Age of Empires 2 is a classic real-time strategy game that puts players in the shoes of historical civilizations as they build their empires and wage war against each other. In this Age of Empires 2 Civilizations Tier List, we have uncovered the best of the best civilizations the game has to offer in 2024.
Important: Each civilization has its own unique strengths and abilities; some have economic boost, others may be master of foot archery. Understanding each civilization’s unique traits is crucial in choosing the right one to fit your playstyle and strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Age of Empire 2 features 42 civilizations.
- Civilizations ranked based on factors like game situations, power, ease of use, design, flexibility, focus, team bonus, unique units, technologies, and wonders.
- S-Tier civilizations are the strongest with excellent economic, military, and technological capabilities.
- A-Tier civilizations are strong and versatile, suitable for ranked games.
- B-Tier civilizations may struggle in certain matchups but can perform well with good micro-management and strategy.
- C-Tier civilizations are the weakest, lacking unique techniques and focus
Comparison of All Civilizations In Age of Empire 2
| Civilization | Rank | Focus | Unique unit | Unique Tech | Wonder | Team bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztecs | S | Infantry | Jaguar Warrior | Garland Wars, Atlatl | Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan | Relics generate +33% gold |
| Britons | S | Foot Archer | Longbowman | Yeomen, Warwolf | Chichester Cathedral | Archery ranges work 20% faster |
| Chinese | S | Archer | Chu Ko Nu | Great Wall, Rocketry | Temple of Heaven | Farms start with +10% food. |
| Franks | S | Cavalry | Throwing Axeman | Chivalry, Bearded Axe | St. Vitus Cathedral | Knights have +2 line of sight |
| Vikings | S | Infantry, Navy | Berserk Longboat | Chieftains, Berserkergang | Borgund Stave Church | Docks are 15% cheaper |
| Lithuanians | S | Cavalry and Monk | Leitis | Hill Forts, Tower Shields | Hill Forts (Town Centers +3 range) | Monastery works 20% faster. |
| Persians | A | Cavalry | War Elephant | kamandaran and Mahouts | Taq Kasra | Knights +2 attack vs. Archers |
| Berbers | A | Cavalry, Navy | Genitour | Maghrabi Camels, Kasbah | Hassan Tower | Genitours are available in the Castle Age. |
| Indians | A | Camel and Gunpowder | Imperial Camel Rider | Grand Trunk Road, Shatagni | Maqbara-i Humayun | Camel and Light cavalry units have +2 attack vs. standard buildings. |
| Mayans | A | Archer | Plumed Archer | Hul’che Javelineers, El Dorado | Tikal Temple I | The walls are 50% cheaper |
| Poles | A | Cavalry | Obuch | Lechitic Legacy, Szlachta Priv. | The Wawel Castle | Scout Cavalry line has +1 attack vs. archers. |
| Huns | A | Cavalry, Siege | Tarkan | Marauders, Atheism | Arch of Constantine (ruined) | Stables work 20% faster |
| Mongols | A | Cavalry, Siege | Mangudai | Nomads, Drill | Great Tent of Genghis Khan | Scout Cavalry line has +2 Line of Sight |
| Portuguese | A | Navy, Gunpowder | Organ Gun | Carrack, Arquebus | The Belem Tower | Technologies are researched 25% faster. |
| Spanish | A | Monks, Gunpowder | Conquistador, Missionary | Inquisition, Supremacy | The Torre del Oro | Carry 25% more gold |
| Japanese | B | Infantry, Navy | Samurai | Yasama, Kataparuto | Tōdai-ji | Galleys have a +50% longer Line of Sight. |
| Byzantines | B | Defensive | Cataphract | Greek Fire, Logistica | The Hagia Sophia | Monks heal 100% faster. |
| Incas | B | Infantry | Kamayuk | Andean Sling | Machu Picchu | Spearmen and Skirmishers have +2 Line of Sight. |
| Magyars | B | Cavalry, | Magyar Huszar | Corvinian Army, Recurve Bow | The Hunyadi Castle | Foot archers (except Skirmishers) have +2 Line of Sight. |
| Bohemians | B | Gunpowder and Monk | Houfnice | Wagenburg Tactics, Hussite Reforms | Powder Tower of Prague | Markets work 80% faster. |
| Bulgarians | B | Cavalry, Infantry | Konnik | Stirrups, Bagains | Preslav Round Church | Blacksmiths work 80% faster |
| Gurjaras | B | Cavalry, Camel | Chakram Thrower, Shrivamsha | Kshatriyas, Frontier Guards | Somnath Temple | Camel and Elephant units are created 25% faster. |
| Bengalis | B | Elephant and Naval | Ratha | Paiks, Mahayana | Somapura Mahavihara | Trade units yield 10% food in addition to gold. |
| Italians | B | Navy, Archery | Genoese Crossbowman | Pavise, Silk Road | Genoa Cathedral, Cathedral of St. Lawrence | Advancing Age costs -15% food |
| Malay | B | Navy | Karambit Warrior | Thalassocracy, Forced Levy | Kalasan Temple | Docks have double Line of Sight. |
| Saracens | B | Camel and Naval | Mameluke | Counterwights, Zealotry | Great Mosque of Samarra | Foot archers have +3 attack against standard buildings. |
| Koreans | B | Defensive and Naval | Turtle Ship | Eupseong, Shinkichon | The Hwangsanbul | Mangonel-line minimum range reduced to 1. |
| Vietnamese | B | Ranged combat | Rattan Archer | Paper Money, Chatras | Bút Tháp Temple | Imperial Skirmishers +15 HP |
| Khmer | B | Siege weaponry | Ballista Elephant | Tusk Swords, Double Crossbow | The Angkor Wat | Scorpions +1 range |
| Malians | B | Infantry | Gbeto | Tigui, Farimba | The Great Mosque of Djenne | University researches are 80% faster, Infantry +1 pierce armor |
| Ethiopians | B | Archery | Shotel Warrior | Royal Heirs, Torsion Engines | Biete Amanuel | Towers +2 Line of Sight, +3 Attack vs. Ships. |
| Goths | C | Infantry | Huskarl | Anarchy, Perfusion | Mausoleum of Theoderic I | Infantry cost -20% starting from the Feudal Age |
| Sicilians | C | Infantry and Cavalry | Serjeant | First Crusade, Hauberk | Monreale Cathedral | Transport Ships have +5 Line of Sight and cost -50%. |
| Teutons | C | Infantry | Teutonic Knight | Ironclad, Crenellations | Maria Laach Abbey | Units resist conversion. |
| Burmese | C | Monk and Elephant | Arambai | Howdah, Manipur Cavalry | Shwezigon Pagoda | Shwezigon Pagoda |
| Dravidians | C | Infantry and Naval | Urumi Swordsman, Thirisadai | Medical Corps, Wootz Steel | Brihadisvara Temple | Docks provide +5 population space. |
| Celts | C | Infantry and Siege | Woad Raider | Stronghold, Furor Celtica | The Rock of Cashel | Siege Workshops work 20% faster. |
| Cumans | C | Cavalry | Kipchak | Cuman Mercenaries, Steppe Husbandry | Sarkel Fortress (ruined) | Palisade Walls have +33% hit points |
| Slavs | C | Infantry and Siege | Boyar | Detinets, Druzhina | Kizhi Pogost | Barracks, Archery Ranges, Stables, and Siege workshops provide +5 population. |
| Tartars | C | Cavalry and Camel | Keshik | Silk Armor, Timurid Siegecraft | Ulugh Beg Observatory | Cavalry Archers with +2 Line of Sight |
| Turks | C | Cavalry Archer and Artillery | Janissary | Sipahi and Artillery | The Selimiye Mosque | 25% quicker creation of gunpowder units |
| Burgundians | C | Infantry | Coustillier | Burgundian Vineyards, Flemish Revolts | Brussels Town Hall | Relics generate +30% food per minute. |
Our Tier List Picks
Below is the complete classification of all Civilizations in Age of Empire 2 Tier List, ranked from Best to Worst:
| Tier | Civilizations |
| S-Tier | Aztecs, Britons, Chinese, Franks, Vikings, Lithuanians |
| A-Tier | Persians, Berbers, Indians, Mayans, Poles, Huns, Mongols, Portuguese, Spanish |
| B-Tier | Japenese, Byzantines, Incas, Magyars, Bohemians, Bulgarians, Gurjaras, Bengalis, Italians, Malay, Koreans, Vietnamese, Khmer, Malians, Ethiopians |
| C-Tier | Goths, Sicilians, Teutons, Burmese, Dravidians, Celts, Cumans, Slavs, Tartars, Turks, Burgundians |
S-Tier
These Civilizations are overpowered, among others. These civilizations are great choices for players who want to win most of their games.
| S-Tier Civilizations | OUR VERDICT |
|---|---|
| Aztecs | Formidable in infantry combat with economic bonuses providing an early advantage. Effective with aggressive infantry strategies, although their power decreases over time. |
| Britons | Renowned for foot archery mastery, excelling in long-range arrow warfare. Despite lacking diversity in technology, they counter skirmisher opposition effectively. |
| Chinese | Begin with extra villagers, allowing for versatile strategies and stronger economy. Access to cheaper technologies and useful farming bonuses enhances their effectiveness. |
| Franks | Excel in Knight rushes with strong economic bonuses and a powerful cavalry unit. However, they may struggle against certain civilizations and have limitations in the imperial age. |
| Vikings | Dominate on both land and sea maps with strong economic advantages and prowess in naval warfare. Perfect for players who enjoy infantry and navy units. |
| Lithuanians | Start with extra food, providing early game flexibility and reduced town center idle time. Their units possess improved armor and faster movement, making them formidable on the battlefield. Ideal for nomad games due to their strong start and versatile technology options |
A-Tier
These civilizations are strong and popular, providing an advantage over other opponents in ranked games, and are suitable for beginners. All A Section Age of Empires 2 Civilizations are recommended.
| A-Tier Civilizations | OUR VERDICT |
|---|---|
| Persians | Solid performance, especially in Nomad games, with advantages in starting resources and durable units like the War Elephant. |
| Berbers | Expertise in cavalry and naval units, with unique units like the Camel Archer and Genitour, along with economic bonuses. |
| Indians | Robust army centered around camels and gunpowder units, benefiting from economic bonuses and strong military units. |
| Mayans | Expertise in unit composition and transitions, with powerful Plumed Archers and solid defense despite the lack of cavalry. |
| Poles | Well-rounded civilization with access to a diverse range of units, including a strong Archery Range and heavy cavalry. |
| Huns | Top-tier civilization known for their versatile unit composition and focus on cavalry, starting with maximum population cap. |
| Mongols | Strong cavalry archery focus with the powerful Mangudai unit and additional bonuses for cavalry units. |
| Portuguese | Strong performance in both land and sea combat with unique units and bonuses for technology research and naval units. |
| Spanish | Quick access to blacksmith upgrades, enabling rapid troop upgrades, although weak in the early game due to lack of resource-gathering bonuses. |
B-Tier
The B-ranking Age of Empire 2 civilizations tier list are well-balanced and suitable for casual gameplay, but in the hands of skilled players, they can still score victories.
| B-Tier Civilizations | OUR VERDICT |
|---|---|
| Japanese | Flexible civilization with advantages in resource gathering and defense, particularly effective on water maps. |
| Byzantines | Reliable civilization with strong defense capabilities and bonuses for early to mid-game situations, best utilized as a counter-pick against infantry-focused civilizations. |
| Incas | Strong economic value with benefits in construction and farming, specializing in infantry units despite vulnerability to siege attacks. |
| Magyars | Excel with their unique Magyar Huszar cavalry unit, focusing primarily on cavalry while lacking strength in infantry, navy, and siege weapons. |
| Bohemians | Specialize in gunpowder and Monks, offering strong gunpowder units and unique Monk bonuses, but lacking in other military aspects. |
| Bulgarians | Emphasize infantry and cavalry units with a unique Konnik unit and cost-effective Militia-line upgrades, alongside faster blacksmith production. |
| Gurjaras | Focused on cavalry and camels with a unique playing style suitable for experienced players, but weaknesses in foot units. |
| Bengalis | Formidable civilization with a focus on Elephants and the navy, boasting strong Elephant units and survivable Monks. |
| Italians | Known for quick advancement through ages and reduced technology costs, best suited for water maps and focusing on navy and archers. |
| Malay | Unique focus on fishing and the navy, with advantages in fishing capabilities and dock upgrades, although fragile special units. |
| Saracens | Strong in trade-focused gameplay with reduced market costs and powerful naval capabilities, with Mamelukes as a special unit. |
| Koreans | Excel in defensive tactics with increased tower range and free upgrades, although limited options for attacking strategies. |
| Vietnamese | Utilize strong ranged units and surprise attacks, with unique units and technologies providing an advantage on the battlefield. |
| Khmer | Distinguished by unique units and technologies, such as the Ballista Elephant and potent Scorpion unit, reflecting the formidable Khmer Empire. |
| Malians | Portrayal of the powerful Malian Empire with versatile units like the Mandekalu Cavalry and distinctive technologies, focusing on gold mining. |
| Ethiopians | Boast powerful archers and access to unique technologies, excelling at taking out enemy infantry and receiving resource bonuses upon reaching the next age. |
C-Tier
The Underpowered Civilizations are hard to play and easily beaten by Civilizations in the upper tiers. The C Tier Section of the Tier List is normally not recommended.
| C-Tier Civilizations | OUR VERDICT |
|---|---|
| Goths | Infantry-focused civilization with cost reductions and faster barracks work speed, but lacks damage boost, making them vulnerable. |
| Sicilians | Known for heavy armor land units and absorbing bonus damage, but lack tools for victories and considered underpowered due to weaknesses. |
| Teutons | Renowned for powerful healing and preservation capabilities, with monks having double healing range and increased garrison capacities, but lack offensive strengths. |
| Burmese | Specialize in Battle Elephants and quick access to relics and gold, with technologies strengthening Battle Elephants, making them formidable, but lack flexibility. |
| Dravidians | Well-rounded civilization excelling in naval and infantry power, with strong early-game capabilities, fully upgradable units, but lacks distinctive strengths. |
| Celts | Siege-focused civilization with faster siege workshops and firing, enhanced siege weapons, and swift infantry, but lacks further technology upgrades. |
| Cumans | Solid choice with strong economy and fast-shooting cavalry unit, but limited advantages and may struggle against stronger civilizations. |
| Slavs | Focus on siege and infantry with heavily armored unique unit and economic benefits, making them formidable on the battlefield, but weaker in archers and navy. |
| Tartars | Specialization in cavalry units with mobile cavalry archer and relocation of town center, strong economy, and scouting advantage, but lack distinct advantages. |
| Turks | Experts in gunpowder units with strong technologies and ranged infantry, but concentration on cavalry and lack of versatility may limit effectiveness. |
| Burgundians | Specialize in cavalry and infantry units, with powerful unique units and technologies, but lack distinctive strengths and may struggle against stronger civilizations. |
How To Use Age of Empires 2 Civilizations Tier List?
The best civilization in Age of Empires 2 depends on the game situation, including land, water, and nomad maps. In 1v1 land encounters, civilizations with strong bonuses and units are favored. For water maps, a civilization with a capable navy and a wide technology tree is best. In nomad maps, those civilizations are preferred that have the flexibility and the ability to adjust in different situations.
The overall rating for a civilization takes into consideration all scenarios and is best focused on if you want to specialize in a small pool of civilizations or play in random situations. No civilization in Age of Empires 2 can do it all, and no civilization is rated as S tier overall.
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