The Modern Age in Civilization 7 marks the critical phase where the game's outcome is determined, and it's essential to leverage your advantages and make strategic choices as you transition from the Exploration Age. Your choice of Civilization during this era is pivotal to securing victory, with ten civilizations available in the base game, and an eleventh if you own the Crossroads of the World DLC. When paired with the appropriate Civ 7 Leaders, these civilizations can unlock powerful synergies. To aid in your selection, here's a comprehensive tier list of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civ 7.
Note: Your chosen Leader will enhance your gameplay with specific buffs, and when combined with the right civilization, these synergies can significantly boost your power. This Tier List focuses solely on the inherent strengths of each Civilization, but remember to consider how your selected civ will interact with your Leader when making your choice.
Best Civ 7 Modern Civs
Civ 7 Modern Civs Tier List
S-tier: America, Meiji Japan
A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing
B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam
C-tier: Mughal
Note: The new DLC Civilization, Great Britain, has not yet been ranked - its performance will become clear with time!
S-Tier Modern Civs
These are the cream of the crop in Civilization 7, offering access to superior military units and valuable resources, enabling you to dominate the game map effectively.
S-tier: America
Frontier Expansion - Gain 100 Gold every time you improve a Resource. +30% Production towards constructing the Statue of Liberty.
Marine - American Unique Infantry Unit with the Amphibious ability, cheaper to train.
Prospector - American Unique Civilian Unit that claims a Land Resource outside your regular Settlement radius.
Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district. +2 Food in this City for every Resource assigned to this City.
Railyard - +5 Production. +1 Production Adjacency for Quarters and Wonders. American Unique Production Building. Ageless.
Steel Mill - +6 Production. Gold adjacency for Resources and Wonders. American Unique Production Building. Ageless.
America excels in the Modern Age due to its ability to utilize a wide array of resources, making it one of the top civilizations. The Frontier Expansion trait provides significant gold boosts from resource improvements, while the Industrial Park, formed by the Railyard and Steel Mill, offers substantial Food, Production, and Gold. This versatility allows the USA to expand rapidly and maintain high production levels. The Prospector can secure crucial resources, enhancing your yields, and the Marine unit's Amphibious ability adds tactical flexibility. America is a well-rounded choice for players aiming for a strong economic and military presence.
For more on economic strategies, explore how to use Factory Resources in Civilization 7.
S-tier: Meiji Japan
Goisshin - Gain Science equal to 50% of the Building’s Production cost when Overbuilding a Building. +30% Production towards constructing Dogo Onsen.
Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit that respawns at 50% HP in the closest Settlement upon destruction.
Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit with increased range and +4 Combat Strength against other Fighter Air Units. Can intercept enemy Air Units.
Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Ginko and Jukogyo in the same District. +1 Gold and Production on Buildings in adjacent Districts.
Ginko - +5 Gold. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Gold Building. Ageless.
Jukogyo - +5 Production. +1 Production Adjacency for Coastal Terrain and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Production Building. Ageless.
Meiji Japan is exceptionally resourceful, offering powerful advantages in the Modern Age. The Goisshin trait allows for flexible district and building adjustments while providing a Science boost, and the Zaibatsu Quarter can generate significant Gold and Production. This combination of yields can accelerate your progress into the endgame. Additionally, Meiji Japan's military units are formidable: the Mikasa's respawn ability offers strategic resilience, and the Zero's enhanced capabilities make it a dominant force in aerial combat.
For a deeper understanding of military strategies, check out all the Civ 7 Unit Types!
A-Tier Modern Civs
A-Tier civilizations are solid choices, offering diverse resource access and strong military units, making them reliable options for various victory paths.
A-Tier: French Empire
Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - Choose the Celebration effects of any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower.
Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit with Ranged attack capability. +2 Combat Strength within a friendly Army Commander Radius. More expensive to train.
Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities with an Avenue. The specific Jacobin received once, with increasing cost per Jacobin trained.
Avenue - French Imperial Quarter formed by constructing the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon in the same District. +2 Happiness on Quarters in this City.
Jardin a la Francaise - +5 Culture. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Culture Building. Ageless.
Salon - +5 Happiness. +1 Culture Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Happiness Building. Ageless.
The French Empire is an excellent choice for players aiming for a Cultural victory. The synergistic effects of the Avenue, created by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, create a powerful feedback loop of Culture and Happiness, propelling you through the Modern Age. This synergy enhances the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait, allowing for frequent Celebrations. While the Garde Imperiale isn't the strongest unit, it provides a defensive edge, ensuring your cultural pursuits remain undisturbed.
Learn more about Celebrations and Government Types in Civ 7!
A-Tier: Mexico
Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion, with one Celebration effect, +30% Culture for 10 Turns. Cannot enter any other Government type. +30% Production towards constructing Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Soldaderas - Mexican Unique Infantry Unit. Adjacent Units heal +10 HP. Does not stack.
Revolucionario - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities with a Zocalo. The specific Revolucionario received is random, with increasing cost per Revolucionario trained.
Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes in the same District. +2 Culture for every Tradition slotted into the Government.
Catedral - +5 Culture. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building. Ageless.
Portal de Mercaderes - +5 Culture. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building. Ageless.
Mexico is another powerhouse for Cultural victories, offering a strong focus on Culture with additional Gold benefits. The Revolucion trait provides a significant Culture boost during Celebrations, and the Zocalo Quarter, formed by the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes, further enhances your Culture output. The Soldaderas unit adds a defensive layer, enabling units to heal each other in formation. If you can manage Happiness and initiate Celebrations effectively, Mexico is an ideal choice for a cultural victory.
For a comprehensive guide on achieving victory, check out How to Win Civ 7 - every victory type explained!
A-Tier: Qing
Kang Qian Shengshi - +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, but -1 Science from imported Resources. +30% Production towards constructing Chengde Mountain Resort.
Gusa - Qing Unique Infantry Unit. +4 Combat Strength if adjacent to another Gusa.
Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant. Civilian who can establish a Trade Route to import Resources from a foreign Settlement. Gain 50 Gold for every Resource acquired when creating a naval Trade Route.
Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Qianzhuang and Shiguan in the same District. +35% Influence in this Settlement.
Shiguan - +6 Science. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Science Building. Ageless.
Qianzhuang - +5 Gold. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Gold Building. Ageless.
The Qing Civilization offers a balanced mix of benefits, though it requires careful management due to the Kang Qian Shengshi trait's Science penalty. With strategic resource, Wonder, and Building management, you can mitigate this drawback and leverage the civilization's strong Gold, Culture, and Influence yields. The Gusa unit's potential for increased combat strength in formations adds a military edge, making Qing a versatile choice for players who can navigate its unique challenges.
Starting a new game? We've got all the Civ 7 Map Settings explained.
B-Tier Modern Civs
B-Tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized, suitable for specific scenarios or victory paths.
B-Tier: Buganda
River Raids - Gain Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the yield or healing gained. Land Military Units gain the Amphibious ability. +30% Production towards constructing Muzibu Azaala Mpanga.
Abambowa - Bugandan Unique Infantry Unit. Heals +10 HP from Pillaging any tile.
Mwami - Bugandan Unique Army Commander. 50% yields from pillaging within its Command Radius.
Kabaka’s Lake - +3 Happiness. Receives Lake yield bonuses, including yields for all Buganda’s abilities and the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder. Bugandan Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. One per Settlement.
Buganda is ideal for players who enjoy aggressive playstyles focused on pillaging. The River Raids trait, along with the Abambowa and Mwami units, provides significant benefits from pillaging, necessitating constant warfare to maintain resource gains. While the Kabaka’s Lake offers Happiness and Lake resources, Buganda lacks direct access to crucial Modern Age yields like Science, Culture, Gold, and Influence, making pillaging essential to compensate. This unique playstyle can be rewarding but requires active and strategic management to succeed.
For tips on military strategies, take a look at the best Civ 7 Commander Upgrades.
B-Tier: Prussia
Blood and Iron - Units receive +1 Combat Strength for every Unfriendly or worse Civ Relationship.
Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit with +1 Movement. +1 Combat Strength for every Movement it has remaining.
Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit with +3 Combat Strength against Land Units.
Staatseisenbahn - Prussian Unique Railroad. +2 Gold and Production on Rural tiles with a Staatseisenbahn.
Prussia is perfect for players who thrive on conflict and aim to dominate through military might. The Blood and Iron trait boosts your units' combat strength based on negative relationships with other civilizations, making Prussia a formidable force in warfare. The Hussar and Stuka units are powerful, ensuring victory in most battles. However, Prussia's focus on military aggression can be a double-edged sword; without balancing Science and Culture, you might fall behind technologically. The Staatseisenbahn provides some economic support, but maintaining aggressive relations with all civilizations can lead to overwhelming opposition.
Prefer diplomacy? Find out How to Get and Use Civ 7 Influence.
B-Tier: Russia
Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts in Cities in Tundra. +30% Production towards constructing the Hermitage.
Cossack - Russian Unique Cavalry Unit with +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory.
Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit with +1 Movement and the Splash ability, dealing damage to enemy Units adjacent to the target Unit.
Obschchina - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. +2 Culture in Tundra. Russian Empire Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Obshchina.
Russia offers modest yield bonuses on Districts, with a focus on Science and Culture, particularly in Tundra regions. While these bonuses are beneficial, they may not be as impactful as those of more specialized civilizations. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher units provide defensive capabilities, protecting your Science and Culture-focused civilization. However, Russia's reliance on Tundra for significant Culture gains can limit your expansion options.
B-Tier: Siam
Itsapharahab - Gains a unique Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Influence cost than Befriend Independent. +30% Production towards constructing Doi Suthep.
Chang Beun - Siamese Unique Ranged Unit with increased Ranged Strength and +1 Movement. Can move after attacking.
Uparat - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended. The specific Uparat received is random, with increasing cost per Uparat trained.
Bang - +3 Culture and Happiness. Siamese Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on a Navigable River.
Siam's unique trait, Itsapharahab, allows for immediate Suzerainty over City-States, which can be a powerful advantage if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun unit offers tactical flexibility with its increased Ranged Strength and movement capabilities. However, Siam's reliance on City-States for additional yields means its effectiveness is contingent on the availability and type of City-States in your game.
Learn more about Civ 7 Independent Powers and their bonuses!
C-Tier Modern Civs
C-Tier civilizations are not inherently weak but may require specific conditions or advanced strategies to excel.
C-Tier: Mughal
Paradise of Nations - +75% Gold from all sources. -25% to all other yields. +30% Production towards constructing the Red Fort.
Sepoy - Mughal Unique Infantry Unit capable of making a Bombard Ranged attack.
Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler. Civilian Unit capable of founding new Towns. +1 Population on new Settlements.
Stepwell - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. Mughal Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Stepwell.
The Mughal civilization offers a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. The Paradise of Nations trait provides a massive Gold boost, potentially making you the wealthiest player on the map. However, the -25% penalty to all other yields requires careful management to avoid falling behind in crucial areas like Science and Culture. The Mughal's other traits are functional but not standout, making this civilization a strong choice for experienced players who can navigate its unique challenges effectively.
