Civilization VI, developed by Firaxis Games, offers a vast array of leaders, each with unique abilities and strengths that can significantly influence gameplay. This tier list ranks these leaders from the best (S Tier) to the least recommended (D Tier), helping players choose the most effective leaders for their strategies.
S Tier Civilizations
Abraham Lincoln (America)
Aminatore (Nubia)
Basil II (Byzantium)
Hammurabi (Babylon)
Jayavarman VII (Khmer)
Victoria (Age of Steam) (England)
Yongle (China)A Tier Civilizations
Yongle (China)
Elizabeth I (England)
Hojo Tokimune (Japan)
João III (Portugal)
Matthias Corvinus (Hungary)
Saladin (Vizier) (Arabia)
Sejong (Korea)
Seondeok (Korea)
Sundiata Keita (Mali)
Tokugawa (Japan)
Wilhelmina (Netherlands)B Tier Civilizations
Ambiorix (Gauls)
Ba Trieu (Vietnam)
Cleopatra (Egyptian)
Dido (Phoenicia)
Frederick Barbarossa (Germany)
Gitarja (Indonesia)
Gorgo (Greece)
John Curtin (Australia)
Kristina (Sweden)
Kublai Khan (China and Mongolia)
Lady Six Sky (Maya)
Ludwig II (Germany)
Mansa Musa (Mali)
Menelik II (Ethiopia)
Nader Shah (Persia)
Nzinga Mbande (Kongo)
Pachacuti (Inca)
Pericles (Greece)
Peter (Russia)
Saladin (Sultan) (Arabia)
Shaka (Zulu)
Simon Bolivar (Gran Colombia)
Suleiman (Lawgiver) (Ottoman Empire)
Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose) (America)
Theodora (Byzantium)
Victoria (Age of Empire) (England)
Wilfrid Laurier (Canada)C Tier Civilizations
Alexander (Macedon)
Catherine de Medici (Magnificence) (France)
Chandragupta (India)
Cleopatra (Ptolemaic) (Egypt)
Cyrus (Persia)
Genghis Khan (Mongolia)
Harald Hardrada (Last Viking) (Norway)
Jadwiga (Poland)
Kupe (Māori)
Lautaro (Mapuche)
Pedro II (Brazil)
Poundmaker (Cree)
Qin Shi Huang (Mandate Of Heaven) (China)
Ramesses (Egypt)
Suleiman (Magnificent) (Ottoman Empire)
Teddy Roosevelt (Rough Rider) (America)
Trajan (Rome)
Wu Zetian (China)D Tier Civilizations
Catherine de Medici (Black Queen) (France)
Gandhi (India)
Gilgamesh (Sumeria)
Harald Hardrada (Varangian) (Norway)
Julius Caesar (Rome)
Montezuma (Aztecs)
Mvemba a Nzinga (Kongo)
Philip II (Spain)
Qin Shi Huang (Unifier) (China)
Robert the Bruce (Scotland)
Tamar (Georgia)
Tomyris (Scythia)
Whether aiming for domination, cultural victory, or scientific advancement, this guide will assist you in selecting the optimal leaders to achieve your goals.
S Tier Civilization VI LeadersA Tier Civilization VI LeadersB Tier Civilization VI LeadersC Tier Civilization VI LeadersD Tier Civilization VI Leaders
S Tier Civilization VI Leaders
S Tier leaders provide exceptional advantages and excel in various aspects of the game, offering unparalleled versatility and power.
- Abraham Lincoln (America): Known for his “Emancipation Proclamation,” Lincoln’s abilities boost production and amenities, making his civilization robust and adaptable.
- Amanitore (Nubia): Her focus on archery and production allows Nubia to develop quickly and dominate early-game conflicts.
- Basil II (Byzantium): With the “Taxis” ability, Basil combines religious and military strengths, gaining combat advantages against civilizations following other religions.
- Hammurabi (Babylon): Hammurabi’s unique abilities provide significant boosts to science and early development, making Babylon a technological powerhouse.
- Jayavarman VII (Khmer): His focus on religion and population growth provides strong cultural and religious benefits.
- Victoria (Age of Steam) (England): This version of Victoria excels in industrial production, enhancing both economic and military capabilities.
- Yongle (China): Yongle’s abilities focus on city growth and production, making China highly efficient and productive.
A Tier Civilization VI Leaders
A Tier leaders are highly effective and versatile, though they may have some limitations compared to the S Tier leaders. They still offer substantial strengths that can lead to victories in various scenarios.
- Eleanor of Aquitaine (England and France): Eleanor’s loyalty abilities can flip cities without combat, offering a unique strategy for expansion.
- Elizabeth I (England): Elizabeth’s naval focus makes her civilization dominant in maritime scenarios.
- Hojo Tokimune (Japan): Hojo’s land and sea combat bonuses, along with district adjacency bonuses, provide versatility in various victory paths.
- João III (Portugal): João’s trade route bonuses enhance Portugal’s economy and naval prowess.
- Matthias Corvinus (Hungary): Matthias can levy troops at a reduced cost, gaining combat strength, which makes Hungary dominant in early and mid-game military actions.
- Saladin (Vizier) (Arabia): Saladin’s religious and scientific bonuses are strong, making Arabia versatile in both cultural and scientific victories.
- Sejong (Korea): Sejong’s scientific advancements make Korea a top choice for science victories.
- Seondeok (Korea): Seondeok’s scientific advancements through the “Three Kingdoms” ability make Korea a top choice for science victories.
- Sundiata Keita (Mali): Sundiata’s wealth generation capabilities allow for strategic purchasing of districts and units.
- Tokugawa (Japan): Tokugawa’s focus on culture and military strength makes Japan versatile and formidable.
- Wilhelmina (Netherlands): Her trade bonuses and river adjacencies create a strong economy.
B Tier Civilization VI Leaders
B Tier leaders perform well in specific scenarios but lack the overall effectiveness of higher-tier leaders. They can still be powerful with the right strategies.
- Ambiorix (Gauls): His combat and production bonuses make the Gauls formidable in early-game conflicts.
- Ba Trieu (Vietnam): Her abilities enhance combat strength in forests and jungles, making Vietnam powerful in specific terrains.
- Cleopatra (Egyptian) (Egypt): Cleopatra’s trade route bonuses boost Egypt’s economy, but she can struggle in other areas.
- Dido (Phoenicia): Dido’s ability to move her capital and her naval bonuses make her versatile but map-dependent.
- Frederick Barbarossa (Germany): Germany’s industrial and military bonuses make it a production powerhouse.
- Gitarja (Indonesia): Gitarja’s naval and faith bonuses make Indonesia versatile in maritime scenarios.
- Gorgo (Greece): Gorgo’s culture from combat is beneficial but situational.
- John Curtin (Australia): Curtin’s production bonuses in wartime make Australia powerful defensively.
- Kristina (Sweden): Kristina’s bonuses to Great People generation are strong, but overall utility is limited.
- Kublai Khan (China and Mongolia): Kublai’s economic bonuses enhance both China and Mongolia.
- Lady Six Sky (Maya): Her bonuses to non-capital cities promote a compact and highly productive empire.
- Ludwig II (Germany): Ludwig’s cultural and industrial bonuses enhance Germany’s versatility.
- Mansa Musa (Mali): Mali’s wealth generation capabilities allow for strategic purchasing of districts and units.
- Menelik II (Ethiopia): Menelik’s faith and combat bonuses in highland areas make Ethiopia powerful in specific terrains.
- Nader Shah (Persia): Nader’s combat and economic bonuses enhance Persia’s military and economic capabilities.
- Nzinga Mbande (Kongo): Nzinga’s abilities enhance Kongo’s cultural and economic strengths.
- Pachacuti (Inca): Pachacuti’s bonuses to mountain tiles create highly productive cities in specific terrains.
- Pericles (Greece): Pericles’ bonuses to city-states provide cultural and diplomatic advantages.
- Peter (Russia): Peter’s bonuses to science and culture make Russia versatile and powerful.
- Saladin (Sultan) (Arabia): Saladin’s religious and scientific bonuses make Arabia versatile in both cultural and scientific victories.
- Shaka (Zulu): Shaka’s military bonuses make the Zulu a formidable force.
- Simon Bolivar (Gran Colombia): Bolivar’s movement bonuses make Gran Colombia’s military exceptionally mobile.
- Suleiman (Lawgiver) (Ottoman Empire): Suleiman’s combat and economic bonuses enhance the Ottoman Empire’s strengths.
- Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose) (America): Teddy’s bonuses to culture and national parks make America powerful in cultural victories.
- Theodora (Byzantium): Theodora’s religious and combat bonuses make Byzantium versatile in religious and military victories.
- Victoria (Age of Empire) (England): Victoria’s bonuses to naval units and production are advantageous, particularly on maps with abundant coastlines.
- Wilfrid Laurier (Canada): Laurier’s bonuses to tundra tiles make Canada powerful in specific terrains.
C Tier Civilization VI Leaders
C Tier leaders have abilities that shine in specific situations but generally lack the overall power and versatility of higher-tier leaders.
- Alexander (Macedon): Alexander’s military bonuses and reduced war weariness are strong but require constant aggression.
- Catherine de Medici (Magnificence) (France): Catherine’s cultural and diplomatic bonuses are useful but less versatile.
- Chandragupta (India): His military bonuses are potent but less versatile overall.
- Cleopatra (Ptolemaic) (Egypt): Cleopatra’s abilities enhance Egypt’s naval and economic strengths.
- Cyrus (Persia): Cyrus’ mobility and surprise war advantages are useful but situational.
- Genghis Khan (Mongolia): Genghis’ cavalry units are powerful but less effective in non-military strategies.
- Harald Hardrada (Last Viking) (Norway): Harald’s naval bonuses make Norway dominant on water-heavy maps.
- Jadwiga (Poland): Jadwiga’s religious and cultural bonuses are situationally strong.
- Kupe (Māori): Starting in the ocean provides unique opportunities but significant early challenges.
- Lautaro (Mapuche): Lautaro’s combat bonuses against civilizations in a Golden Age are situationally effective.
- Pedro II (Brazil): Pedro’s bonuses to Great People and rainforests make Brazil powerful in specific terrains.
- Poundmaker (Cree): Poundmaker’s trade and alliance bonuses are useful but less versatile.
- Qin Shi Huang (Mandate Of Heaven) (China): Qin’s production bonuses are powerful but require careful management.
- Ramesses (Egypt): Ramesses’ abilities enhance Egypt’s production and cultural strengths.
- Teddy Roosevelt (Rough Rider) (America): Teddy’s combat bonuses in his home continent make America powerful defensively.
- Trajan (Rome): Trajan’s early expansion bonuses are strong but less impactful in later stages.
- Suleiman (Magnificent) (Ottoman Empire): Suleiman’s bonuses enhance the Ottoman Empire’s military and economic strengths.
- Wu Zetian (China): Wu’s bonuses to espionage and military are useful but less versatile.
D Tier Civilization VI Leaders
D Tier leaders are generally the least effective in Civilization VI. Their abilities and bonuses do not translate well into consistent advantages, making them less favorable choices.
- Catherine de Medici (Black Queen) (France): While interesting, her loyalty abilities require specific conditions.
- Gandhi (India): Gandhi’s faith and amenities bonuses are useful but often promote a more passive playstyle.
- Gilgamesh (Sumeria): Gilgamesh’s early-game military bonuses are strong but less effective in the long run.
- Harald Hardrada (Varangian) (Norway): Harald’s naval bonuses are situationally useful.
- Julius Caesar (Rome): Caesar’s abilities enhance Rome’s military and economic strengths but are less versatile.
- Montezuma (Aztecs): Montezuma’s luxury resource bonuses are powerful but situational.
- Mvemba a Nzinga (Kongo): Nzinga’s cultural and religious bonuses are useful but less versatile.
- Philip II (Spain): Philip’s religious and naval bonuses are less versatile and impactful than those of other leaders.
- Qin Shi Huang (Unifier) (China): Qin’s bonuses are powerful but less versatile.
- Robert the Bruce (Scotland): Robert’s bonuses to happiness and production are beneficial but situational.
- Tamar (Georgia): Tamar’s faith and combat bonuses are useful in religious strategies but less impactful elsewhere.
- Tomyris (Scythia): Tomyris’ combat bonuses are strong but situational.
How to Use the Tier List in Your Strategy?
Understanding this tier list can help you make informed decisions on which leaders to choose. Leaders in the higher tiers offer more straightforward paths to victory with their versatile and powerful abilities. Lower-tier leaders can still be fun and challenging to play, requiring unique strategies and careful planning.
Optimize Your Civilization 6 Experience
By leveraging this tier list, you can optimize your gameplay in Civilization VI. Each leader offers distinct advantages that can be utilized to achieve various victory conditions. Choose wisely, strategize effectively, and lead your civilization to greatness.
