Top Leaders in Civilization 7 Ranked

In *Civilization 7*, the introduction of the Ages mechanic brings a fresh twist to the series, allowing you to transition through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages by swapping your civilization. However, your chosen leader remains constant throughout the game, and their unique abilities can significantly influence your strategy and success. To help you navigate this new dynamic, we’ve crafted a comprehensive tier list of every leader, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player game. This guide will assist you in selecting the perfect leader to lead your empire from the dawn of time into the Modern Age.

***Note:** This tier list does not account for synergies with civilizations, focusing solely on leaders in a standard, single-player game. It excludes multiplayer considerations and DLC leaders like Ada Lovelace and 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 within your empire while unleashing military might against others. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and a +10% Production boost in Settlements not founded by you, Ashoka enables you to ramp up your unit production and maintain a robust economic base. Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration, providing a +5 Combat Strength boost against Districts for all Units. This makes Ashoka an ideal choice for players looking to dominate through military conquest, provided they manage the unrest that comes with capturing new Settlements.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on expanding his empire through numerous Towns, whether by settling or conquest. With +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% discount on Gold, Augustus can turn his Capital into a powerhouse. This leader encourages a wide-spread approach, focusing on establishing and maintaining as many Towns as possible to fuel both Production and Culture growth, without the need to upgrade them to Cities.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is the master of city expansion and scientific advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities, you can quickly expand your borders and secure valuable Resources. Additionally, +2 Science from Specialists makes Confucius a top contender for technological superiority, especially in the late game. While he may require additional support for defense, his ability to grow and advance technologically is unmatched.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings, is the epitome of military conquest, gaining +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory. Capturing a Settlement for the first time grants 100 Culture and Gold per Age, and a +10% Gold boost in all Settlements, further increased in those not founded by you. Xerxes also benefits from an additional Settlement limit per Age, making him an aggressive leader ideal for those aiming for a Military Victory.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer, transforms excess Happiness into population growth, offering +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and a +10% Food boost in all Settlements during Celebrations. All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency bonus from Improvements, making this leader suitable for players focusing on peaceful expansion and city development.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a versatile leader for those pursuing a Science-focused game. With +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings, a 50% Production boost towards constructing Production Buildings, and additional Science from active Endeavors, Franklin creates a powerful feedback loop between Science and Production. His ability to have two Endeavors of the same type active at a time further enhances his technological edge.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science for a potent strategy. Military and Science Buildings receive Happiness adjacency bonuses from Quarters, and entering a Celebration grants two free Cavalry Units with a +5 Combat Strength boost. This leader excels in the early to mid-game, leveraging Cavalry Units for territorial expansion and establishing a strong empire before the Modern Age.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman offers a stealthy approach with +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support on all wars declared against you. Units ignoring movement penalties from Vegetation make Tubman an elusive and challenging opponent, perfect for those who enjoy espionage and strategic defense.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut thrives on trade and culture, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a +15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. This leader is ideal for those aiming to dominate the Culture Legacy Paths, leveraging trade routes and river-adjacent cities for significant advantages.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman, is a powerhouse of Culture production, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. A +20% Culture boost, doubled during Celebrations, makes Himiko a top choice for the Cultural Legacy Path, though players must manage the -10% Science penalty that doubles during Celebrations.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain a significant early advantage by discovering Natural Wonders, earning 300 Gold (doubled if distant) and a 100% increase in tile yields from them. Her focus on naval power, with a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units and reduced maintenance costs, makes her a strong contender for players who can secure Natural Wonders early in the game.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels at leveraging Celebrations, with a 50% increase in Celebration duration and +50% Happiness towards triggering them. Additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him, further enhance his ability to dominate through cultural achievements.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is the master of diplomacy and deception, gaining +3 Influence per Age and 50 Gold per Age when Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted (or 100 Gold when rejected). His ability to ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars and levy Military Units from City-States he is not Suzerain of makes him a formidable and unpredictable leader.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is the go-to leader for utilizing Army Commanders, starting with three free Levels on the first Commander and a +20% Commander experience boost. A +10% Science boost in Tropical Spaces, doubled during declared Formal Wars, makes Trung Trac a strong choice for players looking to leverage the new Army Commander units for military dominance.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid, offers a diverse set of benefits, including an additional Trade Route limit with all leaders, 50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age for creating Trade Routes or Roads, and +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Improvements. This leader is ideal for those aiming for an Economic Victory through robust trade and infrastructure development.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina is a solid choice for players focused on Resources, offering +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned. A +5 Combat Strength boost for Units in Plains or Desert adds situational military power, making Amina a reliable but not exceptional leader.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is a strong Culture producer, gaining +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works and an additional slot for Great Works. Settling cities in Tundra provides Science based on Culture output, making her a niche choice for players who can leverage Tundra settlements effectively.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique, focuses on Army Commanders, starting them with the Merit Commendation and gaining an Infantry Unit upon constructing a Science Building. While not providing direct yield bonuses, Friedrich can be a good choice for players looking to build a strong military early on.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility 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, making him a strategic choice for players who can utilize his versatility effectively.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette provides a unique Reform Endeavor for additional Social Policy slots and +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition slotted into Government. With +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands, Lafayette offers consistent but not standout benefits.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor, thrives on being disliked, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. His Continental System Sanction reduces other leaders' Trade Route limits, making him a challenging but rewarding choice for players who can manage the diplomatic fallout.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary, provides +1 Movement for all Land Units and Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending. This leader requires a unique playstyle focused on provoking enemies while holding ground, making him a niche choice for experienced players.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh offers +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State he is Suzerain of, and +1 Combat Strength for all Units per City-State. While powerful, becoming Suzerain of multiple City-States requires time and strategic planning, making Tecumseh a leader for long-term strategies.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa, focuses on alliances, gaining +4 Science per Age for every Leader she is Friendly or Helpful with. Her Friend of Wei Endeavor provides a +25% Science boost in alliances, making her a strong choice for players who can maintain positive relationships with other leaders.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

Friedrich, Baroque, gains a Great Work when capturing a Settlement for the first time and an Infantry Unit when constructing a Culture Building. While these traits are useful, they lack the distinctiveness and power of higher-tier leaders, making Friedrich a less compelling choice.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti offers +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains on all Buildings and no Happiness maintenance cost for Specialists adjacent to Mountains. While potentially powerful in the right circumstances, Pachacuti’s effectiveness is heavily dependent on the map, making him a risky choice for players who may not have access to Mountains.