The Modern Age in *Civilization VII* is the endgame—where victories are won and lost. Mastering this era, building upon your successes from the Exploration Age, is crucial for claiming ultimate dominance. Your civilization choice is paramount. The Modern Age presents ten playable civilizations (eleven with the *Crossroads of the World* DLC), each offering unique strengths and synergies with their leaders. To guide your selection, here's a tier list ranking the best Modern Age civilizations in *Civilization VII*.
Note: This tier list focuses solely on the base power of each civilization. Leader abilities significantly impact a civilization's effectiveness, so consider those synergies when making your choice.
Best *Civilization VII* Modern Age Civilizations
*Civilization VII* Modern Age Civilization Tier List
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S-tier: America, Meiji Japan
A-tier: French Empire, Mexico, Qing
B-tier: Buganda, Prussia, Russia, Siam
C-tier: Mughal
Note: Great Britain (DLC) is not yet ranked; its performance will be evaluated over time.
S-Tier Modern Age Civilizations
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These civilizations represent the pinnacle of *Civilization VII*'s Modern Age offerings. Their potent military units and access to crucial resources often lead to map domination.
S-tier: America
Frontier Expansion: Gain 100 Gold for each improved resource. +30% Production towards the Statue of Liberty. Marine: Amphibious unique infantry unit; cheaper to train. Prospector: Claims land resources outside your settlement radius. Industrial Park: Unique quarter (+2 Food per resource assigned to the city). Railyard: Unique production building (+5 Production, +1 Production adjacency bonus). Steel Mill: Unique production building (+6 Production, Gold adjacency bonus).
America excels in resource utilization. Frontier Expansion provides significant gold boosts, while the Industrial Park (created by combining the Railyard and Steel Mill) generates substantial Food, Production, and Gold. The Prospector secures vital resources, and the Marine's amphibious capabilities offer strategic flexibility.
Economic Victory Tip: Learn how to effectively utilize Factory Resources in *Civilization VII*.
S-tier: Meiji Japan
Goisshin: Gain Science equal to 50% of a building's production cost when overbuilding. +30% Production towards Dogo Onsen. Mikasa: Unique heavy naval unit that respawns at 50% HP in your nearest city upon destruction. Zero: Unique fighter unit with increased range, +4 Combat Strength against other fighters, and air interception capabilities. Zaibatsu: Unique quarter (+1 Gold and Production on adjacent district buildings). Ginko: Unique gold building (+5 Gold, +1 Gold adjacency bonus). Jukogyo: Unique production building (+5 Production, +1 Production adjacency bonus on coastal terrain).
Meiji Japan's resourcefulness is undeniable. Goisshin allows for efficient district and building restructuring, while the Zaibatsu quarter generates massive Gold and Production. The Mikasa's unique respawn ability and the Zero's potent air combat prowess make Meiji Japan a formidable military force.
Unit Guide: Explore all *Civilization VII* unit types for optimal strategies.
A-Tier Modern Age Civilizations
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A-tier civilizations offer diverse resource access and strong military capabilities.
A-tier: French Empire
Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: Select any Modern Age government's celebration effects. +30% Production towards the Eiffel Tower. Garde Imperiale: Unique infantry unit with ranged attack capabilities and combat strength bonuses near army commanders. Jacobin: Great Person (one charge) trainable in cities with an Avenue. Avenue: Unique quarter (+2 Happiness on city quarters). Jardin a la Francaise: Unique culture building (+5 Culture, +1 Happiness adjacency bonus). Salon: Unique happiness building (+5 Happiness, +1 Culture adjacency bonus).
The French Empire thrives on synergy, particularly for cultural victories. The Avenue (Jardin a la Francaise + Salon) creates a powerful Culture and Happiness loop, fueling celebrations. While not overwhelmingly powerful, the Garde Imperiale provides solid military support.
Government Guide: Learn more about Celebrations and Government Types in *Civilization VII*.
A-tier: Mexico
Revolucion: Unique government with a celebration effect (+30% Culture for 10 turns). +30% Production towards Palacio de Bellas Artes. Soldaderas: Unique infantry unit; adjacent units heal +10 HP. Revolucionario: Great Person (one charge) trainable in cities with a Zocalo. Zocalo: Unique quarter (+2 Culture per Tradition in the government). Catedral: Unique culture building (+5 Culture, +1 Happiness adjacency bonus). Portal de Mercaderes: Unique culture building (+5 Culture, +1 Gold adjacency bonus).
Similar to the French Empire, Mexico excels in Culture generation, although with a stronger emphasis on Gold. The Zocalo (Catedral + Portal de Mercaderes) further boosts Culture output. The Soldaderas' healing ability enhances unit survivability.
Victory Guide: Discover how to win in *Civilization VII*—all victory types explained.
A-tier: Qing
Kang Qian Shengshi: +4 Gold, +3 Culture, +2 Influence, -1 Science from imported resources. +30% Production towards Chengde Mountain Resort. Gusa: Unique infantry unit (+4 Combat Strength adjacent to another Gusa). Hangshang: Unique merchant who establishes trade routes for resource imports. Huiguan: Unique quarter (+35% Influence in the city). Shiguan: Unique science building (+6 Science, +1 Happiness adjacency bonus). Qianzhuang: Unique gold building (+5 Gold, +1 Gold adjacency bonus).
The Qing civilization offers a balanced approach, with strong Gold, Culture, and Influence generation, offset by a Science penalty from imported resources. Careful resource management is key to maximizing its potential. The Gusa unit excels in large formations.
Map Guide: Understand all *Civilization VII* map settings.
B-Tier Modern Age Civilizations
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B-tier civilizations offer solid benefits but may be more specialized or situational.
B-tier: Buganda
River Raids: Gain Culture from pillaging equal to the yield or healing gained. Land units gain Amphibious. +30% Production towards Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. Abambowa: Unique infantry unit that heals from pillaging. Mwami: Unique army commander; +50% yields from pillaging within its command radius. Kabaka’s Lake: Unique improvement (+3 Happiness, receives lake yield bonuses).
Buganda thrives on aggressive play, capitalizing on pillaging for Culture and resources. This requires a strong military and a proactive approach. The Kabaka’s Lake provides Happiness and lake resource bonuses.
Military Guide: Explore the best *Civilization VII* Commander Upgrades.
B-tier: Prussia
Blood and Iron: Units gain +1 Combat Strength for each unfriendly civilization relationship. Hussar: Unique cavalry unit (+1 Movement, +1 Combat Strength per remaining movement). Stuka: Unique ground attack unit (+3 Combat Strength against land units). Staatseisenbahn: Unique railroad (+2 Gold and Production on rural tiles).
Prussia excels in aggressive warfare, gaining combat strength from negative relationships. The Hussar and Stuka are powerful units. However, Prussia's reliance on conflict can be risky, requiring careful balance between military expansion and resource management.
Diplomacy Guide: Learn how to obtain and utilize *Civilization VII* Influence.
B-tier: Russia
Prosveshchenie: +1 Culture and Science on district tiles in cities. +30% Production towards the Hermitage. Cossack: Unique cavalry unit (+4 Combat Strength in friendly territory). Katyusha Rocket Launcher: Unique siege unit (+1 Movement, splash damage). Obschchina: Unique improvement (+2 Food from adjacent Farms, +2 Culture in Tundra).
Russia benefits from district bonuses, particularly in Tundra. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities. However, its yield bonuses are less impactful compared to more specialized civilizations.
B-tier: Siam
Itsapharahab: Unique diplomatic action to instantly become a city-state's suzerain (at a higher Influence cost). +30% Production towards Doi Suthep. Chang Beun: Unique ranged unit (increased range strength, +1 Movement, can move after attacking). Uparat: Great Person (one charge) trainable when befriending an independent power. Bang: Unique improvement (+3 Culture and Happiness).
Siam's unique diplomatic action allows for quick city-state suzerainty, but requires sufficient Influence. The Chang Beun is a strong ranged unit. Overall, Siam's strengths depend heavily on securing favorable city-states.
Independent Power Guide: Learn more about *Civilization VII* Independent Powers and their bonuses.
C-Tier Modern Age Civilizations
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C-tier civilizations are situational or require specific playstyles.
C-tier: Mughal
Paradise of Nations: +75% Gold from all sources, -25% to all other yields. +30% Production towards the Red Fort. Sepoy: Unique infantry unit with bombard ranged attack. Zamindar: Unique settler (+1 Population on new settlements). Stepwell: Unique improvement (+2 Food from adjacent Farms).
The Mughal civilization offers massive Gold generation but suffers from significant penalties to other yields. Successfully playing Mughal requires careful mitigation of these penalties to remain competitive in Science and Culture.
