"Top Leaders in Civilization 7: A Tier List"

*Civilization 7* introduces significant changes to the series, including the innovative Ages mechanic, which allows players to transition through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages while retaining the same leader throughout the game. Leaders in *Civilization 7* offer unique abilities that can create powerful synergies when paired with different civilizations. To assist players in selecting the best leader for their gameplay strategy, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list based on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player setting. This list does not account for synergies with civilizations or multiplayer dynamics, nor does it include DLC leaders 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 in converting excess Happiness into Production, offering +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you. Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration, boosting all Units with +5 Combat Strength against Districts. This leader is perfect for players aiming to keep their citizens happy while aggressively expanding their empire. Managing the unrest from conquered Settlements is key, but with high Happiness, Ashoka can dominate with continual military and production advantages.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on establishing numerous Towns, gaining +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns. Additionally, he benefits from a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Buildings in Towns. This leader is ideal for players who prefer a wide settlement strategy, turning their Capital into a powerhouse fueled by multiple Towns. Augustus's straightforward playstyle focuses on efficient expansion and resource management, making him a strong choice for those aiming for a robust empire.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is a powerhouse for city expansion, offering a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists. His ability to rapidly expand borders and secure key Resources early on gives him a significant edge. Confucius is particularly potent in the late game, where his Specialists can stack up to provide advanced Technology. While he may need support in defense, his focus on growth and Science makes him a top-tier choice for players aiming for technological supremacy.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is the epitome of military aggression, with +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, with an additional +10% Gold in all Settlements, further increased in those not founded by you. He also gains a +1 Settlement limit per Age. This leader is perfect for players pursuing a Military Victory, as his bonuses incentivize aggressive expansion and conquest.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on converting Happiness into Food, offering +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration. All buildings also gain +1 Happiness from adjacent Improvements. This leader is ideal for players who prefer a peaceful expansion through land grabs and District establishment, leveraging high population growth for a strong empire.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a versatile leader for those aiming for a Science Victory. He gains +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings in Cities, +50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings, and +1 Science per Age for active Endeavors he started or supported. Franklin can maintain two Endeavors of the same type, creating a powerful feedback loop for Science and Production, making him a strong choice for players focused on technological advancement.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science for a potent strategy, gaining Happiness adjacency bonuses for Military and Science Buildings in Quarters. He receives 2 free Cavalry Units upon entering a Celebration and +5 Combat Strength for Cavalry Units during Celebrations. This leader is perfect for players who want to leverage early and mid-game cavalry units to establish a strong empire, though he may face challenges in the Modern Age.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman excels in stealth and espionage, with +100% Influence towards initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support on all wars declared against her. Her Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, making her ideal for players who enjoy a more covert approach to gameplay, disrupting other civilizations while maintaining a strong defensive stance.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut leverages Trade Routes for Culture, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and +15% Production towards constructing Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjacent to Navigable Rivers. This leader is perfect for players who aim to dominate the early Culture Legacy Paths, utilizing trade and river-adjacent cities for strong cultural growth.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is a top Culture producer, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings, +50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings, and +20% Culture (doubled during Celebrations) but -10% Science (doubled during Celebrations). This leader is ideal for players aiming for the Cultural Legacy Path, though they must manage the Science penalty effectively.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain significant advantages from Natural Wonders, receiving 300 Gold upon discovery (doubled if in Distant Lands), +100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders, and a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units with -1 Gold maintenance cost. This leader is perfect for players who can secure Natural Wonders early, using them to boost their economy and naval power.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels in Celebrations, with +50% Celebration duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations. He also gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events and has more frequent Narrative Events. This leader is ideal for players who want to leverage Celebrations for significant cultural and economic gains.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is the master of deception, gaining +3 Influence per Age and 50 Gold per Age when Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted or 100 Gold when rejected. He can ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars and levy Military Units from City-States he is not Suzerain of. This leader is perfect for players who enjoy a cunning and flexible diplomatic strategy.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is a master of Army Commanders, granting 3 free Levels on the first Army Commander, +20% Commander experience, and +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Spaces (doubled during Formal Wars she declares). This leader is ideal for players who want to leverage powerful Army Commanders for military dominance, especially in tropical environments.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid benefits from Trade Routes and Roads, gaining +1 Trade Route limit with all other leaders, +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when creating a Trade Route or Road, and +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Improvements. This leader is perfect for players aiming for an Economic Victory, leveraging trade for significant cultural and economic gains.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina focuses on Resource management, gaining +1 Resource Capacity in Cities, +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities, and +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert. This leader is suitable for players who prioritize Resource collection and economic stability, though her combat bonus is situational.

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. Cities settled in Tundra gain Science equal to a percentage of their Culture per turn. This leader is ideal for players who can leverage Tundra tiles and focus 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. This leader is suitable for players who want to bolster their military early on, though he lacks direct Science, Influence, or Culture buffs.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age, +1 Sight for all Units, and a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps to see other Leaders' Explored areas. This leader is ideal for players who enjoy strategic flexibility and map control, though his strengths may be complex for new players.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette gains a unique Endeavor called Reform, granting an additional Social Policy slot, +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition slotted into Government, and +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements (doubled in Distant Lands). This leader is suitable for players who want to leverage Social Policies and maintain a strong, balanced empire.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor thrives on being Unfriendly or Hostile, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader in this state and a unique Sanction called Continental System to reduce the Trade Route limit of targeted Leaders. He can reject Endeavors for free. This leader is perfect for players who enjoy a disruptive playstyle, though managing relationships can be challenging.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary offers +1 Movement for all Land Units and Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending. This leader is suitable for players who enjoy a mobile and defensive strategy, though it requires frequent combat to maximize Culture gains.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh gains +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State he is Suzerain of and +1 Combat Strength for all Units for every City-State Suzerain. This leader is ideal for players who can invest in becoming Suzerain of multiple City-States, though it requires significant setup and time.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on alliances, gaining a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei for +25% Science with an ally, +4 Science per Age for every Leader she is Friendly or Helpful with, and the ability to support Endeavors for free. This leader is perfect for players who enjoy a cooperative strategy, though they must balance diplomacy with defense.

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. This leader is suitable for players who want a modest boost to their military and cultural efforts, though his traits are not particularly strong or distinct.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti gains +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains and no Happiness maintenance cost for Specialists adjacent to Mountains. This leader is ideal for players who can settle near Mountains, though his effectiveness is highly map-dependent and limited without them.