Catherine the Great – Guide and Strategy

9 months ago
jan
5 minutes

Intro

Catherine the Great stands among the most iconic leaders you can encounter in Civilization VII. Though historically remembered as the 18th-century Empress of Russia, in the game she blends her real-world penchant for modernization with powerful in-game bonuses tied to Culture and Science. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced veteran of the series, Catherine can offer a unique perspective on cultivating a strong cultural base while steadily advancing your research in harsh terrains like Tundra.

Strategy

Catherine the Great excels at combining Cultural advancements with Scientific growth, making her a versatile choice for players who appreciate balancing artistic pursuits and technological progress. One of her key strengths lies in leveraging Great Works for a steady supply of Culture each turn, which, when supplemented by her Science bonuses in Tundra-heavy regions, can put you at the forefront of multiple victory paths.

  1. Focus on Great Works Early: Secure Great Artists, Writers, and Musicians to fill any open slots in your buildings. This snowballs your Culture growth, helping you unlock key policies and governments faster.
  2. Settle Near Tundra When Possible: Though often overlooked in previous installments of Civilization, Tundra tiles can be surprisingly productive in Catherine’s hands due to her unique ability to convert a portion of Culture into Science.
  3. Pair Cultural and Scientific Advancements: Use your cultural edge to breeze through the Civics Tree, then pivot that momentum into strong research output. By the mid-game, you’ll have a blend of wonders, policies, and buildings that fuel both creative and technological dominance.
  4. Watch the Diplomatic Landscape: Catherine’s agenda revolves around tracking who holds the most or least Great Works, so keep an eye on cultural competitors. Sometimes, striking a timely trade for a Great Work can strengthen your rapport — or cleverly deny it to a major rival.

All of this means Catherine’s route to victory can be as flexible as you want it to be. Aim for Cultural, Scientific, or even Diplomatic success, leveraging Great Works for global standing while consistently staying on the cutting edge of research.

Lines

Catherine brings a distinct flair to her dialogue, reflecting both her refined tastes and her intense personality. If you’re playing with Leader Dialogue enabled, you might hear lines that blend historical references with her frank approach to ruling. Here are a few to keep an ear out for:

  • Greeting: She may introduce herself with regal confidence, simultaneously referencing her birth name and acknowledging the transformation she underwent to embrace Russian tradition.
  • Attacked: Expect a poised retort that alludes to giving her foes a lesson they won’t forget — woven with a dash of Russian idiomatic humor.
  • Defeated: True to her historical persona, Catherine’s parting words often reflect a mix of pride, resignation, and genuine passion for the art and architecture she’s leaving behind.

Of course, the exact phrasing may vary by translation settings, but you’ll always sense that commanding spirit that made Catherine such an influential figure in both world history and the Civilization VII roster.

Civilopedia Entry

Catherine II was an enlightened autocrat who came to power in 1762 after a coup that deposed her husband, Peter III. As a leader, she prioritized modernizing her empire, fostering an environment that welcomed European thought and technology. Her reign saw the expansion of Russia’s borders, enhanced trade opportunities, and significant social reforms—particularly in the arts and education.

In Civilization VII, her leadership style manifests through powerful bonuses to Culture generation and a noteworthy synergy with Science when settling in otherwise desolate regions. Much like her historical persona, Catherine in-game rewards players who skillfully balance charm, intellect, and an eye for growth at the borders of what’s commonly considered prime real estate.

Unique Ability: Star of the North

Catherine’s unique ability, often referred to as Star of the North, offers substantial benefits to players who focus on gathering and showcasing Great Works. Every time you acquire new Great Works, you’ll enjoy +2 Culture per Age on their display. To further boost your creative output, buildings that house Great Works gain an additional slot, allowing you to showcase more masterpieces than usual.

An especially noteworthy twist is the Science bonus you gain in Tundra regions, where cities settled in these colder climates receive Science equal to a fixed percentage of their Culture output. This twist makes Tundra not just a challenge but a potential goldmine for tech-focused civs who can think outside the usual resource-rich zones.

Agendas

Catherine’s agenda, Dusha (“soul” or “breath” in Russian), impacts how she interacts with other leaders:

  • She decreases her Diplomatic Relationship by a moderate amount with the civilization amassing the most Great Works.
  • She increases her Diplomatic Relationship by a moderate amount with whoever has the fewest Great Works.
  • Her agenda only fully activates if she herself possesses at least one Great Work.

In practice, this agenda incentivizes Catherine to be watchful of cultural heavyweights and encourages her to align with those who aren’t strong contenders in the culture race—at least until they start collecting a few masterpieces of their own.

Trivia

  • Catherine the Great has appeared as a leader in several Civilization titles, reflecting her enduring popularity as an “enlightened despot” from history.
  • Her real-life passion for the arts is mirrored in-game through her emphasis on Great Works and her cosmopolitan dialogue lines.
  • Historically, Catherine corresponded with leading intellectuals like Voltaire, showcasing her genuine dedication to broadening Russia’s cultural and scientific horizons.

TL;DR

Catherine the Great is a fantastic leader choice if you want to balance Culture and Science, especially in Tundra areas. Her unique ability, Star of the North, rewards you for collecting Great Works and cleverly leverages Culture to power your research. Just keep a close eye on other civs’ Great Work collections—her Dusha agenda favors those less invested in the arts, but you’ll want to maintain your own masterpieces to stay in her good graces (or to manage the inevitable rivalry).