Civilization 7: Ranking Modern Civilizations

In Civilization 7, the Modern Age stands as the pivotal era where the game's outcome is determined. As you transition from the Exploration Age, mastering this stage is crucial for securing victory. Your choice of civilization plays a vital role in this endeavor, with ten civilizations available in the Modern Age (and eleven if you own the Crossroads of the World DLC). Pairing these civilizations with the appropriate leaders can unlock powerful synergies, enhancing your chances of success. To guide your decision, here’s a comprehensive tier list of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civilization 7.

Note that while your chosen Leader can significantly influence your gameplay through additional buffs, this tier list focuses on the inherent strengths of each civilization. Be sure to consider how a civilization will synergize with your Leader when making your choice.

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, has yet to be ranked. Its performance will be assessed in due time.

S-Tier Modern Civs

These are the cream of the crop in Civilization 7, offering unparalleled advantages in resource access and military prowess, enabling you to dominate 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 with the Amphibious ability, cheaper to train.

Prospector - American Unique Civilian Unit that claims a Land Resource beyond your regular Settlement radius.

Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter formed by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district. +2 Food in this City for every Resource assigned.

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 stands out as a top-tier civilization in the Modern Age, thanks to its robust resource utilization. The Frontier Expansion trait offers significant gold boosts through resource improvements, while the Industrial Park synergizes Railyard and Steel Mill to provide ample Food, Production, and Gold. This versatility allows for rapid expansion and sustained growth. The Prospector can secure vital resources, and the Marine, with its Amphibious ability, adds tactical flexibility. America is a well-rounded civilization perfect for players aiming for an Economic Victory.

S-tier: Meiji Japan

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

Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit that respawns at 50% HP in the closest Settlement upon first destruction.

Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit with increased range and +4 Combat Strength against other Fighters. Can intercept enemy Air Units.

Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter formed 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 excels in resourcefulness and boasts powerful military units. The Goisshin trait allows for strategic district reshaping, granting Science for modernizing your infrastructure. The Zaibatsu Quarter amplifies Gold and Production, fueling your endgame push. The Mikasa’s ability to respawn after destruction adds resilience to your naval fleet, while the Zero dominates the skies. Meiji Japan is ideal for players seeking a technological and military edge in the Modern Age.

A-Tier Modern Civs

A-Tier civilizations offer a balanced mix of resources and military strength, making them reliable choices for various victory paths.

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 capable of Ranged attacks. +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. Specific Jacobin received once. Cost increases per Jacobin trained.

Avenue - French Imperial Quarter formed 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 is a strong contender for Cultural Victory, thanks to the synergistic effects of the Avenue Quarter, which boosts Culture and Happiness. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait enhances your ability to leverage Celebrations, propelling your civilization forward. While the Garde Imperiale is not the strongest unit, it provides necessary defense as you focus on cultural growth.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion, with one Celebration effect providing +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. Randomly received and unique per training. Cost increases per Revolucionario trained.

Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter formed 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 substantial Culture and Gold benefits. The Revolucion Government provides periodic Culture boosts, and the Zocalo Quarter enhances Culture output further. The Soldaderas unit adds a defensive layer by facilitating unit healing. Mexico is an excellent choice for players aiming to dominate through cultural achievements.

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 capable of establishing Trade Routes to import Resources from foreign Settlements. Gain 50 Gold for every Resource acquired on naval Trade Routes.

Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter formed 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 blend of Gold, Culture, and Influence but requires careful management due to its Science penalty. The Kang Qian Shengshi trait provides significant yield boosts, and the Shiguan helps offset the Science drawback. The Gusa unit is potent in large formations, offering strong military potential. Qing is a versatile choice for players who can manage its unique balance of yields.

B-Tier Modern Civs

B-Tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized, fitting into fewer 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 relish in pillaging enemy territories. The River Raids trait, combined with the Abambowa and Mwami units, provides substantial benefits from pillaging. However, Buganda lacks direct access to crucial Modern Age yields like Science, Culture, and Gold, making it dependent on constant warfare to sustain growth.

B-Tier: Prussia

Blood and Iron - Units receive +1 Combat Strength for every Unfriendly or worse Civ Relationship.

Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit with +1 Movement. +1 Combat Strength for every Movement it has remaining.

Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit with +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 military dominance. The Blood and Iron trait rewards aggressive diplomacy, boosting unit strength as relationships deteriorate. The Hussar and Stuka are formidable units, but Prussia’s focus on military might can leave you lagging in Science and Culture, crucial for Modern Age success. The Staatseisenbahn provides some economic support, but a balanced approach is essential to avoid being overwhelmed.

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 with +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory.

Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit with +1 Movement and the Splash ability. Lower base Combat Strength.

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 a balanced approach with its yield bonuses on Districts, particularly in Tundra. The Prosveshchenie trait provides steady Culture and Science growth, though it may not match the output of more specialized civilizations. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher units are effective defensively, protecting your cultural and scientific 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 with 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. Randomly received and unique per training. Cost increases 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 trait allows immediate Suzerainty over City-States, which can be powerful if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun is a versatile ranged unit, enhancing your tactical options. However, Siam’s reliance on City-States for additional yields means its effectiveness depends on the available City-States and your ability to manage Influence.

C-Tier Modern Civs

C-Tier civilizations require a specific playstyle and are 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 capable of Bombard Ranged attacks.

Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler 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 offers immense economic potential with its +75% Gold bonus, making it a strong choice for players focused on wealth. However, the -25% penalty to all other yields requires careful management to avoid falling behind in Science and Culture. The Sepoy and Zamindar units are useful, but the civilization's success hinges on mitigating the yield penalty effectively.