Cleopatra in Civilization 6
Screenshot by Destructoid

Civ 6 leader tier list

Finding the right place for historical figures.

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.

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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

Trajan in Civilization 6
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.

LeaderCivilizationAbility
Abraham LincolnAmericaEmancipation Proclamation
AlexanderMacedonTo the World’s End
AmanitoreNubiaKandake of Meroƫ
Basil IIByzantiumPorphyrogĆ©nnētos
Jayavarman VIIKhmerMonasteries of the King
Matthias CorvinusHungaryRaven King
SeondeokKoreaHwarang
TrajanRomeTrajan’s Column
Victoria (Age of Steam)EnglandAge of Steam
Wilfrid LaurierCanadaThe Last Best West
YongleChinaLijia

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.

LeaderCivilizationAbility
Catherine de Medici (Black Queen)FranceCatherine’s Flying Squadron
CyrusPersiaFall of Babylon
Eleanor of AquitaineEngland and FranceCourt of Love
Elizabeth IEnglandDrake’s Legacy
Frederick BarbarossaGermanyHoly Roman Emperor
Hojo TokimuneJapanDivine Wind
John CurtinAustraliaCitadel of Civilization
Menelik IIEthiopiaCouncil of Ministers
Pedro IIBrazilMagnanimous
PericlesGreeceSurrounded by Glory
PeterRussiaThe Grand Embassy
Saladin (Vizier)ArabiaRighteousness of the Faith
SejongKoreaHangul
Simon BolivarGran ColombiaCampaƱa 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.

LeaderCivilizationAbility
Catherine de Medici (Magnificence)FranceCatherine’s Magnificences
Cleopatra (Egyptian)EgyptMediterranean’s Bride
Cleopatra (Ptolemaic)EgyptArrival of Hapi
Genghis KhanMongoliaMongol Horde
GilgameshSumeriaAdventures of Enkidu
GitarjaIndonesiaExalted Goddess of the Three Worlds
GorgoGreeceThermopylae
JoĆ£o IIIPortugalPorta do Cerco
KristinaSwedenMinerva of the North
KupeMaoriKupe’s Voyage
Lady Six SkyMayaIx Mutal Ajaw
Ludwig IIGermanySwan King
Mansa MusaMaliSahel Merchants
MontezumaAztecGifts for the Tlatoani
PachacutiIncaQhapaq Ƒan
Philip IISpainEl Escorial
Ramses IIEgyptAbu Simbel
ShakaZuluAmabutho
Suleiman (Kanuni)Ottoman EmpireGrand Vizier
Suleiman (Muhteşem)Ottoman EmpireThe Magnificent
Sundiata KeitaMaliSogolon
Teddy Roosevelt (Rough Rider)AmericaRoosevelt Corollary
TheodoraByzantiumMetanoia
TokugawaJapanBakuhan
Victoria (Age of Empire)EnglandPax Britannia
WilhelminaNetherlandsRadio 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.

LeaderCivilizationAbility
AmbiorixGaulKing of the Eburones
Ba TrieuVietnamDrive Out The Aggressors
ChandraguptaIndiaArthashastra
DidoPhoeniciaFounder of Carthage
GandhiIndiaSatyagraha
HammurabiBabylonNinu Ilu Sirum
Harald Hardrara (Konge)NorwayThunderbolt of the North
Harald Hardrada (Varangian)NorwayVarangian Guard
JadwigaPolandLithuanian Union
Julius CaesarRomeVeni, Vidi, Vici
Kublai KhanChinaGerege
LautaroMapucheSwift Hawk
Mvemba a NzingaKongoReligious Convert
Nader ShahPersiaSword of Persia
Nzinga MbandeKongoQueen of Ndongo and Mtamba
PoundmakerCreeFavorable Terms
Quin Shi Huang (Mandate Of Heaven)ChinaThe First Emperor
Quin Shi Huang (Unifier)ChinaThirty-Six Stratagems
Robert the BruceScotlandBannockburn
Saladin (Sultan)ArabiaThe Victorious
TamarGeorgiaGlory of the World, Kingdom and Faith
Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose)AmericaAntiquities and Parks
TomyrisScythiaKiller of Cyrus
Wu ZetianChinaManual of Entrapment

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Daniel Morris
Contributor - Daniel has been a gamer and an avid RPG fan ever since he could hold a controller. A reader of Destructoid since his teenage years, he became a contributor to the site in August 2024.