In Civilization 7, the Modern Age is the critical phase where the game's outcomes are determined, marking the endgame where strategic decisions from the Exploration Age come to fruition. To secure victory, selecting the right civilization and leader is crucial, as their unique abilities and synergies can significantly impact your game.
The Modern Age in Civilization 7 offers a selection of ten civilizations, with an additional one available through the Crossroads of the World DLC. Pairing these civilizations with suitable leaders can create powerful synergies that can give you a competitive edge. To assist in your choice, here's a detailed tier list of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civilization 7.
Note: Your leader's abilities can further enhance your gameplay. This tier list focuses on the inherent strengths of each civilization, but consider how your chosen leader's traits might amplify or complement these strengths.
Best Civ 7 Modern Civs
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 time.
S-Tier Modern Civs
------------------These are the top-tier civilizations in Civilization 7, offering unparalleled advantages that can help you dominate the 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. Has the Amphibious ability. Cheaper to train.
Prospector - American Unique Civilian Units. Claims a Land Resource outside of your regular Settlement radius.
Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district. +2 Food in this City for every Resource assigned to this City.
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 excels in resource utilization, making it one of the best civilizations for the Modern Age. The Frontier Expansion trait provides significant gold boosts from resource improvements, while the Industrial Park, formed by the Railyard and Steel Mill, enhances Food, Production, and Gold, enabling rapid expansion and development. The Prospector can secure additional resources, and the Marine unit adds versatility with its Amphibious ability, making America a well-rounded and powerful choice.
For more on economic strategies, learn how to utilize Factory Resources in Civilization 7.
S-tier: Meiji Japan
Goisshin - When you Overbuild a Building, gain Science equal to 50% of the Building’s Production cost. +30% Production towards constructing Dogo Onsen.
Mikasa - Meiji Japanese Unique Heavy Naval Unit. The first time this Unit is destroyed, it respawns in the closest Settlement you own at 50% HP.
Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit. Increased range. +4 Combat Strength against other Fighter Air Units. Can intercept enemy Air Units.
Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter. Created 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 is resource-rich and offers formidable military units. The Goisshin trait allows for strategic building adjustments while gaining Science, and the Zaibatsu Quarter maximizes Gold and Production from adjacent buildings. The Mikasa naval unit's ability to respawn and the powerful Zero aircraft ensure dominance in naval and aerial combat, making Meiji Japan a top contender for the Modern Age.
Discover more about the various unit types in Civilization 7!
A-Tier Modern Civs
------------------A-Tier civilizations offer strong advantages across multiple areas, providing a solid foundation for various victory types.
A-Tier: French Empire
Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - You can select the Celebration effects of any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower.
Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit. Can make a Ranged attack. +2 Combat Strength when within a friendly Army Commander Radius. More expensive to train.
Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities with an Avenue, and the specific Jacobin received once. Cost increases per Jacobin trained.
Avenue - French Imperial Quarter. Created 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 ideal for a Cultural victory, thanks to the synergistic effects of the Avenue, which combines the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon to boost Culture and Happiness. This synergy fuels frequent Celebrations, enhancing the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait. The Garde Imperiale unit provides a defensive edge, making the French Empire a strong cultural powerhouse.
Learn more about Celebrations and Government Types in Civilization 7!
A-Tier: Mexico
Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion. This Government has one Celebration effect, +30% Culture for 10 Turns. Cannot enter any other Government type. +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. Can only be trained in Cities with a Zocalo, and the specific Revolucionario received is random. Each Revolucionario can only be received once. Cost increases per Revolucionario trained.
Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter. Created by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercanderes 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 another Culture-focused civilization, excelling in Culture and Gold production. The Zocalo Quarter, formed by the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes, enhances Culture output, while the Soldaderas unit offers defensive support through healing. Mexico is a prime choice for a cultural victory if Happiness and Celebrations are managed effectively.
Explore the various victory types in Civilization 7!
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 - Qiang Unique Infantry Unit. +4 Combat Strength if adjacent to another Gusa.
Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant. Civilian who can establish a Trade Route to import Resources from a foreign Settlement. Gain 50 Gold for every Resource acquired when creating a naval Trade Route.
Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter. Created 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 balanced mix of Gold, Culture, and Influence, though with a Science penalty from imported resources. Effective management of resources, Wonders, and buildings can mitigate this drawback. The Gusa unit provides strong military support in formations, making Qing a versatile choice for players seeking a balanced gameplay experience.
Starting a new game? Check out the Civilization 7 Map Settings explained.
B-Tier Modern Civs
------------------B-Tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized or situational.
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 thrives on an aggressive playstyle, focusing on pillaging to gain resources. The River Raids trait and units like the Abambowa and Mwami make pillaging highly rewarding. However, Buganda lacks direct access to key yields like Science and Culture, requiring constant warfare to compensate. This unique style can be effective but demands active management.
For those interested in warfare, explore the best Commander Upgrades in Civilization 7.
B-Tier: Prussia
Blood and Iron - Units receive +1 Combat Strength for every Unfriendly or worse Civ Relationship.
Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit. Has +1 Movement. +1 Combat Strength for every Movement it has remaining.
Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit. +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 enjoy a militaristic approach, gaining strength from poor relationships with other civilizations. The Hussar and Stuka units are formidable, but Prussia's focus on combat can be limiting. It requires constant aggression and expansion to keep up with Science and Culture, which are crucial in the Modern Age.
Prefer a diplomatic approach? Learn how to use Influence effectively in Civilization 7.
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. +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory.
Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit. Has +1 Movement. Lower base Combat Strength but has the Splash ability. Dealing damage to enemy Units adjacent to the target Unit.
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 moderate yield bonuses, particularly in Tundra, which can be limiting. The Cossack and Katyusha units provide defensive capabilities, but overall, Russia may struggle to keep up with more specialized civilizations in terms of yields.
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. Has increased Ranged Strength and +1 Movement. Can move after attacking.
Uparat - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended, and the specific Uparat received is random. Each Uparat can only be received once. 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 ability to quickly become Suzerain of City-States can be powerful, but it requires substantial Influence, which Siam does not inherently generate. The Chang Beun unit is versatile, but overall, Siam's effectiveness depends heavily on the right City-States and strategic use of Influence.
For more on diplomacy, learn about Independent Powers and their bonuses in Civilization 7!
C-Tier Modern Civs
------------------C-Tier civilizations are situational and may require experienced play to maximize their potential.
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. Can make a Bombard Ranged attack.
Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler. Civilian Unit 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 can be powerful with its +75% Gold boost, but the -25% penalty to all other yields poses a significant challenge. Effective management of Gold to compensate for the penalty in Science and Culture is crucial. While the Mughal's other traits are functional, they require careful strategy to be effective, making this civilization best suited for experienced players.
