The Ultimate Guide to the Top Civ 6 Leaders That Will Leave You Excited for Civilization 7!

Highlights

Civilization 6's diverse approaches to victory have contributed to its stellar reviews and replayability, offering multiple ways to win against the AI.

Certain leaders in Civilization 6 possess distinct advantages that make them ideal choices for beginners or players seeking a direct route to success. Abraham Lincoln, Hammurabi, Yongle, Amanitore, and Jayavarman, among others, exhibit exceptional abilities and perks, cementing their status as the game's top leaders.

History is represented in video games, and the Strategy genre features a linear timeline game progression from ancient times to the present. Age of Empires was a popular game in the late 90s and continues to hold significance. It influenced other successful games like Rise of Nations, which focus on technological advancements and conquest. Sid Meier's Civilization, an even older franchise than Age of Empires, stands out with its leader-focused gameplay. The most recent edition, Civilization 6, offers a wide variety of iconic figures for players to choose from, some of whom are considered the best leaders in the game.

One of the reasons for Civilization 6's positive reviews is its diverse approaches to victory. Instead of the traditional "Hulk Smash" conquering trope, the developers at Firaxis introduced multiple ways to win against the AI, adding depth and strategy. The game continues to release new content, such as Leader Packs and the New Frontier Pass, to enhance replayability. Each leader has unique perks that make achieving specific victory conditions easier, and a few leaders have abilities that can dominate a playthrough, making them popular choices for beginners or players looking for an easier path to victory. This success should be replicated in Civ 7.

Abraham Lincoln

Sometimes, later additions in a game can bring out the best parts. In the case of Civilization 6, the inclusion of Abraham Lincoln in the Great Negotiators pack has been widely praised as a brilliant move. Lincoln's exceptional military skills make him an excellent choice for Domination victories. His special perk allows players to produce melee units by completing Industrial Zones, providing them with the necessary resources to overpower opponents. Despite the expectation that the leaders in the Great Negotiators pack would excel in Diplomacy victories, Abraham Lincoln's penchant for conquest in Civilization 6 solidifies his position as one of the game's top leaders.

Hammurabi

Since joining the Civilization 6 realm through the Babylon DLC, Hammurabi has gained a reputation as an overpowered character, excelling in both the fields of Science and Domination. His primary strength lies in Science, as the Babylon Civilization unlocks a technology whenever they achieve a Eureka moment, allowing players to rapidly progress through the Tech Tree. With careful planning to overcome Babylon's expensive outright technology purchases, players can choose to strive for a Science victory or shift towards Domination once they have outpaced the AI leaders. This multifaceted approach has made Hammurabi a beloved character among Civ 6 enthusiasts.

Yongle

China has the most leaders in Civilization 6, and Yongle is at the forefront of every player's checklist. Introduced in the Rulers of China DLC, Yongle's Lijia ability offers a range of versatile applications for gamers. It allows them to generate Food, Gold, or even Faith quickly, although it comes with a production reduction. Additionally, Yongle's Science and Culture gains per population point accumulate rapidly throughout a Civilization 6 playthrough, making these boosts highly favored by fans.

Amanitore

For players who enjoy strategy and construction, the Queen of the Nubians is a popular choice. The Nubian Pyramids have the potential to receive significant tile bonuses when surrounded by well-developed areas. Additionally, the Nubians' Pitati Archer is faster and more efficient than regular archers. With Amanitore's Kandake of Meroe ability, production can be greatly boosted by properly placing Pyramids. Overall, the Nubians are a strong contender for achieving any Victory condition.

Jayavarman

Religious leaders in Civilization 6 can be challenging to master, but Jayavarman's unique advantages make him an appealing choice for players. His Grand Baray ability boosts food production for farms near aqueducts, while the Khmer Domrey's powerful ranged attacks can devastate enemies in battle. With these bonuses, Jayavarman stands among the best leaders in Civilization 6.

You can play Civilization 6 on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.