Best Machiavelli Civs for Civ 7 in Each Age

This article explores three civilizations that synergize effectively with Machiavelli’s leadership abilities throughout different eras of history in Civilization 7. Machiavelli, a diplomatic and economic leader, benefits significantly from civilizations that enhance these aspects of gameplay. His leader bonus, “Il Principe,” grants additional influence and gold per era based on diplomatic action outcomes, allows for formal war declarations without relationship requirements, and enables the levying of military units from city-states one is not suzerain of. This naturally leans towards an economic focus, with a military edge through city-state interactions.

Antiquity Age: Greece

Greece stands out as an excellent pairing for Machiavelli in the Antiquity Age, primarily due to its strong influence generation. The Greek civilization ability provides a consistent +3 influence from the palace. Furthermore, the unique unit, the Logios, offers various yields, often including influence, through a random roll. This allows for early accumulation of influence, crucial for leveraging Machiavelli’s leader ability and establishing strong relationships with city-states.

Focusing on acquiring the Pantheon and constructing the Acropolis early is also beneficial. The Pantheon can provide additional influence and culture, while the Acropolis, along with its unique building the Odeon, grants +2 gold on the Parthenon for each city-state one is suzerain of. In a game with several city-states on the main continent, this can translate to a significant gold boost, aligning well with Machiavelli’s economic tendencies.

The Greek unique ability, Symmakhia, offering +1 city limit, provides flexibility should one choose to eventually integrate city-states into their empire. Additionally, the Hoplite, a strong early-game unit, offers defensive capabilities and the potential for early military expansion if needed. While not the primary focus for Machiavelli, a strong military can deter aggression and protect one’s diplomatic and economic endeavors. The synergy lies in Greece’s ability to generate substantial influence early, complementing Machiavelli’s leader bonus and setting the stage for diplomatic and economic dominance.

Exploration Age: Spain

Moving into the Exploration Age, Spain emerges as a natural and powerful continuation for a Machiavelli-led civilization, especially as it is automatically unlocked by playing the Greeks. Spain’s core strength lies in its ability to generate substantial wealth, perfectly aligning with Machiavelli’s economic focus. The pursuit of treasure fleets becomes a central strategy.

While resource acquisition in the Antiquity Age with Greece should be manageable through diplomacy, Spain amplifies economic growth significantly. A key aspect is the “Siglo de Oro” ability, which grants gold for converting towns to cities, with even more gold earned in distant lands. This ability synergizes exceptionally well with Machiavelli’s potential to exert influence over city-states and potentially acquire numerous towns early in the game. Converting these towns to cities, particularly in distant lands, can generate a massive influx of gold.

The Spanish unique unit, the Tercio, provides a strong early military presence, crucial for defending newly established colonies or projecting power if necessary. This complements Machiavelli’s ability to levy units from city-states, offering a dual approach to military strength. The unique improvement, the Casa de Contratación, further enhances gold accumulation, especially when working in distant lands. The Plaza district also aids development in these territories.

The Conquistador unit offers another layer of synergy, providing random Great Persons upon activation. Several of these Great Persons, such as Ponce de León, can directly contribute to establishing cities and securing resources in distant lands, accelerating the acquisition of treasure fleets and further bolstering the economy. The Council of the Indies civic further speeds up treasure fleet movement. Spain’s inherent focus on economic prosperity through exploration and colonization makes it an ideal civilization to leverage Machiavelli’s economic leader abilities and establish a powerful financial base.

Modern Age: Great Britain

For the Modern Age, Great Britain presents a compelling option for Machiavelli, particularly if one has access to the Crossroads of the World DLC. While the Qing could be considered if starting directly in the Modern Age due to their economic and influence bonuses, Great Britain offers a smoother transition and more readily accessible benefits if the game has progressed through the earlier ages. Achieving two fleet commanders by the Modern Age, a likely outcome with a strong Exploration Age led by Spain, unlocks Great Britain’s legacy ability.

Great Britain excels in both economic and military aspects in the late game. The Revenge unique unit provides strong naval defense for both domestic and overseas territories. The civilization ability, granting adjacent damage to enemy units, offers a significant defensive advantage. While the Antiquarian unit might be less impactful, Great Britain’s unique buildings are exceptionally strong. The Royal Exchange provides a massive gold bonus, and the Manufacturing Center significantly boosts production. The unique city center building also grants +2 gold for every connected settlement, further enhancing economic output.

However, the true synergy with Machiavelli in the Modern Age lies within Great Britain’s unique civics. “Pacts Britannica” significantly increases production, crucial for building factories and railroads, key components of a late-game economic victory. “Chartered Companies” boosts resource capacity, while “Splendid Isolationism” provides a settlement unit and a substantial +3 combat strength to all units when the player has positive gold per turn – a near certainty with Machiavelli’s economic focus. This military boost, combined with a strong economy, allows for both robust defense and potential late-game military maneuvers if necessary. Finally, the Battersea Power Station further enhances production and naval unit output. Great Britain’s blend of strong economic bonuses, solid military capabilities, and impactful late-game civics makes it an excellent choice to capitalize on the foundations laid by Greece and Spain under Machiavelli’s leadership.

In conclusion, these three civilizations – Greece in the Antiquity Age, Spain in the Exploration Age, and Great Britain in the Modern Age – offer distinct advantages that align remarkably well with Machiavelli’s diplomatic and economic strengths in Civilization 7. By strategically leveraging the unique abilities and units of each civilization, players can establish a powerful economic engine, exert significant diplomatic influence, and secure a path towards victory.