Civilization 7 brings groundbreaking changes to the franchise with its innovative Ages system, requiring players to transition their civilizations through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern eras. While your civilization transforms across ages, your chosen Leader remains constant throughout the entire game.
Though Leaders provide fewer specialized traits than civilizations themselves, their persistent abilities create powerful synergies when strategically paired. To help optimize your gameplay strategy, we've compiled this comprehensive tier list analyzing every Leader's strengths and weaknesses. This guide will assist you in selecting the perfect leader to guide your civilization into the modern era.
Civilization 7 Leader Rankings
Note: This evaluation focuses solely on standard single-player gameplay, excluding multiplayer dynamics and DLC Leaders Ada Lovelace and Simón Bolívar.
S-Tier Leaders (Exceptional Game-Changers)
- Confucius: Master of urban expansion and technological advancement
- Xerxes King of Kings: Supreme military conqueror
- Ashoka World Conquerer: Happiness-fueled warmonger
- Augustus: Settlement-focused production powerhouse
A-Tier Leaders (Highly Competitive Choices)
- Ashoka World Renouncer: Population growth specialist
- Benjamin Franklin: Scientific production hybrid
- Charlemagne: Cavalry-focused military scientist
- Harriet Tubman: Stealth and espionage expert
- Hatshepsut: Cultural wonder builder
- Himiko High Shaman: Celebration-focused culturalist
- Isabella: Natural wonder explorer
- Jose Rizal: Celebration and narrative event specialist
- Machiavelli: Diplomatic manipulator
- Trung Trac: Army commander specialist
- Xerxes The Achaemenid: Trade route master
B-Tier Leaders (Solid Situational Picks)
- Amina: Resource-focused strategist
- Catherine The Great: Cultural great works curator
- Friedrich Oblique: Science-minded commander
- Ibn Battuta: Exploration-focused diplomat
- Lafayette: Policy-focused strategist
- Napoleon Emperor: Provocative isolationist
- Napoleon Revolution: Mobile defender
- Tecumseh: City-state unifier
- Himiko Queen of Wa: Alliance scientist
C-Tier Leaders (Niche Specialists)
- Friedrich Baroque: Cultural militarist
- Pachacuti: Mountain-dependent specialist
S-Tier Leader Analysis
Ashoka World Conquerer
Ashoka converts happiness into military production, gaining 1 Production per 5 excess Happiness in cities and 10% bonus Production in conquered settlements. Formal war declarations automatically trigger Celebrations, granting +5 Combat Strength against Districts.
Augustus
The Roman emperor specializes in town development, gaining +2 Capital Production per Town and 50% Gold discount on building purchases in towns. His strategy revolves around maintaining numerous undeveloped settlements.
Confucius
The philosopher provides unmatched urban growth with +25% city expansion rates and generates substantial Science through specialists (+2 Science per specialist). He excels at peaceful land acquisition.
Xerxes King of Kings
This military specialist gains +3 Combat Strength when attacking in foreign territory and substantial Culture/Gold rewards per Age for first-time settlement captures. His Settlement limit increases with each Age.
A-Tier Leader Highlights
Benjamin Franklin
The American polymath gains Science bonuses from production buildings (+1 per Age) and constructs them 50% faster. He can maintain dual Endeavors simultaneously.
Charlemagne
The Frankish king gains free cavalry units during Celebrations and enjoys Military/Science building Happiness bonuses. Cavalry units receive +5 Combat Strength during Celebrations.
Harriet Tubman
The abolitionist doubles Espionage Influence gains, ignores vegetation movement penalties, and receives +5 War Support against declared wars.
Hatshepsut
The Egyptian queen converts imported Resources into Culture (+1 per Resource) and gains 15% Production boosts for riverside constructions.
Himiko High Shaman
This cultural specialist gains Happiness buildings faster (50% Production discount) and receives +20% Culture/-10% Science (doubled during Celebrations).
Isabella
The explorer gains 300 Gold (600 in distant lands) per Natural Wonder discovery and doubles their tile yields. Naval units cost 50% less Gold.
Machiavelli
The strategist gains +3 Influence per Age and can declare wars regardless of relationships. He levies troops from non-Suzerained city-states.
B-Tier Leader Considerations
Amina
Increases Resource Capacity (+1) and gains Gold per assigned Resource (+1 per Age). Units receive +5 Combat Strength in plains/deserts.
Catherine The Great
Gains Culture per Great Work displayed (+2 per Age) and additional Great Work slots. Tundra cities convert Culture into Science.
Napoleon Emperor
The controversial leader gains Gold from hostile relationships (+8 per Age) and can impose oppressive Continental System sanctions.
Tecumseh
The Native American leader gains Food/Production (+1 per Age) and Combat Strength (+1) per City-State Suzerainship.
C-Tier Leader Limitations
Friedrich Baroque
Gains Great Works from settlement captures and Infantry Units from Culture Buildings.
Pachacuti
Mountains provide Food adjacency bonuses (+1) and eliminate Specialist Happiness costs.
Understanding these leadership capabilities will help you make informed decisions about your civilization's evolution through the Ages in Civilization 7.
