Civilization 7: Modern Civilizations Tier List

The Modern Age in *Civilization 7* is the endgame—where victories are secured and the game concludes. Mastering this era requires leveraging your advantages and making strategic choices built upon your progress from the Exploration Age. Your civilization selection is paramount. The Modern Age offers ten civilizations (eleven with the *Crossroads of the World* DLC), each offering unique synergies with different leaders. This tier list ranks the best Modern Age civilizations based on their base capabilities, independent of leader bonuses. Remember, leader abilities can significantly impact a civilization's overall strength.

Best *Civilization 7* Modern Age Civilizations

*Civilization 7* Modern Age 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 (DLC) is not yet ranked.

S-Tier Modern Age Civilizations

These civilizations offer exceptional advantages, from strong military units to powerful resource access, often dominating the game.

S-tier: America

Frontier Expansion: Gain 100 Gold per resource improvement. +30% production towards the Statue of Liberty. Marine: Amphibious infantry unit, cheaper to train. Prospector: Claims land resources outside your settlement radius. Industrial Park: Unique quarter (+2 Food per resource). Railyard: +5 Production, +1 Production adjacency. Steel Mill: +6 Production, Gold adjacency.

America's versatility shines through its resource utilization. Frontier Expansion provides significant gold boosts, while the Industrial Park (created by combining the Railyard and Steel Mill) generates substantial Food, Production, and Gold, facilitating rapid expansion. The Prospector secures vital resources, and the Marine's amphibious capabilities add strategic mobility.

S-tier: Meiji Japan

Goisshin: Gain Science (50% of building production cost) when overbuilding. +30% production towards Dogo Onsen. Mikasa: Unique Heavy Naval Unit (respawns at 50% HP). Zero: Unique Fighter Air Unit (increased range, +4 combat strength vs. fighters). Zaibatsu: Unique Quarter (+1 Gold and Production on adjacent buildings). Ginko: +5 Gold, +1 Gold adjacency. Jukogyo: +5 Production, +1 Production adjacency on coastal terrain.

Meiji Japan excels in resourcefulness. Goisshin allows for district and building adaptation while recovering Science. The Zaibatsu Quarter generates significant Gold and Production. The Mikasa's respawning ability provides a powerful naval advantage, while the Zero dominates aerial combat.

A-Tier Modern Age Civilizations

A-tier civilizations offer strong resource access and military capabilities.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: Choose any Modern Age government celebration effect. +30% production towards the Eiffel Tower. Garde Imperiale: Ranged infantry unit, +2 combat strength near army commanders. Jacobin: Great Person (requires Avenue). Avenue: Unique quarter (+2 Happiness on quarters). Jardin a la Francaise: +5 Culture, +1 Happiness adjacency. Salon: +5 Happiness, +1 Culture adjacency.

The French Empire synergizes Culture and Happiness. The Avenue (Jardin a la Francaise + Salon) creates a powerful feedback loop, maximizing Celebrations and boosting production. The Garde Imperiale provides solid military support.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion: Unique government (+30% Culture for 10 turns). +30% production towards Palacio de Bellas Artes. Soldaderas: Infantry unit, adjacent units heal +10 HP. Revolucionario: Great Person (requires Zocalo). Zocalo: Unique quarter (+2 Culture per Tradition). Catedral: +5 Culture, +1 Happiness adjacency. Portal de Mercaderes: +5 Culture, +1 Gold adjacency.

Mexico is a Culture powerhouse. The Revolucion government provides significant Culture boosts, amplified by the Zocalo (Catedral + Portal de Mercaderes). Soldaderas offer a unique healing mechanic.

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). Huiguan: Unique quarter (+35% Influence). Shiguan: +6 Science, +1 Happiness adjacency. Qianzhuang: +5 Gold, +1 Gold adjacency.

The Qing civilization offers a balanced approach, with strong Gold, Culture, and Influence gains, offset by a Science penalty from imported resources. The Gusa unit excels in formations, while the Hangshang facilitates resource acquisition.

B-Tier Modern Age Civilizations

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

B-Tier: Buganda

River Raids: Gain Culture from pillaging. Land units gain Amphibious. +30% production towards Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. Abambowa: Infantry unit (+10 HP from pillaging). Mwami: Army Commander (50% increased pillaging yields). Kabaka’s Lake: +3 Happiness, lake yield bonuses.

Buganda thrives on aggressive expansion through pillaging, generating significant Culture and resources. However, this requires constant warfare and may leave the civilization vulnerable if its offensive capabilities are insufficient.

B-Tier: Prussia

Blood and Iron: Units gain +1 combat strength per unfriendly relationship. Hussar: Cavalry unit (+1 movement, +1 combat strength per movement point). Stuka: Ground attack air unit (+3 combat strength vs. land units). Staatseisenbahn: Railroad (+2 Gold and Production on rural tiles).

Prussia excels in military dominance, gaining strength from negative relationships. However, this aggressive strategy requires careful management to avoid overwhelming conflict.

B-Tier: Russia

Prosveshchenie: +1 Culture and Science on district tiles (bonus Science on Tundra). +30% production towards the Hermitage. Cossack: Cavalry unit (+4 combat strength in friendly territory). Katyusha Rocket Launcher: Siege unit (Splash damage). Obschchina: +2 Food from adjacent Farms, +2 Culture on Tundra.

Russia offers a balanced approach with Culture and Science bonuses, particularly on Tundra tiles. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide effective military support.

B-Tier: Siam

Itsapharahab: Unique diplomatic action to become City-State Suzerain. +30% production towards Doi Suthep. Chang Beun: Ranged unit (increased range and movement). Uparat: Great Person (requires befriended independent power). Bang: +3 Culture and Happiness.

Siam's unique diplomatic action provides a powerful tool for gaining City-State benefits, but requires sufficient Influence generation. The Chang Beun offers strong ranged capabilities.

C-Tier Modern Age Civilizations

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

C-Tier: Mughal

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

Mughal's massive Gold bonus can be incredibly powerful, but the significant penalty to other yields requires careful resource management to remain competitive in Science and Culture.