Since King Narmer first unified Egypt, the influence of armies has been pivotal in the rise and fall of civilizations. Warfare is not merely a chaotic endeavor; it has the power to unite nations, establish dynasties, and determine the course of human history. For some, the notion of violence may seem repugnant, yet astute leaders recognize war as a crucial instrument. In the context of Civilization VII, the most effective rulers understand that military might isn’t simply a means of survival; it is essential for control.
Each civilization possesses military capabilities, but leaders differ in their approaches. Some adopt a reactive stance, defending their territory only when threatened, while others take proactive measures, expanding their empires through conquest, managing threats, and stabilizing regions post-conflict.
The most successful empires are forged by leaders who seize conflict as a stepping stone, transforming fractured territories into cohesive entities where culture, trade, and innovation flourish under a powerful leader. These are the commanders you want championing your military forces.
10 Benjamin Franklin: The First American
War Runs on Industry
Although Benjamin Franklin may not engage in battle himself, he actively supports those who do. His unique ability to enhance production buildings by +50% accelerates his empire’s growth, while gaining +1 science per age from production buildings ensures that his technological advancements align with expansion.
Franklin becomes a key industrial player in protracted wars by funding powerful military forces.His aptitude for managing dual ventures allows him to maintain military initiatives while others lag behind.
Instead of forming a traditional battlefield army, he constructs a robust war economy. His infrastructure never falters, though he prefers strategic influence over frontline combat.
9 Lafayette: Hero of Two Worlds
Balanced War and Diplomacy
Lafayette exemplifies strategic warfare combined with diplomatic finesse. His ability to modify policies through a free social policy slot allows him to shift seamlessly between military and economic strategies whenever needed.
With each tradition that he adopts, Lafayette’s troops grow in strength, resulting in an increasingly formidable army as the game progresses.
Settlements in his territories benefit from +2 culture and happiness per age, doubling this bonus in remote locations. Thus, he cultivates a stable framework for enduring warfare.
Though he excels with time to strategize, early aggressors can disrupt his plans, making him vulnerable. When given the necessary duration, he proves to be a potent leader.
8 Tecumseh: Nicaakiyakoolaakwe
The Diplomatic Warrior
Tecumseh skillfully leverages city-state alliances and colonial holdings to create a formidable military network. His units gain +1 combat strength for each city-state suzerainship he holds, allowing his military might to expand alongside his diplomatic reach.
As more city-states fall under his influence, his settlements receive an additional +1 food and production per age per suzerainship.This positions his armies as well-equipped and highly trained; however, their power hinges on maintaining city-state relations.
Should rivals seize these suzerainships, his military edge can diminish, making Tecumseh reliant on diplomacy to bolster his strength against traditional military conquerors.
7 Harriet Tubman: Combahee Raid
Warfare in the Shadows
Harriet Tubman prefers to dictate the timing and nature of conflict rather than waiting for it to arise. Her command of espionage actions, bolstered by a +100% influence, ensures she adeptly uncovers adversaries’ weaknesses, allowing her to strike preemptively.
When rivalling factions declare war, she receives +5 war support for each conflict, enhancing her potency under pressure. Moreover, her units can traverse vegetation without movement penalties, providing effective options for hit-and-run tactics.
Although a master of disruption, her advantages weaken during open combat or lengthy sieges. Tubman thrives in the shadows; she is at a disadvantage in direct confrontations.
6 Amina: Warrior Queen of Zazzau
Open Terrain Dominance
Amina transforms open fields into favorable battlegrounds for her forces. Her units gain +5 combat strength on plains and deserts, rendering them formidable when engaged in such terrain.
With a keen focus on economic foundations for warfare, she benefits from +1 resource capacity per city and receives +1 gold for each resource assigned per age, ensuring her military remains well-resourced.
Her true strength lies in open confrontations; when battles shift to forests or mountainous regions, her advantage diminishes.Amina plays the long game, utilizing economic expansion to establish dominance in open-field combat.
5 Charlemagne: Father of Europe
Cavalry-Focused Warfare
Charlemagne embodies speed and momentum in combat. Celebrations yield two free cavalry units, ensuring his ranks remain robust and ready for action. His cavalry is further enhanced with +5 combat strength during such events, making them exceptionally lethal when morale is at its peak.
His military strategies thrive on swift and decisive warfare, often striking before adversaries can organize a defense.
However, he struggles in defensive scenarios or extended sieges, where cavalry is less effective against entrenched positions. Charlemagne’s victories are best achieved quickly; prolonged conflicts tend to undermine his advantages.
4 Friedrich: Oblique, Berlin Academy
Science and War
Friedrich combines military prowess with intellectual advancement. His commanders benefit from a +1 command radius, enhancing battlefield coordination. The construction of science buildings grants him additional infantry units, fortifying his military capacity as research evolves.
His armies adapt and grow more formidable over time. The synergy between science and warfare is a hallmark of his leadership.
Friedrich flourishes in a realm where scientific progress and military strength reinforce each other. However, a slowdown in research could threaten his military momentum, creating a need for continuous investment in innovation.
3 Ashoka: World Conqueror
The Siege Master
Ashoka dominates in siege warfare, renowned for his ability to conquer urban centers swiftly. Celebrations amplify his combat strength, granting +10 against districts, marking him as a preeminent figure in this specialized military domain.
Once cities fall under his rule, they immediately kickstart productivity with an added +10 production post-capture, allowing his empire to maintain its dynamic pace of growth.
His forces boast rapid unit production, supplemented by +1 production for every five happiness excess.Yet, his success hinges on consistent celebrations; when they coincide with his military actions, his forces cut through cities effortlessly.
2 Trung Trac: Hai Ba Trung
Relentless Battlefield Control
Trung Trac commands the battlefield with relentless intensity. Starting with a level 3 army commander enables her to exert influence over the combat from the outset.Her forces evolve at an accelerated rate, leveling up 20% faster than their counterparts.
Her unique abilities link seamlessly with scientific advancement as well, allowing for +10% research in tropical cities, a bonus that doubles during warfare. Victory is a boon for her empire’s technological development, as commanders generate additional research with every triumph.
Trung Trac excels in aggressive and frequent conflicts, leaving her adversaries to either adapt rapidly or find themselves overwhelmed by her relentless advance.
1 Xerxes: King of Kings, Crusher of Rebellions
The Ultimate Military Leader
Xerxes is a relentless force in Civilization VII, destined for unyielding expansion and triumph in warfare.
Every age witnessed by his empire increases his settlement limit by +1, allowing for uninterrupted conquests.While other leaders may encounter territorial boundaries, Xerxes continues to thrive beyond them.
Furthermore, each victory directly contributes to his wealth, earning +10% gold across all settlements, a boon that doubles in newly conquered areas.His combat forces additionally gain a +3 strength advantage in enemy and neutral territories.
As commanders accrue XP, they lead to increased gold production, turning warfare into a lucrative economic engine. Xerxes embodies relentless ambition—he conquers, he expands, and he evolves. No other leader in Civilization VII compares to him—he stands unmatched in military prowess and expansion.
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