While history often glorifies warriors, it is the visionaries who truly shape its narrative. The most impactful empires were not solely built on military might or natural resources; they thrived because they embraced progress and innovation.
For instance, the Roman Empire’s influence on governance, the Abbasid Caliphate’s role in preserving and enhancing knowledge, and the Enlightenment’s scientific movements are pivotal to our contemporary understanding of civilization.
The legacies of these societies extended far beyond their territorial limits, birthing inventions that redefined civilizations and left a lasting mark on history.
In the realm of Civilization VII, the leaders who propel scientific advancements echo this significant legacy. Their economic prowess accelerates research, turning cities into hubs of innovation while their technologically advanced armies outmatch their competition.
As one of the most dynamic titles in the franchise, Civ 7 offers players a unique opportunity to mold their civilizations. If you aspire to dominate the scientific arena, consider the following leaders for your empire or alliances.
10 Ashoka, World Renouncer
Science Through Stability
Ashoka’s empire epitomizes stability. Each city maintains a self-sufficient ecosystem, fostering growth without hindrance to its specialists.
With an excess of happiness converted into additional food, and celebratory events further enhancing food production, his empire sustains continuous expansion.
Additionally, his infrastructure benefits from +1 happiness adjacency to improvements, creating a sustainable growth cycle. While his research may not be rapid initially, Ashoka’s cities eventually propel his empire forward autonomously.
However, cautious players must be aware that his slow start may leave him trailing behind rivals early in the game. Patience with Ashoka pays off, as he excels in the late game—if he can reach that phase in a competitive position.
9 Napoleon, Emperor of France
Science Through Conflict
Napoleon flourishes amidst turmoil. His Continental System restricts enemy trade, slowing their research while he benefits from war, gaining valuable resources.
His economy swells with +8 gold per age for each hostile neighbor, providing the funds necessary for rapid technological advancement. By negating outside collaboration, he channels all efforts into enhancing his military and scientific exploits.
However, his influence wanes quickly in peacetime. Napoleon’s strategy focuses on hindering other nations to maintain his lead, thriving on conflict as a vehicle for progress. If opponents resist this dynamic, he may find himself at a considerable disadvantage.
8 Charlemagne, Father of Europe
Science Through Military and Happiness
Charlemagne’s approach to research is rooted in happy expansion. His scientific buildings reap the benefits of adjacency bonuses from happiness, creating a thriving ecosystem for growth.
Moreover, each celebration generates additional cavalry units, keeping his military forces ready and strong, especially during jubilant periods when his cavalry gains +5 combat strength.
Maintaining ceaseless celebrations is crucial, as any lapse can significantly slow his research output. A rhythm of festivities, growth, and technological advancement is vital; disruption can lead to stagnation.
7 Xerxes, The Achaemenid
Science Through Trade
Xerxes leverages commerce for rapid research advancement. Establishing trade routes enhances his economic footprint, leading directly to heightened technological progress.
His empire reaps +50 culture and 100 gold per age from developing infrastructure, bolstering a robust economic cycle that fuels innovation.
However, a disruption in trade through conflict or sanctions can stagnate his scientific momentum. When surrounded by allies, Xerxes remains unstoppable, but opposition can hinder his progress to a standstill.
6 Himiko, Queen of Wa
Science Through Diplomacy
Himiko integrates her research strategies with strong diplomatic ties. Her Friend of Wei proclivity grants a valuable +25% science boost to her and allied nations, demonstrating her reliance on partnerships.
Each supportive leader adds +4 science per age to her empire’s output, fortifying a scalable technology transfer as long as relationships are intact.
When alliances falter, her research capabilities decline. Although she thrives on collaboration, a fracture in trust can quickly derail her scientific momentum.
5 Trung Trac, Hai Ba Trung
Science Through War
Trung Trac channels the chaos of war into scientific advancements. Starting the game with a strong army commander, she ensures control over early encounters.
Her units progress 20% faster in experience through battles, and cities located in tropical areas produce a +10% science yield, doubling during wartime, effectively making conflicts a springboard for research.
Her strategy aligns well with historical instances where militarized nations gained technological insights through resource acquisition and conflict. Nevertheless, in peaceful scenarios, her research diminishes markedly, emphasizing a cyclical need for aggression.
4 Catherine the Great, Star of the North
Science Through Culture
Catherine utilizes culture to drive scientific inquiry. Each masterpiece creates +2 culture per age, establishing a reliable cycle of civic and technological progress.
Her architecture boasts additional slots for great works, ensuring her empire remains at the forefront of intellectual thought. Unique to her strategy, cities founded in tundra regions can convert 25% of culture into science, making them invaluable.
When cultural production is strong, her advancements flourish. However, any slowdown in great works directly impacts her research potential, underscoring the interconnected nature of culture and science.
3 Friedrich Oblique, Berlin Academy
Science Through Military Strategy
Like Trung Trac, Friedrich sees no separation between warfare and research; they are intrinsically linked in his philosophy.
His commanders benefit from a +1 command radius, enhancing strategic organization during battles, while every scientific facility contributes a free infantry unit, merging military growth with research.
Tactically, military infrastructure generates scientific output, creating a direct correlation between conquest and research advancement. However, a lull in hostilities can allow others to surpass his scientific progress.
2 Confucius, Cheese
Science Through Population Growth
Confucius excels at building a burgeoning civilization from the fundamental levels. His cities experience a 25% growth rate increase, allowing specialists to emerge more quickly and in higher quantities.
Each specialist contributes +2 science, effectively multiplying research capabilities alongside urban expansion. His legacy promotes sustainable research growth, ensuring his civilization remains competitive.
Though he may start slowly, once his cities achieve peak productivity, there is little standing in his way—unless faced by an exceptionally aggressive opponent.
1 Benjamin Franklin, The First American
Science Through Everything
It’s no surprise to see Benjamin Franklin occupying the top position in this discussion.
Franklin’s relentless pursuit of progress is evident through his automatic scaling research capabilities, enhanced by production buildings yielding +1 science per age. His ability to run dual endeavors effectively accelerates research velocity, enabling advancements unmatched by other leaders.
Each mastered technology or civic garners an additional 50 influence, ensuring he excels in both diplomacy and scientific leadership. Franklin maintains an unyielding momentum that places him at the forefront of scientific advancement.
While the competition among the top three is fierce, Franklin’s systematic advantages create a strong foundation for sustained success in the domain of scientific discovery.
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