The Ultimate Civ 6 Leader Ranking (2023): Who Reigns Supreme?

S-Tier

The Civilization 6 Leader Pass has expanded the game's already vast roster with 12 new Leaders and 6 alternate Personas, providing players with more options to lead their favorite civilizations to triumph. While not all of the new Leaders are exceptional, some have become among the most influential in Civilization 6.

Leader abilities typically have a more significant impact on a civilization than their unique unit or building. They alter the way a civilization is played, and in Civilization 6, the disparity between the best and worst Leader abilities can determine the outcome of the game.

These Civilization 6 Leaders are the cream of the crop, with universally beneficial abilities and the capability to dominate in almost any scenario. Whether it's the industrial powerhouse of Victoria in the Age of Steam or the formidable cavalry forces of Byzantine's Basil II, these elite Leaders are the ones to choose.

Leader

Civilization

Abraham Lincoln

America

Amanitore

Nubia

Basil II

Byzantium

Matthias Corvinus and Sejong: Two Strong Leaders in Civilization 6

A-Tier

Looking for a strong choice of leaders in Civilization 6? Look no further than Matthias Corvinus and Sejong. While not quite as dominant as the S-Tier Leaders, both of these leaders have unique abilities that can make them a powerful choice on almost all maps.

Matthias Corvinus, leader of Hungary, has powerful levied armies that can sweep the globe. His Black Army units are stronger and cheaper than regular units, making him a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Plus, he can levy units from city-states without incurring grievances, making him a popular choice for those who want to expand their armies quickly.

On the other hand, Sejong, leader of Korea, balances Culture and Science Output. His unique ability, Three Kingdoms, allows him to gain science from mines and culture from farms, making him a great choice for players who want to advance quickly in both areas. He also has a unique building, the Seowon, which replaces the campus and provides additional science and culture.

Overall, if you're looking for a strong choice of leaders in Civilization 6, Matthias Corvinus and Sejong are definitely worth considering.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

England and France

Elizabeth

England

Hojo Tokimune

Japan

João III

Portugal

Matthias Corvinus

Hungary

Saladin (Vizier)

Arabia

Sejong

All the leaders on this list have unique abilities that can help them secure a victory in Civilization 6. Among them, Kristina stands out with her impressive Great Work bonuses that can rapidly propel her towards a Culture Victory. Lady Six Sky's closely-located cities can also give her an economic edge over her opponents. Other notable leaders include Seondeok of Korea, Sundiata Keita of Mali, Tokugawa of Japan, and Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

B-Tier

Civilization

Ambiorix

Gauls

Ba Trieu

Vietnam

Cleopatra (Egyptian)

Egypt

Dido

Phoenicia

Frederick Barbarossa

Germany

Gitarja

Indonesia

Gorgo

Greece

John Curtin

Australia

Kristina

Sweden

Kublai Khan

China and Mongolia

Lady Six Sky

Maya

Ludwig II

Germany

Mansa Musa

Mali

Menelik

Ethiopia

Nader Shah

Persia

Nzinga Mbande

Kongo

Pachacuti

Inca

Pericles

Greece

Peter

Russia

Saladin (Sultan)

Arabia

Shaka

Zulu

Simon Bolivar

Gran Colombia

Suleiman (Lawgiver)

Ottoman Empire

Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose)

America

Theodora

Byzantium

Victoria (Age of Empire)

C-Tier

When it comes to the leaders in Civilization 6, there are some that stand out from the rest. One such leader is Wilfrid Laurier of Canada, who is known for his diplomatic prowess and ability to create strong alliances. His unique ability, The Last Best West, allows him to gain extra territory when he founds a new city, making him a formidable opponent on any map type. While he may not have the most powerful situational abilities, his overall strength as a leader cannot be denied. Other notable leaders on this list include Alexander of Macedon and Catherine de Medici of France, both of whom bring their own unique strengths and weaknesses to the game. And with the recent addition of Chandragupta, players now have even more options when it comes to choosing a leader to guide their civilization to victory.

India

Cleopatra (Ptolemaic)

Egypt

Cyrus

Persia

Genghis Khan

Mongolia

Harald Hardrada (Last Viking)

Norway

Jadwiga

Poland

Kupe

Maori

Lautaro

Mapuche

Pedro

Brazil

Poundmaker

Cree

Qin Shi Huang (Mandate Of Heaven)

China

Ramesses

Egypt

Teddy Roosevelt (Rough Rider)

America

Trajan

D-Tier

While some Leaders in Civilization 6 may have a tougher time achieving victory, there are those who excel with their powerful abilities and unique traits. Among them are Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire, known for his formidable Janissary units, and Wu Zetian of China, who can boost her civilization's culture output with unique buildings.

Leader

Civilization

Suleiman (Magnificent)

Ottoman Empire

Wu Zetian

China

India

Gilgamesh

Sumeria

Harald Hardrada (Varangian)

Norway

Julius Caesar

Rome

Montezuma

Aztecs

Mvemba a Nzinga

Kongo

Philip

Spain

Qin Shi Huang (Unifier)

China

Robert the Bruce

Scotland

Tamar

Georgia

Tomyris

Scythia

Civilization 6 is available for iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.