Leader Ability Elimination Thread

[civxander]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24] Comes with a very strong unique unit.
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [24+1=25] - Makes fun to capture units
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [23]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [10]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [29]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [26-3=23] - I dont like him very much - even when its a strong ability in the beginning
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [18-3]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [25]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[20]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[AmazonQueen]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [23+1=24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [22+1=23] Fast heffalumps, yes please!
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [23]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [10-3=7] Too niche to stick around.
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [29]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [21-3=18]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [25]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[20]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

Chandragupta got missed, I've added him back in.

 

[Kimiimaro]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [23+1=24] - Gives you one very good CB almost at the beggining of the game, and improves it even more. Coming around the time you gain Varus, you'll have an army of quick ancient tanks.
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [23]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [7-3=4] - Naval dominance is easy to achieve even without any bonus.
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [29]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [21-3=18]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [25]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[20]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Navelgazer]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24] (23 + 1) Gonna keep bumping it up. One of the absolute top abilities in my opinion.
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [4]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [29]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15] (18 - 3) It's definitely a neat bonus, but not up to where the rest of these are. (Even Harald, I think, does something more civ-defining, and the Magnus exploit with it can give Norway a fantastic early game while still doing what they should be doing.)
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [25]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[20]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Leathaface]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [4]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [29+1=30] +1 Combat Strength from each Luxury resource can be very powerful in the early game. If you start near another continent it gets even better. It's also possible to increase enough Luxury resources for the combat strength to have an impact even in the late game. Plus 2 extra cities benefiting from 1 amenity is nice.
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23-3=20] Pre R&F an extra builder charge was very good, it has gotten nerfed significantly with R&F though. A single governor promotion give +1 builders charges, extra builder charges aren't a huge thing now. I also don't build builders in multiple cities much simultaneously. I'd rather stick Liang in my highest production city, enact Feudalism then build builders galore. After a while I build enough builders and don't need more so I get rid of Feudalism and take Liang out of the city. Plus I like to settle early cities instead of taking risks with early wonders. (I play on Immortal)
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [25]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[20]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

EDIT: This is my 1,000th post. Woo!

 

[BarbarianHunter]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [4]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [20]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26] (25+1) --- 1 iron plus 1 encampment plus the mercenaries civic equals the nearest 2 civs annexed by your 63 melee strength knight corps. It's also mid game and the AI's will have had a chance to work through some considerable district improvments in their cities while simultaneously leaving choppable resources to repair and/or further improve.
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[17] (20-3) --- Probably the worst of what's left. A decent boost for the beginning of the game when it's fairly easy to roll the AI's anyway. It's also limited to one's home continent.
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Kmart_Elvis]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [4-3=1] Quite map dependent and even then, Gitarja has the superior naval bonus. I also prefer ranged over melee when it comes to navy.
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [20+1=21] One of the best abilities in the game. Extra builder charge is ready at the beginning of the game. Synergizes well with being able to rush early wonders, and can get you the Pyramids and Colosseum. Also stacks with Liang; she's not a replacement.
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[17]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[WillowBrook]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
13. Harald Hardrada - Thunderbolt of the North. [1-3= GONE] I really like this ability, but it's the weakest of those remaining.
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [21+1=22] (plagiarizing @Kmart_Elvis ) One of the best abilities in the game. Extra builder charge is ready at the beginning of the game. Synergizes well with being able to rush early wonders, and can get you the Pyramids and Colosseum. Also stacks with Liang; she's not a replacement.
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[17]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Zdarg]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [24-3=21] If you play for religious victory, you don't want to waste faith on ships. If you play for other victory, you probably don't have that much faith.
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [22+1=23] If you don't build, er, get for free builders in multiple cities simultaneously, it's just a rather suboptimal play for culture victory.
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [15]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.[17]
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[bbbt]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [21]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. 15 - 3 [12] - Honestly I really like this UA - it's flavorful and syncs well with Arabia's UA, but it's definitely the weakest remaining in that it requires a holy site + shrine + temple in a city to utilize.
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary.17 + 1 [18] - Boosting in that I don't see how this is weaker than Shaka's - this is +5 against your neighbor from turn one, while Shaka's +5 is more flexible location wise but kicks in later and only with certain conditions.
33. Tomyris - Killer of Cyrus. [29]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Wyvern_Parade]

@Kmart_Elvis Thanks for updating with the elimination rankings!

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [24-3=21] In general I really dislike the CB related abilities. This one's pretty strong, but still worse than Cyrus's ability. Also it's useless in multiplayer since your opponent will just declare war on you preemptively when you denounce them.
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [21]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [24+1=25] The fact that this works on Barbarians is pretty OP. You can farm insane amounts of culture throughout the game with very little effort. Not to mention how much it helps when you are in a real war.
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [12]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [18]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Weraptor]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [21]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [24+1=25] Definitely useful and flexible
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [12-3=8] Weakest one left.
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [18]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[AmazonQueen]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [21-3=18] - Doesn't guarantee you the pantheon you want, doesn't give much faith, the missionary embark/disembark bonus is minor, and faith buying of ships is nice but I'm never short of uses for faith.
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [25]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [23+1=24] - Always useful, works in conjunction with Liang, Pyramids, feudalism etc. Nothing like founding a new city and improving its resources, chopping in a district and/or building and/or population, all with 1 builder.
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [18]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Legacy of Smiles]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [18]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [25-3=22] A pretty nice ability but what I believe to be weakest after Saladin so I don't believe it should be near the top.

• The trade bonuses are nice for growing cities but there's a limit to how much food you need (or want) in a city.
• The gold bonus can help your enemies in international trade routes.
• Shared visibility is nice but you could instead 1. Get shared visibility the traditional way 2. Suzerain a few city states nearby or 3. Actually explore.

26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [24]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [18+1=19] Not time for this to go yet.
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Greywulf]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [18]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21-3=18] Title doesn't make sense.
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [22]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [24+1=25] Love the builder ability!
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [19]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [27]

 

[Siptah]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [18]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [18]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [22]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [24]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [19-3=16] CS on the home continent? Certainly not above "nice to have but not that useful". Also not enhancing the fun I get from playing as it is a very passive and boring ability (unlike Saladin's).
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [28+1=29] Culture head start? Free building? More flexibility in the early game! Makes it not just a pretty good ability, but also rather fresh.

17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [21-3=18] Title doesn't make sense.

*Thumbs up* I still wonder if this ability is named like that because Firaxis thinks that their most hardcore fans are living in Australia...

 

[Weraptor]

*Thumbs up* I still wonder if this ability is named like that because Firaxis thinks that their most hardcore fans are living in Australia...

It comes from the Curtin's quote at the outbreak of the Pacific War.
"Men and women of Australia...we are at war with Japan. This is the gravest hour of our history. We Australians have imperishable traditions. We shall maintain them. We shall vindicate them. We shall hold this country and keep it as a citadel for the British-speaking race and as a place where civilisation will persist."

Moderator Action: Another reminder -- no one should be posting in this thread unless they are voting or correcting a vote total -- Browd

 

[AmazonQueen]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [18]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [18]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [22]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [24]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [19-3=16] CS on the home continent? Certainly not above "nice to have but not that useful". Also not enhancing the fun I get from playing as it is a very passive and boring ability (unlike Saladin's).
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [28+1=29] Culture head start? Free building? More flexibility in the early game! Makes it not just a pretty good ability, but also rather fresh.


*Thumbs up* I still wonder if this ability is named like that because Firaxis thinks that their most hardcore fans are living in Australia...

Slight error with scores. Qin should be at 25 and Trajan at 28

edit: And Cyrus has been dropped from the list again a while back. Should be at 24.

 

[BarbarianHunter]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [18]
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [18]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [19] (22-3) --- Should be lower relative to most of the rest.
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [26] (25+1) --- Even without the extra charges, this ability is potent.
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [8]
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [16]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [28]

Moderator Action: Corrected vote totals for Qin and Trajan, and added back Cyrus -- Browd

 

[Navelgazer]

1. Alexander- To The World's End. [24]
3. Catherine - Catherine's Flying Squadron. [19]
4. Chandragupta - Arthashastra [21]
6. Cyrus - Fall of Babylon. [24]
9. Genghis Khan - Mongol Horde. [25]
11. Gitarja - Goddess of the Three Worlds. [19] (18 + 1) Essentially guarantees you the first or second pantheon, which means either Earth Goddess or God of the Sea, and tha ridiculous little snowball just keeps going from there.
12. Gorgo - Thermopylae. [25]
14. Hojo Tokimune - Divine Wind. [22]
17. John Curtin - Citadel of Civilization. [18]
19. Montezuma - Gifts for the Tlatoani. [30]
25. Poundmaker - Favorable Terms. [19]
26. Qin Shi Huang - The First Emperor. [26]
28. Saladin - Righteousness of the Faith. [5] (8 - 3) Definitely good (all the ones left are good) but The Last Prophet is the really cool thing about Arabia, and this is kind of just gravy, IMO.
30. Shaka - Amabutho. [26]
32. Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt Corollary. [16]
34. Trajan - Trajan's Column. [28]