Civilization 7: Modern Civilizations Tier List

In *Civilization 7*, the Modern Age marks the pinnacle of strategic gameplay, where the final victors are determined and the game reaches its climax. Transitioning from the Exploration Age, it's crucial to leverage your strengths and make strategic choices to secure your path to victory.

Your choice of Civilization plays a pivotal role in achieving success in the Modern Age. With ten civilizations to choose from, and an additional one if you have the Crossroads of the World DLC, selecting the right Civilization and pairing it with the appropriate Leader can create powerful synergies. To aid your decision, here's our tier list ranking the best Modern Age civilizations in *Civ 7*.

Note: The Leader you choose will enhance your gameplay with specific buffs, and when paired with the right Civilization, can significantly boost your strategy. This Tier List ranks Civilizations based on their standalone power, but remember to consider how a Civilization will synergize with your chosen Leader.

Best Civ 7 Modern Civs

Civ 7 Modern Civs Tier List

S-tier: America, Meiji Japan

A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing

B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam

C-tier: Mughal

Note: We haven't ranked the new DLC Civ Great Britain yet - time will tell how it measures up!

S-Tier Modern Civs

These are the cream of the crop in Civilization 7. With access to top-tier military units and substantial resource advantages, you can dominate the map with these choices.

S-tier: America

Frontier Expansion - Gain 100 Gold every time you improve a Resource. +30% Production towards constructing the Statue of Liberty. Marine - American Unique Infantry Unit. Has the Amphibious ability. Cheaper to train. Prospector - American Unique Civilian Units. Claims a Land Resource outside of your regular Settlement radius. Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district. +2 Food in this City for every Resource assigned to this City. Railyard - +5 Production. +1 Production Adjacency for Quarters and Wonders. American Unique Production Building. Ageless. Steel Mill - +6 Production. Gold adjacency for Resources and Wonders. American Unique Production Building. Ageless.

America excels in the Modern Age with its resource utilization capabilities, making it one of the best choices. The Frontier Expansion trait provides significant gold boosts by improving resources. Additionally, the synergy between the Railyard and Steel Mill in forming the Industrial Park offers substantial Food, Production, and Gold, enabling rapid expansion and robust production. The Prospector further enhances resource acquisition, while the Marine unit adds tactical versatility with its Amphibious ability. America's well-rounded attributes make it a formidable choice for any player aiming for victory.

S-tier: Meiji Japan

Goisshin - When you Overbuild a Building, gain Science equal to 50% of the Building’s Production cost. +30% Production towards constructing Dogo Onsen. Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit. The first time this Unit is destroyed, it respawns in the closest Settlement you own at 50% HP. Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit. Increased range. +4 Combat Strength against other Fighter Air Units. Can intercept enemy Air Units. Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Ginko and Jukogyo in the same District. +1 Gold and Production on Buildings in adjacent Districts. Ginko - +5 Gold. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Gold Building. Ageless. Jukogyo - +5 Production. +1 Production Adjacency for Coastal Terrain and Wonders. Meiji Japan Unique Production Buiding. Ageless.

Meiji Japan stands out with its resourcefulness and powerful units. The Goisshin trait allows for strategic building adjustments while earning Science, and the Zaibatsu Quarter maximizes Gold and Production yields. The Mikasa's respawn ability offers a second chance in naval combat, while the Zero provides aerial superiority. Meiji Japan is an excellent choice for players looking to excel in both economic and military aspects during the Modern Age.

A-Tier Modern Civs

A-Tier Civilizations offer a strong mix of resource access and military prowess, making them reliable choices for various victory paths.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - You can select the Celebration effects of any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower. Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit. Can make a Ranged attack. +2 Combat Strength when within a friendly Army Commander Radius. More expensive to train. Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities with an Avenue, and the specific Jacobin received once. Cost increases per Jacobin trained. Avenue - French Imperial Quarter. Created by constructing the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon in the same District. +2 Happiness on Quarters in this City. Jardin a la Francaise - +5 Culture. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Culture Building. Ageless. Salon - +5 Happiness. +1 Culture Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. French Empire Unique Happiness Building. Ageless.

The French Empire is an ideal choice for those pursuing a Cultural victory. The synergistic effects of the Avenue, formed by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, create a powerful loop of Culture and Happiness. This, coupled with the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait, can significantly enhance your Civilization's progress through the Modern Age. While the Garde Imperiale may not be the strongest unit, it provides defensive capabilities to protect your cultural growth.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion. This Government has one Celebration effect, +30% Culture for 10 Turns. Cannot enter any other Government type. +30% Production towards constructing Palacio de Bellas Artes. Soldaderas - Mexican Unique Infantry Unit. Adjacent Units heal +10 HP. Does not stack. Revolucionario - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities with a Zocalo, and the specific Revolucionario received is random. Each Revolucionario can only be received once. Cost increases per Revolucionario trained. Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercanderes in the same District. +2 Culture for every Tradition slotted into the Government. Catedral - +5 Culture. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Buiding. Ageless. Portal de Mercaderes - +5 Culture. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building. Ageless.

Mexico is another strong contender for a Cultural victory, offering a blend of Culture, Gold, and Happiness. The Revolucion trait and the Zocalo Quarter provide substantial Culture boosts, while the Soldaderas unit enhances your military's resilience. Mexico is an excellent choice for players who can manage Happiness effectively and leverage its cultural strengths.

A-Tier: Qing

Kang Qian Shengshi - +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, but -1 Science from imported Resources. +30% Production towards constructing Chengde Mountain Resort. Gusa - Qiang Unique Infantry Unit. +4 Combat Strength if adjacent to another Gusa. Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant. Civilian who can establish a Trade Route to import Resources from a foreign Settlement. Gain 50 Gold for every Resource acquired when creating a naval Trade Route. Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Qianzhuang and Shiguan in the same District. +35% Influence in this Settlement. Shiguan - +6 Science. +1 Happiness Adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Science Building. Ageless. Qianzhuang - +5 Gold. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Qing Unique Gold Building. Ageless.

The Qing Civilization offers a balanced approach with a focus on Gold, Culture, and Influence, albeit with a Science penalty from imported resources. Proper management of resources and strategic building can mitigate this drawback. The Gusa unit provides military strength in formations, making Qing a versatile choice for players aiming for a well-rounded strategy.

B-Tier Modern Civs

B-Tier Civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized, fitting specific playstyles or scenarios.

B-Tier: Buganda

River Raids - Gain Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements equal to the yield or healing gained. Land Military Units gain the Amphibious ability. +30% Production towards constructing Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. Abambowa - Bugandan Unique Infantry Unit. Heals +10 HP from Pillaging any tile. Mwami - Bugandan Unique Army Commander. 50% yields from pillaging within its Command Radius. Kabaka’s Lake - +3 Happiness. Receives Lake yield bonuses, including yields for all Buganda’s abilities and the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder. Bugandan Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. One per Settlement.

Buganda is tailored for aggressive players who enjoy pillaging. The River Raids trait and units like the Abambowa and Mwami capitalize on pillaging, providing significant resource gains. However, Buganda lacks direct access to key yields like Science and Culture, making it dependent on constant warfare. It's a unique playstyle that can be rewarding for those who can maintain the pressure.

B-Tier: Prussia

Blood and Iron - Units receive +1 Combat Strength for every Unfriendly or worse Civ Relationship. Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit. Has +1 Movement. +1 Combat Strength for every Movement it has remaining. Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit. +3 Combat Strength against Land Units. Staatseisenbahn - Prussian Unique Railroad. +2 Gold and Production on Rural tiles with a Staatseisenbahn.

Prussia is ideal for players who thrive on conflict and aim to dominate through military might. The Blood and Iron trait rewards aggressive diplomacy, while units like the Hussar and Stuka provide strong combat capabilities. However, Prussia's focus on military power means it may struggle to keep up with Science and Culture, requiring constant territorial expansion to maintain its edge.

B-Tier: Russia

Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts in Tundra. +30% Production towards constructing the Hermitage. Cossack - Russian Unique Cavalry Unit. +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory. Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit. Has +1 Movement. Lower base Combat Strength but has the Splash ability. Dealing damage to enemy Units adjacent to the target Unit. Obschchina - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. +2 Culture in Tundra. Russian Empire Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Obshchina.

Russia offers modest yield bonuses, particularly in Tundra, making it a solid choice for players focusing on Science and Culture. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities, but Russia's bonuses might not be as impactful as those of more specialized Civilizations.

B-Tier: Siam

Itsapharahab - Gains a unique Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Influence cost than Befriend Independent. +30% Production towards constructing Doi Suthep. Chang Beun - Siamese Unique Ranged Unit. Has increased Ranged Strength and +1 Movement. Can move after attacking. Uparat - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended, and the specific Uparat received is random. Each Uparat can only be received once. Cost increases per Uparat trained. Bang - +3 Culture and Happiness. Siamese Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on a Navigable River.

Siam's unique trait allows for immediate Suzerainty over City-States, which can be a powerful tool if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun offers tactical flexibility on the battlefield, but Siam's overall impact depends heavily on the City-States available and your ability to leverage them.

C-Tier Modern Civs

C-Tier Civilizations are situational and may require experienced players to fully utilize their potential.

C-Tier: Mughal

Paradise of Nations - +75% Gold from all sources. -25% to all other yields. +30% Production towards constructing the Red Fort. Sepoy - Mughal Unique Infantry Unit. Can make a Bombard Ranged attack. Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler. Civilian Unit capable of founding new Towns. +1 Population on new Settlements. Stepwell - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. Mughal Unique Improvement. Ageless. Does not remove Warehouse bonuses on a tile. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Stepwell.

The Mughal Civilization offers a high Gold boost at the cost of reduced yields in other areas. This trade-off can be powerful if managed correctly, but it requires careful planning to mitigate the penalties to Science and Culture. The Mughal's other traits are solid but not essential, making it a challenging yet potentially rewarding choice for experienced players.