Age of Empires II Civilizations
Choose your civilization wisely. Each civ offers unique bonuses, units, and technologies that shape your strategy from Dark Age to Imperial.
All Civilizations
Britons
Superior archer range with powerful Longbowmen
Byzantines
Versatile civilization with cheaper counter units
Chinese
Strong technology bonuses but challenging start
Franks
Powerful cavalry civilization with free farm upgrades
Goths
Infantry spam with powerful Huskarls
Japanese
Strong infantry with faster-attacking units
Mongols
Mobile cavalry archer civilization with Mangudai
Persians
Strong late game with War Elephants
Saracens
Excellent camel units and market bonuses
Teutons
Powerful infantry with Teutonic Knights
Turks
Strong gunpowder units with free Chemistry
Vikings
Strong infantry and naval dominance
Magyars
Excellent light cavalry with free attack upgrades
Choosing Your Civilization
By Playstyle
- Archers: Britons excel at ranged combat with superior archer range
- Cavalry: Franks, Persians, and Magyars dominate with mounted units
- Infantry: Goths, Teutons, and Japanese field powerful foot soldiers
- Defensive: Byzantines offer versatile counter strategies
By Difficulty
- Beginner-Friendly: Franks, Britons, Goths, Byzantines, Teutons
- Intermediate: Mongols, Japanese, Vikings, Persians, Saracens, Turks, Magyars
- Advanced: Chinese (challenging start with extra villagers)