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.

Best Civ 7 Leaders

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 thrives on maintaining high levels of Happiness while intimidating other civilizations. With +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities and +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you, you can ramp up your military production and maintain a strong base. Declaring a Formal War triggers a Celebration, granting all Units a +5 Combat Strength against Districts. This combination makes Ashoka a formidable force, capable of leveraging Happiness into military might and ensuring a swift and powerful response in conflicts.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus excels in expanding through wide settlement strategies. With +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% Gold discount, Augustus can rapidly develop a robust economic and cultural empire. His strength lies in maintaining numerous Towns without upgrading them to Cities, which not only saves Gold but also amplifies his Production and Culture outputs. This approach makes Augustus a versatile leader ideal for those aiming to establish a vast and prosperous empire.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is the master of rapid city growth and technological advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities, you can quickly expand your borders and secure valuable Resources. Additionally, +2 Science from Specialists makes Confucius a top contender for leading in Science production, especially in the later stages of the game. While he may require some military support, his ability to dominate in terms of growth and technology makes him an S-Tier leader for those focused on a peaceful expansion.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is designed for aggressive expansion, offering +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, and you receive a +10% Gold boost in all Settlements, with an increased effect in those not founded by you. Additionally, Xerxes gains +1 Settlement limit per Age, encouraging continuous territorial growth. This makes him an ideal leader for players aiming for a Military Victory, with a straightforward yet highly effective strategy.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Ashoka, World Renouncer focuses on converting Happiness into population growth rather than military might. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration, this leader is perfect for those looking to expand their population and establish a strong foundation. All buildings also gain a +1 Happiness adjacency bonus for all Improvements, making this leader a strategic choice for those who prioritize city development and management.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a powerhouse in Science and Production. With +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings in Cities and a +50% Production boost towards constructing them, Franklin creates a feedback loop that accelerates technological advancement. Additionally, he gains +1 Science per Age from active Endeavors and can have two of the same type active at a time. This makes him an excellent choice for players aiming to lead in Science and quickly turn their research into tangible benefits.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne blends Military and Science strategies effectively. Military and Science Buildings receive a Happiness adjacency bonus from Quarters, and entering a Celebration grants 2 free Cavalry Units and a +5 Combat Strength boost for these units. This synergy allows Charlemagne to stay ahead in warfare technology and maintain a strong military presence, particularly in the early and mid-game stages, making him an excellent choice for those aiming to dominate through cavalry.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is the stealthiest leader in Civilization 7, with +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support on all wars declared against you. Her Units also ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, making her a formidable choice for players who enjoy a more covert and strategic approach to gameplay. Her ability to disrupt other civilizations and maintain a strong defensive stance makes her a versatile and powerful leader.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut excels in Culture generation through trade and resource management. With +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a +15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjacent to Navigable Rivers, she can rapidly advance through the Culture Legacy Paths. Her focus on trade and river-adjacent development makes her a strong choice for players aiming to build a culturally rich empire.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is a top producer of Culture, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a +50% Production boost towards constructing them. She also gains a +20% Culture boost, doubled during Celebrations, though this comes at the cost of a -10% Science penalty, also doubled during Celebrations. This makes her an excellent choice for players focused on the Cultural Legacy Path, provided they can manage the Science drawback.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain significant advantages from Natural Wonders, receiving 300 Gold upon discovery, doubled if in Distant Lands, and +100% additional tile yields from these Wonders. She also benefits from a +50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units and -1 Gold maintenance cost for them. This makes her a strong choice for players looking to leverage early economic boosts and maintain a powerful navy.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels in prolonging and benefiting from Celebrations, with a +50% Celebration duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations. He also gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him. This makes him a great choice for players who aim to maximize the benefits of Celebrations and maintain a high level of Happiness.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli thrives on influence and 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 makes him a perfect choice for players who enjoy a more cunning and diplomatic approach to gameplay.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac is a master of utilizing Army Commanders, starting with 3 free Levels on the first Army Commander and gaining a +20% Commander experience boost. She also receives a +10% Science boost in Cities in Tropical Spaces, doubled during Formal Wars she declares. This makes her an excellent choice for players who want to leverage powerful Army Commanders and excel in both Science and military strategy.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid focuses on economic growth through Trade Routes and Roads, gaining +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when creating them. He also has a +1 Trade Route limit with all other leaders and gains +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Improvements. This makes him a strong choice for players aiming for an Economic Victory through extensive trade networks.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina excels in Resource management, with +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities. Her Units also gain a +5 Combat Strength boost in Plains or Desert terrains. While situational, her ability to generate Gold from Resources makes her a decent choice for players who prioritize economic growth and strategic resource utilization.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is a strong producer of Culture, gaining +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works and an additional slot for these works. Cities settled in Tundra also gain Science based on their Culture output. This makes her a good choice for players who want to focus on Culture and leverage Tundra regions for Science production, though her effectiveness can be map-dependent.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique provides a strong start for Army Commanders with the Merit Commendation and additional Command Radius. He also gains an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building. While lacking in direct Science, Influence, or Culture boosts, his focus on early military strength makes him a viable choice for players who want to prioritize a strong army from the outset.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers versatility with 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age and +1 Sight for all Units. He also gains a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps, allowing gradual visibility of other Leaders’ explored areas. His flexibility and map visibility can be powerful in experienced hands, making him a good choice for players who enjoy strategic depth and adaptability.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette gains a unique Endeavor called Reform, granting an additional Social Policy slot, and +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition slotted into the Government. He also gains +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands. While not as specialized as other leaders, his well-rounded traits make him a solid choice for players looking for a balanced approach.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor thrives on creating tension, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. He can also use the Continental System Sanction to reduce other Leaders' Trade Route limits. While his traits can make him a target, they are effective for players who enjoy playing provocatively and managing international relations.

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 makes him a unique choice for players who want to be nimble on the battlefield and leverage defensive encounters for Culture gains, though it requires a specific playstyle to maximize his potential.

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 each City-State. While becoming a Suzerain requires significant Influence, the potential rewards are substantial, making him a good choice for players willing to invest in City-State relations.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on fostering alliances, gaining +4 Science per Age for every Leader she is Friendly or Helpful with. She also has a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei, granting +25% Science to her and an ally. While requiring careful diplomacy, her traits can lead to significant Science boosts, making her a strong choice for players who prioritize alliances.

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 needed to compete with stronger leaders, making him a less compelling choice in most scenarios.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti's effectiveness is heavily map-dependent, with all Buildings gaining a +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains and Specialists adjacent to Mountains not costing Happiness maintenance. While potentially powerful in the right setting, his reliance on Mountain proximity limits his overall viability, making him a riskier choice for players without map control.