Despite being quite an old game, the definitive version of Age of Empires 2 introduced some new content and graphical tweaks that have triggered a new wave of interest in the classic civ title. If you’re investigating it for the first time It can be quite intimidating, especially as each civilization has its own set of unique buildings, units, and bonuses. Tournament play has also helped raise its profile, with national and international competitions giving generous cash prizes.
Best Age of Empires 2 Civilizations
There are more than 30 different civilizations in this edition of theAge of Empiresseries, so it can be hard to know when choosing if you’re picking one of the stronger ones. We’ve picked out the best ones below and ranked them into three groups, all of which have their strengths. Read on below to better understand which of these may best suit your individual play style.
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SS-Tier Civilizations in Age of Empires 2
Chinese
Great starting bonuses(towns support five extra population and spawn three more villagers at low cost) are supported by a strong military start. Whether offensively (Rockets, Siege Scorpions) or defensively (Great Wall bonusto your Walls and Towers), you can get off to a great start and keep it going.
Lithuanians
You get astarting food bonusof 150, which is a great help in not only early but also mid-game encounters. If it’s a battle you’re after, you’ll havestrong Cavalry unitsfrom the early game, which will be bolstered byHalberdiers and Skirmisherslater.
Mayans
The Mayans are a brilliantlybalanced civilizationand get a resource duration bonus, so they’re suitable for any map. This makes them perfect for tournament play. The speed of your Plumed Archers makes up for the lack of cavalry, and a powerful array of infantry units backs them.
Vikings
A whopping 15 percentdiscount on Warshipsduring the Feudal and Castle Ages, going up to 20 percent in the Imperial Age, made the Vikings a great civilization. Throw in theirBerserkers, whoregen without needing monks, and you’ll be a formidable foe.
S-Tier Civilizations in Age of Empires 2
Aztecs
You won’t get any cavalry units if you play as the Aztecs. But this is made up for with infantry units (especially their unique Jaguar Warriors) that dealstrong bonus infantry damageand are created quickly. As you’d expect, they also getgold bonusesalongside moreresilient Monk units.
Britons
If you want to concentrate onranged warfare, the Britons are an excellent choice. Their Archers and Longbowmen are some of the best-regarded ranged units available, so if you’re adept at putting yourself in the right battle situations they can cause havoc. You also benefit fromcheaper Towns.
Franks
The Franks have a nice spread of bonuses, withstrong Cavalry units(plus 20 percent health) early on and a bigdiscount on Stone Castleslater. Their unique unit, Throwing Axemen, really packs a punch. Plus, yourforage for foodwith a 15 percent speed bonus due to getting free Mill tech.
Huns
The lack of starting Wood can put people off choosing the Huns, but as they don’t need housing it is less of a burden than it first appears. Siege capabilities are bolstered thanks to accurate Trebuchets (+30 percent), but theyreally shine for their Cavalry Archers. And just the threat of the Huns creates apassive disadvantage for their neighbors.
Japanese
Thanks to gettingcheap Gathering Buildings, playing the Japanese can help you build astrong economy. This is helped by their beingversatile, allowing you to deal with different map situations with relative ease. Samurai is an awesome infantry unit, and the Japanese also boast strong siege tech.
A-Tier Civilizations in Age of Empires 2
Koreans
If you want toplay slowly and defensively, the Koreans are a strong option. You getfree Tower Upgrades, with many of your Tower and Keep options benefitting from extra range. In addition, Turtle Ships and War Wagons make for formidable opponents.
Malians
With a bit of experience, you may really make the Malians shine. Theyuse 15 percent less woodwhen building, while their gold lasts 30 percent longer.Technology is also a strength, with Universities being built much more quickly. Plus, they’re strong defensively, getting a Barracks bonus, and with non-garrisoned towns still using Fire Arrows.
Mongols
While only on the A-Tier list, some consider the Mongols to be the strongest civilization in Age of Empires 2. Their Mangudai Cavalry is afantastic fast-firing unit, but their nomadic nature makes them a hard civilization to play well. They also getScouting bonusesandcan devastate siege engines.
Portuguese
The Portuguese is a fun civilization to play with, as they haveseveral unique advantages, and all their technologies are researched with a speed bonus. Their Feitoria Building trading post generates resources on its own. In battle, they boasttough, powerful shipswhile their Organ Guns are lethal.
Civilizations to avoid
Goths
While the Goths can be a great late-game civilization, it can be verydifficult to get to late-gameversus even relatively strong opponents. Their economy is very slow, and while bonuses let them get going OK early in the game, theyreally suffer mid-gameas they fall behind the curve, both financially and militarily.
Sicilians
These are only useful in team play, as they’reall defense with no bite. The bonus unit of the Sicilians, the Serjeant, are strong defensively butdon’t do enough damageto make them worthwhile. This benefit is also seen in their general ability to soak up extra damage (50 percent of bonus damage).
Spanish
At first look, the Spanish seems like a strong civilization. Conquistadors are strong, being a mounted gunpowder unit. Generally, theyrely on gunpowder bonusesto get an edge. Their Missionary Monks are also strong, but theirbenefits are generally too nicheto convert to a game-winning army.
If you love the Age of Empires series, check out some of the Age of Empires IV guides we have at Pro Game Guides, includingHow to automatically assign tasks to new units in Age of Empires IVandAll military units in Age of Empires IV.
