In *Civilization 7*, the introduction of the Ages mechanic marks a significant shift in the series, allowing players to transition their civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. This dynamic progression is complemented by the steadfast presence of your chosen leader, whose abilities remain constant, offering strategic depth and versatility throughout your journey.
Leaders in *Civilization 7* bring unique abilities that, while not as extensive as those of civilizations, significantly impact gameplay. To assist in selecting the ideal leader for your empire, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player context. This guide does not consider synergies with civilizations or include DLC leaders like Ada Lovelace or 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 exerting military dominance. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, Ashoka ensures a robust economic and military foundation. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, granting a +5 Combat Strength boost against Districts for all Units, making Ashoka a formidable force on the battlefield. Managing unrest from conquered Settlements is key to leveraging Ashoka's strengths effectively.
S-Tier: Augustus
Augustus thrives by expanding through numerous Towns, leveraging +2 Production in the Capital for each Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns. His 50% Gold discount on purchasing Buildings in Towns further solidifies his economic prowess. Augustus' strategy focuses on maintaining Towns rather than upgrading them to Cities, optimizing both Gold and Production. This straightforward yet powerful approach makes Augustus a strong choice for players aiming for a wide empire.
S-Tier: Confucius
Confucius is a master of City expansion and technological advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities, he facilitates rapid land expansion and resource acquisition. Additionally, Confucius gains +2 Science from Specialists, making him a top contender in Science production, especially in the late game. While his defensive capabilities may require support, his focus on growth and technology positions him as a leader capable of dominating the Modern Age.
S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings
Xerxes, King of Kings is a straightforward military leader, gaining +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory. His ability to gain 100 Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement, along with a +10% Gold increase in all Settlements, fuels his aggressive expansion. Xerxes' increased Settlement limit per Age further supports his conquest strategy, making him ideal for those pursuing a Military Victory.
A-Tier Leaders
A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer
Ashoka, World Renouncer shifts focus from military might to population growth, converting Happiness into Food. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and a +10% Food boost during Celebrations, Ashoka excels at expanding borders through Districts rather than conquest. While less aggressive than the World Conquerer, the World Renouncer's strategy requires finesse but can yield significant growth.
A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is a versatile leader focused on Science and Production. He gains +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. His ability to have two Endeavors of the same type active at once further enhances his Science generation. Franklin's balanced approach makes him an excellent choice for players aiming for technological supremacy.
A-Tier: Charlemagne
Charlemagne combines Military and Science, gaining Happiness from Military and Science Buildings and free Cavalry Units during Celebrations. With +5 Combat Strength for Cavalry Units during Celebrations, Charlemagne can dominate early and mid-game warfare. While his strategy may struggle in the Modern Age, his early-game advantages can secure a strong empire.
A-Tier: Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman leverages Influence for Espionage, gaining a 100% boost towards initiating Espionage Actions. With 5 War Support on wars declared against her and the ability to ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, Tubman is a stealthy and resilient leader. Her strategy is ideal for players who enjoy disrupting opponents and defending against aggression.
A-Tier: Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut excels at Culture production, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a 15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. Her focus on Trade Routes and Wonders makes her a strong choice for players pursuing the Culture Legacy Path.
A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman
Himiko, High Shaman is a potent Culture producer, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. Her +20% Culture boost, doubled during Celebrations, is offset by a -10% Science penalty, also doubled during Celebrations. Himiko's strategy requires balancing Culture gains with Science losses, making her a challenging yet rewarding choice.
A-Tier: Isabella
Isabella thrives on discovering Natural Wonders, gaining 300 Gold upon discovery, doubled if in Distant Lands, and 100% additional tile yields from them. With a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units and reduced maintenance costs, Isabella can leverage Natural Wonders for early economic and naval advantages. Her success hinges on map placement, making her a high-risk, high-reward leader.
A-Tier: Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal excels at prolonging Celebrations, with a 50% increase in Celebration duration and Happiness towards Celebrations. He gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him. Rizal's focus on Celebrations and Narrative Events makes him a strong choice for players aiming for a Culture-focused strategy.
A-Tier: Machiavelli
Machiavelli is a master of Influence and Gold, gaining +3 Influence per Age and 50 Gold per Age from accepted Diplomatic Actions, or 100 Gold if rejected. His ability to ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars and levy Military Units from non-Suzerain City-States makes him a devious and unpredictable leader. Machiavelli's strategy is ideal for players who enjoy manipulating the political landscape.
A-Tier: Trung Trac
Trung Trac specializes in utilizing Army Commanders, gaining 3 free Levels on the first Army Commander and a 20% Commander experience boost. Her +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Spaces, doubled during Formal Wars she declares, enhances her Science and Military synergy. Trung Trac's effectiveness depends on map placement, making her a strategic choice for players with access to Tropical tiles.
A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid
Xerxes, The Achaemenid focuses on Trade Routes and economic development, gaining +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders and significant Culture and Gold from creating Trade Routes or Roads. His +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Improvements further bolster his economic strength. Xerxes' strategy is ideal for players pursuing an Economic Victory.
B-Tier Leaders
B-Tier: Amina
Amina is a decent leader focused on Resource management, gaining +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned. Her Units receive a +5 Combat Strength boost in Plains or Desert, making her situational but valuable in the right circumstances. Amina's strategy revolves around maximizing Resource utilization.
B-Tier: Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great excels at Culture production, gaining +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works and an additional slot for Great Works. Cities settled in Tundra gain Science based on their Culture output, making her situational but powerful in the right environments. Catherine's strategy is ideal for players focusing on the Culture Legacy Path.
B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique
Friedrich, Oblique enhances Army Commanders, starting them with the Merit Commendation and gaining an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building. While lacking direct Science, Influence, or Culture buffs, Friedrich's focus on military strength and Command Radius makes him a solid choice for players emphasizing early-game military power.
B-Tier: Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta offers versatility with 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age and +1 Sight for all Units. His unique Trade Maps Endeavor allows gradual visibility of other Leaders' explored areas. Ibn Battuta's flexibility and map visibility make him a strong choice for experienced players who can leverage his attributes effectively.
B-Tier: Lafayette
Lafayette gains a unique Reform Endeavor, granting an additional Social Policy slot and +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition slotted. His +1 Culture and Happiness per Age, doubled in Distant Lands, provide consistent benefits. While not as specialized as other leaders, Lafayette's well-rounded traits make him a reliable choice for a balanced strategy.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor
Napoleon, Emperor thrives on causing discord, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. His Continental System Sanction reduces other Leaders' Trade Route limits, though at a high Relationship cost. Napoleon's strategy requires careful management of diplomatic relations and a strong military to counter potential backlash.
B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary
Napoleon, Revolutionary provides +1 Movement for all Land Units and Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending. His strategy focuses on mobility and defensive engagements, making him a unique choice for players who enjoy a dynamic playstyle. However, maximizing his Culture gains requires frequent defensive actions.
B-Tier: Tecumseh
Tecumseh gains +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State he is Suzerain of, along with +1 Combat Strength for all Units. His effectiveness hinges on becoming Suzerain of multiple City-States, requiring time and Influence. Tecumseh's strategy is ideal for players willing to invest in long-term City-State relationships.
B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa
Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on fostering alliances, gaining +4 Science per Age for every Leader she is Friendly or Helpful with. Her Friend of Wei Endeavor further boosts Science for both her and her ally. While requiring careful diplomatic management, Himiko's strategy can yield significant Science benefits through positive relationships.
C-Tier Leaders
C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque
Friedrich, Baroque gains a Great Work upon capturing a Settlement for the first time and an Infantry Unit when constructing a Culture Building. While these traits offer some utility, they lack the potency to significantly impact gameplay compared to other leaders. Friedrich's strategy is straightforward but not particularly impactful.
C-Tier: Pachacuti
Pachacuti excels near Mountains, gaining +1 Food adjacency bonus for Buildings and no Happiness maintenance cost for Specialists adjacent to Mountains. His effectiveness is highly map-dependent, requiring access to mountainous terrain. Without Mountains, Pachacuti offers little strategic value, making him a high-risk choice.
