The Modern Age in Civilization 7 is a pivotal era where the fate of your game is sealed, and where strategic decisions made here can lead to victory. Transitioning from the Exploration Age, it's crucial to leverage your advantages and make astute choices. Your choice of civilization is a cornerstone for securing a win, with ten civilizations available in the Modern Age, and an additional one if you have the Crossroads of the World DLC. When paired with the right leaders, these civilizations can create formidable synergies. Below, we present a tier list to guide your selection of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civilization 7.

Keep in mind, your chosen leader can amplify your civilization's strengths through buffs and synergies, potentially altering their effectiveness. Our tier list ranks civilizations based on their standalone power, so consider how a civilization will interact with your leader when making your decision.

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: The new DLC civilization, Great Britain, hasn't been ranked yet. Its performance will be assessed in due time.

S-Tier Modern Civs

These civilizations represent the cream of the crop in Civilization 7. With access to superior military units and powerful resource management, they offer a strong foundation for dominating the game map.

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. Features the Amphibious ability and is cheaper to train.

Prospector - American Unique Civilian Unit. Claims a Land Resource outside 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 resource utilization, making it a top contender in the Modern Age. The Frontier Expansion trait can significantly boost your gold by improving resources. The synergy between the Railyard and Steel Mill to form the Industrial Park provides substantial Food, Production, and Gold, enabling fast expansion and robust production capabilities. Additionally, the Prospector unit secures vital resources, while the Marine's Amphibious ability adds versatility to your military strategy.

S-tier: Meiji Japan

Goisshin - Gain Science equal to 50% of a Building’s Production cost when you Overbuild. +30% Production towards constructing Dogo Onsen.

Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit. Respawns at the closest Settlement at 50% HP if destroyed once.

Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit. Increased range and +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 Building. Ageless.

Meiji Japan is exceptionally resourceful, offering powerful units and economic benefits. The Goisshin trait allows for efficient district and building reshaping while providing Science. The Zaibatsu Quarter can generate significant Gold and Production, pushing your civilization into a strong endgame position. The Mikasa's ability to respawn and the Zero's combat prowess make Meiji Japan a formidable force both on the sea and in the air.

A-Tier Modern Civs

A-Tier civilizations are solid choices, offering a balanced mix of resource access and military strength.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - Select Celebration effects from any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower.

Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit. Can perform a Ranged attack and gains +2 Combat Strength within a friendly Army Commander Radius. More expensive to train.

Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge, trainable only in Cities with an Avenue. The specific Jacobin is received once, with costs increasing 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 thrives on a synergistic approach, particularly suited for a Cultural victory. The Avenue, formed by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, creates a powerful cycle of Culture and Happiness, enhancing your civilization's progress through the Modern Age. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait complements this by allowing flexible Celebration effects. The Garde Imperiale provides a defensive edge, ensuring your cultural pursuits are not easily disrupted.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion, featuring a Celebration effect that grants +30% Culture for 10 Turns. Cannot enter other Government types. +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, trainable only in Cities with a Zocalo. The specific Revolucionario is random and can only be received once, with costs increasing per Revolucionario trained.

Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter, created by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes 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 Building. Ageless.

Portal de Mercaderes - +5 Culture. +1 Gold Adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Mexican Unique Culture Building. Ageless.

Mexico is a cultural powerhouse, offering significant Culture and Gold yields. The Revolucion Government provides a strong Culture boost, while the Zocalo Quarter enhances your cultural output further. The Soldaderas unit adds a tactical layer to your military strategy, aiding in maintaining your civilization's health and resilience. If you can manage Happiness and initiate Celebrations, Mexico is an excellent choice for a Cultural victory.

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 - Qing Unique Infantry Unit. +4 Combat Strength if adjacent to another Gusa.

Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant. Establishes Trade Routes to import Resources from foreign Settlements. Gains 50 Gold for every Resource acquired via 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 mix of yields, though with a Science penalty from imported resources that requires careful management. The Kang Qian Shengshi trait provides boosts in Gold, Culture, and Influence, which can be leveraged effectively with strategic resource and building management. The Gusa unit adds military strength, making Qing a versatile choice for various victory paths.

B-Tier Modern Civs

B-Tier civilizations offer good benefits but are more specialized, suitable for specific strategies 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 Abambowa and Mwami make pillaging highly rewarding, but this strategy requires constant warfare to be effective. While Buganda lacks direct access to crucial yields like Science and Culture, successful pillaging can compensate for these deficits, making it a unique but challenging playstyle.

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 are willing to antagonize other civilizations. The Blood and Iron trait enhances your military strength as relationships sour, while units like the Hussar and Stuka make Prussia a formidable military force. However, this civilization's focus on warfare means you must capture Settlements to keep pace with Science and Culture, which are critical in the Modern Age. The Staatseisenbahn provides some economic support, but maintaining hostile relations can lead to overwhelming opposition.

B-Tier: Russia

Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts in Cities 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 features 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 solid yield bonuses, particularly in Tundra, which can be a double-edged sword depending on your map. The Prosveshchenie trait provides a mix of Culture and Science, but the bonuses are not overwhelming. Units like the Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher offer defensive capabilities, making Russia a good choice for players looking to protect their scientific and cultural advancements.

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, trainable only in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended. The specific Uparat received is random and can only be received once, with costs increasing 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 ability to instantly become Suzerain of a City-State can be a powerful tool if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun unit offers strong ranged capabilities, enhancing your military options. However, Siam's effectiveness depends heavily on the presence and type of City-States on the map, making it a situational but potentially rewarding choice.

C-Tier Modern Civs

C-Tier civilizations are not inherently weak but are more situational or require a specialized approach, best suited for experienced players.

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 can be a powerhouse with its +75% Gold boost, potentially making you the richest player. However, the -25% penalty to all other yields requires careful management to mitigate. The Mughal's unique units and improvements are solid but not standout, making this civilization a high-risk, high-reward option that can excel in the right hands but may falter if not managed adeptly.