Picking the best civilisation in Age of Empires IV is not as simple as choosing the one with the biggest cavalry charge or the coolest looking armour. Although, admittedly, that does help.
The beauty of AoE IV is how differently each civilisation plays. Some reward aggressive early pressure, some become terrifying economic machines, and others require the sort of multitasking ability that makes you question whether medieval rulers secretly had three keyboards.
This ranking considers:
- Strength across different maps
- Economy and scaling potential
- Military flexibility
- Unique units and technologies
- Beginner friendliness
- Competitive performance
- How much control is needed to unlock their full power
Balance changes mean rankings always move around, but these civilisations consistently show clear strengths and weaknesses.
16. Abbasid Dynasty
The Abbasid Dynasty is fascinating, flexible and historically one of the most interesting factions in AoE IV. Unfortunately, interesting does not always mean terrifying.
Their biggest strength is the House of Wisdom system. Instead of building landmarks with villagers, Abbasid players develop through different wings that provide economic, military and cultural bonuses.
Strengths
- Strong long term economy
- Flexible technology paths
- Excellent camel units
- No villagers lost to landmark construction
Weaknesses
- Slow early momentum
- Can struggle against aggressive openings
- Requires careful planning
Camel Riders and Camel Archers are fantastic support units, especially against cavalry heavy enemies, but Abbasid often feels like a civilisation waiting to become powerful while someone else is already knocking on the door with a battering ram.
Great concept, slightly unforgiving execution.
15. Delhi Sultanate
Delhi is one of the strangest civilisations in the game, and I mean that as a compliment.
Their free technology system completely changes how you think about upgrades. Scholars speed research, support armies and create some very unusual strategies.
Strengths
- Free research
- Strong map control
- Powerful late game technology
- War Elephants are terrifying
Weaknesses
- Slow upgrades without Scholars
- Needs excellent timing
- Difficult for newer players
The War Elephant is still one of AoE IV’s greatest “please move out of the way” units. The problem is surviving long enough and managing your economy well enough to unleash them.
14. Byzantine Empire
The Byzantines bring style, complexity and probably the most impressive looking army composition in the game.
They rely on clever resource management through Olive Oil, allowing recruitment of mercenary units from other cultures.
Strengths
- Incredible unit variety
- Strong defensive options
- Mercenary flexibility
- Excellent late game tools
Weaknesses
- Complicated economy
- Requires strong game knowledge
- Mistakes are heavily punished
The Byzantines are powerful in skilled hands, but they are not exactly relaxing. Playing them can feel like running a medieval spreadsheet while someone attacks your farms.
13. Japanese
The Japanese civilisation combines disciplined infantry, strong defences and excellent scaling.
Their Samurai are iconic, their economy develops well, and their unique mechanics create a very satisfying progression.
Strengths
- Strong infantry
- Powerful defensive buildings
- Great late game economy
- Reliable army composition
Weaknesses
- Limited early aggression
- Can struggle against mobility
- Needs time to build strength
Few things feel better than watching upgraded Samurai march forward. Few things feel worse than realising your opponent simply rode around them.
12. Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire can become an economic monster thanks to Prelates boosting villager efficiency.
Give them time and they transform into one of the strongest late game civilisations.
Strengths
- Incredible economy
- Powerful infantry
- Strong relic bonuses
- Excellent late game
Weaknesses
- Predictable strategies
- Vulnerable economy disruption
- Needs good defensive play
Fully upgraded Men-at-Arms backed by a booming economy can feel unstoppable. Getting there is the tricky part.
11. Chinese
China rewards players who enjoy building something massive before unleashing chaos.
The Dynasty system gives access to unique bonuses, units and strategies as the game progresses.
Strengths
- Huge late game potential
- Excellent technology options
- Strong gunpowder units
- Flexible economy
Weaknesses
- Complex progression
- Expensive development
- Requires patience
Nest of Bees siege weapons remain one of the most satisfying units in the game. Watching enemy formations disappear never gets old.
Unless you are the enemy.
10. Zhu Xi’s Legacy
Zhu Xi’s Legacy takes the Chinese formula and makes it faster, sharper and more aggressive.
It keeps the feeling of careful development but offers earlier options.
Strengths
- Flexible strategies
- Faster tempo than China
- Strong economy choices
- Excellent technology
Weaknesses
- Requires strong decision making
- Can lose momentum quickly
This civilisation rewards players who know exactly where they want the match to go. Hesitation is expensive.
9. English
The English are the classic AoE IV civilisation. Easy to learn, surprisingly hard to master.
Their Longbowmen define early pressure, while farms and defensive structures create fantastic staying power.
Strengths
- Great beginner civilisation
- Strong defences
- Reliable economy
- Excellent ranged units
Weaknesses
- Predictable openings
- Less exotic late game options
There is something beautifully annoying about English players calmly farming behind walls while everyone else is fighting for survival.
Historically accurate? Possibly.
8. French
The French are direct, aggressive and built around one of the most famous medieval units in history.
The Royal Knight.
Strengths
- Incredible cavalry pressure
- Strong economy bonuses
- Powerful trade options
- Great map control
Weaknesses
- Reliant on cavalry impact
- Opponents often know what is coming
The French strategy is not complicated. The knight arrives. The knight causes problems. More knights arrive.
Simple? Yes.
Effective? Absolutely.
7. Mongols
The Mongols remain one of AoE IV’s most unique designs.
No walls. Mobile buildings. Pure aggression.
Strengths
- Incredible mobility
- Strong early attacks
- Flexible positioning
- Great raiding potential
Weaknesses
- No traditional defences
- Requires constant pressure
- Demanding playstyle
A good Mongol player makes the entire map feel unsafe. A bad Mongol player discovers why walls were invented.
6. Rus
The Rus combine hunting, cavalry, economy and strong technology into a very complete civilisation.
They rarely feel helpless because they have answers to almost everything.
Strengths
- Excellent economy
- Strong cavalry
- Good defensive options
- Adaptable strategies
Weaknesses
- Requires active early game
- Hunting bonuses need attention
Rus rewards players who like controlling the entire map rather than sitting at home waiting.
5. Ayyubids
The Ayyubids are flexible, fast and dangerous.
Their unique advancement choices let players adapt quickly depending on the match situation.
Strengths
- Great strategic variety
- Strong military timing
- Flexible economy
- Powerful unique options
Weaknesses
- Needs good game awareness
- Choices can be overwhelming
The ability to change direction quickly makes the Ayyubids one of the hardest civilisations to predict.
4. Order of the Dragon
Order of the Dragon takes the Holy Roman Empire idea and asks a simple question.
What if every soldier was terrifying?
Their units are expensive but individually much stronger.
Strengths
- Elite military units
- Strong small armies
- Excellent upgrades
- Lower population pressure
Weaknesses
- Expensive losses
- Punished by bad fights
Every battle matters. Losing elite troops hurts, but winning with a tiny force against a larger army feels incredible.
3. Malians
The Malians are unlike anything else in AoE IV.
They focus on mobility, gold generation and clever unit combinations rather than traditional brute force.
Strengths
- Amazing economy
- Strong map presence
- Flexible armies
- Great raiding
Weaknesses
- Fragile units
- Requires active control
They are not the easiest civilisation, but when played well they feel ridiculously smooth.
2. Ottomans
The Ottomans are one of the most consistently powerful civilisations.
Military Schools generating free units create constant pressure, while their siege options are among the best available.
Strengths
- Free military production
- Elite siege weapons
- Strong late game
- Great army support
Weaknesses
- Needs setup time
- Early economy can be pressured
The Great Bombard remains one of AoE IV’s ultimate “that building is no longer a building” moments.
1. Jeanne d’Arc
Jeanne d’Arc is arguably the most distinctive civilisation in Age of Empires IV.
Built around a hero unit who grows stronger through combat, it changes the entire rhythm of a match.
Strengths
- Powerful hero progression
- Strong aggression
- Excellent cavalry
- Great momentum
Weaknesses
- Losing Jeanne hurts badly
- Requires active control
A well managed Jeanne creates constant pressure and forces opponents to respond. She turns battles into opportunities, gains power through action and can completely dominate the pace of a game.
A medieval hero RPG hidden inside an RTS? Strange idea.
Somehow, it works.
Final Ranking Table
| Rank | Civilisation | Best Trait |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeanne d’Arc | Hero pressure |
| 2 | Ottomans | Military production |
| 3 | Malians | Economy and mobility |
| 4 | Order of the Dragon | Elite units |
| 5 | Ayyubids | Adaptability |
| 6 | Rus | Versatility |
| 7 | Mongols | Aggression |
| 8 | French | Cavalry power |
| 9 | English | Reliability |
| 10 | Zhu Xi’s Legacy | Flexible development |
| 11 | Chinese | Late game power |
| 12 | Holy Roman Empire | Economy |
| 13 | Japanese | Infantry strength |
| 14 | Byzantines | Variety |
| 15 | Delhi Sultanate | Unique technology |
| 16 | Abbasid Dynasty | Long game potential |
Takeaway
Age of Empires IV works because there is no civilisation that is completely useless. Even those lower on the list can dominate when played correctly.
The strongest choices usually combine flexibility, economy and pressure, but the best civilisation is often the one that matches how you enjoy playing.
Except if your entire strategy is forgetting villagers exist while admiring your army.
We have all been there.
