All 21 Leaders & Their Abilities In Civilization VII

Leaders are the backbone of every Civilization in Civilization VII. Every leader in the game has different special abilities and biases, which define their playstyles. As such, you must know about all the attributes these leaders have to offer before you choose one in Civilization VII.

This article will tell you about all the leaders in Civilization VII along with their attributes and biases. We will also give you some additional information about all of them so you can find one that caters to your playstyle and preference.

All The Leaders And Their Abilities In Civilization VII

There are a total of 21 leaders in Civilization VII and all of them are completely unique from each other. These leaders mostly comprise historical figures, and their attributes are also based somewhat on their real-life personalities and ideologies. A full breakdown of all these leaders and their abilities is given below

Amina

• Attributes: Economic, Militaristic
• Starting Biases: Plains, Desert
• Unique Ability: Warrior-Queen of Zazzau – Extra resource capacity in cities, Extra gold per age depending on each resource assigned to cities, combat strength buff for all units in deserts and plains.
• Agendas: Desert of the Warrior Queen – Decreases relationship by a medium amount if a player has more Settlements in Deserts and Plains than Amina, Increases Relationships by a marginal amount if a player has no Settlements on Deserts and Plains.
• Background: Amina is the Warrior Queen of the Sahara Desert. She thrives in conquering new areas but is also a great trader. Her economic and militaristic attributes make her perfect for anyone who wants to expand their base across the deserts.

Ashoka

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Expansionist
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Dhammaraja – Increased food in cities for excess happiness, increased food during times of celebrations, Buildings get happiness adjacency for Improvements.
• Agendas: Without Sorrow – The player with the highest happiness yield gets an increase in Relationship, Player with the lowest happiness yield gets a decrease in Relationship.
• Background: Known for converting into a Buddhist later on in his life, Ashoka in Civilization 7 possesses an interesting combination of being a Diplomatic as well as an Expansionist. He can form relationships with other Civilizations easily but he also excels at keeping his population satisfied and happy.

Augustus

• Attributes: Cultural, Expansionist
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Imperium Maius – Increases Production in the Capital based on the number of towns, Also capable of buying Culture Buildings in towns, and Receives extra gold for buying Buildings in towns.
• Agendas: Restitutor Orbis – Relationship decreases for all towns in empires of other players, Relationship increases for all cities in empires of other players.
• Background: One of the greatest ever Roman emperors, Augustus possesses a keen expansionist spirit due to his real-life achievements of expanding the kingdom of Rome to Egypt. He also possesses certain key Cultural attributes that can make him a good choice if you’re looking to go for a Cultural Victory in Civilization 7.

Benjamin Franklin

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Scientific
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: The First American – Production Buildings in cities get increased Science per age, and they also receive increased Production on being constructed, Every active Endeavour a player starts gets increased Science per age, and he also makes it possible to have more than one Endeavour active at the same time.
• Agendas: Civic Virtue – Players that share a Government with him get an increase in Relationship, Players that don’t, get a decrease in Relationship.
• Background: One of the Founding Fathers of America, Benjamin Franklin can be a great choice in Civilization VII if you’re looking to build up your tech trees and Production to get a Scientific Victory in the game.

Catherine the Great

• Attributes: Cultural, Scientific
• Starting Biases: Tundra
• Unique Ability: Star of the North – All displayed Great Works get an increase in Culture, Any Building with a Great Works slot receives an extra slot, and All cities located on Tundra tiles gain extra Science based on their Culture per turn.
• Agendas: Dusha – The player with the most Great Works gets a decrease in Relationship, Player with the least Great Works gets an increase in Relationship. She must have a Great Work for this Agenda to work.
• Background: Known for expanding the Russian Empire through her keen diplomatic attitude and Imperialistic nature, Catherine the Great is one of the few leaders who excels in the Tundra. She was also responsible for the Russian Enlightenment and can be another good choice for anyone looking for improvements in the Science and Culture department.

Charlemagne

• Attributes: Militaristic, Scientific
• Starting Biases: Rivers
• Unique Ability: The Father of Europe – Happiness Adjacency for Quarters for every Military and Scientific Building, Free Cavalry Units when entering a Celebration (only works if they have been unlocked first), Increased Combat Strength for Cavalry during a Celebration
• Agendas: The Golden Shepherd – Increase in Relationship with the player who triggers the most Celebrations, Decrease in Relationship with those who trigger the fewest Celebrations.
• Background: Charlemagne was the King of the Franks and was known for his sharp diplomatic skills along with his ability to settle an incredibly restless empire. He is one of the only leaders who excels in river-based zones and can be a great out-of-the-box option.

Confucius

• Attributes: Expansionist, Scientific
• Starting Biases: Grassland
• Unique Ability: Keju – Increased Growth Rate in all Cities, Increase in Science from Specialists
• Agendas: Guanxi – The player with the most Specialists gets an increase in Relationship, Player with the least Specialists gets a decrease in Relationship (These only work if Confucius has a Specialist)
• Background: Although he wasn’t a ruler, Confucius, and his writings would go on to influence East Asia for centuries. His Scientific Attribute and his ability to increase the Growth Rates in Cities makes him a solid choice for anyone looking for a Leader.

Friedrich, Oblique

• Attributes: Militaristic, Scientific
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Berlin Academy – All Army Commanders start with the Merit Commendation which increases their Command Radius, Constructing Science Buildings gives an extra Infantry Unit.
• Agendas: To Arms! – The player with the lowest number of Military Units gets a decrease in Relationship, and The player with the most Military Units gets an increase in Relationship.
• Background: Known as Friedrich The Great, this leader was responsible for solidifying the Prussian Empire and possesses strong Militaristic Attributes as a result. Yet he also possesses some science-related abilities that make him a good option for either kind of victory.

Harriet Tubman

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Militaristic
• Starting Biases: Vegetated
• Unique Ability: Combahee Raid – Increased Influence by 50% for initiating Espionage, Extra War Support on any war declared against the player, All units do not receive any movement penalties on Vegetation tiles.
• Agendas: Veracity – Increase in Relationship for all formal wars declared by the player, Decrease in Relationship for all surprise wars by the player.
• Background: Known for leading the war for freedom and leading the Union Army, Harriet Tubman possesses strong Diplomatic and Militaristic skills which make her perfect for most players in the game who like to take an aggressive approach.

Hatshepsut

• Attributes: Cultural, Economic
• Starting Biases: Navigable Rivers, Desert
• Unique Ability: God’s Wife of Amun – Increased Culture for all Imported Resources, Increased Production for building Wonders in cities next to Navigable Rivers.
• Agendas: Wonders of Iteru – Decrease in Relationship with players with more Wonders than her, Increase in Relationship with those with fewer Wonders than her.
• Background: Hatshepsut was crucial for increasing and strengthening the Egyptian Empire with her keen trading abilities. She also built several immense building projects that can be replicated in Civilization 7 if you’re looking for a Cultural Victory.

Himiko

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Scientific
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Friend of Wei – An Endeavor that grants a player and his ally an increased bonus in Science, She is also able to support Endeavors without any cost, Increased Science per age for every player that you’re Friendly or Helpful to.
• Agendas: Yamatai – Decrease in Relationship for all Settlements with Constructed Culture and Happiness Buildings, Increase in Relationships for all Settlements with constructed Gold and Science Buildings
• Background: Himiko is known as one of the greatest leaders in Japanese Folk History. Her sharp Diplomatic and Scientific skills, along with her ability to support Endeavors for free make her a solid choice in Civilization 7.

Ibn Battuta

• Attributes: Wildcard
• Starting Biases: Flat
• Unique Ability: The Marvels of Traveling – Increased attribute points after the first Civic in all ages, Increase in Sight for every Unit, Also possesses an Endeavor titled Trade Routes which lets the player see the areas explored by other Leaders.
• Agendas: Far and Wide – Increase in Relationship with the player who unlocks the most Fog of War tiles, Decrease in Relationship with the player with the fewest Fog of War tiles unlocked.
• Background: Although he was much more of a traveler in real life than a leader, Ibn Battuta can be an interesting choice in this game as he possesses a skill set completely different from any other ruler.

Isabella

• Attributes: Economic, Expansionist
• Starting Biases: Coast, Natural Wonder
• Unique Ability: Seven Cities of Gold – Extra Gold for all Natural Wonders discovered, this is doubled if the Natural Wonder is in a distant land, Natural Wonders give 100% tile yields, Increased Gold for purchasing Naval Units, Decrease in the amount of Gold required for maintaining them.
• Agendas: Wonderlust – Decrease in Relationship for Players with a Natural Wonder in their borders, Increase in Relationship for Players with no Natural Wonders in their borders.
• Background: The Queen of Spain in the 15th Century, Isabella had a big role in expanding the Spanish territory over into the New World. Her Economic and Expansionist attributes along with her specialty in Coastal areas can make her a great choice for certain maps in Civilization 7.

Jose Rizal

• Attributes: Cultural, Diplomatic
• Starting Biases: Tropical
• Unique Ability: Pambansang Bayani – Increased Culture and Gold per age on gaining rewards from a Narrative Event, Increased duration of Celebrations and Happiness towards them, Also has increased number of Narrative Events
• Agendas: Kapwa – Increase in Relationship with players with the most active Endeavors started. Decrease in Relationship with players with most active Sanctions started.
• Background: One of the most famous Filipino Revolutionaries, Jose Rizal has some of the best Unique Abilities for increasing Culture and Happiness. His Starting Bias being in the Tropical regions also makes him a stand-out choice.

Lafayette

• Attributes: Cultural, Diplomatic
• Starting Biases: Coast
• Unique Ability: Hero of Two Worlds – Contains a Unique Endeavor called ‘Reform’ that gives an extra Social Policy slot, an Increase in Combat Strength for all Traditions, although not Policy, slotted in the Government, Additional Happiness and Culture per Age in each Settlement, increased in Distant Lands.
• Agendas: French Quarters – The player with the most Building Districts with all Building Slots filled gets an Increase in Relationship, Player with the least Urban Districts gets a Decrease in Relationship.
• Background: The French General who led troops in the American Revolution, Lafayette also possesses a lot of unique Cultural and Diplomatic abilities that replicate his real-life political achievements.

Machiavelli

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Economic
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Il Principe – Extra Influence per age, Receive extra Gold if Diplomatic Proposals are accepted, even more, if they are Rejected, can ignore any Relationship Requirements to declare Formal War, Levy Military Units from the States the player is not Suzerain of.
• Agendas: The Spider – If a player is not at war with Machiavelli, they can increase the Relationship with him for every other active war.
• Background: Another one of the most influential political figures of all time, Machiavelli or The Prince was known for his sharp Diplomatic skills, something which players can use for their benefit in Civilization 7 with his rare abilities.

Napoleon

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Economic
• Starting Biases: None
• Unique Ability: Empereur des Français – Receive a Unique Diplomatic Action that lowers the number of trade routes a chosen Civilization can have; this also causes grievances with the Civilization and leads to a Relationship Penalty, Receives extra gold per age for each leader you’re hostile to or unfriendly to, Reject Endeavors without any cost.
• Agendas: Napoleonic Code – Decrease in Relationship with the player with the largest standing Navy, Increase in Relationship with the player with the smallest standing army.
• Background: One of the most famous leaders of all time, there is no doubt that Napoleon is also one of the best leaders in Civilization 7 with his great mix of unique Diplomatic and Economic skills.

Pachacuti

• Attributes: Economic, Expansionist
• Starting Biases: Mountains
• Unique Ability: Earth Shaker – All buildings receive Food adjacency to Mountains, Happiness Maintenance is not required for all Specialists adjacent to Mountains.
• Agendas: Mountain King – Increase in Relationship for the player with the least Mountains within their border, Decrease in Relationship with the player with the most Mountains within their border.
• Background: The ruler of the Kingdom of Cuzco, Pachacuti specializes in Mountainous terrain, which can be of great use as it is a very rare attribute not possessed by any other leader.

Tecumseh

• Attributes: Diplomatic, Economic
• Starting Biases: Grassland, Plains
• Unique Ability: Nicaakiyakoolaakwe – Every city-state you are suzerain of gets an increase in Food and Production, All units of these city-states also get increased Combat Strength.
• Agendas: Suzerain of the World – Decrease in Relationship if a player disperses an Independent, Increases Relationship if a player doesn’t have a ‘Befriend Independent’ Project active.
• Background: Tecumseh is one of the most important figures in Native American history. He was one of the few leaders who provided an active challenge to the westward expansionist policy of the Colonists, and his Diplomatic strategies are reflected in the game.

Trưng Trắc

• Attributes: Militaristic, Scientific
• Starting Biases: Vegetated, Tropical
• Unique Ability: Hai Bà Trưng – Increased Promotions for the first Army Commander produced, Commanders receive extra Experience, Increased Science in Cities built on Tropical Tiles. This is doubled during times of Formal Wars declared by you.
• Agendas: Van Minh – Decrease in Relationship with the player with the most Promotions on their Army Commanders, Increase in Relationship with the player with the least Promotions on their Army Commanders.
• Background: Trưng Trắc is seen as one of the faces of Vietnamese independence. Her abilities and agendas are mostly based on Army Commanders, which are the most important military units in the game, making her even more impactful.

Xerxes

• Attributes: Economic, Militaristic
• Starting Biases: Desert
• Unique Ability: Crusher of Rebellions – Units attacking neutral or enemy territories get extra Combat Strength, Receive extra Gold and Culture for capturing Settlements for the first time, Increased Gold in all Settlements, doubled if Settlement is not founded by the player.
• Agendas: Lord of Fire – Decreased Relationship if a player is not at war, Increased Relationship if a player is at war.
• Background: The ruler of the great Achaemenid Empire in Ancient times, Xerxes was responsible for conquering Greece with his great military prowess. His Economic and Militaristic Attributes make him capable of doing the same in this game and he is the perfect leader for taking on huge and risky campaigns.