In Civilization 7, the Modern Age is pivotal for determining the game’s outcome as players transition from the Exploration Age. Strategy becomes crucial; this is where your choices truly matter in solidifying your victory. Selecting the right civilization plays a significant role, with ten options available, plus one extra if you have the Crossroads of the World DLC. Coupling the right Civ 7 leaders with your civilization can unlock impressive synergies. To help guide your choice, we’ve compiled a tier list identifying the best civilizations for this era.
A quick note: while your leader adds further enhancements to your playthrough, impacting your civilization’s strengths, our tier list ranks civs based purely on their standalone capabilities. It’s wise to consider how a civilization will synergize with your chosen leader before committing.
Civ 7 Modern Civilizations Tier List:
- S-tier: America, Meiji Japan
- A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing
- B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam
- C-tier: Mughal
We’re still evaluating Great Britain from the new DLC, so stay tuned for updates on where it places.
S-Tier Modern Civilizations
The crème de la crème of Civilization 7, S-tier civilizations are a step above, offering exceptional military and resource advantages, making them dominant forces on any map.
America stands out with its ability to harness resources effectively. The Frontier Expansion trait offers massive gains in gold through resource improvements. Meanwhile, the combination of the Railyard and Steel Mill culminates in the Industrial Park, vastly bolstering food, production, and gold. This makes America a well-rounded civilization capable of swift expansion and production. Moreover, with units like the Prospector and Marine, America has robust resource claims and versatile combat capabilities.
Economically, knowing how to effectively use Factory Resources can lead to victory. The Marine unit’s Amphibious ability adds to the strategic depth, making America a highly appealing choice.
Meiji Japan is equally formidable with its flexible district and building reshaping capability granted by Goisshin, offering a substantial science return. The Zaibatsu Quarter, when fully developed, significantly enhances gold and production, providing the kind of yield you need to soar through the final stages of the game. Militarily, the Mikasa’s ability to respawn is invaluable, and the Zero fighter is a formidable presence in air combat.
If these units pique your interest, explore more about the Civ 7 Unit Types for additional insights.
A-Tier Modern Civilizations
A-tier civilizations might not reach the elite status of S-tier, yet they remain solid choices with diverse resource access and formidable unique units.
The French Empire is a strong contender for those eyeing a cultural victory. With buildings like the Avenue, Jardin a la Francaise, and Salon, they create a feedback loop of culture and happiness that fuels the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait, enhancing your civilization’s capabilities. The Garde Imperiale, while not groundbreaking, provides solid defense capabilities against potential aggressors.
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Mexico shares similarities with the French Empire regarding cultural strength, albeit with a different approach. While happiness is less of a focus, the civilizations’ gold and culture balance makes it a powerhouse. Buildings like the Zocalo Quarter amplify cultural gains, reinforcing any strategy aimed at cultural dominance. Their infantry unit, the Soldaderas, brings battlefield restoration benefits, making strategic positioning crucial for victory.
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Qing Civilization presents players with a balancing act: manage the Kang Qian Shengshi trait effectively to avoid falling behind in science while enjoying gold, culture, and influence gains. Efficient resource and building management can minimize the drawbacks, making Qing a civilization that rewards careful planning. The Gusa unit provides military potential if utilized strategically.
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B-Tier Modern Civilizations
These civilizations offer niche benefits that can be advantageous depending on your strategy but are generally more situational in their effectiveness.
Buganda thrives on a plunder-centric strategy, which means players must be aggressive and opportunistic, capitalizing on enemy vulnerabilities to sustain growth. While Kabaka’s Lake enhances happiness and resource production, the civilization demands a proactive approach to accrue essential yields via pillaging.
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Prussia is ideal for players who want to conquer through aggression, gaining combat strength from adversarial relationships. The Hussar and Stuka make for strong military assets, but the strategy can be too linear. Pursuing science and cultural advancements is crucial to sustaining military operations, lest its offensive edge dull over time.
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Russia brings a blend of culture and science yields, particularly in tundra environments. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher favor defensive stances over offensive campaigns. While not the most versatile, it can support a science and culture-forward approach with proper planning.
Siam introduces a unique diplomatic action, allowing for immediate suzerainty over city-states, contingent on influence levels. If harnessed correctly, this can be a potent advantage, complemented by the agile Chang Beun unit. However, reliance on city-state partnerships can limit adaptability.
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C-Tier Modern Civilizations
Perhaps more complex to wield effectively, these civilizations might appeal to experienced players seeking niche strategies.
Mughal provides a discerning strategy with substantial gold bonuses, but the accompanying penalty on other yields requires meticulous balancing. Investing strategically can offset these drawbacks, but missteps can prove costly. Success hinges on effectively leveraging monetary strength to maintain technological and cultural parity.
With savvy play, Mughals can excel, but for those seeking simpler pathways, other options abound.
For comprehensive gaming insights, Patrick, a seasoned journalist passionate about deep-dive game analysis, provides invaluable expertise—his extensive playtime in Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2 attests to his dedication and understanding of game mechanics.
