get a pleasant bonus to Gold and Manufacturing for sustaining as many Cities as potential.

He can flip his Capital right into a powerhouse, with all of his cities feeding his central base. On high of he should buy buildings cheaper in Cities, and has entry to purchasing Tradition buildings. This could actually add up, each giving him immense quantities of Manufacturing and Tradition, but additionally saving him cash alongside the way in which. It’s a properly rounded model of play with nice advantages and an easy-to-understand aim. Simply get on the market and settle numerous Cities – or take them by drive.

S-Tier: Confucius

• +25% Development Price in Cities.
• +2 Science from Specialists.

Confucius is a grasp in the case of increasing his Cities. The pure +25% Development Price in Cities is simply highly effective, particularly early on when land-grabbing is necessary. You’ll be able to broaden your borders a lot sooner than your opponents, absorbing key Sources earlier than they’ll. And you are able to do it with out the ache of going to struggle.

He additionally has ease turning into among the best producers of Science within the recreation due to getting +2 Science from Specialists. This could make him notably potent, particularly ultimately recreation the place his Specilasits stack up, and he has entry to way more superior Expertise than different civilizations. He might have somewhat assist defending his lands, so a powerful Civilization pairing, or making a robust ally can go far. Exterior of that although, there’s not rather a lot that’s going to cease Confucius from gobbling up all of the land he can, all whereas being one of the technologically superior.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

• +3 Fight Power for Items which might be attacking in impartial or enemy territory.
• Acquire 100 Tradition and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement for the primary time. +10% Gold in all Settlements, elevated even additional in Settlements not based by you.
• +1 Settlement restrict per Age.

Xerxes, King of Kings is as easy because it will get. He has one specialty – attacking different gamers and taking their Settlements. It’s not difficult or highbrowed, however it’s undoubtedly efficient, particularly if you’re on the lookout for a Army Victory.

He advantages from being the aggressor in each scenario, getting free fight power, that doesn’t require something to activate previous initiating fights in overseas territory. He’s additionally incentivized to take over as many Settlements as his limits will permit, although he even will get the next Settlement restrict. For doing so, not solely is he advancing the Army Legacy Path, he beneficial properties Tradition and Gold additional fueling his navy goals.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

• +1 Meals in Cities for each 5 extra Happiness.
• +10% Meals in all Settlements throughout Celebration.
• All buildings acquire a +1 Happiness adjacency for all Enhancements.

Whereas not as militarily spooky because the World Conquerer model of Ashoka, the World Renouncer is actually nothing to smell at. Whereas the opposite model is about turning Happiness into navy would possibly, this model of Ashoka is all about turning Happiness into inhabitants.

This adjustments the play from making an attempt to take over as many Settlements together with your models, into going for a land seize and establishing Districts. This may be glorious in the proper arms, particularly those that know the best way to handle massive populations and metropolis building. You can even bypass the unrest of taking on Settlements, so there may be an argument the World Renouncer is as sturdy and even stronger. That mentioned, it requires somewhat extra finesse and doesn’t obtain the highly effective manufacturing bonuses. Both method although, so long as your inhabitants is completely satisfied, your borders must be increasing should you select to go the World Renouncer route.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

• +1 Science per Age on Manufacturing Buildings in CIties.
• +50% Manufacturing in the direction of establishing Manufacturing Buildings.
• +1 Science per Age energetic Endeavors you began or supported.
• Can have two Endeavors of the identical kind energetic at a time.

Benjamin Franklin is an distinctive and versatile Chief should you intend to go down the Science route in your recreation. What’s good is his specialties are in Science and Manufacturing, which means not solely are you able to analysis a number of Expertise rapidly, however you may then make the product of your labor quickly after too.

His traits create a pleasant suggestions loop round Manufacturing Buildings the place establishing Manufacturing Buildings could be carried out quick, and he then will get additional Science for every one. He additionally advantages from having good relations with these round him, and might additional his Science era by coming into into Endeavors.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

• Army and Science Buildings obtain a Happiness adjacency for Quarters. Acquire 2 free Cavalry Items, as soon as unlocked, when coming into a Celebration.
• +5 Fight Power for Cavalry Items throughout a Celebration.

Army and Science are all the time a robust mixture, permitting you to be on the leading edge of latest warfare Applied sciences, after which urgent that benefit. Charlemagne is inspired to push for Army and Science buildings to assist prop up some highly effective Happiness traits.

So long as he can preserve his inhabitants completely satisfied, he can frequently enter Celebrations, which in flip offers him free Cavalry Items. Whereas that’s happening too, these already sturdy early and mid-game models acquire much more power. It’s a really horse-centric technique, however stampeding over your fellow Civilizations is a really sturdy tactic within the early components of the sport. Whereas he could battle extra within the Fashionable Age as soon as the likes of Tanks and Planes are launched, he must be established with a really sturdy empire by then.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

• +100% Affect in the direction of Initiating Espionage Actions.
• Acquire 5 Conflict Assist on all wars declared in opposition to you.
• Items ignore motion penalties from Vegetation.

Harriet Tubman is undoubtedly one of many stealthiest selections in Civilization 7. Affect could be a highly effective yield, and Harriet can wield it maybe most powerfully of all. She will trigger some actual bother for different Civilizations by messing with them by means of technique of Espionage, permitting you to disrupt or steal benefits from others.

Even should you get caught and anger a robust drive, the 5 Conflict Assist you get when a struggle is asserted in opposition to you is a gigantic drain on them, that ought to help you grind out a victory. On high of that, her armies are nimble, and in a position to ignore vegetation, making her arduous to pin down, tricksy, and a ache to cope with when she’s defending.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

• +1 Tradition for each imported Useful resource.
• +15% Manufacturing in the direction of the development of Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjoining to Navigable Rivers.

Hatshepsut can get entry to essentially sturdy spikes in Tradition. It advantages her to have good relationships and set up Commerce Routes for imported Sources. She will get +1 Tradition for every one, so each time she enters right into a commerce with one other civilization, it offers her a pleasant increase of Tradition.

She’s additionally one of many perfect at producing Wonders, but additionally, Buildings typically. This makes her very sturdy within the early Tradition Legacy Paths. Whereas she must be using a Navigable River, most cities must be on one anyway, so this isn’t a troublesome requirement to fulfill.

A-Tier: Himiko, Excessive Shaman

• +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings.
• +50% Manufacturing in the direction of establishing Happiness Buildings.
• +20% Tradition however -10% Science, and these results are doubled whereas in a Celebration.

Himiko is probably the very best producer of Tradition in Civilization 7. Her traits are very highly effective, and the combination it has with Happiness is a potent one. Establishing Happiness Buildings is quick due to the manufacturing bonus, and the Happiness Buildings solely get stronger with age. She additionally will get a ridiculous +20% passive increase to Tradition, which doubles throughout Celebrations, additional feeding into Happiness.

Nonetheless, it comes with drawbacks. She additionally has a -10% passive to Science, which additionally doubles throughout a celebration. This may require you to concentrate on your handicap and work round it. That mentioned, so long as you both make the most of Endeavors or compensate for the Science loss with Buildings and sources, these potential peaks of Tradition boosts far outweigh the adverse Science nerf.

A-Tier: Isabella

• Acquire 300 Gold each time you uncover a Pure Surprise, doubled if the Pure Surprise is in Distant Lands.
• +100% further tile yields from Pure Wonders.
• +50% Gold in the direction of buying Naval Items, and -1 Gold upkeep price for Naval Items.

Isabella can completely catapult herself early on if she will be able to discover a Pure Surprise. Particularly within the Antiquity Age, if discovered early sufficient, 300 Gold is an enormous boon. This enables her to purchase models or buildings that ought to put her fairly a bit forward if carried out on the proper time. If she is ready to incorporate the Pure Surprise into her borders too, she’s going to get large tile Yields, making it once more, very highly effective the sooner you are able to do it.

That mentioned, this in fact relies in your discovering and securing the Pure Wonders. She will fall sufferer to unfortunate map placement. If there’s no close by Pure Surprise early on, then she’s not going to be getting many advantages. That mentioned, it doesn’t matter what, she ought to have a powerful Navy, by shopping for water-based Items and sustaining them with no downside.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

• When gaining rewards from Narrative Occasions, acquire a further 20 Tradition and Gold per Age.
• Has further Narrative Occasions.
• +50% Celebration length.
• +50% Happiness in the direction of Celebrations.

Jose Rizal is a grasp of Celebrations. The 50% Celebration Length and +50% Happiness in the direction of Celebrations tandem could be very sturdy. This may also help him make large beneficial properties with highly effective Celebration results, particularly if he strikes within the course of Tradition. He can have Celebrations typically and have them energetic for longer. That’s glorious.

He additionally will get good boosts of Tradition and Gold for the Narrative Occasions he participates in and fortunately they occur extra incessantly to him than over civs. Whereas these probably gained’t sway a recreation on their very own, they’re a pleasant garnish on the Celebration synergy accessible to him.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

• +3 affect per Age.
• Positive aspects 50 Gold per Age when your Diplomatic Motion proposals are accepted or 100 Gold when they’re rejected.
• Ignore Relationship necessities for declaring Formal Wars.
• Can Levy Army Items from Metropolis-States you aren’t Suzerin of.

Machiavelli is a superb possibility for individuals who wish to get positively devious. He has a robust synergy of Affect and Gold that makes him a menace always. Whereas he is probably not on the offensive each second, his capability to disregard Relationship Necessities to declare wars means even allies aren’t protected from a stab within the again.

Even his obvious energy stage could be misleading, as due to his capability to realize a number of Gold from Diplomatic Actions made together with his Affect, he should buy significant navy drive rapidly. On high of that, he has the very highly effective capability to levy models from Metropolis-States he isn’t Suzerain of. He’s not greatest at taking up sturdy armies and must be thought of in his actions, however he excels at a smash-and-grab playstyle, even on the expense of his associates.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

• Acquire 3 free Ranges in your first Military Commander.
• +20% Commander expertise.
• +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Areas. This bonus is doubled whereas in a Formal Conflict you declare.

Trung Trac is the grasp of using the highly effective new Military Commander models. These models allow you to command a number of models directly whereas offering them with highly effective bonuses. Whereas they aren’t essentially the strongest to start with, the extra ranges they get, the extra of a deciding issue they grow to be. Trung Trac not solely will get 20% Commander Expertise, however her Commanders spawn with three free ranges. This could make for some fairly sizeable spikes in navy energy that may affect wars. If her Commanders get actually highly effective and get a number of Commendations too, her armies shall be among the strongest on the map.

She additionally will get a pleasant increase to Science on Tropical Areas, a whopping 20% boostwhen at struggle, supercharging the formidable Science and Army combo. That mentioned, it’s map-dependent, as she’s going to want entry to these Tropical tiles.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

• +1 Commerce Route restrict with all different leaders.
• +50 Tradition and 100 Gold per Age once you create a Commerce Route or Street.
• +1 Tradition and Gold per Age on Distinctive Buildings and Distinctive Enhancements.

Xerxes, The Achaemenid has entry to a pleasant number of yields and advantages. The 100 Gold and 50 Tradition he will get from creating Commerce Routes and Roads are glorious and might offer you large spikes of each should you arrange a number of across the identical time. Contemplating he will get entry to 1 additional Commerce Route too for every Chief, there’s a good synergy right here.

That’s solely helped by his buff to Tradition and Gold on Distinctive Buildings and Enhancements. Make no mistake, this can be a large quantity of each, and when utilized correctly, it’s very, very sturdy.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

• +1 Useful resource Capability in Cities.
• +1 Gold per Age for every Useful resource assigned to Cities.
• +5 Fight Power on all Items in Plains or Desert.

Amina is unquestionably a good Chief who does properly with Sources. Sources are highly effective in Civilization 7, so getting access to extra just isn’t a foul factor. Whereas the +1 capability is sweet to have, the +1 Gold per Age for every Useful resource assigned to Cities is a superb Gold generator.

In fact, you’ll need to get entry to as many Sources as potential whereas housing them too, so that’s the place your recreation plan must be centered. Her Items getting a +5 Fight Power on all Items in Plains or Desert is a bit situational, but it surely may are available in clutch in the proper circumstances.

B-Tier: Catherine the Nice

• +2 Tradition per Age on displayed Nice Works. Constructing with Nice Works slot acquire 1 further slot.
• Cities settled in Tundra acquire Science equal to a proportion of their Tradition per flip.

Catherine the Nice is usually an awesome producer of Tradition. Displaying Nice Works is part of the Tradition Legacy Path, so her gaining access to additional slots to show them could be helpful when making an attempt to run by means of that as quick as potential. The Tradition increase for doing so may also feed extra Nice Works, making a pleasant suggestions loop.

That mentioned, she could be a little situational. Her cities being on Tundra do make for glorious Science output in tandem together with her Tradition era. That mentioned, should you can’t decide on Tundras or their barrenness finally ends up hurting you when it comes to sources, she could be a little trickier to make the most of.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Indirect

• Military Commanders begin with the Advantage Commendation, granting them further Command Radius.
• Acquire an Infantry Unit once you assemble a Science Constructing.

The Indirect model of Friedrich is probably going his higher possibility, although he’s nonetheless removed from the very best within the recreation. That isn’t to say he isn’t with out benefit although. Military Commanders are sturdy Items and the Advantage Commendations present probably the most highly effective results amongst them. Beginning with a kind of is an efficient method to increase your military’s energy early on. The extra Command Radius is as highly effective as any buffs and debuffs, permitting you to have an effect on extra Items.

He can also get an Infantry Unit when establishing a Science Constructing, which is a pleasant incentive to place your Gold and Manufacturing into these. That mentioned, he has no entry to Science, Affect, or Tradition buffs. Even for a scientific-focused Civilization, he can find yourself hurting his viability a bit as he’ll probably lag behind different specialists.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

• Acquire 2 Wildcard Attribute Factors after the primary Civic in each Age.
• +1 Sight for all Items.
• Acquire a novel Endeavor known as Commerce Maps that permits you to steadily see different Leaders’ Explored space.

Ibn Battuta may grow to be a robust Civilization if performed accurately, although he’s so versatile, his strengths is probably not obvious to these undecided the best way to make the most of Attribute Factors. Getting 2 of those after the primary Civic in every Age means that he’s versatile, and might spec himself into the scenario he finds himself in. That mentioned, with that flexibility comes extra alternative and complexity that may be somewhat unwieldy for brand new gamers.

Likewise, his visibility of the map granted from stealing different Explored areas and the additional sight from models is one thing that may be highly effective in skilled arms. Nonetheless that worth won’t be obvious to these much less versed in the best way to make use of that info. He brings rather a lot to the desk and could be very versatile. Simply be certain you know the way to make the most of that.

B-Tier: Lafayette

• Acquire a novel Endeavor known as Reform, which grants a further Social Coverage slot. Supporting this Endeavor additionally grants the opposite chief a further Social Coverage Slot.
• +1 Fight Power for each Custom, however not Coverage, slotted into Authorities.
• +1 Tradition and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands.

Lafayette has entry to some good traits, although they aren’t probably the most eye-catching in isolation. Him having the ability to use Reform to get further Social Coverage Slots is sweet, and may also help present yield boosts. The +1 Fight Power he will get from Traditions too is nothing to smell at. That mentioned, even with yield-focused insurance policies, he could battle to maintain up with extra specialised Leaders.

The +1 to Tradition and Happiness per Age, which is doubled in Distant Lands, is a very unconditional buff although. That’s good to have. This all comes collectively to make him a great Civilization, with a pleasant choice of good traits, although nothing right here is solely compelling right here by itself.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

• Acquire a novel Sanction known as Continental System that reduces the Commerce Route restrict of the focused Chief to all different Leaders. Causes large Relationship penalty, and prices extra to reject.
• +8 Gold per Age for each Chief you might be Unfriendly or Hostile with.
• Can reject endeavors for Free.

Napoleon, Emperor is for individuals who like being a little bit of a brat. He will get advantages from being a troll, gaining an excellent +8 Gold for each Chief he’s Unfriendly or Hostile with. That may be rather a lot if he’s annoying everybody. His Continental System Sanction messes with different civilizations’ capability to commerce, making it a wonderful choice to tick off his neighbors.

The issue is available in managing that hate. This implies it is going to be very arduous to enter into Endeavors, and even preserve Open Borders with these round you. In fact, it should additionally paint an unlimited goal in your again. Since he gives no buffs to his Items militarily, that’s a harmful recreation. So, should you’re going to be a jerk to everybody, ensure you have the military to again it up simply in case the results of your actions catch as much as you.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

• +1 Motion for all Land Items.
• Defending an enemy unit gives Tradition equal to 50% % of its Fight Power.

Napoleon, Revolutionary is an fascinating Chief. All of his land models get +1 motion which is useful when making an attempt to each traverse giant areas, in addition to being nimble when maneuvering round enemy models.

Nonetheless, the way you make the most of his different trait is probably going going to be what decides should you do properly with him or not. Tradition equal to 50% of enemy Fight Power when defending could be very spikey, providing you with a number of Tradition if you end up defending a number of occasions per flip. Nonetheless, to make the very best of this, that you must end up on this place comparatively typically. Meaning you’re going to wish to be frightening enemies, however holding your floor. It’s a fairly distinctive playstyle and could also be a bit awkward for some. But when used properly, it might be an enormous supply of Tradition. Simply anticipate to be placing different sources into sustaining your military as you frequently take hits.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

• +1 Meals and Manufacturing per Age in Settlements for each Metropolis-State you might be Suzerain of.
• +1 Fight Power for all of your Items for each Metropolis-State you might be Suzerin of.

Tecumseh has the potential to be excellent, however it should want time and setup. He’s all about turning into the Suzerain of Metropolis-States. For those who can rack up three or 4 of those, that’s a major bonus to Meals and Manufacturing, in addition to Fight Power.

The problem is that turning into a Suzerain takes a number of Affect and he doesn’t have an inherent trait that helps. So he’ll want a great pairing with a Civilization, Coverage, and Buildings/Districts to facilitate this. On high of that, it should simply take time so that you can get the Affect you want and persuade these states they need to come below your wing. Nonetheless, when you’ve got the infrastructure for it, the rewards could be pure and constant worth.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

• Acquire a novel Endeavor known as Pal of Wei that may be carried out in an Alliance to grant you and your ally +25% Science.
• +4 Science per Age for each Chief you might be Pleasant or Useful with.
• Can help Endeavors without spending a dime.

Himiko, Queen of Wa is the alternative of Napoleon, Emperor. She is all about being everybody’s greatest good friend, and should you can keep that, you’ll reap monumental advantages. The +4 Science per Age for each Chief you’re Pleasant or Useful with is barely helped by the Pal of Wei Endeavor. Multiply that by a number of allies, and that’s critical Science manufacturing.

Nonetheless, you do need to be somewhat cautious with it too. Be sure that being good to everybody doesn’t come at the price of your defensive navy. Your Technological advances and sunny demeanor could make others jealous, so don’t get caught out pondering everyone seems to be your good friend. That may exit the window rapidly when they need what you’ve got.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

• Acquire a Nice Work once you seize a Settlement for the primary time.
• Acquire an Infantry Unit once you assemble a Tradition Constructing.

Friedrich, Baroque has two traits and neither is especially sturdy or distinct. Gaining a Nice Work for capturing a Settlement for the primary time is respectable, however is unlikely to outright assist you win video games. In a area of very sturdy Chief traits, this feels merely ‘positive’.

Gaining an Infantry Unit when constructing a Tradition Constructing can also be helpful, and may also help gas your navy ambitions, but it surely’s not precisely going to make up for having no yield bonuses right here. There are simply many stronger choices in the case of Tradition and your Army.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

• All Buildings acquire a +1 Meals adjacency bonus for Mountains.
• Specialists adjoining to Mountains don’t price Happiness upkeep

Pachacuti just isn’t a foul Chief. Actually, in some video games, he could be distinctive. The issue is, he may do subsequent to nothing if the map hasn’t favored you. To excel, you want Mountains. If he can settle close to them, then he’ll get good entry to a great quantity of Meals and have little downside from Specialists. That may be actually good, particularly when paired with Civilizations that make the most of Mountains too.

The issue is, that’s a strict requirement. With out Mountains, he gives little else, so should you spawn on a map with none round you, you’re out of luck. In fact, you can begin over, or transfer the map sliders in your favor earlier than choosing him, however in order for you a impartial expertise the place you begin and play on a traditional map, know you’re rolling the cube once you begin.

Patrick is a a contract journalist with over 13 years of expertise who loves going deep on video games and moving into their programs. His four-figure hours into each Overwatch 2 and Future 2 are a testomony to that.