Asian Leaders & Civilizations in Civilization VII – A Showcase of Storied Civilizations

In Civilization VII, the rich tapestry of Asian history comes alive through a diverse roster of leaders and civilizations spanning multiple eras. From ancient empires to modern nations, each brings unique abilities and playstyles that reflect their historical legacies.

Leaders and Civilizations Through the Ages

The game features several fascinating Asian leaders, each with distinct abilities and approaches. Ashoka appears in two forms: as the World Conqueror, whose Devaraja ability focuses on production and military strength, and as the World Renouncer, whose Dhammaraja ability emphasizes food production and happiness. This dual representation captures Ashoka’s dramatic transformation from warrior-king to Buddhist patron.

Himiko of Japan also appears in two versions: the High Shaman, whose Miko of Amaterasu ability balances cultural benefits with scientific penalties, and the Queen of Wa, whose Friend of Wei ability rewards diplomatic relations with science bonuses. Other notable leaders include Confucius, with his Keju ability boosting city growth and specialist output, José Rizal of the Philippines focusing on cultural and narrative events, and Trung Trac of Vietnam, whose military leadership ability combines combat expertise with scientific advancement.

The Antiquity Age features the Han dynasty, whose Nine Provinces ability grants population bonuses to new settlements, the Khmer Empire with its water-management focused Ksekam Chamnon ability, and the Mauryan Empire, whose Dhamma Lipi grants additional religious options.

The Exploration Age brings the seafaring Chola with their trade-focused Samayam ability, the Majapahit Empire whose Negara ability provides specialist advantages, and the Ming dynasty, whose Great Canon of Yongle balances science gains with policy restrictions.

The Modern Age introduces several powerhouse civilizations: the Meiji Japanese with their industrial Goisshin ability, the wealthy Mughal Empire with Paradise of Nations, the Qing dynasty’s resource-focused Kang Qian Shengshi, and Siam with its diplomatic Itsaraphab ability.

Each Asian civilization in Civilization VII comes equipped with unique attributes that reflect their historical strengths and characteristics. Whether players prefer diplomatic finesse, military might, cultural development, or economic dominance, the civilizations offer varied and historically authentic gameplay experiences.

Full List

Asian Leaders in Civilization VII

Ashoka, World Conqueror

Unique Ability: Devaraja

Increased Production in Cities for excess Happiness beyond a set amount. Increased  Production in Settlements not founded by you. Declaring a Formal War grants a  Celebration. Large increase to Combat Strength against Districts for all Units during a Celebration.

Playstyle: Diplomatic, Militaristic

Ashoka, World Renouncer

Unique Ability: Dhammaraja

Adds Food in Cities for excess Happiness beyond a set amount. Increased Food in all Settlements during a Celebration. All buildings gain a Happiness adjacency for all Improvements. 

Playstyle: Diplomatic, Expansionist

Confucius

Unique Ability: Keju

Increased Growth Rate in Cities. Increased Science from Specialists.

Playstyle: Expansionist, Scientific

Himiko, High Shaman

Unique Ability: Miko of Amaterasu

Additional Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings. Additional Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings. Bonus on Culture but penalty on Science, and these effects are doubled while in a Celebration.

Playstyle: Cultural, Diplomatic

Himiko, Queen Of Wa

Unique Ability: Friend of Wei

Gain a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei that can be performed in an Alliance to grant you and your ally a Science bonus. Additional Science per Age for every Leader you are Friendly or Helpful with. Can support Endeavors for Free.

Playstyle: Diplomatic, Scientific

José Rizal

Unique Ability: Pambansang Bayani

Has additional Narrative Events, and gets additional Culture and Gold per Age when gaining rewards from a Narrative Event. Bonus to Celebration duration, and bonus Happiness towards Celebrations.

Playstyle: Cultural, Diplomatic

Trung Trac

Unique Ability: Hai Bà Trưng

Gain a set number of free Promotions on your first Commander. Your Commanders gain additional experience. Gain increased Science in Cities on Tropical tiles; this bonus is increased during any Formal War you declare.

Playstyle: Militaristic, Scientific

Asian Civilizations in Civilization VII

Han (The Antiquity Age)

Unique Ability: Nine Provinces

The Capital and new Towns gain an additional Population with their first growth event.

Unique units: Chu-Ko-Nu, Shì Dàfū

Unique improvement: Han Great Wall

Unique civics: Zhi, Li, Yi, Junzi

Khmer (The Antiquity Age)

Unique Ability: Ksekam Chamnon

Urban Districts on Rivers do not remove the natural yield of the tile.

Unique units: Yuthahathi, Vaishya

Unique improvement: Baray

Unique civics: Mousong, Amnach, Chakravarti

Mauryan (The Antiquity Age)

Unique Ability: Dhamma Lipi

You can choose an additional Pantheon after unlocking Mysticism. 

Unique units: Purabhettarah, Nagarika

Unique buildings: Dharamshala, Vihara

Unique quarter: Matha

Unique civics: Acharya, Vyuham, Ayurveda, Mantriparishad

Chola (The Exploration Age)

Unique Ability: Samayam

Gain an additional Trade Route from Trade Agreements.

Unique units: Kalam, Ottru

Unique buildings: Manigramam, Anjuvannam

Unique quarter: Five Hundred Lords

Unique civics: Nagaram, Kanakam, Digvijaya, Monsoon Winds

Majapahit (The Exploration Age)

Unique Ability: Negara

All Cities except the Capital have an increased Specialist Limit. After the Exploration Age, the Specialist Limit increase goes away, and the Specialists become inactive until you increase the Specialist Limit.

Unique units: Cetbang, Pedanda

Unique buildings: Candi Bentar, Meru

Unique quarter: Pura

Unique civics: Wayang, Aliran Kepercayaan, Nusantara, Gamelan

Ming (The Exploration Age)

Unique Ability: Great Canon of Yongle

Increased Science in the Capital. Received reduced Science per turn for each Social Policy slotted.

Unique units: Xunleichong, Mandarin

Unique improvement: Ming Great Wall

Unique civics: Nine Garrisons, Lijia, Da Ming Lu

Meiji Japanese (The Modern Age)

Unique Ability: Goisshin

When you Overbuild a Building, receive Science equal to a set percentage of the new Building’s Production cost.

Unique units: Mikasa, Zero

Unique buildings: Ginkō, Jukogyo

Unique quarter: Zaibatsu

Unique civics: Bunmei Kaika, Oath in Five Articles, Supreme War Council, Kantai Kessen

Mughal (The Modern Age)

Unique Ability: Paradise of Nations

Receive more Gold from all sources. Reduced to all other yields.

Unique units: Sepoy, Zamindar

Unique improvement: Stepwell

Qing (The Modern Age)

Unique Ability: Kang Qian Shengshi

Increase Gold, Culture, and Influence from Imported Resources, but decrease Science from Imported Resources.

Unique units: Gusa, Hangshang

Unique buildings: Shiguan, Qianzhuang

Unique quarter: Huiguan

Unique civics: Ten Great Campaigns, Open Customs, Kang Xi Tax Reformation, Stabilizing Frontier

Siam (The Modern Age)

Unique Ability: Itsaraphab

Grants a Diplomatic Action to immediately become Suzerain of a City-State at a higher Diplomacy Cost than Befriending Independents.

Unique units: Chang Beun, Uparat

Unique improvement: Bang

Unique civics: Nine Gems, Mandala, Sriwilai

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