Civilization 7 introduces a wealth of new mechanics, from Ages and Influence to Independent Powers, demanding a fresh approach to gameplay. However, the core victory conditions remain familiar: cultural, military, economic, and scientific. These are now represented by Legacy Paths, requiring you to achieve specific milestones. Choosing the right Leader and Civilization combination from the outset can significantly impact your journey towards these victories. This guide presents the best Leaders and Civs to pick in Civilization 7 for each Legacy Path.
Best Cultural Leaders and Civs
A Cultural Victory requires a strong focus on generating culture through buildings, wonders, and artistic endeavors. These Leaders and Civs offer distinct advantages in achieving this goal.
Augustus (Rome) – Cultural/Expansionist
Augustus provides a powerful early-game advantage. His unique ability grants +2 production in the capital for each established town, accelerating growth and infrastructure development. This allows for rapid expansion and the early purchase of cultural buildings in newly founded towns, boosting your culture output from the start. The added 50% gold discount on building purchases in towns further facilitates this strategy.
Pedro II (Brazil) – Cultural/Diplomatic
Pedro II offers a more nuanced approach to cultural victory. He gains +20 culture and gold from each narrative event, occurring more frequently for him than other leaders. Additionally, celebrations in his civilization last 50% longer and provide +50% happiness, potentially offering temporary culture boosts. While less predictable than Augustus, Pedro II can yield substantial cultural gains through these events.
Egypt
Egypt stands out as a prime choice for a cultural victory. Their unique structures enhance gold production, easing the construction of cultural centers. The Mastaba, a unique district, further contributes to cultural output, providing a consistent advantage throughout the game.
Best Military Leaders and Civs
Military victory demands a powerful army and effective conquest. These Leaders and Civs provide advantages in warfare, unit production, and maintaining a strong military presence.
Frederick Barbarossa (Germany) – Militaristic/Scientific
Frederick Barbarossa offers significant military advantages. His army commanders begin with a +1 command radius, increasing their effectiveness in battle. He also receives a free infantry unit upon constructing a science building, allowing for rapid army expansion alongside scientific advancement.
Bà Triệu (Vietnam) – Militaristic/Scientific
Bà Triệu provides a strong early-game military boost. Her army commander gains 3 free levels and +20% XP, making initial conquests easier. While her +10% science bonus in tropical cities (or +20% during declared wars) doesn’t directly enhance military power, it accelerates technological progress towards advanced units and upgrades.
Maurya (India)
The Maurya civilization boasts a formidable unique military unit and excellent happiness management. This is crucial for mitigating the negative happiness impact of warfare, allowing for sustained military campaigns.
Best Economic Leaders and Civs
Economic victory hinges on accumulating wealth and leveraging financial strength. These Leaders and Civs offer bonuses to gold generation, trade, and economic development.
Napoleon (France) – Economic/Diplomatic
Napoleon’s “Continental System” sanction reduces target leaders’ trade route limits, hindering their economic growth while bolstering his own. He also gains +8 gold per Age for each unfriendly or hostile leader and can reject endeavors for free, further maximizing his economic potential.
Xerxes I (Persia) – Cultural/Economic
Xerxes I combines cultural and economic advantages. He receives +3 combat strength when attacking on neutral or enemy territory and earns 100 culture and gold for capturing a settlement for the first time each age. His economic prowess stems from a +10% gold bonus per settlement (increased to +20% for captured settlements) and the ability to hold an extra settlement each Age.
Mississippian
The Mississippian civilization excels in economic gameplay. Their unique merchant provides 25 extra gold per traded resource per trade route, and they benefit from an additional gold-producing building, creating a strong foundation for economic dominance.
Best Scientific Leaders and Civs
Scientific victory requires rapid technological advancement and the completion of space race projects. These Leaders and Civs offer bonuses to science generation and research.
Benjamin Franklin (America) – Diplomatic/Scientific
Benjamin Franklin’s abilities heavily favor scientific progress. He gains +1 science per Age for every production building in a city, along with a 50% production bonus for those buildings. He also receives +1 science per Age for each active endeavor and can have two of the same type active concurrently, effectively converting influence into science.
Himiko (Japan) – Diplomatic/Scientific
Himiko’s unique “Friend of Wei” endeavor grants her and an ally +25% science. She also receives +4 science per Age for every friendly or helpful leader, and can support endeavors for free. These combined bonuses significantly boost scientific output, especially in peaceful playthroughs.
Maya
The Maya civilization provides significant scientific advantages. Their unique Kuh Nah structure, when strategically placed, becomes a powerful science engine, accelerating research and paving the way for a scientific victory.
