You've probably heard the rumors. Or maybe you've seen the trailers and thought, "Wait, why is Benjamin Franklin leading a bunch of spear-wielding warriors in 3000 BCE?"
Honestly, the new system for Civilization 7 leaders is a total trip. It’s a massive departure from the "one leader, one civ" rule we've lived by for decades.
Basically, Firaxis decided to blow up the old model. Now, you pick a leader who stays with you for the whole game—from the first hut to the first Mars colony—while your civilization actually evolves and changes every time you hit a new Age. It’s weird. It’s bold. And if you’re trying to figure out who to pick for your first run, it’s kinda overwhelming.
The Big Shift: It's Not Your Grandpa's Civ
In previous games, if you picked Gandhi, you were India. Period.
In Civ 7, things are decoupled. You can take Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire, and have him lead the Maya in the Antiquity Age. Later, you might transition into the Songhai during the Exploration Age and finish as Modern-Age Mexico.
It sounds like a chaotic fever dream. But the devs (including Creative Director Ed Beach) argue that history is built in layers. Your leader is the constant thread, while your culture adapts to the times.
The New "Attribute" Grind
Forget static bonuses. Civilization 7 leaders now have RPG-style skill trees. You earn Attribute Points through narrative events, building Wonders, or hitting "Legacy" milestones.
There are six flavors of points:
- Cultural: For the wonder-hiders and masterpiece-collectors.
- Diplomatic: If you like making friends (or manipulating them).
- Economic: Because gold literally buys everything now, including city upgrades.
- Expansionist: For the "I need every tile" players.
- Militaristic: Pretty self-explanatory—hitting things harder.
- Scientific: For the tech-rush addicts.
You aren't locked into one path. You can play a militaristic Amina but dump all your points into Diplomacy if the map puts you in a tight spot. It's flexible.
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Every Confirmed Leader (So Far)
We’ve got a massive roster. Some are classic conquerors; others are philosophers or scientists who would have never been "leaders" in older games.
The Heavy Hitters
- Augustus (Rome): He’s the culture king. His ability lets him straight-up purchase Culture buildings in Towns with Gold. It’s a huge shortcut for expanding your borders without waiting for production.
- Amina (Hausa): A powerhouse for resources. She gets more out of the map than most, and she’s a "natural" bridge to the Songhai civilization.
- Ashoka (Maurya): He comes in two "Personas." World Conqueror is for the warmongers who want to buff their troops through Celebrations. World Renouncer is for the pacifists who want to scale their empire through internal growth.
- Benjamin Franklin (USA): A science-heavy pick. He’s great for players who want to lean into the new "Power" mechanics in the Modern Age.
The Wildcards
- Confucius: This is where it gets interesting. He isn't a king. He’s a philosopher. His perk gives a massive +25% Growth Rate in Cities. If you want a "tall" empire with massive populations, he’s your guy.
- Himiko (Yamatai): Another leader with Personas. Her High Shaman version is arguably the best culture producer in the game right now.
- Harriet Tubman: This was a surprise for a lot of people. She’s built for "stealth" and influence. She gets half-price espionage actions, which in Civ 7, is a broken way to steal techs and civics from neighbors.
The Rest of the Launch Crew
| Leader | Specialty | Key Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Catherine the Great | Tundra / Culture | Making cold land actually useful. |
| Charlemagne | Military / Science | The "Paladin" playstyle. Strong tech, stronger swords. |
| Hatshepsut | Culture / Trade | Building wonders faster than everyone else. |
| Ibn Battuta | Trade / Exploration | Versatile. Great for finding those Natural Wonders first. |
| Isabella | Naval / Gold | If there’s water, she’s S-Tier. Huge discounts on ships. |
| Machiavelli | Diplomacy / Gold | The "devious" pick. He gains Influence and Gold for being a puppet master. |
| Napoleon Bonaparte | Military / Ambition | Emperor persona focuses on trade blockades; Revolutionary is about pure force. |
| Pachacuti | Mountains / Food | The mountain-dweller's dream. |
| Tecumseh | Diplomacy / City-States | He’s the king of alliances. |
| Xerxes | Expansion / Trade | King of Kings loves conquest; The Achaemenid is more about trade yields. |
Why "Personas" Actually Matter
You’ll notice names like Friedrich (Baroque) and Friedrich (Oblique).
These aren't just skins. Personas change the Leader’s Unique Ability and their AI Agenda. Friedrich Baroque wants to use war to gain Great Works, while Oblique is more about tactical combat.
It’s Firaxis’s clever way of reusing leader models while giving us totally different gameplay loops. It’s also a way for them to sell "Content Packs" like the Founders or Deluxe editions, which come with these extra personas right at launch.
What Most People Miss: The "Natural" Path
While you can lead anyone as anyone, there’s a benefit to sticking to history.
If you play as Napoleon, you are guaranteed the option to pick the French Empire when you hit the Modern Age. If you're playing as a random leader, you might have to earn that choice by completing specific quests (like having enough horse resources to unlock Mongolia).
Following the "historical" path usually gives you smoother synergies. But honestly? Half the fun of Civ 7 is going to be seeing how José Rizal handles leading the Abbasids.
How to Win Your First Game
If you’re looking for the path of least resistance, here is the "Meta" advice for 2026:
- Pick for the Long Haul: Remember, your leader's ability needs to be useful in the Modern Age, not just the first 50 turns. Augustus’s ability to buy culture stays relevant forever.
- Specialization is King: Don't try to be average at everything. If you pick Lafayette, commit to the Militaristic attribute tree early. The buffs stack up.
- Watch the Diplomacy: Influence is a much bigger deal now. Leaders like Machiavelli can basically buy their way out of a war or force an AI to become their vassal without firing a single shot.
The most important thing to remember is that Civilization 7 leaders are now essentially your "class" in an RPG. Choose the one that fits how you want to play, not just the one that looks cool in the 3D diplomacy screen.
Next time you start a match, try a "mismatch" on purpose. Take a scientific leader like Ada Lovelace and pair her with a war-hungry Antiquity civ like Rome. You might find a combo that breaks the game in the best way possible.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your game edition to see which Personas you have unlocked—specifically the Xerxes and Friedrich variants. Before starting your first campaign, decide on one "Legacy Path" (Scientific, Cultural, etc.) you want to prioritize, as this will dictate which Attributes you should dump your points into during the first Age. For a "power-user" start, try Isabella on a map with high water density; the gold snowball from finding Natural Wonders is currently one of the strongest opening moves in the game.