Civilization 7: Ranking the Leaders

Civilization 7 introduces a groundbreaking Ages mechanic that transforms your civilization from Antiquity to the Modern Age, each requiring you to adapt and evolve. However, your choice of leader remains constant, providing a unique strategic anchor throughout the game. Leaders in Civilization 7, while not as extensive in traits and units as civilizations, offer powerful abilities that can synergize effectively with your chosen civilization. To help you navigate this complex landscape, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list of every leader, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses to guide your selection as you build your empire into the Modern Age.

Best Civ 7 Leaders

Note: This tier list is tailored for standard, single-player games of Civilization 7 and does not account for synergies with civilizations or multiplayer dynamics. DLC Leaders Ada Lovelace and Simón Bolívar are excluded from this list.

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 maintaining high levels of happiness while dominating other civilizations. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, Ashoka ensures a steady flow of resources to fuel your war machine. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, granting a +5 Combat Strength boost against Districts for all Units. This leader is ideal for those aiming to keep their citizens happy while launching aggressive campaigns, making them one of the strongest leaders in the game.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on expanding your empire through numerous settlements. His abilities grant +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and enable the purchase of Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% discount on Gold. Augustus's strategy revolves around establishing and maintaining a wide network of Towns without upgrading them to Cities, maximizing Gold and Production. This approach allows you to turn your Capital into a powerhouse, making Augustus a formidable leader for those who prefer a broad, efficient empire.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is a master of city expansion, providing a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists. This leader is perfect for early land grabs and rapid technological advancement. By expanding borders quickly and leveraging Specialists for Science gains, Confucius can become a technological powerhouse. However, ensure you have a strong civilization pairing or ally to bolster your defense.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is designed for those pursuing a Military Victory. With +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory, and bonuses of 100 Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement for the first time, Xerxes encourages aggressive expansion. The increased Settlement limit per Age further supports this strategy, making him a straightforward yet effective choice for military-focused players.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on turning Happiness into population growth, offering +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during Celebrations. All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for Improvements, promoting a strategy centered on land grabs and district development. While less militaristic than the World Conquerer version, the World Renouncer can be equally potent in the right hands.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is ideal for players aiming for a Science-focused game. With +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them, Franklin creates a powerful feedback loop. Additionally, his ability to have two Endeavors of the same type active at a time enhances his Science generation, making him a versatile and effective leader.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science, gaining Happiness adjacency for Military and Science Buildings in Quarters and free Cavalry Units during Celebrations. His Cavalry Units receive a +5 Combat Strength boost during Celebrations, making him an excellent choice for early and mid-game dominance. Although he may struggle in the Modern Age, Charlemagne's strategy can secure a strong empire by then.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is the stealthiest choice, with +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support on all wars declared against you. Her Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, making her a nimble and tricky opponent. Harriet is perfect for those who prefer a more covert approach to disrupting and outmaneuvering opponents.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut excels in Culture, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a 15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. Her strategy revolves around establishing strong Trade Routes and leveraging river-adjacent cities, making her a strong choice for early Culture Legacy Paths.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is the best producer of Culture in Civilization 7, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. She gains a +20% Culture boost, doubled during Celebrations, but suffers a -10% Science penalty. Himiko is perfect for a Cultural Legacy Path, provided you can compensate for the Science loss.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can catapult herself early in the game by discovering Natural Wonders, gaining 300 Gold and doubled if in Distant Lands. She also receives 100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders and significant Gold benefits for Naval Units. Isabella's success hinges on finding and securing Natural Wonders, making her a situational but potentially powerful leader.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels in prolonging and benefiting from Celebrations, with a 50% Celebration duration boost and increased Happiness towards Celebrations. He gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him. Jose Rizal is ideal for players focusing on Culture and leveraging Celebration effects.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is perfect for players who enjoy a devious gameplay style, gaining +3 Influence per Age and significant Gold from Diplomatic Actions. He can declare Formal Wars without Relationship requirements and levy Military Units from City-States he isn't Suzerain of. Machiavelli excels in a smash-and-grab playstyle, even at the expense of allies.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is the master of Army Commanders, with her first Commander gaining three free Levels and a 20% Commander experience boost. She also gains a 10% Science boost in Tropical Spaces, doubled during wars she declares. Trung Trac is ideal for players focusing on military power through powerful Commanders.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid offers a variety of yields and benefits, gaining Culture and Gold from creating Trade Routes and Roads. He also gets additional Culture and Gold from Unique Buildings and Improvements. Xerxes is a strong choice for players aiming for an Economic Victory through trade and unique structures.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina is a decent leader focused on Resources, gaining +1 Resource Capacity and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities. Her Units gain +5 Combat Strength in Plains or Desert, making her a situational but effective choice for Resource-focused strategies.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is a strong producer of Culture, gaining +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works and additional slots for them. Cities settled in Tundra gain Science proportional to their Culture. Catherine is situational, requiring Tundra settlements to maximize her potential.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique focuses on Army Commanders, starting with the Merit Commendation and gaining an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building. While he lacks direct Science, Influence, or Culture boosts, Friedrich is a solid choice for players focusing on early military power.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age and unique visibility benefits. His versatility can be powerful in experienced hands but may be challenging for new players to fully leverage.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette provides a unique Endeavor called Reform, granting additional Social Policy slots, and +1 Combat Strength per Tradition. He also gains Culture and Happiness per Age, doubled in Distant Lands. Lafayette is a good choice for players looking for a balanced approach with a focus on Social Policies.

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 disrupts other civilizations' trade, making him a provocative choice that requires a strong military to back up his actions.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary provides +1 Movement for all Land Units and Culture gains from defending against enemy units. His strategy requires frequent defense, making him a unique but potentially powerful choice for Culture-focused players.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh gains Food, Production, and Combat Strength bonuses for every City-State he is Suzerain of. While potent, becoming a Suzerain requires time and Influence, making Tecumseh a strong but setup-intensive choice.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on being friendly with other Leaders, gaining Science bonuses and a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei. While she can provide significant Science gains, maintaining friendly relations without compromising defense is crucial.

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 impact and distinctiveness of higher-tier leaders.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti benefits from Mountains, gaining Food adjacency bonuses and no Happiness maintenance for Specialists adjacent to them. His potential is high, but heavily dependent on map placement, making him a risky choice without favorable terrain.