Benjamin Franklin – Strategy and Guide

Intro

Welcome to our comprehensive guide for Benjamin Franklin in Civ 7 (also known as Civilization VII). Whether you’re new to the series, a seasoned player returning for another round, or a strategy veteran looking to fine-tune your gameplay, this guide will walk you through his unique qualities, strategic advantages, and the best ways to harness his strengths on your path to victory.

Benjamin Franklin joins the roster as both a diplomatic and scientific powerhouse. True to his historic persona, he emphasizes the importance of production, inventive thinking, and a pragmatic approach to science. From early settlement choices to mid-game power swings, Franklin’s specialties ensure you’ll keep the rest of the world on its toes—one experiment at a time!

Strategy

Benjamin Franklin’s hallmark is his ability to merge science and production for maximum synergy. His unique leader traits revolve around constructing and enhancing Production Buildings, while also benefiting from Endeavors you start or support. Below is a concise breakdown:

• Early Game: Focus on essential Production Buildings, such as workshops or early industrial structures. His heightened productivity will help you establish a strong infrastructure faster than your rivals, particularly if you choose starting locations with hills or strategic resources.
• Mid-Game: Experiment with Endeavors—special projects or crises in the game—by either initiating them or supporting other players’ undertakings. Franklin’s unique skill grants you additional Science per Age from active Endeavors, so these events can boost your research leaps significantly.
• Late Game: Lean on Franklin’s unstoppable production to race ahead with advanced military technology or space-related projects if you’re pursuing a Scientific Victory. Meanwhile, his diplomatic inclinations ensure that if you choose the peaceful path, you can foster alliances and cooperative research pacts that keep your empire both friendly and flourishing.

From a tactical viewpoint, combining Franklin’s traits with civilizations that favor industry and research can multiply your momentum. Whether you aim for a Scientific Victory or prefer to leverage diplomacy, Benjamin Franklin’s balanced approach can make him the linchpin of any strategy.

Lines

Like many leaders in Civ 7, Benjamin Franklin comes with thematic voice lines that reflect his persona. Here are a few highlights you might encounter:

• Greeting: “Greetings! I am Benjamin Franklin, doctor, scientist, writer, and full of advice, whether you will listen or not.”
• When Attacked: “So you would waste all the industry of your people on death.”
• Declares War: “War is always tragedy, the more so that you have forced our hand into this.”
• Accepting a Deal: “A capital proposal — let’s make it work!”
• Defeat: “What use are tools without a project? Of what use is a mind without ideas? I shall set these down and move on.”

Civilopedia Entry

In the tapestry of early American history, few figures are as universally admired or as multifaceted as Benjamin Franklin. Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin rose from modest means to become a printer, publisher, inventor, and Founding Father of the United States. Alongside drafting the Declaration of Independence and lobbying for French support in the American Revolution, he fostered scientific progress through his famous experiments on electricity—most notably, his legendary kite experiment.

Franklin embodied the essence of thrift, industry, and curiosity. Even before the Revolution, he proposed the Albany Plan, a proto-confederation that foreshadowed the nation to come. In Philadelphia, he established volunteer fire companies, philosophical societies, and the city’s earliest police patrols, always seeking practical means to improve daily life. He invented bifocal glasses, swim fins, and the lightning rod, reminding the world that small innovations could spark great changes.

Although sometimes pedantic, Franklin usually charmed his opponents (and allies) with wit and humor. Whether debating open windows with John Adams or exchanging sardonic remarks with British officials, he always stood firmly by his convictions. Ultimately, Franklin’s blend of diplomacy, scientific inquiry, and economic shrewdness made him a key architect of the American experiment—an experiment that resonates in his leadership style within Civilization VII.

Unique Ability: The First American

The First American encapsulates Franklin’s dynamic fusion of productivity and research. This leader ability confers:

• Increased Science per Age on Production Buildings in each city.
• Bonus Production toward constructing Production Buildings.
• Increased Science per Age from active Endeavors that you initiate or support.
• The ability to maintain multiple Endeavors of the same type concurrently, expanding your influence and strategic options.

These perks make Franklin a prime candidate for an industrial core with a steady focus on technological progress. If you love staying on the cutting edge of scientific development—or simply want to out-build your neighbors—he’s your perfect pick.

Agendas

Franklin’s main agenda, Civic Virtue, echoes his emphasis on cooperative governance:

• Increased Relationship Gains: Franklin warms to those who share his government type, reflecting his preference for a like-minded approach to societal organization.
• Reduced Relationship: If your political system differs greatly from his, expect a cool reception.

As a result, aligning your government with Franklin’s or skillfully navigating his preferences can turn him into a reliable ally—especially if you’re looking to tap into his science-savvy skillset via alliances or research-focused collaborations.

Trivia

• Despite his noted practicality, Franklin once invented the armonica, a glass-based musical instrument that produced ethereal tones—a testament to his diverse interests.
• Rumor has it that Franklin’s love of tinkering made him a surprisingly shrewd negotiator: he’d converse about cutting-edge experiments or witty anecdotes, subtly winning people over before closing a deal.
• In Civ 7, the synergy between Franklin’s production boost and scientific advancement can be particularly devastating in a Science Victory race, allowing you to research advanced technologies and crucial late-game projects ahead of competitors.

TL;DR

Benjamin Franklin in Civ 7 seamlessly blends Diplomacy and Science with a healthy dash of Production. Build those workshops and factories early, keep an eye on Endeavors to fuel your tech growth, and stay friendly with like-minded governments to solidify alliances. Master these aspects, and you’ll find Franklin an inspiring—if occasionally cheeky—companion on your journey to outsmart and outproduce the world.