Civilization 7: Modern Civilizations Tier List

The Modern Age in *Civilization 7* is the endgame—where victories are forged and the final chapter unfolds. Mastering this era, building upon your Exploration Age foundation, is crucial for securing a win. Your civilization choice is paramount. The Modern Age presents ten civilizations (eleven with the *Crossroads of the World* DLC), each offering unique strengths when paired with the right leader. This tier list ranks civilizations based solely on their base capabilities, remember leader synergies can significantly impact their overall power.

Best *Civilization 7* Modern Civilizations

*Civilization 7* Modern Civilization Tier List

S-tier: America, Meiji Japan

A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing

B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam

C-tier: Mughal

Note: Great Britain's ranking (from the DLC) remains pending further assessment.

S-Tier Modern Civilizations

These civilizations offer unparalleled advantages, from superior military units to potent resource control, often dominating the map.

S-tier: America

Frontier Expansion: Earn 100 Gold per resource improvement. +30% production towards the Statue of Liberty. Marine: Amphibious infantry unit; cheaper to train. Prospector: Claims land resources beyond standard settlement range. Industrial Park: (Railyard + Steel Mill) Unique quarter; +2 Food per resource assigned to the city. Railyard: +5 Production; +1 Production adjacency bonus for Quarters and Wonders. Ageless. Steel Mill: +6 Production; Gold adjacency bonus for Resources and Wonders. Ageless.

America's versatility shines through its resource utilization. Frontier Expansion provides significant gold spikes, while the Industrial Park (Railyard + Steel Mill combination) generates substantial Food, Production, and Gold, enabling rapid expansion and efficient production. The Prospector secures crucial resources, and the Marine unit's amphibious capability adds tactical flexibility.

S-tier: Meiji Japan

Goisshin: Overbuilding yields Science equal to 50% of the building's production cost. +30% production towards Dogo Onsen. Mikasa: Unique Heavy Naval Unit; respawns at 50% HP in the nearest settlement upon destruction. Zero: Unique Fighter Air Unit; increased range, +4 Combat Strength against other fighters, and air unit interception capabilities. Zaibatsu: (Ginko + Jukogyo) Unique Quarter; +1 Gold and Production on buildings in adjacent districts. Ginko: +5 Gold; +1 Gold adjacency bonus for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Ageless. Jukogyo: +5 Production; +1 Production adjacency bonus for Coastal Terrain and Wonders. Ageless.

Meiji Japan's resourcefulness and powerful units are key strengths. Goisshin allows for district and building adaptation while regaining Science. The Zaibatsu Quarter generates massive Gold and Production. The Mikasa's respawning ability offers strategic advantages, and the Zero fighter dominates the skies.

A-Tier Modern Civilizations

A-tier civilizations offer diverse resource access and significant military strength.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: Choose any Modern Age Government's Celebration effects. +30% production towards the Eiffel Tower. Garde Imperiale: Ranged attack infantry unit; +2 Combat Strength within a friendly Army Commander's radius. Jacobin: Great Person (one charge); trainable in cities with an Avenue. Avenue: (Jardin a la Francaise + Salon) Unique quarter; +2 Happiness on Quarters in this city. Jardin a la Francaise: +5 Culture; +1 Happiness adjacency bonus for Culture Buildings and Wonders. Ageless. Salon: +5 Happiness; +1 Culture adjacency bonus for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. Ageless.

The French Empire's synergy between Culture and Happiness makes it a strong contender for a Cultural victory. The Avenue, Jardin a la Francaise, and Salon create a powerful feedback loop. The Garde Imperiale provides solid military support.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion: Unique Government; +30% Culture for 10 turns (Celebration effect). +30% production towards Palacio de Bellas Artes. Soldaderas: Infantry unit; adjacent units heal +10 HP. Revolucionario: Great Person (one charge); trainable in cities with a Zocalo. Zocalo: (Catedral + Portal de Mercaderes) Unique quarter; +2 Culture per Tradition in the Government. Catedral: +5 Culture; +1 Happiness adjacency bonus for Culture Buildings and Wonders. Ageless. Portal de Mercaderes: +5 Culture; +1 Gold adjacency bonus for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Ageless.

Mexico excels in Culture generation, boosted by the Zocalo and the Revolucion government's Celebration effect. Soldaderas units offer strong healing capabilities.

A-Tier: Qing

Kang Qian Shengshi: +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, -1 Science from imported resources. +30% production towards Chengde Mountain Resort. Gusa: Infantry unit; +4 Combat Strength adjacent to another Gusa. Hangshang: Merchant; establishes Trade Routes for resource imports. Huiguan: (Qianzhuang + Shiguan) Unique quarter; +35% Influence in this settlement. Shiguan: +6 Science; +1 Happiness adjacency bonus for Happiness Buildings and Wonders. Ageless. Qianzhuang: +5 Gold; +1 Gold adjacency bonus for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Ageless.

The Qing civilization offers strong Gold, Culture, and Influence but requires careful management of the Science penalty from imported resources. The Gusa unit's strength lies in its synergy with other Gusa units.

B-Tier Modern Civilizations

B-tier civilizations are strong but may be more specialized or situational.

B-Tier: Buganda

River Raids: Gain Culture from pillaging equal to yield or healing gained. Land units gain Amphibious ability. +30% production towards Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. Abambowa: Infantry unit; heals +10 HP from pillaging. Mwami: Army Commander; +50% yields from pillaging within its command radius. Kabaka’s Lake: +3 Happiness; receives Lake yield bonuses. Ageless.

Buganda thrives on aggressive play, gaining significant benefits from pillaging. Success depends on maintaining a strong military and actively targeting valuable resources.

B-Tier: Prussia

Blood and Iron: Units gain +1 Combat Strength per unfriendly civilization relationship. Hussar: Cavalry unit; +1 Movement; +1 Combat Strength per remaining Movement point. Stuka: Ground Attack Air Unit; +3 Combat Strength against Land Units. Staatseisenbahn: Unique Railroad; +2 Gold and Production on rural tiles.

Prussia excels in aggressive warfare, gaining strength from negative relationships with other civilizations. However, this strategy requires a strong economy and the ability to manage multiple conflicts.

B-Tier: Russia

Prosveshchenie: +1 Culture and Science on Districts; +30% production towards the Hermitage. Cossack: Cavalry unit; +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory. Katyusha Rocket Launcher: Siege unit; +1 Movement; splash damage. Obschchina: +2 Food from adjacent Farms; +2 Culture in Tundra. Ageless.

Russia's strengths lie in District bonuses and defensive capabilities. However, its yield bonuses are less impactful compared to other civilizations.

B-Tier: Siam

Itsapharahab: Unique Diplomatic Action to become City-State Suzerain (at increased cost). +30% production towards Doi Suthep. Chang Beun: Ranged unit; increased range and movement; can move after attacking. Uparat: Great Person (one charge); trainable when befriending an Independent Power. Bang: +3 Culture and Happiness. Ageless.

Siam's unique diplomatic action allows for rapid City-State control, but requires sufficient Influence. The Chang Beun unit offers strong ranged capabilities.

C-Tier Modern Civilizations

C-tier civilizations are situational and may require specific playstyles.

C-Tier: Mughal

Paradise of Nations: +75% Gold from all sources; -25% to all other yields. +30% production towards the Red Fort. Sepoy: Infantry unit; Bombard ranged attack. Zamindar: Settler unit; +1 Population on new Settlements. Stepwell: +2 Food from adjacent Farms. Ageless.

The Mughal civilization offers immense wealth but suffers from significant penalties to other yields. Success requires careful resource management to compensate for these drawbacks.