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Xerses, the Achaemenid, is a trade-centric leader in Civ 7. He begins the game with an extra trade route and gains considerable boosts in culture and gold whenever you create a trade route or construct a road. Trade-focused leaders can sustain high levels of Happiness by utilizing available resources and can enhance their cities with the surplus gold gained through trade.
This guide offers insights into effective early game strategies for playing as the Achaemenid during the Antiquity Age.
Update: February 28, 2025
New images and a section about the best Mementos for The Achaemenid have been added.
We’ve introduced new visuals illustrating Xerses’ leader bonuses and an in-depth overview of the Merchant unit since this leader relies heavily on trade.
Xerses, The Achaemenid Overview
Xerses, the Achaemenid, is essentially a peaceful trader. He benefits significantly from trading and his Unique Buildings.
| +1 Trade Route limit with all leaders. |
| Earn 50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when establishing a Trade Route or Road. |
| Receive +1 Culture and Gold per Age from Unique Buildings and Improvements. |
These advantages are noteworthy. The Improve Trade Relations Endeavor is both affordable and easily repeatable, helping you save on some Influence.
The increased Culture and Gold from Trade Routes and roads accumulates quickly, with modern encounters yielding up to 150 Culture and 150 Gold per route or road.
You can utilize Merchants to construct roads instead of only sending them out for trade. This strategy makes them valuable while awaiting new trade opportunities.
You also gain additional Culture and Gold from any unique buildings or improvements. While the bonus is modest, by the Modern Age, these Ageless buildings will provide consistent benefits.
Xerses, The Achaemenid Strategy
Here are some early game strategies to excel as Xerses, The Achaemenid.
Early Trade
Merchants become available with the Code of Law civic, which you can research early in the Antiquity Age. This allows you to create your first merchants.
Your main challenge will be identifying settlements that are close enough to establish trade routes. The game does not provide a clear distance indicator, so you may need to produce a merchant only to find out later if trading is possible.
You will receive a free merchant upon researching the Code of Law.
Playing as Xerses, The Achaemenid on Fractal or Archipelago maps enhances your ability for naval trade, allowing for a strong trading strategy early in the game.
Gold Advantage and Development
The ultimate goal as a trading leader is to create an extensive trade network and accumulate a substantial amount of gold.
Gold is a powerful asset in Civ 7; it allows you to quickly develop new towns and fully upgrade cities by purchasing buildings directly.
Your aim should be to achieve the Economic Legacy Path in the Antiquity Age, which enables you to keep towns turned into cities when you advance to the Exploration Age.
The Economic Golden Age for the Exploration Age isn’t particularly impactful; it just means you won’t have to spend gold again on upgrading towns. If you manage to earn another Legacy Path Golden Age, consider pursuing those instead of the Economic one.
Early Tech, Civics, and Scouting
When playing as Xerses, it’s advisable to produce three Scouts. This will help you explore other players’ territories, locate their cities, and possibly settle nearby for early trading opportunities.
Be cautious when settling too close to AI cities, as it can lead to relationship penalties. Avoid placing a town directly on their capital to prevent unnecessary conflict.
During the early game, prioritize Production. Research Animal Husbandry and Pottery for their production boosts, followed by Masonry and Masonry II before progressing to Code of Law.
Best Civilization for Xerses, The Achaemenid
For optimal performance, choose a civilization that emphasizes trading. Aksum stands out due to its unique trading ship, the Dhow and Tankwa, which is available even before you unlock the Code of Law, enabling early game trading if there’s a nearby city.
Additionally, consider acquiring the Pochtecha Backpack Memento, which offers +5 trade route range—valuable during the Antiquity Age.
In the Exploration Age, continue to focus on trade by selecting the Chola. This choice allows for rapid exploration of distant lands, the establishment of towns on islands, and the collection of valuable treasure resources.
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