Real-time strategy fans will no doubt be familiar with the iconic Age of Empires series, where players tackle historical campaigns by managing resources and waging wars. The latest mainline entry, Age of Empires 4, is the first in 15 years and has been developed by Relic Entertainment and World’s Edge, with publishing support from Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios. After being announced in 2017, it was finally released on October 28th 2021. If you’re excited for the next game in the series then you may be looking for a list of all the Age of Empires 4 civilizations available, as well as what specific quirks and units they feature. In this short guide, we’re going to run through all of the civilizations available to help you pick which one to play ahead of launch.
Age Of Empires 4 Civilizations list
According to the game’s official website, there are currently ten main-line civilizations in Age of Empires 4. Here are all the Age of Empires 4 civilizations currently available in the base edition game and what you can expect from them.
Chinese
The Chinese civilization spans the years 907-1644 CE and features a special dynasty system that grows as you develop. If both landmarks in a single age are built, special effects will be activated. For example, the Yuan Dynasty trait will increase movement speed and allow access to special buildings and units. This civilization’s special units include the gold-collecting Imperial Official and the Nest of Bees, a wheel-bound cart that shoots rocket arrows. And of course, you’ll also be able to build The Great Wall once you reach the final age!
Rus
The Rus civilization in Age of Empires 4 takes place between the years 882-1552 C. It is focused on survival, with good early game defences and a means to earn gold from hunting wild animals. The special units of the Rus include Horse Archers and the Warrior Monk, who can convert units as well as deal damage.
Mongols
The Mongol civilization takes place from 100-1500 CE and can build quick, dangerous armies to cause chaos for other, less nomadic civilizations, especially in the early game. Players will be able to build special horse archer units like The Khan who can strengthen troops, and The Mangudai – the ultimate hit-and-run unit.
Abbasid Dynasty
The Abbasid Dynasty spans 750-1517 CE and focuses on the House of Wisdom, which grows as the civilization develops. Instead of getting landmarks, players will receive new units as they construct wings of the building and complete specific House of Wisdom upgrades. Special units include Imams and Camel Archers with superb attack range.
Delhi Sultinate
The Delhi Sultanate Age of Empires 4 civilization occurs between 879-1526 CE, and specialises in technology and late-game offence. Players can use and garrison the civilization’s special Scholar units to pick up new technologies and increase production across their empire. War Elephants and Tower War Elephants will also be made available later in the game, which are very strong units with high damage.
French
The French Age of Empires 4 civilization takes place between 840-1559 CE and is especially good at brawling and trading. With cheap early game buildings and a scaling influence system, the French can grow with great speed, backed up by the capabilities of the empire’s special units. Charging knights, deadly cannons and ranged units with deployable shields are all available to those who pick the French.
English
Age of Empires 4’s English civilization takes place in the Anglo-Saxon era, between 850-1555 CE. The English have cheap farms, great defensive units and alarmed fortifications that alert nearby offensive units to enemies. Special units include villagers, longbowmen with high range and the hardy Man-At-Arms, which feature upgradable armour.
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire in Age of Empires 4 spans 936-1517 CE and features inspirational religious units called Prelates. These guys bolster the empire’s economy and eventually can make it so that offensive units deal more damage. Landsknecht infantry units also deal area-of-effect damage, and the empire’s buildings grow more sturdy as you advance through the ages.
Ottomans
The Ottoman civilization in Age of Empires 4 spans from the pre-imperial Ottoman Empire period in the 11th century CE to the mid-16th century CE. Heavily dependent on their military expertise, they can also appoint Viziers which gives them access to unique technologies. The Ottomans can also field a larger army than typical, thanks to its Military School system.
Malians
In Age of Empires 4, the Malian civilization runs from the 11th century CE to the early-16th century CE and is focused on good economic play. The makers – and spenders – of gold, they can construct Pit Mines, to provide a steady flow of gold, and possess unique military units skewed towards a military approach based on hit-and-run tactics.
