Civilization 7: Ranking Modern Civilizations

In Civilization 7, the Modern Age is a pivotal period where the game's outcome is often determined. As you transition from the Exploration Age, it's crucial to leverage your advantages and make strategic decisions to secure victory. The choice of Civilization during the Modern Age is vital, with ten civilizations available (and eleven if you have the Crossroads of the World DLC). When paired with the right leaders, these civilizations can create powerful synergies. To aid your decision-making, here's our tier list of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civilization 7.

Remember, your chosen Leader will enhance your gameplay with additional buffs, and the right pairing can significantly boost your civilization's potential. This tier list focuses solely on the inherent strengths of each civilization, so consider how your chosen civ will synergize with your 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 robust military units and access to valuable 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. Equipped with the Amphibious ability, and cheaper to train.

Prospector - American Unique Civilian Units. Can claim Land Resources beyond your Settlement's regular radius.

Industrial Park - American Unique Quarter. Formed by constructing the Railyard and Steel Mill in the same district, it adds +2 Food in the City for each 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 is a powerhouse in the Modern Age, excelling in resource utilization. The Frontier Expansion trait can generate significant gold by improving resources, while the Industrial Park, formed by the Railyard and Steel Mill, boosts Food, Production, and Gold. This makes the USA a versatile and well-rounded civilization, capable of rapid expansion and high production. The Prospector unit further enhances resource acquisition, and the Marine, with its Amphibious ability, adds tactical flexibility. America's diverse strengths make it an excellent choice for achieving victory in Civilization 7.

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. Respawns at 50% HP in the nearest Settlement upon destruction.

Zero - Meiji Japanese Unique Fighter Air Unit. Boasts increased range and +4 Combat Strength against other Fighter Air Units, with the ability to intercept enemy Air Units.

Zaibatsu - Meiji Unique Quarter. Formed by constructing the Ginko and Jukogyo in the same District, it adds +1 Gold and Production to adjacent Buildings.

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 stands out for its resourcefulness and potent military units. The Goisshin trait allows for strategic district reshaping, yielding Science returns, while the Zaibatsu Quarter can generate substantial Gold and Production. The Mikasa's respawn ability adds resilience to your naval fleet, and the Zero's enhanced capabilities make it a dominant force in aerial combat. Meiji Japan's combination of economic and military prowess positions it as a top contender for victory in the Modern Age.

A-Tier Modern Civs

A-tier civilizations offer strong, versatile options that excel in various aspects of the game, from resource management to military strength.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - Choose Celebration effects from any standard Government in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards constructing the Eiffel Tower.

Garde Imperiale - French Imperial Unique Infantry Unit. Can perform Ranged attacks and gains +2 Combat Strength within a friendly Army Commander's Radius. More expensive to train.

Jacobin - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities with an Avenue, and each Jacobin is unique.

Avenue - French Imperial Quarter. Formed by constructing the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon in the same District, it adds +2 Happiness to Quarters in the 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 synergistic loop between Culture and Happiness, facilitated by the Avenue, can propel your civilization forward. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait allows for flexible Celebrations, enhancing your cultural output. While the Garde Imperiale may not be the strongest unit, it provides a defensive edge as you focus on cultural growth.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion - Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion, providing a +30% Culture bonus 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, non-stacking.

Revolucionario - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities with a Zocalo, and each Revolucionario is unique.

Zocalo - Mexican Unique Quarter. Formed by constructing the Catedral and Portal de Mercanderes in the same District, it adds +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. The Revolucion trait provides periodic Culture boosts, and the Zocalo Quarter enhances Culture output based on your Government's Traditions. The Soldaderas unit adds a defensive layer, healing adjacent units, making Mexico a strong choice for a cultural victory if managed correctly.

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. Gains +4 Combat Strength when adjacent to another Gusa.

Hangshang - Qing Unique Merchant. Can establish Trade Routes to import Resources, earning 50 Gold per Resource when creating a naval Trade Route.

Huiguan - Qing Unique Quarter. Formed by constructing the Qianzhuang and Shiguan in the same District, it adds +35% Influence to the 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 yields, though it comes with a Science penalty from imported resources. The Kang Qian Shengshi trait provides boosts in Gold, Culture, and Influence, which can be managed effectively with strategic resource and building choices. The Gusa unit adds military strength, particularly in large formations, making Qing a solid choice for players who can navigate its unique challenges.

B-Tier Modern Civs

B-tier civilizations have notable strengths but may be more specialized or require specific strategies to maximize their potential.

B-Tier: Buganda

River Raids - Gain Culture from pillaging Buildings or Improvements. 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. Increases yields from pillaging within its Command Radius by 50%.

Kabaka’s Lake - +3 Happiness. Receives Lake yield bonuses and supports Buganda’s abilities and the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga Wonder. Bugandan Unique Improvement. Ageless. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. One per Settlement.

Buganda thrives on aggressive play, gaining resources through pillaging. The River Raids trait, along with the Abambowa and Mwami units, makes pillaging highly beneficial. However, Buganda lacks direct access to key Modern Age yields like Science, Culture, and Gold, requiring constant warfare to compensate. This civilization suits players who can maintain a strong military and focus on pillaging to fuel their growth.

B-Tier: Prussia

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

Hussar - Prussian Unique Cavalry Unit. Gains +1 Movement and +1 Combat Strength for every remaining Movement point.

Stuka - Prussian Ground Attack Air Unit. +3 Combat Strength against Land Units.

Staatseisenbahn - Prussian Unique Railroad. Adds +2 Gold and Production on Rural tiles.

Prussia is ideal for players who enjoy a confrontational approach. The Blood and Iron trait rewards you for poor relationships with other civilizations, enhancing your military units. The Hussar and Stuka units are strong, particularly in offensive scenarios. However, Prussia's focus on military might means you must capture Settlements to keep up with Science and Culture, which are crucial in the Modern Age. Prussia's strategy can be risky but rewarding for those who can manage it effectively.

B-Tier: Russia

Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts in Tundra. +30% Production towards constructing the Hermitage.

Cossack - Russian Unique Cavalry Unit. Gains +4 Combat Strength in friendly territory.

Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Russian Unique Siege Unit. Has +1 Movement and the Splash ability, dealing damage to adjacent enemy Units.

Obschchina - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. +2 Culture in Tundra. Russian Empire Unique Improvement. Ageless. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Obshchina.

Russia offers modest yield bonuses on Districts, with a focus on Science and Culture, particularly in Tundra. The Prosveshchenie trait provides steady growth, but the bonuses may not be as impactful as those of more specialized civilizations. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher units are defensively strong, making Russia suitable for players who want to protect their cultural and scientific advancements while maintaining a solid defense.

B-Tier: Siam

Itsapharahab - Gains a unique Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Influence cost. +30% Production towards constructing Doi Suthep.

Chang Beun - Siamese Unique Ranged Unit. Boasts increased Ranged Strength and +1 Movement, with the ability to move after attacking.

Uparat - A Great Person with one charge. Can only be trained in Cities when an Independent Power has been befriended, and each Uparat is unique.

Bang - +3 Culture and Happiness. Siamese Unique Improvement. Ageless. Must be placed on a Navigable River.

Siam's unique trait allows immediate Suzerainty over City-States, though at a higher Influence cost. This can be powerful if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun unit offers tactical advantages with its enhanced range and movement. Siam's success depends on leveraging City-State benefits, making it suitable for players who can manage Influence effectively and utilize ranged units strategically.

C-Tier Modern Civs

C-tier civilizations are situational and may require experienced players 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 perform a Bombard Ranged attack.

Zamindar - Mughal Unique Settler. Can found new Towns with +1 Population.

Stepwell - +2 Food from adjacent Farms. Mughal Unique Improvement. Ageless. Must be placed on Flat Terrain. Cannot be placed adjacent to another Stepwell.

The Mughal civilization offers a significant Gold boost with the Paradise of Nations trait, but at the cost of reduced yields in other areas. This can be a double-edged sword; while the Gold advantage is substantial, managing the penalty to other yields is crucial, especially in the Science and Culture-heavy Modern Age. The Mughal's other traits are solid but not standout, making it a high-risk, high-reward choice that can excel in the right hands.