Choosing the right civilization can significantly impact your success in Age of Empires 4. This tier list reflects the current competitive meta, taking into account recent balance changes, tournament results, and win rates across all skill levels.
S-Tier Civilizations
These civilizations dominate the competitive scene and offer the most consistent results.
🇫🇷 French
SThe French remain one of the strongest civilizations thanks to their powerful early knights and economic bonuses.
Strengths
- Fastest knight production in the game
- Cheaper economic upgrades
- Strong trade bonus with Guild Hall
- Excellent early-game pressure
Weaknesses
- Predictable strategies
- Falls off slightly in Imperial Age
🏴 English
SEnglish excel in both aggressive and defensive strategies with their powerful longbowmen and network of castles bonus.
Strengths
- Longbowmen are extremely cost-effective
- Network of Castles provides map control
- Strong early-game timing attacks
- Versatile landmark choices
Weaknesses
- Relies heavily on archer micro
- Vulnerable to knight flanks
A-Tier Civilizations
Very competitive choices that can win at the highest level with proper execution.
🇷🇺 Rus
AThe Rus bounty system rewards skilled players who can efficiently hunt and raid, providing a strong economic advantage.
Strengths
- Bounty system provides gold from hunting
- Strong cavalry units
- Warrior Monks are very versatile
- Excellent boom potential
Weaknesses
- Needs deer spawns for optimal play
- Higher skill ceiling
🇲🇳 Mongols
AMongols offer a unique nomadic playstyle with mobile bases and powerful harassment options.
Strengths
- Packed buildings allow repositioning
- Ovoo provides powerful unit upgrades
- Mangudai are excellent raiders
- Strong tower rush potential
Weaknesses
- Very micro-intensive
- Vulnerable to early aggression if misplayed
🇨🇳 Chinese
AChinese have the highest skill ceiling in the game with their dynasty system and official mechanics.
Strengths
- Dynasty bonuses are extremely powerful
- Zhuge Nu are devastating in numbers
- Officials boost production significantly
- Strong late-game potential
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve
- Slow early game
- Requires landmark coordination
B-Tier Civilizations
Solid civilizations that perform well but have more defined weaknesses.
🇩🇪 Holy Roman Empire
BStrong infantry focus with powerful prelates. Excellent defensive options but limited early aggression.
🇮🇳 Delhi Sultanate
BFree but slow technologies provide late-game advantages. Elephants are powerful but expensive.
🇲🇱 Malians
BUnique gold mechanics and powerful Musofadi units. Strong mid-game timing attacks.
🇪🇹 Abbasid Dynasty
BHouse of Wisdom provides flexible bonuses. Strong camel units counter cavalry civs.
C-Tier Civilizations
Playable but require more effort to achieve similar results as higher-tier civilizations.
🇯🇵 Japanese
CUnique mechanics but currently undertuned. Waiting for balance improvements.
🇹🇷 Ottomans
CStrong military school production but predictable. Great Bombards are powerful late-game.
Tier List Disclaimer
This tier list reflects the current meta and is subject to change with balance patches. Any civilization can win at most skill levels with proper execution. Choose a civ you enjoy playing!
Conclusion
While tier lists provide guidance, remember that player skill and game knowledge matter more than civilization choice at most levels. The best civilization is the one you enjoy playing and have practiced the most.
For detailed guides on each civilization, check out our civilization guides section.