In Civilization 7, the Modern Age is the pivotal era where the fate of your empire is sealed. It's the stage where strategic decisions from the Exploration Age culminate, and your choice of civilization can significantly influence your path to victory. With ten core civilizations to choose from, and an additional one with the Crossroads of the World DLC, selecting the right civilization paired with the appropriate leader can unlock powerful synergies that propel you to success. Here's a detailed tier list to guide you through the best Modern Age civilizations in Civilization 7, ranked based on their standalone power, though remember that your leader choice can enhance these synergies further.
### Best Civ 7 Modern CivsCiv 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 stand out as the cream of the crop in Civilization 7, offering exceptional advantages in military units, resource access, and overall map domination.
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's strength lies in its ability to harness a wide array of resources, making it a top contender in the modern era. The Frontier Expansion trait boosts your gold reserves significantly through resource improvement. The synergy between Railyard and Steel Mill to form the Industrial Park provides a robust boost to Food, Production, and Gold, enabling rapid expansion and development. The Prospector's ability to claim vital resources further enhances your yields, while the Marine's Amphibious ability offers tactical flexibility on the battlefield. America is a well-rounded civilization, perfect for those aiming for an Economic Victory by leveraging Factory Resources effectively.
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 adaptability and resourcefulness. The Goisshin trait allows you to optimize your infrastructure while gaining Science, crucial for technological advancement. The Zaibatsu Quarter amplifies your Gold and Production, setting the stage for a strong endgame push. Meiji Japan's military prowess is highlighted by the Mikasa, a formidable naval unit with a respawn ability, and the Zero, an advanced fighter air unit that dominates the skies. These units ensure you're a force to be reckoned with, making Meiji Japan an excellent choice for those interested in understanding and leveraging various Civ 7 Unit Types.
A-Tier Modern Civs
A-tier civilizations offer a balanced approach, providing access to crucial resources and military units that can support diverse 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 players pursuing a Cultural victory. The Avenue, formed by the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon, creates a powerful synergy between Culture and Happiness, fueling your progress through the Modern Age. The Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait enhances this by allowing you to choose Celebration effects, making your civilization a cultural powerhouse. While the Garde Imperiale isn't the strongest unit, it provides a defensive edge as you focus on building the happiest, most cultured empire. Understanding Celebrations and Government Types can further enhance your strategy with the French Empire.
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 blend of Culture and Gold. The Revolucion government and the Zocalo Quarter, formed by the Catedral and Portal de Mercaderes, provide significant Culture boosts, especially when combined with Happiness and Celebrations. The Soldaderas unit adds a defensive layer by facilitating unit healing, making Mexico a resilient choice for those aiming to excel culturally. For a comprehensive guide on achieving various victories, check out How to Win Civ 7 - every victory type explained.
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 mix of Gold, Culture, and Influence, albeit with a Science penalty from imported resources. Managing this trait effectively is crucial in the fast-paced Modern Age, where technological advancement is key. The Shiguan can help mitigate this Science deficit, while the Huiguan boosts your Influence significantly. The Gusa unit provides strong military support when grouped, ensuring you can defend your empire as you navigate the complexities of resource management. For new players, understanding Civ 7 Map Settings can help tailor your strategy to the Qing's strengths.
B-Tier Modern Civs
B-tier civilizations offer solid benefits but are more specialized and may shine in specific scenarios.
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 perfect for players who enjoy an aggressive, pillaging strategy. The River Raids trait, combined with the Abambowa and Mwami units, allows you to gain significant resources through conquest. However, Buganda lacks direct access to crucial yields like Science, Culture, Gold, and Influence, making it essential to be constantly on the offensive to compensate. This unique playstyle can be rewarding but requires active management to avoid falling behind. For those engaged in warfare, exploring the best Civ 7 Commander Upgrades can enhance your military prowess.
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 thrive on conflict and military dominance. The Blood and Iron trait enhances your units' combat strength based on your relationships with other civilizations, encouraging a confrontational approach. The Hussar and Stuka units are formidable, ensuring you can overpower opponents in direct combat. However, Prussia's focus on military might can leave you lagging in Science and Culture if you don't capture settlements to bolster these areas. The Staatseisenbahn provides some economic support, but maintaining a broad offensive can be challenging. For those interested in a more diplomatic approach, learn How to Get and Use Civ 7 Influence.
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 a balanced approach with yield bonuses on Districts, particularly in Tundra. While these bonuses are beneficial, they may not be as impactful as those of more specialized civilizations. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities, but their effectiveness is mostly limited to your territory and large-scale battles. Russia's strengths lie in building a robust Science and Cultural foundation, though you may need to expand beyond Tundra to maximize your potential.
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 a powerful tool if you can generate the necessary Influence. The Chang Beun is a versatile ranged unit, enhancing your military capabilities. However, without inherent Influence generation, Siam relies heavily on your leader and other resources to leverage its diplomatic advantages. For more on diplomacy, explore Civ 7 Independent Powers and their bonuses to maximize Siam's potential.
C-Tier Modern Civs
C-tier civilizations are situational and may require a more nuanced strategy, often suited for experienced players.
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 high Gold bonus, potentially making you the richest player on the map. However, the -25% penalty to all other yields requires careful management to avoid falling behind in Science and Culture. The Mughal's other traits are functional but not game-changing. In skilled hands, the Mughal can be a powerhouse, but for those less experienced, the risk of mismanagement might make other civilizations a safer bet.
