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Your selection of civilization marks one of the initial steps in Civ 7. With numerous leaders and civilization combinations to explore, each civilization typically focuses on a distinct victory condition. The following tier list evaluates the strengths of civilizations based on their individual bonuses, without factoring in specific leader combinations. However, we will recommend promising combinations to experiment with for each civilization.
The Antiquity Age emphasizes the establishment of your empire and lays the groundwork for success throughout the game. It stands out as the most significant age currently and is often seen as the most engaging.
Antiquity Age Civilization Tier List for Civ 7
Here’s a breakdown of the top civilizations in the Antiquity Age.
| Tier | Civilization |
|---|---|
| S-tier | Maya, Greece, Rome |
| A-tier | Persia, Maurya, Han |
| B-tier | Aksum, Mississippian |
S-Tier
These civilizations boast excellent base bonuses and robust civic trees.
Maya
The Maya excel in scientific advancement. They possess a remarkable unique quarter, the Uwaybil K’uh, which boosts production each time you research. This advantage can escalate quickly, allowing you to complete vital buildings in your capital swiftly.
| Bonus |
|---|
| The Palace earns +0.5 Science for each adjacent vegetated terrain. |
| Gains +30% production when constructing the Mundo Perdido. |
| Hul’che Unique Unit – A Tier 1 ranged unit that can see through vegetation and has no movement penalties on such terrain. |
| Jalaw Unique Building – Offers +3 Happiness and +1 Culture adjacency for quarters and wonders. |
| K’uh Nah – Provides +3 science; +2 science if on vegetation, and +1 science adjacency for wonders. |
| Jaguar Slayer – A scout replacement for the Maya that can fight and place invisible traps dealing damage to enemies. |
Even at first glance, the Maya appear powerful with numerous advantages in comparison to other civilizations on this list. The Jaguar Slayer is a better scout; the adjacency science from the K’uh Nah is impressive, and the Hul’che unit is remarkably potent, especially as you explore the civic tree.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Lords of Xibalba | Unlocks the Jalaw. Hul’che and Jaguar Slayers become stealthed in vegetation. Introduces the Miracles of the Twins policy card, enhancing all units with Poison (+3 Combat Strength against damaged units). |
| Rain of Chaac | Unlocks the K’uh Nah. The Altar gains +1 Science for adjacently vegetated terrain, along with the Pet Kot policy granting +1 science on vegetated terrain in cities. |
| Calendar Round | After researching technology, gains Culture equal to 10% of its cost; research a civic and gain Technology equal to 10% of its cost. |
| Calendar Round Mastery | Grants +1 Settlement Limit and enhances science and culture from happiness buildings and unlocks the Mundo Perdido. |
Recommended Leaders:
- Confucius
- Himiko (High Shaman)
Greece
Greece stands out as a diplomatic powerhouse combined with significant combat strength bonuses from their multitude of Hoplites. This civilization provides versatility with multiple enjoyable combinations and victory strategies.
| Bonus |
|---|
| Gains +3 Influence per turn in the Palace. |
| +30% production towards constructing the Oracle. |
| Hoplite – A unique infantry unit gaining +2 Combat Strength when adjacent to another Hoplite. |
| Logios – Unique great person trained in the Acropolis. Rewards are random and can be used for great works or boosting tile adjacency. |
| Acropolis – Unique Greek quarter yielding +2 Gold for every city-state you are suzerain of. |
| Odeon – Greek unique building providing +3 Happiness and +1 Culture adjacency for quarters and wonders. |
| Parthenon – Grants +4 Culture and +2 Influence if placed on rough terrain, with +1 Culture adjacency for wonders. |
Greece’s myriad bonuses can feel overwhelming. The Hoplites are among the strongest units in the Antiquity Age, gaining strength as you delve into the civic tree. The adjacency bonuses from the Acropolis can quickly transform ordinary tiles into high-yield locations.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Ekklesia | Unlocks the Odeon and Xenia policy, granting +50% toward befriending city-states. The mastery grants +2 Culture from every active endeavor, sanction, or project you supported. |
| Agoge | Unlocks the Pantheon and the Strategoi policy providing +25% commander experience. Mastery adds +1 Combat Strength for each city-state you are a suzerain of. |
| Symmachia | Grants +2 Culture for each city-state you are a suzerain of and +1 Settlement Limit. Mastery unlocks the Delian League and Peloponnesian League policy cards, increasing the efficiency of endeavors and sanctions. |
Most Greek civics support a diplomatic play and can rapidly transition influence gains into military power through city-state relationships and effective military commanders.
Recommended Leaders:
- Pericles
- Gorgo
Rome
Rome is noted as the premier military civilization of the Antiquity Age, just ahead of Persia, due to its formidable Legion unit and the specialized Legatus army commander.
| Bonus |
|---|
| +1 Culture in Districts in the capital and city centers in towns. |
| +30% Production towards constructing the Colosseum. |
| Legion – Rome’s unique infantry unit that adds +2 Combat Strength for each tradition in the government. |
| Legatus – A unique Roman army commander capable of establishing a new town once it reaches a level three. |
| Forum – A unique quarter that generates +1 Culture and Gold for each unique tradition in the Government. |
| Basilica – Adds +4 Gold and +1 Influence adjacency for culture buildings and wonders. |
| Temple of Jupiter – Grants +3 Happiness and +1 Culture adjacency for happiness buildings and wonders. |
Rome’s strategy comprises accumulating culture to unlock extra policy slots for additional traditions. The system not only buffers your empire but also significantly strengthens your legions as you progress.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Exercitus Romanus | Unlocks the Temple of Jupiter and the Auxilia policy, enhancing military unit production in the capital based on owned towns. Mastery provides Bulwark promotion for every army commander without cost. |
| Cursus Honorum | Unlocks the Basilica and Cursus Honorum policy, offering cultural rewards for infantry unit production. Mastery gives +2 Gold in the capital for every owned town. |
| Legatus Pro Praetore | Provides a free infantry unit in newly founded settlements and +1 settlement limit, along with the Latinitas policy boosting yields in specialized towns. |
| Senatus Populusque Romanus | Grants an additional social policy slot and a +1 settlement limit, alongside buffs to urban districts. Unlocks the Colosseum for construction. |
Rome’s far-reaching bonuses set it apart, overshadowing many other civilizations represented. The civilization capitalizes on free infantry units, increased settlement capacity, and powerful units, all while maintaining a strong cultural foundation.
Recommended Leaders:
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus
A-Tier
Just shy of the S-tier, the Persians and Mauryans demonstrate solid potential.
Persia
Persia shines as a notable military civilization during the Antiquity Age, equipped with a powerful unit known as the Immortal and special narrative events providing additional units.
| Bonus |
|---|
| Infantry units obtain +3 Combat Strength when attacking. |
| +30% Production towards constructing the Gate Of All Nations. |
| Immortal – Unique infantry unit that gains 15HP after defeating an enemy. |
| Hazarapatis – Unique Persian army commander who benefits from the Initiative Promotion. |
| Pairidaeza – Unique improvement that yields +1 Culture and Gold. |
While Persia may appear less powerful compared to Rome at first glance due to fewer bonuses, it still excels in military domination. The Immortal offers excellent sustainability with healing after defeating enemies, and the Hazarapatis stands out with initial advantages. Many Persian benefits are hidden within their tech tree and narrative features.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Spada | Grants -1 maintenance for all units and the Kara policy providing a 50% production boost for unit training. |
| Archaemenid Empire | Provides +5 Gold for each different civilization from which you’ve captured a settlement. Mastery enhances settlement limits and grants the Shahanshah policy granting +3 Combat Strength for units in enemy territories. |
Persia specializes in rapidly amassing troops and invading neighboring civilizations, though maintaining happiness in captured territories can prove challenging due to limited settlement capacities.
Best Leaders:
- Cyrus
- Xerxes
Maurya
The Maurya have a strong early game advantage by allowing an extra Pantheon choice, often aligning with leader strategies that leverage high happiness levels. Celebrations stemming from excess happiness yield powerful benefits in Civilization 7, hence their placement in higher ranks.
| Bonus |
|---|
| Allows an extra Pantheon selection upon researching Mysticism. |
| +30% Production when constructing the Sanchi Stupa. |
| Unique settler, Nagarika, offers +2 Happiness on city halls. |
| Purabhettarah unique cavalry unit, gaining +5 combat strength against fortified districts. |
| Matha unique quarter, granting a 10% happiness bonus in the settlement. |
| Dharamshala unique building with +3 Happiness and +1 Science adjacency for quarters and wonders. |
| Vihara unique building offering +3 Happiness and +1 Culture adjacency for mountains and wonders. |
The Mauryans excel in generating substantial happiness through their unique buildings and settler bonuses, complemented by strong civics.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Acharya | Unlocks the Dharamshala and Vihara as well as the Charvaka policy, enhancing happiness for science buildings. |
| Ayurveda | Provides healing bonuses for the Purabhettarah and offers a policy that generates gold based on surplus happiness. |
| Vyuham | Grants combat strength bonuses for adjacent infantry and cavalry units, along with a policy enhancing happiness from military buildings. |
| Mantriparishad | Augments yields in non-founded settlements and increases settlement limits, while also providing boosts for science from surplus happiness. |
The Maurya represent a unique balance between military prowess and happiness; achieving this balance can yield considerable advantages.
Recommended Leaders:
- Ashoka
Han
With interesting bonuses and unique units, the Han appear slightly weaker than civilizations in higher tiers, primarily due to minimal powerful tile yields generated by unique buildings and quarters.
| Bonus |
|---|
| The capital and new towns gain an additional population upon their first growth event. |
| +30% production for constructing the Weiyang Palace. |
| Chu Ko Nu – A unique unit that inflicts zoning control, boasting higher base defense strength. |
| Shi Dafu – A great person acquired when a city reaches 10 population, with a chance to unlock a random great person. |
| Great Wall – A unique improvement offering +2 Culture and +1 Happiness for each adjacent segment, providing a combat strength bonus during defense. |
The Chu Ko Nu unit is excellent for defending your empire, especially when synergizing with the Great Wall. The Han civilization shows potential on higher difficulties, where aggressive AI is common.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Zhi | Unlocks the Great Wall and provides science adjacency for buildings and increased settlement limits. |
| Li | Grants +2 influence in the palace and a policy enhancing influence on science buildings. |
| Yi | Bestows combat strength bonuses on the Chu Ko Nu when defending and provides additional influence bonuses. |
| Junzi | Offers +10% Science in the capital while allowing the unlocking of the Weiyang Palace. |
The Han’s civic tree shines, enhancing influence generation and additional combat strength.
Recommended Leaders:
- Liu Bang
B-Tier
These civilizations suffer from insufficient bonuses and yields, suggesting they could benefit from balance adjustments.
Mississippian
Taking a closer look at the Mississippian bonuses reveals that they lack impactful advantages. Their Burning Arrow unit might be formidable, but their unique trader does not measure up, while the Potkop building offers minimal food and gold.
| Bonus |
|---|
| All buildings receive +1 Food adjacency for resources. |
| +30% production towards constructing Monk’s Mound. |
| Burning Arrow Unique Unit – Enhanced bombard strength and combat advantage against siege units. |
| Watonathi Unique Merchant – Yields 25 gold per resource in the connected trade route city. |
| Potkop unique improvement – Adds +1 Gold and +1 Food for adjacent resources. |
Despite the Burning Arrow‘s potential, the Mississippians struggle with strategy; we rarely see the AI produce siege equipment, rendering the combat advantage largely irrelevant.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Earthworks | Unlocks the Potkop and boosts construction efficiency. |
| Waahih | Expands Burning Arrows range for pillaging and enhances ranged combat units. |
| Cah-nah-ha | Increases resource capacity and includes a policy boosting gold for imported resources. |
Overall, the Mississippian civilization seems directionless with weak bonuses, potentially compelling trade opportunities that remain weak on the whole.
Recommended Leaders:
- None specified.
Aksum
The Aksum civilization focuses heavily on trade, yet their unique unit, the Dhow, is only effective on specific map types and often depends on finding coastal cities to thrive.
| Bonus |
|---|
| Grants +2 Gold on resources. |
| +30% production for constructing the Great Stele. |
| Dhow – A unique naval unit with added combat strength on the coast and a trade route creation charge. |
| Tankwa – A trading ship that cannot be pillaged and boasts increased trade route range. |
| Hawlit unique improvement – Adds +2 Gold and +1 Culture for neighboring Wonders. |
Though the Aksum civilization can shine in Archipelago maps, challenges arise with scarce coastal trade opportunities, coupled with aggressive AI enhancing their naval combat prowess.
Civic Tree Overview
| Civic | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea | Unlocks the Hawilt and expands resource capacity in coastal settlements. |
| Monumentum Adulitanum | Awards cultural bonuses for improvements, while enhancing gold yields from coastal locations. |
| Book Of The Himyarites | Improves Dhow maneuverability and enhances cultural yields from adjacent coast resources. |
Overall, while Aksum is a trade-focused civilization that can be enjoyable to play, its reliance on coastal positioning and limited strategic options hampers its overall effectiveness.
This evaluation provides insights into civilization strengths and weaknesses during the Antiquity Age in Civ 7, helping you make informed decisions in your gameplay.
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