One of the best parts of any Sid Meier game in the Civilization series is the leaders of each country players can choose. This includes iconic historical figures from Cleopatra to Teddy Roosevelt. But each country and culture brings certain strengths and weaknesses players must consider when going for different victory types (diplomatic, science, etc).

Sadly, “cool factor” doesn’t figure into win conditions, but some of the leaders stuck out, not for their naval prowess or cultural perks, but just for sheer panache and character.

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Gandhi gets a special mention -- not because he's a great leader to play or is great for competition. Instead, it's for the commitment to nuclear war-mongering the studio has maintained over the years due to an unfortunate coding bug. However, creator Sid Meier recently debunked this in his memoir.

So which factions did make the cut?

10 Kupe The Navigator (Māori) (Civ 6)

image of gameplay against Kupe the Navigator in Civilization VI

A somewhat divisive leader in the Civ 6 fandom, Kupe has one of the most interesting passives in the game. "Kupe's Voyage" allows players to start a game in the ocean and gain +2 Culture and +2 Science until they settle a city which then receives +1 Population and a free builder.

In addition, Māori players benefit from a culture bomb to convert the surrounding terrain whenever they build a fishing boat. Gamers looking to make cultural victories or fans of exploration should consider Kupe.

9 Suleiman (The Ottomans) (Civ 5)

image of Suleiman in Civilization V

Suleiman’s naval superiority can only be rivaled by Elizabeth/England or Dutch. With the Ottomans, players have a 50% chance to recover a downed enemy naval unit as their own thanks to the ability “Barbary Corsairs.” It also affords the player to pay just one-third the usual maintenance cost of naval units.

That means that The Ottomans can amass a huge naval fleet in no time. Players who love to take to the seas will gel perfectly with Suleiman's needed playstyle. His bluster and pomp are just as appreciated by those who battle him.

8 Eleanor of Aquitaine (England/France) (Civ 6)

images of Eleanor of Aquitaine in Civilization VI

Eleanor of Aquitaine is unique not for her influencer-style hair choices, but in that she can lead either France or England. Furthermore, she can conquer a city without fighting. This basically involves eroding loyalty every turn using cities, great works, and her leader bonus "Court of Love."

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This strategy remains viable even at high levels of play as it can snowball into generating tons of gold, culture, and mutinying cities. Many fans suggest playing her as England simply for the added bonus of the Royal Navy Dockyard.

7 Washington (America) (Civ 5)

Civilization V - Washington pointing at the player

Fans of the franchise will remember that gamers can play as Washington or Teddy Roosevelt in Civ 4, but only one or the other in Civ 5 and 6, respectively. But in Civ 5, Washington is a formidable foe or A-tier leader choice. But what he may lack in some areas he makes up for in attitude.

Though not as strong as other leaders in his early game, Washington affords players more flexibility in the wake of bad decisions. But be careful when playing against a powerful Washington AI; they are prone to backstabbing.

6 Tokugawa (Japan) (Civ4)

image of Tokugawa in Civilization IV

Though an older game, many fans still hold Civilization IV up as the best in the series. It was the first in the series to feature 3D graphics and religion as a control tool. It also didn't hurt that Leonard Nimoy narrated it.

Fans favored Tokugawa of Japan for military victories for his dual focus of attack and defense. Gunpowder and Melee units get free Combat I promotions, Gunpowder and Archery units get City Garrison I and Drill I automatically, and he starts with The Wheel and Fishing for techs.

5 Nebuchadnezzar II (Babylon) (Civ 5)

image of Nebuchadnezzar II in Civilization V next to historical drawing of Nebuchadnezzar II

Apart from his terrifying presence and lack of care for where he places his goblets on his throne, Nebuchadnezzar II continues to rank very high for competitive picks. The "Walls of Babylon" unique building also affords a huge boost to early game combat in terms of defense.

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For players looking to make a science victory, the Babylonian leader is a solid choice. "Ingenuity" nets players a free Great Scientist upon discovering "Writing" and they earn Great Scientists 50% more quickly, too.

4 Sejong (Korea) (Civ 5)

image of Sejong from Civilization V

Sejong is one of the best leaders to opt for in Civ 5 if players want a science victory (much like Nebuchadnezzar II). His unique unit, the Korean Turtleship, is also quite useful early on. But the science perk paired with a perk for building Wonders makes Sejong super formidable.

"Scholars of the Jade Hall" grants players +2 Science for all Great Person and specialist tile improvements. Players also receive tech boosts for Wonders or scientific buildings built in the Korean capital city. Not only can Korea progress quickly through the tech tree, but they can also accrue tourism well.

3 Saladin (Arabia) (Civ 6)

image of Saladin of Arabia in Civilization VI

Many Civ fans favor Saladin of Arabia for competitive play due to his unpredictableness. His faction also offers a unique path toward a science victory, as well, since Arabia can marry religion and technology bonuses.

RELATED: Civ 6: 10 Tips To Dominate On Deity Difficulty

Saladin of Arabia's religious buildings grant a 10% boost toward culture, science, and faith while also generating an extra unit of science per turn for every city under Arabia's religion. That gives Saladin players two very viable paths to victory: science or religion.

2 Huayna Capac (Inca) (Civ 4)

image of Huayna Capac in Civilization IV

Huayna Capac of the Inca may be many a Civ fan's favorite faction of all time. They feature both industrious and financial traits, feature a truly over-powered unique unit (the Quechua that replaces the Warrior), and the ability to gain culture from their unique building (the terrace).

Huayna also nets the players a plus 50% production increase for Wonders, double production speed for Banks, and the starting technologies Mysticism and Agriculture.

The subsequent Incan leader in Civ V and Civ VI, Pachacuti, has not risen to the same heights as Huayna for many fans.

1 Tomyris (Scythia) (Civ 6)

image of Tomyris in Civilization VI

Considered by many fans to be the best leader to learn on, Tomyris of Scythia affords players an insanely great early game. Her military focus and special unit (the Saka Horse Archer) that doesn't require horses is difficult to beat.

Moreover, Scythian units get +5 Combat Strength attack bonuses when attacking damaged enemies. They can also heal up to 50 bonus points after defeating said enemies. But Tomyris can't be invincible.

Scythia's one big weakness is that players need a very land-heavy map to best utilize the faction.

NEXT: Sid Meier's Civilization: 5 Best Expansion Packs In The Series (& 5 Worst)