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ghost-ng edited this page Jan 28, 2026 · 1 revision

Great People System

This document covers the Great People system in Civilization VII, including Great Person classes, individuals, their actions, Great Works, and how to create custom Great People.

Overview

Civ VII's Great People system differs from previous entries in the series. Great People are:

  • Civilization-specific - Each civilization has its own unique Great Person class
  • Age-specific - Great People are tied to specific Ages
  • Action-based - Each Great Person has a unique "retire" action with specific requirements and effects
  • Individual-based - Named historical figures with unique abilities

Core Tables

Table Purpose
Types Register Great Person classes and individuals as kinds
GreatPersonClasses Define Great Person class categories (per civilization)
GreatPersonIndividuals Define individual Great People and their actions
GreatPersonIndividualActionModifiers Link individuals to their action effects
GreatWorks Define Great Works that can be created
GreatWorkObjectTypes Define types of Great Work objects
GreatWorkSlotTypes Define slots for storing Great Works
GreatWork_YieldChanges Define yields from Great Works
Constructible_GreatWorks Link buildings to Great Work slots

Type Kinds

The Great People system uses two type kinds:

<Types>
    <!-- Great Person Class (civilization-specific) -->
    <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_MY_CLASS" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_CLASS"/>

    <!-- Individual Great Person -->
    <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_MY_PERSON" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL"/>
</Types>

Great Person Classes

Each civilization has a unique Great Person class that represents their cultural tradition of scholarship or leadership.

Built-in Classes by Civilization

Antiquity Age

Class Civilization Unit Type
GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_LOGIOS Greece UNIT_LOGIOS
GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SHI_DAFU Han UNIT_SHI_DAFU
GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_TJATY Egypt UNIT_TJATY

Exploration Age

Class Civilization Unit Type
GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_ALIM Abbasid UNIT_ALIM
GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_CONQUISTADOR Spain UNIT_CONQUISTADOR

Defining a Great Person Class

<GreatPersonClasses>
    <Row GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_MY_CLASS"
         Name="LOC_UNIT_MY_CLASS_NAME"
         UnitType="UNIT_MY_GREATPERSON"
         UniqueQuarterType="QUARTER_MY_QUARTER"
         AvailableInTimeline="false"
         GenerateDuplicateIndividuals="true"
         PseudoYieldType="PSEUDOYIELD_STANDING_ARMY_COMMANDER"
         IconString="unitflag_my_class"
         ActionIcon="action_greatperson"/>
</GreatPersonClasses>

GreatPersonClasses Table Columns

Column Type Description
GreatPersonClassType TEXT Unique class identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for class name
UnitType TEXT Base unit type for this class
UniqueQuarterType TEXT Quarter required to spawn (optional)
ConstructibleType TEXT Building required to spawn (alternative to quarter)
PopulationRequired INTEGER Minimum population to spawn (optional)
AvailableInTimeline BOOLEAN Show in timeline (usually false)
GenerateDuplicateIndividuals BOOLEAN Allow duplicates in different games
PseudoYieldType TEXT AI evaluation pseudo-yield
IconString TEXT Icon reference
ActionIcon TEXT Action button icon

Great Person Individuals

Each Great Person class has multiple named individuals, each with unique action abilities.

Defining an Individual

<GreatPersonIndividuals>
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_MY_PERSON"
         Name="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_MY_PERSON_NAME"
         ActionEffectTextOverride="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_MY_PERSON_DESCRIPTION"
         GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_MY_CLASS"
         AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         Gender="M"
         ActionCharges="1"
         ActionRequiresOwnedTile="true"
         ActionRequiresCompletedDistrictType="DISTRICT_URBAN"
         ActionNameTextOverride="LOC_GREATPERSON_ACTION_NAME_RETIRE"
         UnitType="UNIT_MY_PERSON"/>
</GreatPersonIndividuals>

GreatPersonIndividuals Table Columns

Column Type Description
GreatPersonIndividualType TEXT Unique individual identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for name
ActionEffectTextOverride TEXT Localization key for action description
GreatPersonClassType TEXT Parent class reference
AgeType TEXT Age when this person appears
Gender TEXT M or F for display purposes
ActionCharges INTEGER Number of times action can be used
UnitType TEXT Specific unit type for this individual
ActionNameTextOverride TEXT Localization key for action button

Action Requirements

Various requirements can be set for where/when the Great Person's action can be used:

Requirement Column Description
ActionRequiresOwnedTile Must be on owned territory
ActionRequiresForeignTile Must be on foreign territory
ActionRequiresCity Must be in a city
ActionRequiresCapital Must be in capital
ActionRequiresCompletedDistrictType Requires specific district
ActionRequiresCompletedQuarterType Requires specific quarter
ActionRequiresCompletedConstructibleType Requires specific building
ActionRequiresCompletedConstructibleTag Requires building with tag
ActionRequiresIncompleteWonder Requires incomplete wonder
ActionRequiresNoMilitaryUnit No military unit on tile
ActionRequiresOnUnitType Must be on specific unit type
ActionRequiresNavigableRiver Must be on river
ActionRequiresForeignHemisphere Must be in foreign hemisphere
ActionRequiresArmyCommanderEmptySlots Commander must have empty slots
ActionRequiresOnBiomeType Must be on specific biome
ActionRequiresIndependentOwnedTile Must be on independent territory
ActionRequiresOnOrAdjacentNaturalWonder Near natural wonder
ActionRequiresNoConstructibleTypeInCity City lacks building
ActionRequiresLessThanXBuildings City has fewer than X buildings
ActionRequiresConstructionTypePermission Has permission to build
ActionRequiresSpecialistCap City has specialist capacity

Action Modifiers

Link individuals to their action effects using modifiers:

<GreatPersonIndividualActionModifiers>
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_MY_PERSON"
         ModifierId="GREATPERSON_MY_EFFECT"
         AttachmentTargetType="GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_PLAYER"/>
</GreatPersonIndividualActionModifiers>

Attachment Target Types

Target Type Description
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_PLAYER Attaches to player
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_UNIT_GREATPERSON Attaches to great person unit
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_DISTRICT_IN_TILE Attaches to district on tile
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_DISTRICT_WONDER_IN_TILE Attaches to wonder on tile
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_COMMANDER_IN_TILE Attaches to commander on tile
GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_ARMY_IN_TILE Attaches to army on tile

Common Action Effects

Yield Bonuses

<!-- Grant yield burst -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_CULTURE"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_YIELD"
          run-once="true" permanent="true">
    <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_CULTURE</Argument>
    <Argument name="Amount" type="ScaleByGameSpeed">100</Argument>
</Modifier>

<!-- Add yield to building -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_ACADEMY_CULTURE"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_CONSTRUCTIBLE_YIELD"
          run-once="false" permanent="true">
    <Argument name="ConstructibleType">BUILDING_ACADEMY</Argument>
    <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_CULTURE</Argument>
    <Argument name="Amount">4</Argument>
</Modifier>

Unit Spawning

<!-- Grant units with special ability -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_GRANT_HOPLITE"
          collection="COLLECTION_UNIT_NEAREST_OWNER_CITY"
          effect="EFFECT_GRANT_UNIT_OF_CLASS_AND_APPLY_ABILITY"
          run-once="true" permanent="true">
    <Argument name="UnitTag">UNIT_CLASS_HOPLITE</Argument>
    <Argument name="UnitAbilityType">ABILITY_MY_BONUS</Argument>
    <Argument name="Amount">2</Argument>
</Modifier>

Wonder Production

<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_WONDER_PRODUCTION_LARGE"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_GRANT_PRODUCTION_IN_CITY"
          run-once="true" permanent="true">
    <Argument name="Amount" type="ScaleByGameSpeed">250</Argument>
    <Argument name="KeepOverflow">false</Argument>
</Modifier>

Special Effects

<!-- Grant Golden Age -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_GOLDEN_AGE"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_GOLDEN_AGE"
          run-once="true" permanent="true"/>

<!-- Grant free technology -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_RANDOM_TECH"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_PLAYER_GRANT_PROGRESSION"
          permanent="true">
    <Argument name="Amount">1</Argument>
    <Argument name="SystemType">SYSTEM_TECH</Argument>
    <Argument name="FreeProgressionType">FREE_PROGRESSION_NODE_ANY_UNLOCKED</Argument>
</Modifier>

<!-- Grant commander promotion -->
<Modifier id="GREATPERSON_COMMANDER_PROMOTION"
          collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
          effect="EFFECT_GRANT_UNIT_PROMOTION"
          run-once="true" permanent="true">
    <Argument name="Amount">1</Argument>
</Modifier>

Great Works

Great Works are collectible items created by Great People or found through exploration.

Great Work Object Types

<GreatWorkObjectTypes>
    <Row GreatWorkObjectType="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"
         Value="0"
         Name="LOC_GREATWORK_CODEX_NAME"
         PseudoYieldType="PSEUDOYIELD_GREAT_WORK"
         IconString="[ICON_GreatWork_Codex]"/>
</GreatWorkObjectTypes>

Great Work Slot Types

<GreatWorkSlotTypes>
    <Row GreatWorkSlotType="GREATWORKSLOT_WRITING"/>
</GreatWorkSlotTypes>

<GreatWork_ValidSubTypes>
    <Row GreatWorkSlotType="GREATWORKSLOT_WRITING"
         GreatWorkObjectType="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"/>
</GreatWork_ValidSubTypes>

Defining Great Works

<Types>
    <Row Type="GREATWORK_MY_CODEX" Kind="KIND_GREATWORK"/>
</Types>

<GreatWorks>
    <!-- Generic Great Work -->
    <Row GreatWorkType="GREATWORK_MY_CODEX"
         GreatWorkObjectType="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"
         Name="LOC_GREATWORK_MY_CODEX_NAME"
         Description="LOC_GREATWORK_MY_CODEX_DESCRIPTION"
         Image="fs://game/gw_books.png"/>

    <!-- Great Person-linked Great Work -->
    <Row GreatWorkType="GREATWORK_SAPPHO_APHRODITE"
         GreatWorkObjectType="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"
         GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_LOGIOS_SAPPHO"
         Name="LOC_GREATWORK_SAPPHO_APHRODITE_NAME"
         Description="LOC_GREATWORK_SAPPHO_APHRODITE_DESCRIPTION"
         Generic="false"
         Image="fs://game/gw_rotulus.png"/>
</GreatWorks>

Great Work Yields

<GreatWork_YieldChanges>
    <Row GreatWorkType="GREATWORK_MY_CODEX"
         YieldType="YIELD_SCIENCE"
         YieldChange="2"/>
</GreatWork_YieldChanges>

Buildings with Great Work Slots

<Constructible_GreatWorks>
    <Row ConstructibleType="BUILDING_LIBRARY"
         GreatWorkSlotType="GREATWORKSLOT_WRITING"
         NumSlots="2"/>
    <Row ConstructibleType="BUILDING_ACADEMY"
         GreatWorkSlotType="GREATWORKSLOT_WRITING"
         NumSlots="3"/>
</Constructible_GreatWorks>

Complete Example: Custom Great Person Class

Step 1: Register Types

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <Types>
        <!-- Great Person Class -->
        <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SAGE" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_CLASS"/>

        <!-- Individuals -->
        <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL"/>
        <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL"/>
        <Row Type="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_ZHUANGZI" Kind="KIND_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL"/>

        <!-- Unit ability -->
        <Row Type="ABILITY_SAGE_ENLIGHTENMENT" Kind="KIND_ABILITY"/>

        <!-- Great Work -->
        <Row Type="GREATWORK_ART_OF_WAR" Kind="KIND_GREATWORK"/>
    </Types>
</Database>

Step 2: Define the Class

<GreatPersonClasses>
    <Row GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SAGE"
         Name="LOC_UNIT_SAGE_NAME"
         UnitType="UNIT_SAGE"
         UniqueQuarterType="QUARTER_CONFUCIAN_ACADEMY"
         AvailableInTimeline="false"
         GenerateDuplicateIndividuals="true"
         PseudoYieldType="PSEUDOYIELD_STANDING_ARMY_COMMANDER"
         IconString="unitflag_sage"
         ActionIcon="action_greatperson"/>
</GreatPersonClasses>

Step 3: Define Individuals

<GreatPersonIndividuals>
    <!-- Confucius: Grants culture and happiness -->
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS"
         Name="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_NAME"
         ActionEffectTextOverride="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_DESCRIPTION"
         GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SAGE"
         AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         Gender="M"
         ActionCharges="1"
         ActionRequiresOwnedTile="true"
         ActionRequiresCompletedDistrictType="DISTRICT_URBAN"
         ActionNameTextOverride="LOC_GREATPERSON_ACTION_NAME_RETIRE"
         UnitType="UNIT_SAGE_CONFUCIUS"/>

    <!-- Sun Zi: Grants military bonus -->
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI"
         Name="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI_NAME"
         ActionEffectTextOverride="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI_DESCRIPTION"
         GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SAGE"
         AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         Gender="M"
         ActionCharges="1"
         ActionRequiresOnUnitType="UNIT_ARMY_COMMANDER"
         ActionRequiresOwnedTile="false"
         ActionNameTextOverride="LOC_GREATPERSON_ACTION_NAME_RETIRE"
         UnitType="UNIT_SAGE_SUNZI"/>

    <!-- Zhuangzi: Creates Great Work -->
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_ZHUANGZI"
         Name="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_ZHUANGZI_NAME"
         GreatPersonClassType="GREAT_PERSON_CLASS_SAGE"
         AgeType="AGE_ANTIQUITY"
         Gender="M"
         ActionCharges="0"
         ActionNameTextOverride="LOC_GREATPERSON_ACTION_NAME_RETIRE"
         UnitType="UNIT_SAGE_ZHUANGZI"/>
</GreatPersonIndividuals>

Step 4: Define Action Modifiers

<GreatPersonIndividualActionModifiers>
    <!-- Confucius: Culture and happiness to city -->
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS"
         ModifierId="GREATPERSON_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_CULTURE"
         AttachmentTargetType="GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_DISTRICT_IN_TILE"/>
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS"
         ModifierId="GREATPERSON_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_HAPPINESS"
         AttachmentTargetType="GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_DISTRICT_IN_TILE"/>

    <!-- Sun Zi: Grants promotion to commander -->
    <Row GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI"
         ModifierId="GREATPERSON_SAGE_SUNZI_PROMOTION"
         AttachmentTargetType="GREAT_PERSON_ACTION_ATTACHMENT_TARGET_COMMANDER_IN_TILE"/>
</GreatPersonIndividualActionModifiers>

Step 5: GameEffects

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <!-- Confucius Culture -->
    <Modifier id="GREATPERSON_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_CULTURE"
              collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD"
              run-once="false" permanent="true">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_CULTURE</Argument>
        <Argument name="Amount">3</Argument>
        <String context="Summary">LOC_GREATPERSON_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_CULTURE</String>
    </Modifier>

    <!-- Confucius Happiness -->
    <Modifier id="GREATPERSON_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_HAPPINESS"
              collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD"
              run-once="false" permanent="true">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_HAPPINESS</Argument>
        <Argument name="Amount">2</Argument>
    </Modifier>

    <!-- Sun Zi Promotion -->
    <Modifier id="GREATPERSON_SAGE_SUNZI_PROMOTION"
              collection="COLLECTION_OWNER"
              effect="EFFECT_GRANT_UNIT_PROMOTION"
              run-once="true" permanent="true">
        <Argument name="Amount">2</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Step 6: Great Work for Zhuangzi

<GreatWorks>
    <Row GreatWorkType="GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY"
         GreatWorkObjectType="GREATWORKOBJECT_WRITING"
         GreatPersonIndividualType="GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_ZHUANGZI"
         Name="LOC_GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY_DESCRIPTION"
         Generic="false"
         Image="fs://game/gw_books.png"/>
</GreatWorks>

<GreatWork_YieldChanges>
    <Row GreatWorkType="GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY"
         YieldType="YIELD_HAPPINESS"
         YieldChange="3"/>
</GreatWork_YieldChanges>

Step 7: Localization

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <LocalizedText>
        <Row Tag="LOC_UNIT_SAGE_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Sage</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Confucius</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_CONFUCIUS_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>+3 [ICON_CULTURE] Culture and +2 [ICON_HAPPINESS] Happiness to this city.</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Sun Zi</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_SUNZI_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Grants 2 promotions to this Army Commander.</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREAT_PERSON_INDIVIDUAL_SAGE_ZHUANGZI_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Zhuangzi</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>The Butterfly Dream</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GREATWORK_ZHUANGZI_BUTTERFLY_DESCRIPTION" Language="en_US">
            <Text>A philosophical parable about the nature of reality.</Text>
        </Row>
    </LocalizedText>
</Database>

Best Practices

  1. Civilization-Appropriate - Design Great People that fit the civilization's culture and history
  2. Varied Actions - Provide diverse action types (yields, units, buildings, special effects)
  3. Meaningful Requirements - Action requirements should make thematic sense
  4. Balanced Effects - Scale effects appropriately with game speed
  5. 10 Individuals per Class - Follow the pattern of having about 10 named individuals
  6. Great Works for Writers - Consider having some individuals create Great Works instead of immediate effects
  7. Gender Diversity - Include both male and female historical figures
  8. Clear Descriptions - Explain exactly what the Great Person's action provides

Related Documentation

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