Civilization 7: Ranking Modern Civilizations

If you're diving deep into Civilization 7, the Modern Age is where the real strategy unfolds. It's the final chapter of your journey, where the strongest players shine and the game concludes. This means every decision you make matters, especially when transitioning from the Exploration Age. Choosing the right Civilization is pivotal, and during the Modern Age, you'll have ten options available (or eleven if you've got the Crossroads of the World DLC). Pairing these with the appropriate leaders can lead to some incredible synergies. For clarity, here’s our tier list for the best Modern Age civilizations in Civ 7.

Note: Remember, your leader adds additional layers to your gameplay. Their synergy with the chosen civilization can amplify strengths or weaknesses, so consider both factors carefully when making your choice.

Best Civ 7 Modern Civs

S-Tier Modern Civs

These are the cream of the crop. With access to powerful units and significant resource utilization, these civilizations can dominate almost any map.

S-Tier: America

Frontier Expansion: Gain 100 Gold for every resource improved. +30% Production towards building the Statue of Liberty.
Marine: An American Unique Infantry Unit with Amphibious ability. Cheaper to train.
Prospector: A Unique Civilian Unit that claims a land resource outside your normal settlement radius.
Industrial Park: A Unique Quarter created by combining a Railyard and Steel Mill. +2 Food in this city for every 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, leveraging resources effectively to excel across multiple fronts. The Frontier Expansion trait can spike your gold reserves significantly, while the Industrial Park ensures high food, production, and gold outputs. The Prospector can secure vital resources, and the Marine unit, thanks to its Amphibious ability, remains highly mobile. Overall, America is versatile, rounded, and fast-expanding.

Economic Victory: Learn more about using factory resources in Civilization 7.

S-Tier: Meiji Japan

Goisshin: Gain Science equal to 50% of a building’s Production cost when Overbuilding. +30% Production towards building Dogo Onsen.
Mikasa: A Unique Heavy Naval Unit that respawns once after destruction at 50% HP.
Zero: A Unique Fighter Air Unit with increased range and combat strength against other fighters. Can intercept enemy air units.
Zaibatsu: A Unique Quarter created by building Ginko and Jukogyo in the same district. +1 Gold and Production on adjacent buildings.
Ginko: +5 Gold. +1 Gold adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders. Ageless.
Jukogyo: +5 Production. +1 Production adjacency for Coastal terrain and Wonders. Ageless.

Meiji Japan is packed with resourceful features. The Goisshin mechanic lets you reshape districts and buildings efficiently while earning science. The Zaibatsu Quarter can generate massive Gold and Production outputs. Units like the Mikasa and Zero are formidable, ensuring dominance in naval and aerial warfare. Meiji Japan excels in the late game, offering a strong economic and military foundation.

A-Tier Modern Civs

These civilizations offer a balanced mix of resources, military strength, and versatility, making them solid picks for most playstyles.

A-Tier: French Empire

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: Select any government’s Celebration effect in the Modern Age. +30% Production towards building the Eiffel Tower.
Garde Imperiale: A Unique Infantry Unit with Ranged attack capability. +2 Combat Strength in friendly Army Commander radius.
Jacobin: A Great Person with one charge, trainable in Cities with an Avenue.
Avenue: A Unique Quarter made by combining Jardin a la Francaise and Salon. +2 Happiness on Quarters in this City.
Jardin a la Francaise: +5 Culture. +1 Happiness adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders.
Salon: +5 Happiness. +1 Culture adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders.

France is a great option for those aiming for a Cultural Victory. The Avenue creates a positive feedback loop between Culture and Happiness, amplifying Celebrations under the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait. The Garde Imperiale is a decent defensive unit, making France a well-rounded choice.

A-Tier: Mexico

Revolucion: Starts with a unique Government, Revolucion. +30% Culture for 10 turns. +30% Production towards building Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Soldaderas: A Unique Infantry Unit that heals adjacent units +10 HP.
Revolucionario: A Great Person with one charge, trainable in Cities with a Zocalo.
Zocalo: A Unique Quarter made by combining Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes. +2 Culture for every Tradition slotted.
Catedral: +5 Culture. +1 Happiness adjacency for Culture Buildings and Wonders.
Portal de Mercaderes: +5 Culture. +1 Gold adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders.

Mexico shines as a Culture-focused civilization. The Zocalo Quarter boosts Culture significantly, and the Revolucion Government provides short-term Culture bonuses. Soldaderas are a solid defensive unit, making Mexico a reliable contender for cultural victories.

A-Tier: Qing

Kang Qian Shengshi: +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, but -1 Science from imported Resources. +30% Production towards building Chengde Mountain Resort.
Gusa: A Unique Infantry Unit with +4 Combat Strength if adjacent to another Gusa.
Hangshang: A Unique Merchant that can create Trade Routes for imported Resources.
Huiguan: A Unique Quarter made by combining Qianzhuang and Shiguan. +35% Influence in this settlement.
Shiguan: +6 Science. +1 Happiness adjacency for Happiness Buildings and Wonders.
Qianzhuang: +5 Gold. +1 Gold adjacency for Gold Buildings and Wonders.

Qing offers a balanced mix of yields but comes with a trade-off. The Kang Qian Shengshi trait boosts Gold, Culture, and Influence but penalizes Science. Proper resource and Wonder management can mitigate this. The Gusa Unit is potent in large formations, and the Hangshang Merchant can generate substantial wealth.

B-Tier Modern Civs

These civilizations are good but more specialized or situational. They require specific strategies to maximize their potential.

B-Tier: Buganda

River Raids: Gain Culture when pillaging Buildings or Improvements. Land units gain Amphibious ability. +30% Production towards building Muzibu Azaala Mpanga.
Abambowa: A Unique Infantry Unit that heals +10 HP from pillaging.
Mwami: A Unique Army Commander with 50% yields from pillaging in its Command Radius.
Kabaka’s Lake: +3 Happiness. Provides Lake yield bonuses.

Buganda thrives on pillaging enemy structures to gain resources and culture. The River Raids and Abambowa units are excellent for this purpose. However, Buganda lacks direct access to key yields like Science, Culture, Gold, and Influence in the Modern Age, so you’ll need to rely heavily on pillaging. This playstyle works best if you’re aggressive and resourceful.

B-Tier: Prussia

Blood and Iron: Units gain +1 Combat Strength for every unfriendly or worse relationship.
Hussar: A Unique Cavalry Unit with +1 Movement and combat strength based on remaining movement.
Stuka: A Unique Ground Attack Air Unit with +3 Combat Strength against Land Units.
Staatseisenbahn: A Unique Railroad that provides +2 Gold and Production on rural tiles.

Prussia is ideal for militaristic players. Its strength lies in bullying other civilizations,