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

Screenshot by Destructoid

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

Pedro II in Civilization 6
Screenshot by Destructoid

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

Victoria (Age of Empire) in Civilization 6
Screenshot by Destructoid

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

Gandhi in Civilization 6
Screenshot by Destructoid

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

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