Civilization: V is the fifth installment of the Civilization series and this game allows the player to lead an old historical civilization into the future and get complete control of its Military, Expansion, Resources, Government, Economy, and Development conquests by achieving different objectives. The civ 5 Tier List divides all the civilizations of the game into several tiers. The following tier list ranking is based on a specific civ 5 civilizations’ pros and cons. It also focuses on every aspect of the civilizations including civ 5 leaders and how easy would it be for one civilization to get the victory.
Key Points
- There are a total of 20 nations ranked in this article.
- The ranking is based on the skills and abilities of the characters.
- Among the best-ranked characters are Poland, Babylon, Korea, and Arabia.
- Among the worst-ranked characters are Persia, India, Netherlands, and Songhai.
Summary
| S Rank | A Rank | B Rank | C Rank | D Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | Egypt | Zulu | America | Persia |
| Babylon | Aztec | Sweden | Spain | India |
| Korea | China | France | Morocco | Netherlands |
| Arabia | Greece | Russia | Mongolia | Songhai |
S Tier
S-TierThe S-tier has the best in-game characters with an overall best survival rate, highest stats, and special abilities. The S in this tier’s name stands for superb or super. The civ 5 civilizations that we think should be in S-tier are as follows.
Poland
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Casimir III |
| Unit | Winged Hussar |
| Replaces | Lancer |
| Building | Ducal Stable |
| Ability | Solidarity |
It is a very unique nation overall and uses the right strategies. It allows the player to use its two special units which are Winged Hussar responsible for Lancer and Uhlan responsible for Calvary Archer. This can give Poland a good ranking in the Civ 5 multiplayer tier list.
In the tier list, Poland is in the S-tier because of its stats, army, and speed which allows them to run past Onagers and Archers while still damaging them.
Babylon
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Nebuchadnezzar II |
| Unit | Bowman |
| Replaces | Archer |
| Building | Walls of Babylon |
| Ability | Ingenuity |
Babylon might be an underrated civ 5 civilization because of no combat abilities but the reason why this nation is put in the S-tier of Civ 5 Tier List is because of its strong economy and Great Scientists. This civilization has no offensive strategies except for its ability to annex cities and make Golden Ages for every annexed city.
The main advantage of Great Scientist is that it allows the players to discover the technologies with only the construction cost and no production cost.
Korea
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Sejong |
| Unit | Hwach’a |
| Replaces | Trebuchet |
| Building | Turtleship |
| Ability | Scholars of the Jade Hall |
Among all civ 5 civilizations, Korea is the first nation to be ruled by a Korean king and began to revitalize culture and bring ambitious reforms. These reforms and culture will surely help in forming the best upcoming generations.
The special ability of Korea is to keep up with science by developing culture by using its training units.
Arabia
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Harun al-Rashid |
| Unit | Camel Archer |
| Replaces | Knight |
| Building | Bazaar |
| Ability | Trade Caravans (Vanilla and Gods & Kings) |
Arabia has been present in the world for 1400 hundred years and follows the religion Islam which by founded by The Prophet Muhammad. It took fifty years for The Prophet (PBUH) to spread Islam all over the world.
To this day Arabia is active in politics and its special abilities are trade caravans and ships of the desert. It is ranked in the S-tier because of its special units called camel archers, military, and skill.
A Tier
The A-Tier ranks the characters of the game who specialize in different aspects but are not as powerful as the characters in the S-tier. The characters in the A-tier are still good enough to compete with other characters and be victorious. The civ 5 civilizations ranked in the A-tier are:
Egypt
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Ramesses II |
| Unit | War Chariot |
| Replaces | Chariot Archer |
| Building | Burial Tomb |
| Ability | Monument Builders |
Egypt being of the oldest civilizations ever has great soil and a lot of sunshine. This civilization has one of the best civ 5 leaders who created The Great Kingdom and captured a large portion of Sudan.
Egypt is ranked in the A-tier because of its great leader Ramesses II. Other aspects which make this nation an all-rounder are its special ability and labor which is monument builders and the special unit called War Chariot.
Aztec
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Montezuma |
| Unit | War Chariot |
| Replaces | Warrior |
| Building | Floating Gardens |
| Ability | Monument Builders |
This civ 5 civilization is ruled by Montezuma I who allows the players to build museums and Great Library. The Montezuma also gives the players additional happiness if the resources like gold and fur are found.
The special ability of Aztec is called Triumph of Tenochca. It gives the players a 3 Tourism each of which can be substituted for gold and culture and Aztec’s special unit is called Jaguar.
China
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Wu Zetian |
| Unit | War Chariot |
| Replaces | Crossbowman |
| Building | Floating Gardens |
| Ability | Art of War |
China has suffered a lot in historical times but has also seen good times and some really good influencers which include Con Lucius and Lao Tzu. In 1211 the Chinese identity was spread all over Eurasia after Genghis Khan was driven out of China.
This civilization is ranked in the A-Tier because of its special skill which is the Art of War, its special unit which is known as Chu-Ko-Nu, and its special ability which is paper making.
Greece
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Alexander |
| Unit | Companion Cavalry |
| Replaces | Horseman |
| Building | Hoplite |
| Ability | Hellenic League |
In the modern-day world, social enlightenment and behavior have all been determined by ancient Greece. Greece has been ranked in the A tier because of its unique skill and special unit.
The special unit of Greece in Civilization V is the Companion Calvary and Hoplite while its unique skill which makes it an all-rounder in this tier list is Hellenic League.
B Tier
B-TierThis tier involves the ranking of those characters of the game who are considered to be above average but not as amazing as A-tier and S-tier. The B-tier characters in the Civ 5 Tier List include the following civilizations.
Zulu
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Shaka |
| Unit | Impi |
| Replaces | Pikeman |
| Building | Ikanda |
| Ability | Lklwa |
The Zulu civilization in Civilization: V is ranked in B-tier because it can be a very powerful civ in the game by only using limited tools. The leader of this civilization is Shaka who is also one of the best civ 5 leaders in the game.
Zulu’s special ability is baboon bombardment which allows the players to damage the enemy city’s military equipment and its special unit is known as Impi.
Sweden
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Gustavus Adolphus |
| Unit | Hakkapeliitta |
| Replaces | Lancer |
| Building | Carolean |
| Ability | Nobel Prize |
The next civilization in the tier list is Sweden which includes Norway and Denmark. This civilization’s cities are more oriented toward defense rather than the developing building culture.
Sweden has two special units called Carolean and Hakkapeliitta which get stronger with promotions. The special skill which this civ has is the Nobel Prize but they have no special buildings.
France
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Napoleon |
| Unit | Musketeer |
| Replaces | Great War Infantry |
| Building | Chateau |
| Ability | Ancien Régime (Vanilla and Gods & Kings) |
The leader of this civilization is Napoleon. This civilization was formerly known as Gaul back in time. It is located in the west of Europe. It shares a border with Spain in the south, in the west shares a border with the Atlantic Ocean, in the north shares a border with the Northern Sea, and it shares a bored with Italy in the southeast.
The special skill of France is its Ancient Regime and City of Light. The special unit of this civ in the game is Foreign Legion and Musketeer due to which it is ranked in the B-tier.
Russia
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Catherine |
| Unit | Cossack |
| Replaces | Cavalry |
| Building | Krepost |
| Ability | Siberian Riches (Motherland Calls in the game manual) |
The final civilization to be ranked in the B-tier of Civilization: V is Russia which is a very controversial and critical nation in the real world.
In the game, the special ability of this civilization is the Siberian Riches, the special unit of Russia in the game is Cossack and the special building of this civilization is Krepost.
C Tier
C-TierThis tier includes the average characters of the game which may perform better but due to low stats are falling back. The characters ranked in the C-tier of the Civ 5
Tier List include the following civilizations.
America
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Washington |
| Unit | B17 |
| Replaces | Bomber |
| Building | Minuteman |
| Ability | Manifest Destiny |
This civilization was founded in the eighteenth century but being a young civilization it self-destructed in the nineteenth century. But who knew this civilization would become a superpower in the twentieth century?
It is ranked in the C-tier because of its special skill of manifesting destiny and its special unit which is known as Minutemen.
Spain
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Isabella |
| Unit | Tercio |
| Replaces | Musketman |
| Building | Conquistador |
| Ability | Seven Cities of Gold |
On the second number in the C-tier, we have ranked Spain. Spain has spread Christianity and protected the already conquered lands in history. Anybody who has played any other strategy game knows this civilization’s worth.
In Civilization: V this civilization’s special units are Tercio and Consquisdator while its special skill is Seven Cities of Gold.
Morocco
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Ahmad al-Mansur |
| Unit | Berber Cavalry |
| Replaces | Cavalry |
| Building | Kasbah |
| Ability | Gateway to Africa |
This civilization has been under American influence in history which started during World War II. There was an unsuccessful attempt to invade North Africa in an operation called Operation Torch.
Morocco’s special skill in the game is the Gateway to Africa, its special units are called Berber Cavalry and its special building is called Kabash.
Mongolia
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Genghis Khan |
| Unit | Keshik |
| Replaces | Knight |
| Building | Great General |
| Ability | Mongol Terror |
This civilization is known to be the largest in thor history including Russia from 1453 to 1480. Many other countries like Poland and Lithuania were under the Mongolian Empire but the largest empire was facing problems with Muscovy.
The Mongolian Empire’s special skill in Civilization: V is their terror, their special units are known as Khan and their leader is Genghis Khan.
D Tier
D-TierThis tier includes the characters of the game which have many flaws and are considered to be below average. The characters in this tier can be used by new players at the beginning of the game to learn the basic mechanism. The characters of Civilization: V fall under this tier.
Persia
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Darius I |
| Unit | Immortal |
| Replaces | Spearman |
| Building | Satrap’s Court |
| Ability | Achaemenid Legacy |
This civilization was named Persia after the states which fell under the rule of Persians. It included states of Afghanistan and Central Asia as well back in historical times. The Persians never quit even when the objective seemed to be impossible.
In the game Persia’s special skill is Achaemenid Legacy, its special unit is known as Immortal and its special building is Satrap’s Court.
India
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Gandhi |
| Unit | War Elephant |
| Replaces | Castle |
| Building | Mughal Fort |
| Ability | Population Growth |
India has been through good and bad times in history and if a player wants to play the game tall and wide then they should go for this civilization.
India’s special unit in the game is War Elephant, its special skill is population growth and the special building of this civilization is Mughal Fort.
Netherlands
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | William |
| Unit | Sea Beggar |
| Replaces | Privateer |
| Building | Polder |
| Ability | Dutch East India Company |
In many strategy games, the main focus of this civilization is trade. The Netherlands is also known as the Greatest Naval Power in the world and is a land-locked country.
The special skill of this civilization in the game in the game is East India Company, the special building is Polder and the special unit of Netherlands is Sea Beggar.
Songhai
| Stats | Description |
| Leader | Askia |
| Unit | Mandekalu Cavalry |
| Replaces | Knight |
| Building | Mud Pyramid Mosque |
| Ability | River Warlord |
Sunni Ali was the founder of the Songhai Empire. The people who followed Sunni were of no good and thought to be slaves of him. In the game campaign, Sunni leads the army to conquer Timbuktu.
The special skill of this nation in the game is River Warlord, the special unit is called Mandekalu Calvery and the special building is Mud Pyramid Square.
Comparison Table
| Nation | Tier | Leader | Unit | Replaces | Building | Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | S | Casimir III | Winged Hussar | Lancer | Ducal Stable | Solidarity |
| Babylon | S | Nebuchadnezzar II | Bowman | Archer | Walls of Babylon | Ingenuity |
| Korea | S | Sejong | Hwach’a | Trebuchet | Turtleship | Scholars of the Jade Hall |
| Arabia | S | Harun al-Rashid | Camel Archer | Knight | Bazaar | Trade Caravans (Vanilla and Gods & Kings) |
| Egypt | A | Ramesses II | War Chariot | Chariot Archer | Burial Tomb | Monument Builders |
| Aztec | A | Montezuma | War Chariot | Warrior | Floating Gardens | Monument Builders |
| China | A | Wu Zetian | War Chariot | Crossbowman | Floating Gardens | Art of War |
| Greece | A | Alexander | Companion Cavalry | Horseman | Hoplite | Hellenic League |
| Zulu | B | Shaka | Impi | Pikeman | Ikanda | Lklwa |
| Sweden | B | Gustavus Adolphus | Hakkapeliitta | Lancer | Carolean | Nobel Prize |
| France | B | Napoleon | Musketeer | Great War Infantry | Chateau | Ancien Régime (Vanilla and Gods & Kings) |
| Russia | B | Catherine | Cossack | Cavalry | Krepost | Siberian Riches (Motherland Calls in the game manual) |
| America | C | Washington | B17 | Bomber | Minuteman | Manifest Destiny |
| Spain | C | Isabella | Tercio | Musketman | Conquistador | Seven Cities of Gold |
| Morocco | C | Ahmad al-Mansur | Berber Cavalry | Berber Cavalry | Kasbah | Gateway to Africa |
| Genghis Khan | C | Genghis Khan | Keshik | Knight | Great General | Mongol Terror |
| Persia | D | Darius I | Immortal | Spearman | Satrap’s Court | Achaemenid Legacy |
| India | D | Gandhi | War Elephant | Castle | Mughal Fort | Population Growth |
| Netherlands | D | William | Sea Beggar | Privateer | Polder | Dutch East India Company |
| Songhai | D | Askia | Mandekalu Cavalry | Knight | Mud Pyramid Mosque | River Warlord |
Summary
The four described civilizations in every tier are believed to be the best of all included in a specific tier while the others are ranked in the tables. The ranking of the civilizations may vary for other players as we have ranked the civilizations according to our in-game experience.