Age of Empires 4 Civilizations

Master every civilization in AoE4. Each civ offers unique playstyles, units, and strategies.

Age of Empires 4 launched in 2021 with 8 civilizations and has grown to more than a dozen through expansions. Each civilization has unique units, landmarks and economic bonuses that define its playstyle. This guide covers the following AoE4 civilizations, ranked by difficulty:

CivilizationDifficultyPlaystyle
English Easy Defense & Longbows
French Easy Cavalry & Trade
Holy Roman Empire Medium Infantry & Relics
Chinese Hard Dynasties & Gunpowder
Mongols Hard Mobility & Raiding
Rus Medium Hunting & Cavalry
Delhi Sultanate Hard Scholars & Elephants
Abbasid Dynasty Medium Technology & Camels
Ottomans Medium Military Schools & Gunpowder
Malians Medium Gold & Unique Infantry
Byzantines Hard Mercenaries & Cisterns
Japanese Hard Samurai & Shrines

Choosing Your Civilization

For Beginners

Start with English or French. They have straightforward mechanics and strong early game options.

For Intermediate

Try Rus, HRE, or Abbasid. They offer more strategic depth with manageable complexity.

For Advanced

Master Chinese, Mongols, or Delhi. High skill ceiling with unique mechanics.