Civilization 6 Tier List: The Best Civ 6 Leaders

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive Civ 6 tier list, look no further! We’ve analyzed the entire lineup available in Cid Mier’s Civilization 6 and compiled the worthiest rulers in the game, including leaders from the game’s most recent New Frontier Pass expansion.

Updated by Kim Dailey on December 13, 2021: There’s been a big shift in power since our last update, mainly attributed to the game’s constantly evolving meta. Many civs have proven their mettle and risen through the ranks while others have slipped down the ladder or completely fallen out of favor into the D-Tier and below.

S-Tier

The creme de la crop of civ leaders, their prowess in domination allows them to seize other victories just as effortlessly.

Hojo Tokimune (Japan) continues to hold the top spot as the most well-rounded civ in the game. Japan’s military receives bonuses for land units adjacent to water tiles and naval units in shallow water. Furthermore, Japan’s specialty unit, Samurai, doesn’t suffer combat penalties upon losing health. Hojo incurs a +50 percent Production for Encampments, Holy Sites, and Theater squares. Japan’s unique Electronics Factory ramps up production even more. Moreover, district adjacency bonuses encourage compact cities, which is great for defending and expanding cities.

Alexander (Macedon) gets lots of conquering bonuses and unique military enhancement, making the Macedonian civ a natural warmonger. With two specialty units simultaneously available, an immunity to war-weariness, and the ability to heal upon capturing wonders, Alexander is primed to wage a game-long war and win.

Peter I (Russia) Russia holds a phenomenal aptitude for expansion between the Mother Russia ability granting extra tiles and Larvas, improved holy sites, accruing even more land. Combined with Peter’s leader ability, The Great Embassy, absorbing Science and Culture from more advanced civs, Russia can easily achieve every victory path.

Frederick Barbarossa (Germany) Germany has a superior production rate, putting it ahead of the game from all other civs. With Barbarossa’s predilection for conquering city-states and Germany’s unique U-Boat unit capable of devasting enemy coastal cities, Germany is also predisposed to victory on all fronts.

Simon Bolivar (Gran Columbia) is making a name for his civilization, finally breaking through to the S-Tier with elite movement bonuses and strong foundational units such as Settlers, Builders, and Scouts. Gran Columbia is primed for a Domination victory, though its superior conquering abilities allow the player to focus on other areas of growth as well.

A-Tier

They can’t all be the best of the best. That’s why there’s the A-Tier, which is basically a continuation of the S-Tier. It culminates a list of well-rounded civs, and civs that dominate their chosen path to victory.

Trajan (Rome) has risen to the top of the A-Tier list, living true to the phrase coined by Julius Caesar “Veni, Vidi, Vici,” I came, I saw, I conquered. With leader and civ bonuses geared towards mass expansion, a straightforward domination route is your best bet to securing victory over other civs on the top tier lists.

Gorgo (Greece) is heavily geared towards a cultural victory and can hold her own even against S-Tier civs. She allows and even encourages an aggressive approach, rewarding culture for every enemy kill. The Spartan Queen is also versed in politics, which makes all victory paths a feasible goal.

Pericles (Greece) is best suited to culture victory conditions as well, through his use of city-state allegiances and proper central placement of his cities’ Acropolises. Though his political savviness still makes this civ a flexible competitor on Civ 6’s tier list, capable of seizing any victory path.

Wilhelmina (Dutch/Netherlands) Wilhelmina places great importance on trade. International trade routes accrue culture while domestic routes maintain loyalty. Settling along coasts and adjoining rivers is the best strategy, amassing land and maximizing science, culture, and production yields. The monetary profits from this layout make any victory possible.

Pedro II (Brazil) Pedro utilizes his land’s rainforest terrain to maximize faith, culture, and gold adjacency bonuses. He’s also incredibly proud of his Great People and can generate them at an astounding rate. So many great minds poise Brazil for any victory, though culture is Pedro’s predilection.

Gilgamesh (Sumeria) is a quick starter civ, with their unique war-carts and Ziggurats accessible from the first turn. Placing Ziggurats along river banks capitalizes on science and culture. Moreover, Gilgamesh’s leader ability entices other civs to ally with Sumeria for the joint war benefits, leaving him few adversaries and providing backup for the few enemies he does accrue.

Saladin (Arabia) Saladin leads by religion, which allows him to gain a foothold on other victory paths. Spreading Arabia’s religion boosts science while its unique worship building bolsters science, faith, and culture.

Montezuma (Aztec) Montezuma is a warmonger with a taste for luxury. Both war and a taste for decadence go hand in hand, with battle victories aiding to accrue more luxuries.

Suleiman (Ottoman) The Ottoman empire is built for the siege, capable of overtaking the most fortified defenses. Their Grand Bazaars keep resources flowing, allowing continual city growth even through wartime.

Genghis Khan (Mongolia) Mongolia seeks a domination victory by way of their formidable cavalry.

Matthias Corvinus (Hungary) is another domination powerhouse who relies on levying mercenary armies and ample city-state bonuses to wage war victoriously.

Amanitore (Nubia) Amanitore prioritizes production, providing her cities with a 20 percent bonus. The civ’s unique Nubian Pyraminds double that production yield, and their elite ranged units staunchly defend their progress. This high yield and keen protection allow Nubia to hold their own on the Civ 6 tier list.

Wilfred Laurier (Canada) is making good use of tundra tiles, which many civs are loath to inhabit, giving Canada a unique edge. Thanks to Canada’s unique geographical predilection and Wilfred’s genuine diplomatic interest, this civ is well suited for culture and diplomatic victories.

Lady Six Sky (Maya) is staking a claim for her civ, rising from the B-Tier to the A rankings. A reclusive leader, preferring to keep her cities nestled close together, focuses on farm and luxury yields. However, she will staunchly defend her lands. Strategically placing Observatories near farms and plantations rockets the Mayans towards a Science victory.

Seondeok (Korea) has also recently joined the A-Tier. Korea is heavily based around Science with the unique district the Seowon. Placing these amongst hills and flatlands where farms and mines can surround them will maximize their effect, sending you well on your way to a science victory.

Kupe (Maori) is proving just what they are made of by carving a spot for themselves among the A-listers. Starting on an Ocean tile and accruing science and culture points every turn before founding their capital, the Maori provides unique gameplay. Kupe is a naturalist who respects the land and fiercely defends his territory.

B-Tier

These civs are every bit as valid as S and A tiers, but they tend to utilize more specialized gameplay that may not be for everyone.

Cleopatra (Egypt) The Queen of the Nile has slipped slightly into the B-Tier. Cleopatra gets district and wonder bonuses for building along rivers. Egypt’s bountiful trade routes will ensure monetary security and bolster friendships with other powerful nations, setting this civ up for well-rounded victory paths.

Catherine De Medici (France) With her love for espionage and constructing wonders, Catherine leads France to culture victories almost too easily. She might not be the most forthcoming civ to choose, but De Medici’s wily ways secure her a firm hold on the Civ 6 tier list.

Eleanor of Aquitane (France) has recently risen from the C-Tier to join her later successor Catherine De Medici. Eleanor relies on influencing the loyalty of surrounding civs’ cities. A nearby city that drops to 0 loyalty with their civ, automatically pledges allegiance to Eleanor.

Cyrus (Persia) isn’t as good as he once was, though he still utilizes the element of surprise when waging war, making him a precarious neighbor. With a strong domestic trade-boosting culture and finances, Persia is flexible in its path to victory, making it a formidable adversary on the Civ 6 tier list.

Teddy Roosevelt (America) is a late-game powerhouse with two unique military units. However, Teddy will want to keep the peace up until the 20th century. A culture victory is more feasible with America’s Film Studio and National Parks.

Shaka (Zulu) has made the ascension from the C-Tier to the B-Tier. This civ’s playstyle is geared towards a domination victory with boosted combat for his Corps and Army units.

Dido (Phoenicia) has also made the leap from C to B status, excelling with coastal settlements and a government based around trade.

John Curtin (Australia) has fallen from the A-Tier ranking, though his civilization still thrives on liberating cities and being the subject of war declarations. The recent occurrence of either boost Australia’s production 100 percent. Acting as the world’s police dog can set Australia on the path to multiple victories.

C-Tier

This is an interesting tier as seasoned players may utilize these civs maximum potentials and prove victorious over the higher tiers. Yet, many may find these leaders difficult or downright useless for their personal playstyle. Some leaders in this tier of the list simply offer generic perks that higher tiers already flourish in and to a greater capacity.

Victoria (England) England has mastered global expansion and reaps hefty military benefits from colonizing new continents, though mastering a dual land and sea playstyle may not float the boat for some players. However, that expansive political coverage coupled with England’s Archeology perks makes for easy culture and domination victories for those who can conquer both land and waves.

João III (Portugal) From the New Frontier Pass, João is nicknamed the Grocer King for his flourishing trade empire. His leader abilities give him free trade routes, open borders with all city-states, and +1 sight for all units. These skills alone allow this civ to move more openly and swiftly across the map. Portugal’s ability boosts the profits of every trade route by 50 percent, though it also restricts trade to cities with coastal access.

Portugal is primed to live up to João’s maritime trade legacy with their financial flexibility, giving them a shot at any victory type. Though, their specialty Naval School gives them a predilection towards a Science victory while Domination efforts are not recommended.

Mansa Musa (Mali) As a leader driven by gold, the financial stability Mansa accumulates sets Mali up for a diverse victory path.

Kristina (Sweden) Between Kristina’s influence at the World Congress and Sweden’s tourism attractions, this civ is built for a cultural victory.

Qin Shi Huang (China) inspires more production than any other leader and prioritizes wonder creation, though it hasn’t been enough to hold their spot in the B-Tier. China’s other merits allow the civ to defend all they have created and advance swiftly through both skill trees.

Jadwiga (Poland) is a religious powerhouse with the bonus of a formidable military, though she has slipped recently from the B-Tier ranking.

Gitarja (Indonesia) This civ is uniquely built for coastal colonization with a penchant for religious power. Kampung stilt houses reserve land tiles for other uses, and a wealth of faith bonuses coupled with naval perks allows the spread of Indonesian religion far and wide.

Pachacuti (Inca) The Incas are unique in that they flourish amongst mountainous terrain. They accrue food bonuses for every mountain tile in their capital city, and they can begin utilizing the mountains far sooner than other civs.

Jayavarman VII (Khmer) is a religious-based ruler. His holy-sites trigger culture bombs to spread the Khmer religion. Building these sites adjacent to rivers adds the benefit of accruing more land and stabilizing the city’s growth with food and housing. Though they’re not much for fighting, the Khmer’s Domrey units can besiege cities encroaching on their borders if necessary.

Gandhi (India) is all about peace and balance which flows well with Civ 6’s current meta, allowing this pacifist to finally creep onto our top ranking tier list. Though he may seem like an easy target, other civs will incur additional dips in their happiness if they wage war on this peacekeeper, which is a good deterrent. Furthermore, Gandhi can steer his civilization towards a pacifistic faith victory by shoring up the good faith he gets from meeting other peaceful civs.

Chandragupta (India) has also joined the ranks. He is a territorial ruler set on expansion. After enough research, he has the ability to Declare War of Territorial Expansion which greatly improves his units’ movement and strength. This fervor for war carries the army through a significant portion of the battle, the effects lasting for ten turns.

The D and F-Tiers are where things take a turn for the worse, and unfortunately, the likes of Scotland’s Robert the Bruce and Tomyris of Scythia have joined those subordinate ranks. Leaders that didn’t make the cut on our list may not be complete trash, but there are certainly better options above that offer the same play styles while being more inclined to achieve greatness.