The Modern Age in Civilization 7 is the pivotal era where the game reaches its climax, and the victors emerge. As you transition from the Exploration Age, it's crucial to leverage your strengths and make strategic choices to secure your path to victory. Your choice of Civilization during this period can be the deciding factor in your success.
In Civilization 7's Modern Age, you have the option to choose from ten civilizations, with an additional one available if you have the Crossroads of the World DLC. When combined with the right Civ 7 Leaders, these civilizations can create powerful synergies that enhance your gameplay. To assist you in making an informed decision, we've compiled a tier list of the best Modern Age civilizations in Civ 7.
Remember, your Leader will further enhance your gameplay with specific buffs, and when paired with the right civilization, these can lead to significant advantages. This tier list focuses solely on the inherent power of each civilization, but always consider how your chosen civ will synergize with your Leader when making your selection.
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!
These are the cream of the crop in Civilization 7, offering unparalleled access to powerful military units and resources that allow you to dominate the map.
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 is a top choice for the Modern Age, excelling in resource utilization. The Frontier Expansion trait provides significant gold boosts from resource improvements, while the Railyard and Steel Mill combine to form the Industrial Park, offering substantial Food, Production, and Gold. This versatility allows America to expand rapidly and sustain high production levels. The Prospector can claim crucial resources, enhancing your yields, and the Marine's Amphibious ability adds a strategic edge to your military.
For more on economic strategies, learn how to use Factory Resources in Civilization 7.
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 resource management and boasts formidable military units. The Goisshin trait allows you to adapt your infrastructure to modern needs while gaining Science, and the Zaibatsu Quarter provides substantial Gold and Production boosts. The Mikasa's ability to respawn adds resilience to your naval strategy, while the Zero's enhanced capabilities make it a dominant force in aerial combat.
For a deeper understanding of military strategies, explore all the Civ 7 Unit Types!
A-Tier civilizations offer a balanced approach, with access to key resources and strong military units.
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 a Cultural victory, thanks to the synergistic effects of the Avenue, which combines the Jardin a la Francaise and Salon to boost Culture and Happiness. This setup fuels the Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite trait, enabling frequent Celebrations. The Garde Imperiale, while costly, provides a solid defensive option.
To learn more about cultural strategies, check out Celebrations and Government Types in Civ 7!
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 a powerhouse for Culture, offering significant Gold and Culture yields. The Revolucion government and Zocalo Quarter enhance your Culture output, while the Soldaderas unit provides a tactical advantage by enabling healing within formations. If you're aiming for a Cultural victory, Mexico's ability to generate Happiness and Culture makes it a strong contender.
For a comprehensive guide on achieving victory, see How to Win Civ 7 - every victory type explained!
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, though it comes with a Science penalty from imported resources. Managing this trait effectively is key, as the Modern Age demands rapid technological advancement. The Gusa unit's strength in formations and the Hangshang's ability to gain Gold from trade routes make Qing a versatile choice.
For new players, explore all the Civ 7 Map Settings explained.
B-Tier civilizations are solid choices with specific strengths, often excelling in particular scenarios.
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 ideal for aggressive players who enjoy pillaging. The River Raids trait and units like the Abambowa and Mwami provide substantial benefits from pillaging, though this strategy requires constant military activity. While Buganda lacks direct access to key yields like Science and Culture, successful pillaging can compensate for these deficiencies.
For those interested in military strategies, check out the best Civ 7 Commander Upgrades.
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 perfect for players who want to dominate through military might and aggressive diplomacy. The Blood and Iron trait boosts your units' strength based on how many civilizations dislike you, making Prussia a formidable force on the battlefield. However, its focus on military prowess means you'll need to capture Settlements to keep up with Science and Culture demands.
For those interested in diplomatic strategies, learn How to Get and Use Civ 7 Influence.
Prosveshchenie - +1 Culture on Districts in Cities. +1 Science on Districts 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 solid yield bonuses on Districts, with a focus on Science and Culture. However, these bonuses are not overwhelming, and the Culture boost is particularly effective only in Tundra regions. The Cossack and Katyusha Rocket Launcher provide defensive capabilities, but Russia may struggle to keep pace with more specialized civilizations.
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 ability to become Suzerain of City-States can be a powerful tool if managed correctly. However, generating the necessary Influence can be challenging without specific Leader synergies. The Chang Beun's mobility and ranged strength are assets, but Siam's overall impact depends heavily on the City-States available.
For insights into diplomatic strategies, learn more about Civ 7 Independent Powers and their bonuses!
C-Tier civilizations are more situational and may require experienced play to maximize their potential.
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 significant Gold boost, which can be game-changing if managed well. However, the -25% penalty to other yields requires careful mitigation, especially in the Science and Culture-focused Modern Age. While the Mughal's traits are solid, they demand a strategic approach to offset the penalties and leverage the Gold advantage effectively.
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