Different Types of Commanders in Civilization VII
For the most part, you can produce two different types of Commanders in Civilization VII: the Army Commander and the Fleet Commander. Both can be produced in cities and purchased in towns. They tend to cost a lot of turns/gold, though, so you won’t be able to produce them often. There are also certain technologies to research and buildings you can create that reward you with a free Commander.
The Army Commander is the first one you’ll be able to produce, as you can’t travel the open ocean with a ship until the Exploration Age. It unlocks shortly after the Antiquity Age begins. An Army Commander rides on a horse and can absorb any land unit. This includes swordsmen, ranged units, trebuchets, and anything else that can advance on land.
As for the Fleet Commander, this only unlocks after you reach the Exploration Age (the second age). A Fleet Commander can absorb any ship that you produce, whether it’s an exploration unit, combat unit, or even a Treasure Fleet. Basically, any ship you can place in the water, the Fleet Commander can absorb and control.
Fleet Commanders work exactly the same way as Army Commanders, so you can get close to ships to absorb them and then deploy them one tile away from you. Of course, Fleet Commanders can only sail the ocean, so don’t bother attempting to get them on land.