Civilization 7 introduces a groundbreaking Ages mechanic, which allows you to transition your civilization through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. While your civilization changes, your chosen leader remains constant throughout the game. Although leaders don't offer as many traits and units as civilizations, their abilities are potent and can be strategically combined for powerful gameplay. To aid you in selecting the best leader for your journey into the Modern Age, we've compiled a detailed tier list, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in a standard, single-player game of Civilization 7. Note that this list does not consider synergies with civilizations or include 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 keeping your citizens happy 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 maintain a strong base for your war efforts. Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration, providing an instant +5 Combat Strength against Districts for all Units. This leader is perfect for those looking to leverage Happiness into military dominance, though managing unrest from conquered Settlements is crucial.

S-Tier: Augustus

Augustus thrives on expanding through Settlements and Towns. With +2 Production in the Capital for every Town and the ability to purchase Culture Buildings in Towns at a 50% discount, Augustus encourages a wide expansion strategy. Maintaining Towns without upgrading them to Cities saves Gold while boosting your Production and Culture. Augustus is ideal for players who prefer a balanced approach to expansion and economic growth.

S-Tier: Confucius

Confucius is the master of city expansion with a +25% Growth Rate in Cities, allowing you to quickly absorb key Resources and expand your borders. Additionally, +2 Science from Specialists makes him a top contender in Science production, especially in the late game. While you may need to bolster your defenses, Confucius's focus on growth and technological advancement makes him a formidable leader.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

Xerxes, King of Kings is all about conquest, offering +3 Combat Strength for Units attacking in neutral or enemy territory. Capturing a Settlement grants 100 Culture and Gold per Age, and you benefit from a +10% Gold increase in all Settlements, further incentivizing expansion. With an increased Settlement limit per Age, Xerxes is the go-to leader for those aiming for a Military Victory.

A-Tier Leaders

### A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

While less militaristic than his World Conquerer counterpart, Ashoka, World Renouncer turns Happiness into population growth with +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness and +10% Food in all Settlements during a Celebration. Buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency bonus for all Improvements, making this leader excellent for those who excel at managing large populations and city development.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a powerhouse for Science and Production, offering +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. Additionally, active Endeavors provide +1 Science per Age, and you can have two of the same type active simultaneously. Franklin's traits create a beneficial feedback loop, ideal for players focused on technological advancement.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

Charlemagne combines Military and Science with a focus on Happiness. Military and Science Buildings receive a Happiness adjacency bonus for Quarters, and entering a Celebration grants two free Cavalry Units with +5 Combat Strength. This leader is perfect for players who want to dominate early and mid-game with cavalry, though his effectiveness may wane in the Modern Age.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is the stealthiest leader, offering +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions and 5 War Support when wars are declared against you. Her Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation, making her ideal for players who prefer a more covert strategy and can handle defensive warfare effectively.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut excels at Culture production, gaining +1 Culture for every imported Resource and a 15% Production boost towards constructing Buildings and Wonders near Navigable Rivers. Her strengths lie in early Culture Legacy Paths and leveraging trade routes for cultural growth.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

Himiko, High Shaman is the best at producing Culture, with +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings and a 50% Production boost towards constructing them. A 20% Culture boost (doubled during Celebrations) comes at the cost of a -10% Science penalty (also doubled during Celebrations). Himiko is ideal for players focused on Cultural Victory, though they must manage the Science drawback.

A-Tier: Isabella

Isabella can gain a significant advantage early on with 300 Gold for discovering a Natural Wonder, doubled if it's in Distant Lands. She also enjoys 100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders and a 50% Gold discount on purchasing Naval Units. Isabella is perfect for players who can capitalize on Natural Wonders and maintain a strong navy.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal excels at prolonging Celebrations with a 50% increase in duration and +50% Happiness towards them. He also gains additional Culture and Gold from Narrative Events, which occur more frequently for him. Rizal is ideal for players who can leverage the power of Celebrations for cultural and economic gains.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

Machiavelli is the master of 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's not Suzerain of. Machiavelli is perfect for players who enjoy a strategic and sometimes treacherous approach to diplomacy and warfare.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

Trung Trac focuses on Army Commanders, starting with three free Levels and a 20% Commander experience boost. She also gains a 10% Science boost in Tropical Spaces, doubling during Formal Wars she declares. Trung Trac is ideal for players who can utilize powerful Commanders and leverage tropical environments for scientific and military advantage.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

Xerxes, The Achaemenid offers a variety of yields and benefits, including +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders and +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age for creating Trade Routes or Roads. Unique Buildings and Improvements provide additional Culture and Gold per Age. Xerxes is perfect for players who can maximize economic and cultural gains through trade.

B-Tier Leaders

### B-Tier: Amina

Amina focuses on Resources, offering +1 Resource Capacity in Cities and +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities. Her Units gain +5 Combat Strength on Plains or Desert, making her a decent choice for players who can secure and utilize a variety of Resources effectively.

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 Great Works. Cities settled in Tundra gain Science based on their Culture output, making her a situational choice that excels when paired with the right map and resources.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

Friedrich, Oblique focuses on Army Commanders, starting them with the Merit Commendation for additional Command Radius. Constructing a Science Building grants an Infantry Unit. While not the strongest in terms of yields, Friedrich can be a solid choice for players who focus on military strategy and scientific advancement.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta offers flexibility with 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age and +1 Sight for all Units. He also gains a unique Endeavor to see other Leaders' explored areas, making him a versatile choice for experienced players who can leverage his attributes effectively.

B-Tier: Lafayette

Lafayette gains a unique Endeavor called Reform, granting an additional Social Policy slot. He also gains +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition slotted into Government and +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands. Lafayette is a good choice for players who can utilize his traits to boost yields and policies effectively.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

Napoleon, Emperor thrives on being disliked, gaining +8 Gold per Age for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. His Continental System Sanction reduces the Trade Route limit of targeted Leaders, making him a choice for players who can handle the diplomatic fallout and maintain a strong military.

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. He's ideal for players who can provoke enemies while holding their ground, though maintaining a strong army is crucial.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

Tecumseh gains +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State he is Suzerain of, along with +1 Combat Strength for all Units. He's a strong choice for players who can invest time and resources into becoming the Suzerain of multiple City-States.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

Himiko, Queen of Wa focuses on being friendly, gaining +4 Science per Age for every Leader she is Friendly or Helpful with. Her unique Endeavor, Friend of Wei, grants +25% Science in an Alliance. She's ideal for players who can maintain positive relationships and leverage Science production.

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 are not as impactful as those of higher-tier leaders, making him a less compelling choice.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

Pachacuti offers +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains on all Buildings and no Happiness maintenance cost for Specialists adjacent to Mountains. While he can be exceptional with the right map, his reliance on Mountains makes him a risky choice for players who may not spawn near them.