Top Civilization 7 Leaders Ranked

Civilization 7 introduces a few massive changes to the series, most notably the Ages mechanic that has you swap out your civilization for a new one as the game progresses through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Your choice of leader, though, sticks with you throughout the entire game.

While they don’t provide as many traits and units as Civilizations, Leaders still have powerful abilities that can create some excellent combinations when mixed and matched. To help you out, we’ve created this tier list of every Leader and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. This should help you choose who you want to be the face of your empire as you build your future all the way into the Modern Age.

Note: This tier list does not take into account synergies with Civilizations, and is entirely focused on a standard, single-player game of Civilization 7. Multiplayer is not taken into account here, and we haven't included DLC Leaders 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 at harnessing the power of happiness to fuel your empire's growth and military strength. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, you can rapidly expand your military capabilities. Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration, which boosts all Units' Combat Strength by +5 against Districts. This leader is ideal for players who aim to dominate through a combination of high happiness and aggressive expansion.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus is perfect for players who prefer to expand their empire through extensive settlement. 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 transform your Capital into a powerhouse. The strategy involves spreading out and maintaining as many Towns as possible, whether through settlement or conquest, without upgrading them to Cities to maximize your bonuses.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is the go-to leader for those who prioritize rapid city growth and technological advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists, you can quickly expand your borders and outpace your opponents in technological research. This leader thrives in peaceful expansion and technological dominance, though you may need to bolster your defenses through alliances or strategic pairings.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings, is the epitome of military conquest. With +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory, and a +10% Gold boost in all Settlements (further increased in those not founded by you), Xerxes is designed for players focused on Military Victory. Capturing Settlements grants 100 Culture and Gold per Age, and the increased Settlement limit per Age encourages aggressive expansion.

A-Tier Leaders

### A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer, shifts the focus from military might to population growth. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration, this leader is ideal for those who aim to expand through population and city construction. All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for Improvements, making this leader a strong choice for players who can manage large populations effectively.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is the leader of choice for science-focused players. With +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings, +50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings, and additional Science from active Endeavors, Franklin creates a powerful feedback loop that accelerates technological advancement. His versatility in both Science and Production makes him a robust choice for a well-rounded strategy.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines military and scientific prowess, encouraging players to focus on Military and Science Buildings to boost Happiness. Entering a Celebration grants 2 free Cavalry Units and a +5 Combat Strength boost for Cavalry Units, making this leader ideal for early and mid-game cavalry dominance. While his effectiveness may wane in the Modern Age, a strong early game can set the stage for victory.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is the stealthiest leader in Civilization 7, with +100% Influence towards initiating Espionage Actions and the ability to ignore movement penalties from Vegetation. Gaining 5 War Support when wars are declared against you makes Tubman a formidable defender, capable of disrupting opponents and grinding out victories through espionage and strategic mobility.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut is designed for players who want to excel in Culture and Wonder construction. With +1 Culture for every imported Resource and +15% Production towards the construction of Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers, Hatshepsut thrives in civilizations with strong trade networks. Her focus on early Culture Legacy Paths can give you a significant cultural advantage.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman, is the ultimate Culture producer in Civilization 7. With +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings, +50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings, and a +20% Culture boost (doubled during Celebrations), Himiko can rapidly advance through cultural paths. However, the -10% Science penalty (doubled during Celebrations) requires strategic planning to mitigate.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain significant early-game advantages by discovering Natural Wonders, earning 300 Gold per discovery (doubled for distant lands) and +100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders. With a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units and reduced maintenance costs, Isabella is ideal for players who can secure Natural Wonders and build a strong naval presence.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels at leveraging Celebrations, with a +50% Celebration duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations. Additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him, make Rizal a strong choice for cultural victories. His ability to prolong and benefit from Celebrations can significantly boost your empire's progress.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is perfect for players who enjoy diplomatic intrigue and sudden betrayals. With +3 Influence per Age, Gold gains from accepted or rejected Diplomatic Action proposals, and the ability to ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars, Machiavelli can swiftly shift alliances and levy military units from City-States. This leader excels in a dynamic, unpredictable game environment.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is the master of Army Commanders, starting with 3 free Levels on your first Commander and a +20% Commander experience boost. Additionally, +10% Science in Cities on Tropical Spaces (doubled during declared wars) makes Trung Trac a strong choice for players who can leverage these bonuses. Her focus on powerful Commanders can lead to decisive military victories.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid, offers a blend of economic and cultural benefits. With a +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders, +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age from creating Trade Routes or Roads, and additional Culture and Gold from Unique Buildings and Improvements, Xerxes can provide significant spikes in both resources. This leader is ideal for players focusing on economic and cultural victories.

B-Tier Leaders

### B-Tier: Amina

Amina is a solid choice for resource management, with +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities. Her Units gain a +5 Combat Strength boost in Plains or Desert, making her a viable option for players who can leverage these bonuses. Amina's focus on resources and situational combat bonuses can provide steady, if not spectacular, growth.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is a cultural powerhouse, with +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works and additional slots for Great Works. Cities settled in Tundra gain Science equal to a percentage of their Culture per turn, making her a good choice for players who can settle on Tundra and utilize the Science-Culture synergy effectively.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique, offers a military-focused strategy with Army Commanders starting with the Merit Commendation and the ability to gain an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building. While lacking in Science, Influence, or Culture buffs, Friedrich can provide early military advantages through his Commanders and Infantry units.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta's flexibility comes from gaining 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age, +1 Sight for all Units, and a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps. This leader is ideal for players who can make strategic use of Attribute Points and map visibility to adapt to changing game conditions.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette offers a unique Endeavor called Reform, granting 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 provides steady, if unspectacular, bonuses that can support a variety of strategies.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor, thrives on antagonizing other leaders, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader you are Unfriendly or Hostile with. His Continental System Sanction reduces other leaders' Trade Route limits, but managing the resulting hostility requires a strong military. This leader is for those who enjoy a challenging, confrontational playstyle.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary, offers +1 Movement for all Land Units and Culture equal to 50% of an enemy's Combat Strength when defending. This leader is ideal for players who can provoke enemies while maintaining a strong defensive position, leveraging the resulting Culture gains to advance their empire.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh's potential hinges on becoming the Suzerain of City-States, gaining +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements and +1 Combat Strength for all Units for each City-State you control. While requiring significant setup and time, Tecumseh can provide substantial bonuses if you can secure multiple City-States.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa, focuses on building alliances, gaining +4 Science per Age for every Leader you are Friendly or Helpful with. The unique Endeavor, Friend of Wei, grants +25% Science in an Alliance. This leader is ideal for players who can maintain strong relationships and leverage the resulting Science boost.

C-Tier Leaders

### C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

Friedrich, Baroque, offers a Great Work upon capturing a Settlement and an Infantry Unit when constructing a Culture Building. While these traits are decent, they lack the strength and distinctiveness of higher-tier leaders, making Friedrich a less compelling choice in most scenarios.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti's effectiveness depends heavily on the presence of Mountains, gaining +1 Food adjacency for Mountains and no Happiness maintenance cost for Specialists adjacent to Mountains. While potentially powerful in the right map conditions, Pachacuti's reliance on specific terrain makes him a risky choice for a standard game setup.