"Top Leaders in Civilization 7 Ranked"

Civilization 7 brings significant innovations to the series, notably with the introduction of the Ages mechanic. This feature allows players to transition their civilization through different historical periods: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Throughout these changes, your chosen leader remains constant, offering a unique set of abilities that can synergize effectively with various civilizations. To assist players in selecting the most advantageous leader for their strategy, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list, focusing on standard, single-player gameplay without considering DLC leaders such as 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 in leveraging happiness to enhance both production and military strength. With a +1 Production boost for every 5 excess Happiness in cities and a +10% Production increase in settlements not founded by you, Ashoka ensures continuous growth and military readiness. Declaring formal war grants a Celebration, providing a +5 Combat Strength against districts for all units, making Ashoka a formidable opponent in conflicts. Managing unrest in conquered settlements is key, but with effective happiness management, Ashoka can dominate.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on expanding through settlements, focusing on establishing numerous towns. Each town contributes +2 Production to the capital, and Augustus can purchase culture buildings in towns at a 50% discount in Gold. By maintaining towns instead of upgrading them to cities, Augustus maximizes both production and culture while saving resources, making him a strong choice for players aiming to expand widely and efficiently.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is ideal for players prioritizing city growth and scientific advancement. With a +25% growth rate in cities, Confucius allows for rapid expansion and resource acquisition. Additionally, gaining +2 Science from specialists positions Confucius as a leader in technological progress, particularly in the later stages of the game. While defense may require attention, Confucius's ability to expand and advance technologically makes him a top choice.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is designed for aggressive players seeking military victories. With +3 Combat Strength for units attacking in neutral or enemy territory, Xerxes encourages constant warfare. Capturing settlements not only boosts the settlement limit per age but also provides 100 Culture and Gold per age, fueling further military endeavors. Xerxes's straightforward approach to conquest makes him an excellent choice for players focused on military dominance.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer shifts the focus from military might to population growth, leveraging happiness to increase food production. With +1 Food for every 5 excess Happiness and a +10% Food boost during Celebrations, this version of Ashoka excels in expanding through peaceful means. While less aggressive than the World Conquerer, the World Renouncer can be equally powerful with strategic city planning.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a versatile leader suited for a science-focused strategy. With bonuses to Science and Production from Production Buildings and active Endeavors, Franklin creates a powerful feedback loop that accelerates technological advancement and resource production. His ability to engage in multiple Endeavors simultaneously further enhances his scientific prowess.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines military and scientific strengths, gaining happiness from Military and Science Buildings. During Celebrations, Charlemagne receives free Cavalry Units and a +5 Combat Strength boost for them, making him a dominant force early in the game. While his effectiveness may wane in the Modern Age, Charlemagne's early game advantages can establish a strong empire.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman excels in espionage and defensive warfare. With a 100% increase in Influence for espionage actions and 5 War Support during defensive wars, Tubman can disrupt opponents and endure prolonged conflicts. Her units' ability to ignore movement penalties from vegetation adds to her strategic flexibility.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut leverages trade for cultural growth, gaining +1 Culture for each imported resource. With a 15% Production boost toward constructing buildings and wonders near navigable rivers, Hatshepsut is well-suited for players pursuing cultural victories, particularly in the early game.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is a top choice for cultural victories, offering a significant +20% Culture boost that doubles during Celebrations. While her -10% Science penalty during Celebrations requires careful management, her ability to rapidly increase cultural output through Happiness Buildings makes her a powerful leader.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella's strategy revolves around exploiting Natural Wonders. Discovering a Natural Wonder grants 300 Gold, doubled if distant, and provides substantial tile yields. Her naval focus, with reduced costs for purchasing and maintaining naval units, can give her an early advantage if Natural Wonders are accessible.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels at extending Celebrations, with a 50% increase in duration and Happiness toward Celebrations. Additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events further enhance his cultural strategy, making him a strong choice for players focused on cultural victories.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is ideal for players who enjoy diplomatic manipulation and surprise attacks. With increased Influence and Gold from diplomatic actions, and the ability to levy units from non-Suzerain City-States, Machiavelli can quickly amass military power and exploit opportunities.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac focuses on military command, with bonuses to Commander experience and levels. Her +10% Science boost in tropical spaces, doubled during declared wars, supports a strong military and scientific strategy, though her effectiveness is map-dependent.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid benefits from trade, gaining Culture and Gold from creating trade routes and roads. With an extra trade route per leader and bonuses to unique buildings and improvements, Xerxes offers a versatile approach to economic and cultural growth.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina focuses on resource management, with increased resource capacity and Gold generation from assigned resources. Her units gain a combat strength boost in plains or desert, making her a situational choice that can be effective with the right map.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great emphasizes cultural growth through Great Works, gaining additional slots and Culture per age. Her Science boost in Tundra regions adds versatility, though her effectiveness can be limited by map conditions.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique enhances military command with the Merit Commendation for Army Commanders and additional infantry units from Science Buildings. While lacking in direct yield bonuses, Friedrich can be effective in the right scientific-focused strategy.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with Wildcard Attribute Points and increased unit sight. His unique Endeavor, Trade Maps, provides strategic map visibility, making him a versatile choice for experienced players.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette gains benefits from Social Policies and Traditions, with a unique Endeavor granting additional policy slots. His unconditional Culture and Happiness bonuses are helpful, though his traits may not be as compelling as those of higher-tier leaders.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor leverages hostility for Gold gains and disrupts trade with the Continental System Sanction. While effective in isolating opponents, managing relationships and military defense can be challenging.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary enhances land unit movement and gains Culture from defending against enemy units. His unique playstyle requires frequent defensive engagements, making him a situational choice.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh benefits from becoming Suzerain of City-States, gaining Food, Production, and Combat Strength bonuses. While powerful with the right setup, achieving Suzerain status requires significant Influence and time.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on diplomacy, gaining Science from friendly relationships and a unique Endeavor to boost Science in alliances. While effective in peaceful strategies, maintaining strong defenses is crucial.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

Friedrich, Baroque offers modest benefits from capturing settlements and constructing Culture Buildings. While his traits are useful, they lack the strength and distinctiveness of higher-tier leaders.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti's effectiveness depends heavily on settling near mountains, gaining Food and Happiness benefits. While potentially powerful in the right conditions, his reliance on specific map features limits his overall utility.