The air is thick with speculation following the announcement of Civilization 7. While official details remain under wraps, the player community is buzzing with datamined leaks and rumors about potential new leaders. This raises a fascinating question for long-time fans: what if these rumored leaders were brought to life in Civilization 6 through the power of modding? How would their unique historical legacies translate into the game’s existing mechanics? This guide delves into that very question, offering a detailed analysis of how these potential new faces could reshape the strategic landscape of Civ 6.
The Art of the Possible: Modding Leaders into Civ 6
Before we dive into the leaders themselves, it’s important to understand the framework of Civ 6 modding. The modding community has demonstrated incredible creativity, introducing complex new mechanics that go far beyond simple stat changes. From custom governors and unique improvements to entirely new victory conditions, the potential for bringing new leaders to life is vast. The analysis that follows is grounded in what is demonstrably possible through modding, envisioning these leaders as fully-fledged additions to the game.
The Datamined Trio: A New Wave of Leaders
Recent datamining efforts have unearthed three particularly intriguing names: Whina Cooper, Sayyida al Hurra, and Edward Teach. These are not your typical emperors and queens, which suggests a potential shift in the types of historical figures we might see in Civ 7.
Whina Cooper: The Mother of the Nation
Whina Cooper was a pivotal figure in New Zealand’s history, a Māori activist who championed land rights and cultural preservation. Her inclusion would bring a much-needed focus on indigenous leadership and the challenges of cultural survival.
Leader Ability: Te Whaea o te Motu (Mother of the Nation)
Analysis on forums shows that a popular idea for Whina Cooper’s leader ability revolves around the concept of loyalty and cultural identity. Her ability, “Te Whaea o te Motu,” could be designed to reflect her role as a unifier and protector of her people.
- Effect: Cities with a garrisoned unit gain +5 loyalty per turn. All cities founded by Whina Cooper start with maximum loyalty. For every 10 turns a city remains at maximum loyalty, it generates a burst of +10% culture and +10% faith.
This ability would make Whina Cooper a formidable force against loyalty pressure, particularly in the early game. It would also create a strong incentive to maintain high loyalty, rewarding players with significant cultural and religious boosts.
Civilization Ability: Not One Acre More
Whina Cooper’s famous declaration, “Not one acre more,” is the perfect basis for a civilization ability focused on land preservation and the power of grievances.
- Effect: Unimproved tiles provide +1 Culture and +1 Faith. When a foreign civilization declares war on Whina Cooper, she receives a +100% production bonus towards units in all cities for 10 turns. All grievances against her decay at half the normal rate.
This ability would encourage a unique playstyle, where players might choose to leave some tiles unimproved to reap the cultural and religious benefits. The powerful production bonus upon being attacked would make her a difficult target to conquer, reflecting the resilience of the Māori people.
Unique Unit: Te Hokowhitu a Tū
To represent the fighting spirit of the Māori, a unique replacement for the Infantry unit could be introduced.
- Unit: Te Hokowhitu a Tū (The Seventy of the War God)
- Replaces: Infantry
- Abilities: This unit gains +10 combat strength when fighting in or adjacent to its own territory. It can be purchased with Faith. When it defeats an enemy unit, it generates a burst of Culture equal to 50% of the enemy’s combat strength.
This unique unit would be a defensive powerhouse, capable of turning the tide of a war on home soil. The ability to purchase it with Faith would synergize well with her other abilities, creating a cohesive and powerful civilization.
Unique Improvement: Pā
The Pā, a fortified Māori settlement, would be a fitting unique improvement for Whina Cooper.
- Improvement: Pā
- Placement: Can be built on hills.
- Effects: Provides +2 Housing and +2 Production. Units defending on a Pā gain +4 combat strength and automatically receive 2 turns of fortification. After the discovery of the Steel technology, it also provides +2 Culture.
The Pā would further enhance Whina Cooper’s defensive capabilities, making her cities incredibly difficult to assault. The added housing and production would also provide a solid economic foundation.
Sayyida al Hurra: The Pirate Queen of Tétouan
Sayyida al Hurra was a 16th-century Moroccan privateer who ruled the city of Tétouan. Her story is one of revenge, naval power, and political acumen. In Civ 6, she could be a formidable naval and economic leader.
Leader Ability: Queen of the Western Seas
Many professional gamers suggest that Sayyida al Hurra’s leader ability should focus on her mastery of the seas and her alliance with the famous Ottoman admiral, Barbarossa.
- Effect: All naval units gain the “Coastal Raider” promotion, which allows them to perform a unique “Raid” action on enemy coastal cities. This action plunders Gold from the city and has a chance to capture a civilian unit. When at war with a major civilization, she can levy the military of a city-state for free for 10 turns.
This ability would make Sayyida al Hurra a terror on the high seas. The ability to raid coastal cities would provide a steady stream of income, while the free city-state levy would give her a significant military advantage.
Civilization Ability: Pirate Republic
To reflect her unique position as the leader of a pirate city-state, a new “Pirate Republic” civilization ability could be introduced.
- Effect: Allows the construction of a unique “Pirate Cove” district in coastal cities, which replaces the Harbor. The Pirate Cove provides +2 Gold for every adjacent coastal tile and +1 Trade Route capacity. All naval units are 50% cheaper to produce.
The Pirate Cove would be the economic engine of Sayyida al Hurra’s civilization, providing a massive boost to her Gold income. The cheaper naval units would allow her to build a large and powerful fleet early in the game.
Unique Unit: Barbary Corsair
The Barbary Corsair was a feared pirate of the Mediterranean. As a unique unit for Sayyida al Hurra, it would be a powerful early-game naval raider.
- Unit: Barbary Corsair
- Replaces: Privateer
- Abilities: Has a chance to capture defeated enemy naval units. Gains +5 combat strength when fighting in neutral or foreign waters. Does not require a declaration of war to attack the units of other civilizations.
The Barbary Corsair would be a versatile and dangerous unit, capable of disrupting enemy trade and building up Sayyida al Hurra’s own fleet.
Unique Building: Kasbah
The Kasbah, a fortified citadel, is a common feature of North African cities. For Sayyida al Hurra, it could be a unique building that enhances her economic and defensive capabilities.
- Building: Kasbah
- Replaces: Palace
- Effects: Provides +5 Gold, +2 Production, and +1 Trade Route capacity. All units trained in this city gain +5 combat strength when fighting on the coast.
The Kasbah would make her capital a powerful economic and military hub, further solidifying her control of the seas.
Edward Teach: The Infamous Blackbeard
Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is one of history’s most notorious pirates. His fearsome reputation was his greatest weapon, and his presence in Civ 6 would bring a unique focus on psychological warfare.
Leader Ability: The Devil’s Own Beard
A popular strategy is to focus on Blackbeard’s terrifying image. His leader ability could be designed to weaken and intimidate his enemies.
- Effect: Enemy units within 2 tiles of a Blackbeard naval unit suffer -5 combat strength. When he declares a surprise war, all of his naval units gain +10 combat strength for 10 turns.
This ability would make Blackbeard’s navy a truly fearsome sight. The combat strength penalty would soften up enemy fleets, while the surprise war bonus would allow for devastating alpha strikes.
Civilization Ability: Reign of Terror
Blackbeard’s reign of terror was short but impactful. This civilization ability could reflect his ability to extract wealth through fear.
- Effect: When he pillages a trade route, he gains Gold equal to 50% of the trade route’s yield. All of his naval units have a 50% chance to evade damage when attacked.
This ability would make Blackbeard a master of plunder. The evasion chance would make his ships surprisingly durable, allowing them to survive engagements even when outnumbered.
Unique Unit: Queen Anne’s Revenge
Blackbeard’s legendary flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, would be a perfect unique unit.
- Unit: Queen Anne’s Revenge
- Replaces: Frigate
- Abilities: Has a higher combat strength than the Frigate. When it attacks a city, it has a chance to cause the city to lose 1 population. Can be purchased with Gold.
The Queen Anne’s Revenge would be a powerful siege weapon, capable of devastating enemy coastal cities. The ability to purchase it with Gold would allow Blackbeard to quickly build a fleet of these formidable ships.
Unique Improvement: Pirate Haven
A Pirate Haven would be a unique improvement that provides a safe harbor for Blackbeard’s fleet and a base for his illicit activities.
- Improvement: Pirate Haven
- Placement: Can be built on a coastal tile.
- Effects: Provides +3 Gold and +1 Housing. Heals all naval units on this tile at a rate of 25 HP per turn. Acts as a source of fresh water.
The Pirate Haven would be a crucial piece of infrastructure for Blackbeard, allowing him to keep his fleet in fighting shape and providing a steady stream of income.
The Greats: Familiar Faces with a New Twist
The rumors also include more traditional leaders like Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great. While they have appeared in previous Civ games, modders could give them a fresh take that fits the mechanics of Civ 6.
Frederick the Great: The Philosopher King
Frederick the Great of Prussia was a brilliant military strategist and an enlightened monarch. A modded version of him in Civ 6 could focus on his military innovations and his administrative reforms.
Leader Ability: Oblique Order
Frederick’s famous “oblique order” tactic could be translated into a powerful combat bonus.
- Effect: All land units gain +5 combat strength when flanking an enemy unit. When a Great General is expended, all land units within 2 tiles gain a free promotion.
This ability would reward strategic positioning and make Frederick’s army incredibly effective in large-scale battles.
Civilization Ability: Prussian Discipline
Prussian soldiers were renowned for their discipline and training. This ability could reflect that.
- Effect: All land units are 25% cheaper to produce and have a +1 movement bonus. All military policy slots are converted to wildcard slots.
This ability would allow Frederick to field a large and mobile army, and the wildcard slots would give him incredible flexibility in his government.
Catherine the Great: The Enlightened Empress
Catherine the Great of Russia was a powerful and ambitious ruler who expanded her empire and patronized the arts and sciences. A modded Catherine could focus on her expansionist policies and her love of culture.
Leader Ability: Potemkin Villages
The legend of the “Potemkin villages” could be turned into a unique diplomatic and cultural ability.
- Effect: When she builds a new district, she gains a free builder unit. All of her cities with at least 3 districts generate +10% culture and +10% tourism.
This ability would encourage Catherine to build tall, developing her cities with a variety of districts. The free builders would help to speed up her development, and the culture and tourism bonus would make her a strong contender for a cultural victory.
Civilization Ability: The Golden Age of the Russian Empire
Catherine’s reign is often called the “Golden Age” of the Russian Empire. This ability could reflect the cultural and territorial expansion of that era.
- Effect: When she enters a Golden Age, she gains a free settler unit and all of her cities gain +2 loyalty per turn. All of her cities with a governor generate +2 Great Person points per turn (of the governor’s type).
This ability would make Catherine a powerhouse in the Golden Age mechanic. The free settler would allow her to expand her empire, while the loyalty and Great Person bonuses would help her to consolidate her power and achieve her victory goals.
The Ancients: Reimagining a Golden Era
The list of rumored leaders also includes some of the most famous names from the ancient world, like Augustus and Hatshepsut. Modders could have a field day reimagining these leaders for Civ 6.
Augustus: The First Citizen
Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, ushered in an era of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana. A modded Augustus could be a master of administration and city-building.
Leader Ability: Pax Romana
The Pax Romana is the perfect basis for a leader ability focused on peace and stability.
- Effect: All of his cities with a garrisoned unit generate +2 amenities and +2 loyalty per turn. When he is at peace with all major civilizations, he gains +10% to all yields in all cities.
This ability would reward peaceful play, providing a significant boost to his economy and the happiness of his people.
Civilization Ability: All Roads Lead to Rome
The Roman road network was a marvel of engineering. This ability could reflect its importance.
- Effect: All of his cities automatically have a road connecting them to the capital. All of his trade routes provide +1 Gold for every district in the destination city.
This ability would make Augustus a master of trade and logistics, allowing him to easily move his armies and generate a massive amount of Gold.
Hatshepsut: The Woman Who Was King
Hatshepsut was one of ancient Egypt’s most successful pharaohs, known for her ambitious building projects and her trade expeditions to the land of Punt.
Leader Ability: Divine Authority
Hatshepsut’s claim to divine authority was a key part of her rule. This ability could reflect her ability to inspire her people.
- Effect: All of her cities with a temple generate +2 faith and +2 culture per turn. When she completes a wonder, she gains a free builder unit and a burst of faith equal to 25% of the wonder’s production cost.
This ability would make Hatshepsut a powerful religious and cultural leader, capable of building a wonder-filled empire.
Civilization Ability: Expedition to Punt
Hatshepsut’s famous expedition to Punt could be a unique civilization ability that rewards exploration and trade.
- Effect: Her first naval unit gains a free promotion. All of her trade routes to foreign cities provide +1 faith and +1 culture for every luxury resource at the destination.
This ability would encourage Hatshepsut to explore the world and establish trade routes with other civilizations, enriching her empire with both wealth and culture.
A Glimpse into the Future
The rumored leaders for Civilization 7 offer a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the series. Whether these rumors prove to be true or not, they provide a fertile ground for speculation and creativity. The analysis above shows that these leaders, if modded into Civ 6, could bring a wealth of new strategies and playstyles to the game. From the land-based activism of Whina Cooper to the naval terror of Blackbeard, these leaders would challenge players to think in new ways and to explore different paths to victory. As we await more news about Civilization 7, the vibrant modding community of Civilization 6 will undoubtedly continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, perhaps even bringing some of these rumored leaders to life before their official debut.