Age of Empires IV — Civilizations
Age of Empires IV has more than twenty civilizations, counting the variant civilizations, and they are far more asymmetric than in Age of Empires II: each has its own landmarks, unique units and often its own economy.
The base civilizations
- English — longbowmen, cheap farms, defensive bonuses. The easiest start.
- French — strong knights and cheaper economic technologies.
- Holy Roman Empire — Prelates inspire villagers; strong infantry.
- Rus — gold from hunting, wooden fortresses.
- Mongols — nomadic, buildings that can be packed up and moved, no walls; built around raiding.
- Chinese — dynasties unlock unique units and buildings; tax collected by officials.
- Delhi Sultanate — free research through scholars, war elephants.
- Abbasid Dynasty — ages up through wings of a House of Wisdom.
- Malians and Ottomans — added in 2022.
Expansions and variants
- The Sultans Ascend (2023) added the Byzantines and Japanese and the first variant civilizations, such as Jeanne d'Arc and the Order of the Dragon.
- Later DLCs add more civilizations and variants; the in-game civilization list always has the current set.
Balance changes every season. For current win rates and patch notes, see AoE4World on the Age of Empires tab of our Useful Links page.