Civ 6 leader tier list – Destructoid
Civilization 6 leaders are historical individuals who serve as figureheads for their respective societies. Open a history book and you’re sure to find some of these names, all of whom you can play as in-game.
In Civilization 6, each leader has their own unique ability, which comes with bonuses such as special units and buildings, as well as an agenda. It’s important to be aware of these agendas when playing against an AI leader, as they affect how they play.
All Civ 6 leaders, ranked
There are 67 unique leaders in Civilization 6, the most of any game in the series to date. Some leaders have different variations for different periods in history, bringing the total number to 75.
With our Civ 6 leader tier list, there isn’t a lot to separate some of these. Sometimes, it’s down to a unique leader ability making the difference. However, a knowledgeable Civilization 6 player should be able to make any of these work on the battlefield.
S Tier
The S-tier Civilization 6 leaders should be able to dominate across any era. Their bonuses are the best, and players shouldn’t have a tough time being competitive while using them. From the industrial powerhouse that is Abraham Lincoln to the military might of Alexander, you’ve got plenty of variation in playstyle here, too.
Leader | Civilization | Ability |
---|---|---|
Abraham Lincoln | America | Emancipation Proclamation |
Alexander | Macedon | To the World’s End |
Amanitore | Nubia | Kandake of Meroë |
Basil II | Byzantium | Porphyrogénnētos |
Jayavarman VII | Khmer | Monasteries of the King |
Matthias Corvinus | Hungary | Raven King |
Seondeok | Korea | Hwarang |
Trajan | Rome | Trajan’s Column |
Victoria (Age of Steam) | England | Age of Steam |
Wilfrid Laurier | Canada | The Last Best West |
Yongle | China | Lijia |
A Tier
A-tier Civ 6 leaders aren’t the best of the best, but there’s no reason why you can’t win any game using them. After all, we’re splitting hairs at the top to place these leaders. Focus on one specific victory condition, and you’ll find plenty of success with these options.
Leader | Civilization | Ability |
---|---|---|
Catherine de Medici (Black Queen) | France | Catherine’s Flying Squadron |
Cyrus | Persia | Fall of Babylon |
Eleanor of Aquitaine | England and France | Court of Love |
Elizabeth I | England | Drake’s Legacy |
Frederick Barbarossa | Germany | Holy Roman Emperor |
Hojo Tokimune | Japan | Divine Wind |
John Curtin | Australia | Citadel of Civilization |
Menelik II | Ethiopia | Council of Ministers |
Pedro II | Brazil | Magnanimous |
Pericles | Greece | Surrounded by Glory |
Peter | Russia | The Grand Embassy |
Saladin (Vizier) | Arabia | Righteousness of the Faith |
Sejong | Korea | Hangul |
Simon Bolivar | Gran Colombia | Campaña Admirable |
B Tier
These B-tier Civ 6 leaders won’t always result in victory, but using them doesn’t guarantee defeat, either. Much like the A-tier leaders, honing in on one victory condition and brute-forcing it will give you the best chance of winning against better options. Don’t totally count them out when starting a new playthrough, though.
Leader | Civilization | Ability |
---|---|---|
Catherine de Medici (Magnificence) | France | Catherine’s Magnificences |
Cleopatra (Egyptian) | Egypt | Mediterranean’s Bride |
Cleopatra (Ptolemaic) | Egypt | Arrival of Hapi |
Genghis Khan | Mongolia | Mongol Horde |
Gilgamesh | Sumeria | Adventures of Enkidu |
Gitarja | Indonesia | Exalted Goddess of the Three Worlds |
Gorgo | Greece | Thermopylae |
João III | Portugal | Porta do Cerco |
Kristina | Sweden | Minerva of the North |
Kupe | Maori | Kupe’s Voyage |
Lady Six Sky | Maya | Ix Mutal Ajaw |
Ludwig II | Germany | Swan King |
Mansa Musa | Mali | Sahel Merchants |
Montezuma | Aztec | Gifts for the Tlatoani |
Pachacuti | Inca | Qhapaq Ñan |
Philip II | Spain | El Escorial |
Ramses II | Egypt | Abu Simbel |
Shaka | Zulu | Amabutho |
Suleiman (Kanuni) | Ottoman Empire | Grand Vizier |
Suleiman (Muhteşem) | Ottoman Empire | The Magnificent |
Sundiata Keita | Mali | Sogolon |
Teddy Roosevelt (Rough Rider) | America | Roosevelt Corollary |
Theodora | Byzantium | Metanoia |
Tokugawa | Japan | Bakuhan |
Victoria (Age of Empire) | England | Pax Britannia |
Wilhelmina | Netherlands | Radio Oranje |
C Tier
If you’re going to use the C-tier Civ 6 leaders, be prepared for an uphill struggle. You’ll need to invest a lot of time and Gold into making these leaders work on the battlefield, so we’d only recommend these for experienced Civilization 6 players. Without knowing how to extract every ounce of usefulness from their abilities, these leaders will just cause you headaches.
Leader | Civilization | Ability |
---|---|---|
Ambiorix | Gaul | King of the Eburones |
Ba Trieu | Vietnam | Drive Out The Aggressors |
Chandragupta | India | Arthashastra |
Dido | Phoenicia | Founder of Carthage |
Gandhi | India | Satyagraha |
Hammurabi | Babylon | Ninu Ilu Sirum |
Harald Hardrara (Konge) | Norway | Thunderbolt of the North |
Harald Hardrada (Varangian) | Norway | Varangian Guard |
Jadwiga | Poland | Lithuanian Union |
Julius Caesar | Rome | Veni, Vidi, Vici |
Kublai Khan | China | Gerege |
Lautaro | Mapuche | Swift Hawk |
Mvemba a Nzinga | Kongo | Religious Convert |
Nader Shah | Persia | Sword of Persia |
Nzinga Mbande | Kongo | Queen of Ndongo and Mtamba |
Poundmaker | Cree | Favorable Terms |
Quin Shi Huang (Mandate Of Heaven) | China | The First Emperor |
Quin Shi Huang (Unifier) | China | Thirty-Six Stratagems |
Robert the Bruce | Scotland | Bannockburn |
Saladin (Sultan) | Arabia | The Victorious |
Tamar | Georgia | Glory of the World, Kingdom and Faith |
Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose) | America | Antiquities and Parks |
Tomyris | Scythia | Killer of Cyrus |
Wu Zetian | China | Manual of Entrapment |