"Civilization 7: Ranking Modern Civilizations"

In *Civilization 7*, the Modern Age is a pivotal stage where the game's outcome is often determined. This era marks the culmination of your strategic efforts, making it crucial to leverage your advantages and make strategic decisions as you transition from the Exploration Age.

The choice of Civilization in the Modern Age can significantly influence your path to victory. With ten civilizations available (and an eleventh with the Crossroads of the World DLC), selecting the right one, combined with the appropriate Civ 7 Leader, can create powerful synergies that enhance your gameplay. Below is our tier list to help you choose the best Modern Age civilizations in Civ 7.

Note that your Leader's abilities can further boost your gameplay, and pairing them with the right civilization can lead to strong synergies. This Tier List focuses solely on the inherent strength of each Civilization, so consider how a civ will interact with your chosen Leader when making your selection.

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: We haven't ranked the new DLC Civ Great Britain yet - time will tell how it measures up!

S-Tier Modern Civs

These civilizations represent the cream of the crop in Civilization 7, offering access to strong military units and vital resources 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 stands out in the Modern Age due to its ability to utilize a wide range of resources effectively. The Frontier Expansion trait can provide significant gold boosts by improving resources, while the Railyard and Steel Mill combine to form the Industrial Park, which enhances Food, Production, and Gold. This makes America a versatile and well-rounded civilization, capable of rapid expansion and high production. Additionally, the Prospector can secure crucial resources, and the Marine, with its Amphibious ability, offers tactical flexibility on the battlefield.

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 excels in resource management and boasts powerful military units. The Goisshin trait allows for strategic building adjustments while earning Science, and the Zaibatsu Quarter can generate substantial Gold and Production. The Mikasa's ability to respawn after destruction adds resilience to your naval forces, while the Zero provides a strong aerial advantage, making Meiji Japan a formidable choice for the endgame.

A-Tier Modern Civs

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

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 those aiming for a Cultural victory. The synergy between the Avenue, formed by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, creates a powerful loop of Culture and Happiness, propelling you through the Modern Age. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait enhances this by allowing you to choose Celebration effects, boosting your cultural progress. The Garde Imperiale, while not the strongest unit, provides a defensive option to protect your cultural achievements.

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 strong contender for a Cultural victory, offering a robust mix of Culture and Gold. The Revolucion trait provides a significant Culture boost during Celebrations, and the Zocalo Quarter, formed by the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes, further enhances your cultural output. The Soldaderas unit adds a defensive layer by healing adjacent units, making Mexico a solid choice for those focused on cultural dominance.

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. 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 approach with boosts in Gold, Culture, and Influence, though it comes with a Science penalty from imported resources. Careful management of resources and Wonders can mitigate this drawback. The Gusa unit provides strong military potential when grouped, and the Huiguan Quarter enhances your Influence, making Qing a versatile choice for various victory paths.

B-Tier Modern Civs

B-Tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized, fitting fewer scenarios compared to higher tiers.

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 ideal for players who enjoy aggressive playstyles. The River Raids trait, along with the Abambowa and Mwami units, rewards frequent pillaging with valuable resources. However, Buganda lacks direct access to key Modern Age yields like Science, Culture, and Gold, making it essential to pillage effectively to compensate. This unique approach can be rewarding but requires constant military action.

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 perfect for players who thrive on conflict. The Blood and Iron trait boosts your military strength as you sour relations with other civilizations. The Hussar and Stuka units are powerful in combat, making Prussia a strong choice for military victories. However, its focus on aggression can be a double-edged sword, as maintaining hostile relations with everyone can lead to overwhelming opposition.

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 modest yield bonuses on Districts, with a focus on Culture and Science, particularly in Tundra. While these bonuses are not overwhelming, they can support a balanced approach to victory. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities, making Russia a good choice for players looking to protect their 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. 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 trait allows for immediate Suzerainty over City-States, which can be powerful if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun unit offers tactical advantages with its increased Ranged Strength and mobility. While Siam's benefits are situational, it can be a strong choice for players who can leverage City-State alliances effectively.

C-Tier Modern Civs

C-Tier civilizations are not inherently weak but may require more specific strategies or experienced play to excel.

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 offers a significant Gold boost but at the cost of reduced yields in other areas. This can be a powerful advantage if managed correctly, allowing you to become the richest player on the map. However, the -25% penalty to other yields requires careful strategy to mitigate, especially in the Science and Culture-heavy Modern Age. Mughal can be a strong choice for experienced players who can navigate its unique challenges.