Civ 5 Tier List (April 2024) – Best Civilizations Ranked

Get ready for an exciting journey through the world of Civilization 5! In this comprehensive guide, we’re unveiling the top civilizations in the game. From the most beginner-friendly options to the ultimate challenge for experienced players, this Civ 5 Tier List has got you covered.

So buckle up and let’s dive into the world of Civilization 5!

Civilization 5 is a popular turn-based strategy game that has been captivating players for over a decade now.

Players take on the role of a historical leader and lead their civilization from ancient times to the modern era. With a wide variety of civilizations to choose from, it can be tough to determine which one is the best for you.

To help you out, we’ve created a comprehensive Civilization 5 tier list to rank the top civilizations in the game based on their strengths and weaknesses.

May 22, 2023 – We made changes & updated our Civ 5 Tier List

Civ 5 – S Tier Civilizations

The crème de la crème. These are powerhouses in their own right and will give you an edge in the game. Whether you want to dominate or just have an easier time, these civs are worth your attention. If you’re looking to kick off your Civilization 5 journey with a bang, then these leaders and civilizations are a great place to start.

  • Poland (Casimir III)
  • Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar II)
  • Persia (Darius I)

Civ 5 – A Tier Civilizations

These civilizations pack a punch but fall just short of being in the top tier. They’re still solid options if you’re looking to start strong in Civ 5, but they might not be as dominant as the S-tier leaders.

  • America (Washington)
  • Korea (Sejong)
  • The Inca (Pachacuti)
  • Mayans (Pacal)
  • The Huns (Atilla)
  • Arabia (Harun al-Rashid)
  • Greece (Alexander)
  • England (Elizabeth)
  • Songhai (Askia)
  • The Zulu (Shaka)

Related: Rise of Kingdoms Tier List

Civ 5 – B Tier Civilizations

Image source: Civilization VI, Firaxis Games, 2K Games

The civilizations in the B tier have some impressive traits, but they may not measure up to the top-tier options. While they can still provide a solid foundation in your game, they may not be as powerful as those in the A and S ranked in our Civ 5 tier list.

  • Germany (Bismarck)
  • Russia (Catherine)
  • The Aztecs (Montezuma)
  • Sweden (Gustavus Adolphus)
  • Mongolia (Genghis Khan)
  • Spain (Isabella)
  • China (Wu Zetian)

Civ 5 – C Tier Civilizations

Image source: Civilization VI, Firaxis Games, 2K Games

These Civs and leaders may not be the strongest, but they still have some playability. Playing with them may not guarantee an easy win, but they can be fun to play with nonetheless. They might not be the ideal option for those seeking a dominating start in Civilization 5.

  • Brazil (Pedro II)
  • The Shoshone (Pocatello)
  • Denmark (Harald Bluetooth)
  • Egypt (Ramesses II)
  • Siam (Ramkhamhaeng)
  • Polynesia (Kamehameha)

Related: cEDH Best Commanders Tier List

Civ 5 – D Tier Civilizations

Civ 5 - D Tier Civilizations
Image source: Civilization VI, Firaxis Games, 2K Games

The Civs and leaders in the bottom tier are not as strong as those higher up on the list. Although they may have unique benefits, they don’t measure up to the more balanced and capable leaders found in the higher tiers of the Civ 5 tier list.

  • The Netherlands (William)
  • Ethiopia (Haile Selassie)
  • Celtic (Boudicca)
  • Japan (Oda Nobunaga)

Which is the best civilization in Civ 5?

Poland is often considered one of the best civilizations in Civilization 5 due to several reasons.

Firstly, Poland’s unique ability, Solidarity provides a bonus to both culture and production for each city with a different religion. This allows Poland to have a strong cultural influence as well as efficient production, making them a versatile civilization.

Secondly, Poland is led by King Casimir III, who has a unique ability that increases the civilization’s culture and religion output. This allows Poland to spread its influence and grow its civilization faster than other civilizations.

Finally, Poland also has access to a unique unit called the Winged Hussar, which is a powerful cavalry unit that can be very effective in battles. These units are highly mobile and can deal significant damage to enemy units, making them an essential part of Poland’s military arsenal.

In conclusion, Poland’s combination of strong military capabilities, fast civilization growth, and unique abilities make it one of the best civilizations in Civilization 5.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Civilization 5 is a complex and challenging game that requires players to balance military power, economic power, and cultural influence to achieve victory. Whether you prefer a military victory, cultural victory, scientific victory, or diplomatic victory, Civilization 5 offers many different paths to victory and a great deal of replayability. While you’re here you should also read our Civ 5 Wonder tier list.

Our Civilization 5 tier list is subjective and may vary based on individual playstyle and strategy. However, the civilizations listed above should give players a good starting point when deciding which civilization to play as. Regardless of which civilization you choose, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game. Happy playing!

Also, don’t forget to check out our Civ 6 Tier List if you’re playing the newer version.

Civilization 5 – FAQ

What is Civilization 5?

Civilization 5 is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. The game was released in 2010 and allows players to control a civilization from ancient times to the modern era. Players build cities, research technologies, and compete with other civilizations for world domination.

How many civilizations are in Civilization 5?

Civilization 5 features 43 different civilizations, each with its own unique strengths, weaknesses, and leaders. The civilizations include the Americans, Arabs, Aztecs, Babylonians, Chinese, Egyptians, English, French, Germans, Greeks, Indians, Iroquois, Japanese, Koreans, Mayans, Mongols, Persians, and Romans.

What makes a civilization strong in Civilization 5?

A strong civilization in Civilization 5 is one that has a good balance of military power, economic power, and cultural influence. A civilization that has a strong army can defend itself and conquer other civilizations, while a civilization with a strong economy can produce resources quickly and build up its infrastructure. A civilization with a strong cultural influence can spread its culture and gain political power through diplomacy.

What is the victory condition in Civilization 5?

The victory condition in Civilization 5 is to achieve one of several different victory types, including military victory, cultural victory, scientific victory, or diplomatic victory. Military victory requires players to conquer all other civilizations, cultural victory requires players to spread their culture and influence throughout the world, scientific victory requires players to develop advanced technologies, and diplomatic victory requires players to gain the support of the United Nations.

How do you win a cultural victory in Civilization 5?

To win a cultural victory in Civilization 5, players need to spread their culture and influence throughout the world. This can be done by building cultural structures, such as museums and theaters, and by winning cultural competitions, such as the World Leader competition. The player with the most cultural points at the end of the game wins the cultural victory.

How do you win a scientific victory in Civilization 5?

To win a scientific victory in Civilization 5, players need to develop advanced technologies. Players must research and develop technologies in various fields, including physics, biology, and engineering.


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About Dan

Dan - Meta Tier ListDan is an avid RPG gamer who finds solace and excitement in the world of virtual adventures. As a fan of berserker characters wielding massive swords, he escapes the monotony of everyday life and channels his frustrations into thrilling quests. In addition to his gaming prowess, Dan enjoys writing gaming guides and staying up to date with the latest industry news. Join him on his epic journeys and tap into the raw power of the berserker.

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