7. Eleanor (England)
The British have a new ability that allows them to focus on production rather than culture. This makes them more viable as a military power. And Eleanor’s ability to make other Civs defect is still nice, but it sort of contradicts that bonus. The thing to do would be to found cities on other continents, build up culture, and use those colonies to damage loyalty and pull cities into your empire. Or you could use your military and production abilities to build up an army and navy, and take over cities that way. Eleanor of England is definitely going to be taking cities, and she’s got a few ways to do it, but this spreads her bonuses a bit thin.
8. Dido (Phoenicia)
Of all the new Civs in Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, Phoenicia has the best unique abilities synergy. Dido has a unique harbor — the Cothon — and she can build a unique galley — the Bireme. So her early naval game is strong, which depending on the map type can be cool. But her most powerful ability is that the Phoenicians are the only faction who can switch capitals. This gives Dido a big loyalty bonus, which she can use to pull cities her way. The problem is, only cities that have built the Cothon can become the capital — and they need to complete a city project to do it. Achieving both of these things takes a fair amount of production, and if there is one thing a new coastal city lacks, it’s production. If played right, she can swap capitals across the map, starting rebellions and pulling cities left and right. But just keep in mind that lining that combo up takes patience and planning, and you’ll be vulnerable in the meantime.
9. Suleiman (Ottomans)
A unique governor is super cool in theory. Siege weapons are really powerful, and Suleiman is the king of siege canons. But Ibrahim (said unique governor) rarely feels like he’s pulling his weight. The Grand Vizier has the marginal ability to lessen grievances, but if you really need to worry about that you’ve got bigger problems. His combat bonuses are a little better, but micromanaging his placement is a pain, and in the time it takes for Ibrahim to swap to a new city, the battle has usually already been decided. Still, if you can get Ibrahim where you need him to go, your siege units are going to hit hard, and you won’t have any problem making those. Suleiman is a decent, if a bit underwhelming, military leader.
10. Matthias (Hungary)
The only true disaster in Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, Mattias mostly makes use of one of the least useful abilities in the game. I think I’ve levied troops from a city state a few times, but I wouldn’t bet my life on it. And that’s his thing — his levied units are stronger and better. And they can, um, buff his unique cavalry a bit. (Honestly, I’d rather have all my soldiers be buffed by Ibrahim). His other abilities benefit from alliances, which are going to be hard to maintain if you are invading everyone. Oh, and he’s got those thermal baths, which replace the zoo and give bonuses to the geothermal fissure (one of the rarest tile features in the game). It’s cool that a Civ tries to combine military and diplomacy, but Matthias makes life harder for himself with only a little bit to show for it.
Now you are ready to go out there are dominate the world. Build armies, archaeologists, rock bands, giant death robots, whatever you need. If you want, you can even levy a city-state. Civilization VI: Gathering Storm gives you lots of new options. Choose wisely, and rise to the level of deity!