"Top Leaders in Civilization 7 Ranked"

In *Civilization 7*, the introduction of the Ages mechanic marks a significant evolution for the series. As you progress through the game's eras—Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages—you'll transition between civilizations, yet your chosen leader remains a constant companion throughout your journey. Leaders in *Civ 7* may not offer as many traits or units as civilizations do, but their unique abilities can lead to powerful synergies when strategically combined. To aid you in your quest for dominance, we've compiled a comprehensive tier list of all leaders, detailing their strengths and weaknesses. This guide will assist you in selecting the ideal leader to lead your empire from the dawn of civilization into the modern era.

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Best Civ 7 Leaders

Note: This tier list focuses solely on standard, single-player games of *Civilization 7*. It does not account for leader synergies with civilizations, multiplayer dynamics, or DLC leaders like 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 in 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, Ashoka enables rapid unit production and robust infrastructure. Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration, boosting all Units with +5 Combat Strength against Districts. This makes Ashoka a formidable leader, perfect for those who aim to leverage Happiness for military superiority. The only challenge is managing unrest in newly acquired Settlements, but with careful governance, Ashoka stands as one of the game's top leaders.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on expanding his empire through numerous Towns rather than Cities, gaining +2 Production in the Capital for each Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns. Additionally, Augustus enjoys a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Buildings in Towns. This strategy not only boosts Production and Culture but also conserves Gold, making Augustus a versatile leader for players looking to dominate through a wide network of Towns.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is your go-to leader for rapid city growth and scientific advancement. With a +25% Growth Rate in Cities and +2 Science from Specialists, Confucius can quickly expand and secure valuable Resources. His focus on Science positions him as a top contender in the race for technological supremacy, though players should consider pairing him with a strong civilization or ally to bolster his defensive capabilities.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings, is the epitome of military aggression. 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, Xerxes is designed for conquest. His increased Settlement limit per Age and enhanced Gold generation from Settlements make him an excellent choice for those pursuing a Military Victory.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

Unlike his World Conquerer counterpart, Ashoka, World Renouncer, focuses on converting Happiness into population growth. With +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food during Celebrations, this Ashoka variant is ideal for players who prefer a peaceful expansion strategy. His ability to increase Happiness from Improvements enhances his potential for large, thriving cities.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a powerhouse in Science and Production, offering +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. He also gains +1 Science per Age from active Endeavors and can have two Endeavors of the same type active simultaneously. Franklin's versatility makes him a strong pick for players focused on technological advancement.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science for a potent strategy. His Military and Science Buildings gain Happiness adjacency bonuses from Quarters, and he receives 2 free Cavalry Units during Celebrations, along with a +5 Combat Strength boost for Cavalry Units. Charlemagne is perfect for players who want to leverage early and mid-game military dominance.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman excels in Espionage and defensive warfare. With a 100% Influence boost towards Espionage Actions and 5 War Support when wars are declared against her, Tubman can disrupt other civilizations while maintaining strong defensive capabilities. Her Units' ability to ignore movement penalties from Vegetation adds to her tactical flexibility.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut leverages Trade Routes for Culture, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a 15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. She is a top choice for those pursuing a Culture Victory, especially in the early game.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman, is a Culture juggernaut, gaining +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. She also enjoys a 20% Culture boost (doubled during Celebrations), though at the cost of a 10% Science penalty (also doubled during Celebrations). Himiko is ideal for players aiming to dominate the Cultural Legacy Path.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella's strength lies in exploiting Natural Wonders, gaining 300 Gold upon discovery (doubled in Distant Lands) and a 100% boost to tile yields from Natural Wonders. She also enjoys reduced costs for Naval Units, making her a strong choice for players who can secure early Natural Wonders and leverage a powerful Navy.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels in prolonging and maximizing Celebrations, with a 50% increase in Celebration duration and Happiness towards Celebrations. He also gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, making him a great leader for those focused on cultural achievements.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli's deceptive nature is reflected in his gameplay. He gains +3 Influence per Age, Gold from Diplomatic Actions, and can ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars. Machiavelli can also levy Military Units from non-Suzerain City-States, making him a versatile leader for cunning players.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac specializes in Army Commanders, starting with 3 free Levels and a 20% boost to Commander experience. Her Science bonus in Tropical Spaces, especially when at war, makes her a strong choice for players aiming to combine military and technological prowess.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid, focuses on Trade Routes and economic expansion, gaining +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders and significant Culture and Gold from creating Trade Routes and Roads. His bonuses to Unique Buildings and Improvements further enhance his economic strategy.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

Amina benefits from increased Resource Capacity and Gold generation from assigned Resources. Her Units gain +5 Combat Strength in Plains or Desert, making her a solid choice for players who can secure these terrains.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great focuses on Culture through Great Works, gaining additional slots and Culture per Age. Her Science boost in Tundra cities adds to her versatility, though her effectiveness can be map-dependent.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique, starts Army Commanders with the Merit Commendation and gains Infantry Units from Science Buildings. While his traits are beneficial, he lacks direct Science, Influence, or Culture boosts, making him a niche choice.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with Wildcard Attribute Points and enhanced visibility through Trade Maps. His versatility is advantageous, but may require experienced players to fully utilize his potential.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette's unique Endeavor, Reform, grants additional Social Policy slots, and he gains Combat Strength from Traditions. His unconditional Culture and Happiness boosts in Settlements make him a reliable, if not exceptional, leader.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor, thrives on being disliked, gaining Gold from unfriendly or hostile relationships and disrupting other leaders' Trade Routes with the Continental System Sanction. His playstyle requires careful management of diplomacy and military strength.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

Napoleon, Revolutionary, provides +1 Movement to all Land Units and Culture from defending against enemy units. His unique playstyle requires players to provoke and defend against enemies to maximize Culture gains.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh's strength grows with the number of City-States he is Suzerain of, gaining bonuses to Food, Production, and Combat Strength. His potential is high, but requires significant setup and time.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa, benefits from being friendly with other leaders, gaining Science bonuses and supporting Endeavors for free. Her strategy requires careful diplomacy to maintain alliances and maximize Science production.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

Friedrich, Baroque, gains a Great Work upon capturing a Settlement and an Infantry Unit from Culture Buildings. His traits are useful but lack the impact needed to compete with higher-tier leaders.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti's effectiveness hinges on proximity to Mountains, gaining Food adjacency bonuses and reduced Happiness maintenance for Specialists. While potentially powerful, his dependence on specific terrain makes him a risky choice.