Civilization 7 Leader and Civilization Tier List – Top Choices for February 2025

Civilization 7 introduces a diverse roster of 26 leaders, each playing a pivotal role that often overshadows their respective civilizations. In this guide, we offer a comprehensive tier list of these leaders, along with optimal civilization combinations for the three distinct eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern.

Complete Leader Tier List for Civilization 7

Rank	Leaders
S	Ibn Battuta, Trung Trac, Harriet Tubman, Confucius, Ashoka (World Renouncer), Amina, Tecumseh, Benjamin Franklin, Machiavelli, Hatshepsut
A	Augustus, Pachacuti, Xerxes (King of Kings), Isabella, Charlemagne
B	Friedrich (Oblique), Jose Rizal, Lafayette
C	Napoleon (Emperor), Catherine the Great, Friedrich (Baroque), Napoleon (Revolutionary)
D	Ashoka (World Conqueror), Himiko (Queen of Wa), Xerxes (The Achaemenid), Himiko (High Shaman)

Civilization 7 leader tier list — Image Source: Tiermaker via Twinfinite

Top-Tier Leaders (S-Tier)

Leaders	Key Features	Optimal Civilizations
Ibn Battuta	· Masterful in military strategy with unmatched capabilities against empires.· Exceptional in offensive traits while maintaining technological edge.· Significant abilities for settlement and science establishment in the Exploration Age.	Aksum ; Abbasid ; Buganda.
Trung Trac	· Provides a +5 to War Support when war is declared on her.· Effective in sabotage and reconnaissance without limitations on unit movement.· Excellent in managing rough terrains and executing surprise attacks.	· Khmer;· Chola;· Meiji Japan.
Harriet Tubman	· Increases science output significantly, aiding in achieving Science Victory.· Versatile leader, ideal for players pursuing different gameplay styles.· Supports peaceful, builder-centric strategies effectively.	· Aksum; · Inca; · America.
Confucius	· Highly suited for Science Victory with enhanced city growth capabilities.· Offers a strategic advantage for diverse gameplay styles, particularly in peaceful expansions.	· Han China; · Ming China; · Qing China.
Ashoka (World Renouncer)	· Promotes faith and cultural strategies with peaceful expansion bonuses.· Enhances trade and diplomatic relations with other civilizations.	· Khmer;· Chola;· Mughal.
Amen	· Exceptional early-game military tactics paired with strong economic capabilities.· Thrives in trade-based strategies, particularly in vast terrains.	Aksum ; Abbasid ; Buganda.
Tecumseh	· Strong diplomat with benefits from city-state alliances that enhance both military and development capabilities.· Adapts well to diverse strategies, ensuring balanced growth and defense.	· Mississippian;· Shawnee;· America.
Benjamin Franklin	· Exceptional scientific output through production-building synergy.· Fosters effective research collaborations with other leaders.	· Greece;· Norman;· America.
Machiavelli	· Expert at undermining opponents’ economies while excelling in covert operations.· Dual strategy capabilities for combat, diplomacy, and cultural influence.	· Greece;· Norman;· French Empire.
Hatshepsut	· Transforms trade into cultural advancements, significantly boosting cultural output.· Provides production bonuses when settled near rivers.	Aksum ; Abbasid ; Buganda.

High-Tier Leaders (A-Tier)

Leaders	Key Features	Optimal Civilizations
Augustus	· Generates significant production advantages through his Imperium Maius ability.· Benefits economically during the mid-game with effective resource management.	· Egypt;· Abbasid;· French Empire.
Pachacuti	· Increases food production near mountains, catering to rapid early-game expansion.· Versatile leader with strong gold and cultural advantages.	· Maya;· Hawai’i;· America.
Xerxes (King of Kings)	· Strong combat bonuses for units when operating outside their borders.· Profits from military conquests to enhance economic growth.	· Mauryan India; · Abbasid; · Mughal.
Isabella	· Enhanced faith generation from Holy Sites adjacent to Natural Wonders.· Cities founded on new continents yield additional economic benefits.	· Egypt;· Abbasid;· French Empire.
Charlemagne	· Strong advantages for military victories, especially near strategically important locations.· Lowers maintenance costs for military units, facilitating larger armies.	· Greece;· Norman;· French Empire.

Mid-Tier Leaders (B-Tier)

Leaders	Key Features	Optimal Civilizations
Friedrich (Oblique)	· Free infantry units from constructing science buildings, bolstering military while advancing research.· Upgrades enhance Army Commanders well beyond standard capabilities.	· Egypt;· Norman;· French Empire.
Jose Rizal	· Specializes in tropical regions, maximizing resource potential and growth opportunities.· Generates extra gold through Narrative Events across ages.	· Khmer;· Chola;· Mughal.
Lafayette	· Increases Social Policy slots, enhancing strategic options during multiplayer play.· Pairs well with military-focused government structures for optimal engagement.	· Greece;· Norman;· America.

Lower-Tier Leaders (C-Tier)

Leaders	Key Features	Optimal Civilizations
Napoleon (Emperor)	· Strong economic disruption capability but associated with significant diplomatic penalties.· Requires careful management to maximize effectiveness.	· Persia;· Norman;· French Empire.
Catherine the Great	· Excellent culture generation potential but hampered by challenging starting environments.· Requires effective planning for early-game growth.	· Greece;· Mongolia;· Prussia.
Friedrich (Baroque)	· Gains a Great Work from settlements and free infantry units from culture-focused buildings.· Limited utility in non-military settings.	· Egypt;· Norman;· French Empire.
Napoleon (Revolutionary)	· Provides movement flexibility but risks diplomatic fallouts from constant warfare.· Must balance military action versus resource sustainability.	· Persia;· Norman;· French Empire.

Lowest-Tier Leaders (D-Tier)

Leaders	Key Features	Optimal Civilizations
Ashoka (World Conqueror)	· Facilitates aggressive expansion without stirring immediate conflict.· However, less effective in a tactical non-aggression context.	· Khmer;· Chola;· Mughal.
Himiko (Queen of Wa)	· Enhances scientific advancement but overly reliant on diplomatic ties.· Needs constant relationship maintenance to capitalize on strengths.	· Khmer;· Hawai’i;· Meiji Japan.
Xerxes (The Achaemenid)	· Can establish exceptional trade routes but struggles when trade is hindered.· Requires proactive resource management to thrive.	· Mauryan India; · Abbasid; · Mughal.
Himiko (High Shaman)	· Gains science points through friendly relations but risks penalties from cultural expansions.· Demands a careful balance between science advancement and cultural development.	· Khmer;· Hawai’i;· Meiji Japan.

This concludes our leader tier list for Civilization 7. For further insights, explore additional guides such as Civilization 7’s Age System Explained and the Top 70 Best Skyrim Mods for Xbox.

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