Summary
- Age of Empires 4 features unique civilizations with strengths, weaknesses, and special traits that set them apart.
- Players must adapt to strategic and patient gameplay while leading factions like the Japanese, Byzantines, Ottomans, and more.
- Each civilization in Age of Empires 4 offers specific ideal strategies for success, along with weaknesses and tactics to overcome them.
With more than fifteen years between Age of Empires 4 and its predecessor, it’s about time that the Age of Empires franchise once again took some of the world’s most notable empires and relived the heights of their respective golden ages. Unlike other Age of Empires games, Age of Empires 4's original release took eight empires and kingdoms at their peak during the Middle Ages, with this period serving as the game’s main setting.
Age Of Empires 4: The Best Units In The Strategy Game
Age of Empires is a giant among strategy games. With its fourth installment available to play, here are some of the best units players can employ.
As with other Age of Empires games, each faction in Age of Empires 4 has its set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as special traits that set them apart from the rest. However, just how should players look at each Age of Empires 4 civilization in the context of their gameplay performance?
Updated on April 2, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: With March 2025 having marked the release of Age of Mythology: Retold - Immortal Pillars, which sent players to the mystic lands of the East, fans of the acclaimed Age of Empires spin-off can finally explore the awesome mythologies of the Chinese pantheon. And with Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition just being brought to the PS5, fans can finally experience some AOE2 excitement on their consoles. However, those who want to experience a more modern release can still refer to Age of Empires 4. For both returning players and newcomers alike, this article has been updated to provide a rundown on the basic nuances of how to play each basic faction within the title.
16 Japanese
Multi-Purpose Buildings & Infantry Units Pave The Way For Highly Adaptable Plays
The Japanese of Age of Empires 4 are taken from Japan's turbulent Warring States period, where areas were controlled by warlords called Daimyo, who once constantly fought for territory until united under the heel of Nobunaga Oda. The Japanese gameplay in the Age of Empires installment follows the principles of its original era, where a Daimyo's territory always has to be prepared for constant sieges and assaults.
In turn, the Japanese kit is built to be self-sustaining. Despite its army being rather average on a technical level, the right support system can transform the Japanese into heavy hitters. The Daimyo System provides an upgradeable Town Center where advancements upgrade both defenses and nearby production. Units are also tailored to especially defend, make careful advances, or even sabotage enemy production when used correctly.
How To Play The Japanese
Players should expect to be rewarded for methodical and patient strategies when playing as the Japanese, as precision and positioning are essential to their playstyle. Defense is a key emphasis in their gameplay, as evidenced by the strong defenses and map control of the Yamato Outposts and key upgrades emphasizing overall resilience. Upgraded archers can dominate the long-range, while the Samurai - practically auto-generated by the Dojo - are an indispensable unit for close-ranged incursions.
Ideal Strategy For Success
A major part of the Japanese's strategy in Age of Empires 4 is the transition towards becoming a sustainable and defensible civ, especially with unique tech that boosts Villager carrying and gathering caps (Towara, Takezaiku, Fudasashi), as well as Town Center upgrades that add buffs on top of an extra Villager, HP, and +25% Harvest Rate from nearby Farms (Daimyo Manor, Daimyo Palace, Shogunate Castle).
This strategy of building powerful setups at the comfort of distance extends to units as well, with specific Samurai Bannermen units catering specifically to buffing the attack of particular unit types. The Yumi Ashigaru are weaker but cheaper Archers that can be protected by Samurai who possess Deflective Armor as well as the combat-specific Onna-Musha (Crossbowman) and spearing Onna-Bugeisha. The Feudal-unlocked Bannermen have Castle-level stats, making them capable of early-game poking or late-game devastation when combined with the units they're built to buff.
Weaknesses To Take Note
The lack of any economic bonuses for sheep and no keep in Castle Age can make the Japanese vulnerable in both the early game and the late game. Moreover, expensive Farm upgrades will force the Civ to have a stricter macro game or else risk losing out to better-planned strategies.
15 Byzantines
Capitalize On Tactical Aggression With Outsider Mercs
Based on the Byzantine Empire from around the 1000s to the 1600s, the Byzantines that players encounter in their Age of Empires 4 gameplay boasts a similar flair for intercultural exchange and military domination. Much like how the Byzantines had become the medieval world's cultural beacon from the mighty Constantinople, so do the Byzantines of AOE 4 boast a literal international strength - all courtesy of intercultural units paving the way for flexible combat strategies.
The civ's Aqueduct network taps into the inner city sim lover in players, boosting productivity and Olive Oil generation depending on proper building placement. The latter is especially important as a unique fifth resource, representing the real-life historical commodity to pave the way for hiring units from other factions such as Mercenaries. When fielded in combat, Byzantine units may also use Greek Fire, which can permanently affect terrain.
How To Play The Byzantines
Combining economic stability and defensive potential, the Byzantines can outlast opponents when used properly. Research bonuses as well as defensive buffs from the Basilica ensure the Byzantines enjoy plentiful protection, while units like Cataphracts can devastate enemy lines, ensuring long-term strategic pay-offs.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Key aspects to dominating as the Byzantines rely on the synergy between Olive Oil production and the overall economy bonuses through the civ's Aqueducts and Cisterns system. With the right setups, players can have up to twice the building and research time to fast-track their way into Feudal and Castle. Unlike other civs, even having equal eco with enemies may secure the player the advantage through Olive Oil, which allows players to hire Mercenaries from other civs to theoretically counter other setups.
The Byzantines' units aren't pushovers. Despite being a costlier Knight, the Cataphract can facilitate stronger assaults when enough are fielded onto the battlefield. Berserking with the Varangian Guard replaces defense with impressive offense. Lastly, Greek Fire via the Cheirosiphon can transform battlefields into death traps when used to delay the enemy's advance.
Weaknesses To Take Note
The slow setup of the Byzantines demands strong macro or players will risk being outpaced throughout the rest of the game. Their slow-trained Mercenaries and relatively weaker Feudal-level units can make the Byzantines relatively weak should enemies find this gap in their production.
14 Ottomans
Diversify Combat With Military School & Imperial Council Offerings
Originating in Eurasia, the Ottomans arrived in Age of Empires 4 in its “Anniversary Edition,” bringing with them expertise in light cavalry, earlier access to gunpowder units, and a more flexible approach to their military. Reflecting their real-world reputation for stability in their rule while boasting a well-maintained military, Ottomans in AOE 4 gain the upper hand rather quickly as soon as players optimize their production bonuses.
Key to the Ottomans’ success in an Age of Empires 4 match is their access to their Viziers and the Military School, diversifying their army through a wide variety of special units and soldiers. For instance, the Ottomans have units that deal more damage at long range (Sipahi), buffers to other soldiers in range (Mehter), a calvary buffer and siege engine repair specialist (Janissary), and even a mobile Military School (Grand Galley).
How To Play The Ottomans
Sustained aggression is the key playstyle of the Ottomans, courtesy of how the Military School’s free (but for extra cost) unit production also conserves resources that could be allotted into new tech. Using this to eventually produce the Sipahi and Janissary ensures the Ottomans have some way of ensuring a constant military presence, while the Imperial Council’s global bonuses offer more reduced costs for faster training time. Thanks to the powerful Great Bombard and support Mehter, the Ottomans can approach combat in a variety of different ways.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Players can find success in their Ottomans playthrough depending on how they use the Imperial Council and Military School, especially since these unlock various technologies that diversify the faction’s offerings depending on what players need. For instance, the Imperial Council system provides various bonuses that allow them to catch up with other factions much faster.
While the Ottomans lack special economy bonuses, their Military School can produce units for free at a much slower pace. Due to the Military School, the Ottomans could access Spearmen as early as the Dark Age. Attacking enemies periodically ensures they lose out on resources while players take advantage of cheaper build costs. In terms of growth, Ottomans could combine Traders inside the Sultanhani Trade Network and the Imperial Age Sea Gate Castle to secure bonus Gold.
Weaknesses To Take Note
The Ottomans heavily relying on the Military School also means they don't have a strong economy beyond it - demanding heavy macro on the part of its player. When enemies realize that the Ottomans also don't have armored units in the Feudal Age, a properly timed rush can stop the Ottomans' eventual domination.
13 Malians
Balanced Kit Focus On Economy & Mobile Units
Hailing from Africa, the Malians become a viable faction with their focus on cattle, economy, and infantry, providing for a rather balanced playstyle that allows them to adjust to any situation. The civilization’s toolkit primarily gives players economic advantages, trading in military strength with a penchant for fast and loose combat that takes advantage of their mobile units.
A crucial part of the Malians’ success in AOE 4 is their access to Pit Mines and Gold Deposits that ensure they’re able to generate money quickly. Investing these into their Cattle and other resources gives Malians a lot of room to speed up their production process, allowing them to bypass tedious waiting times in favor of accessing units earlier for their favored hit-and-run tactics, albeit in exchange for units with lower hit points and lower damage.
How To Play The Malians
Flexibility and sustainability are the main systems of play for the Malians, especially with their Pit Mines and Mansa Quarry, which can constantly generate gold that can be further used for upgrades, units, and other tech. Enemies who try stalling the Malians can face fierce retaliation by the stealth-enabled Musofadi Warriors or the anti-cavalry Donso. And should players find the right build order, the Malians can encourage gameplay surrounding raiding, map control, and economic scaling.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Unlike other factions in Age of Empires 4, the Malians make for a decent mid-level civilization courtesy of their passive income and unique approach to the military, posing a challenge for players who want to try different setups. The lasting Gold provision of the Pit Mines ensures the Malians are able to create units, whereas the Cattle can guarantee passive access to Food. In terms of military, some of their units boast stealth (Musofadi Warrior, Gunner), an improved Scout (Warrior Scout), light infantry (Donso), and even a cheaper cavalry (Sofa).
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Due to the Malians excelling in mobility, their ideal strategy involves outpacing opponents early on in the game. Even with two Scouts, Malians can harass enemies in the early game by removing their access to valuable resources while players develop the civilization. This can continue through the next stage of the game, where players periodically attack opponents to prevent them from achieving proper growth while their own steadily approaches optimal production.
Weaknesses To Take Note
It's precisely because of their early-game strength that the Malians need a strong macro game to eventually outpace foes. Their lack of horsemen and crossbows can become a disadvantage that enemies can tap if they manage to zero in on this gap in the Malians' formations.
12 Holy Roman Empire
Religious Focus Unlocks Powerhouse Features
As the name implies, the Holy Roman Empire has a stark focus on religion that serves as their win-con. Knowing exactly how to tackle this focus on religion can certainly guarantee a victory when done correctly. Players who use the Holy Roman Empire need to consolidate their religious power ASAP, which is done easily via gathering relics. With the right positioning, the Holy Roman Empire can benefit from outstanding bonuses in attack, range, and defense, as well as boosting the attacks of various units, especially when positioned near naval units.
That being said, the Holy Roman Empire does have more focus on relics and defense, leaving them quite predictable in the hands of a newcomer. However, knowing how to take advantage of their mechanics can give players a characteristic edge in the long run.
How To Play The Holy Roman Empire
Infantry dominance is the name of the game for the Holy Roman Empire, with a keen focus being placed on defense as well as religious buffs. These are all demonstrated by the Prelate, a Dark Ages unit that can even encourage faster resource generation, giving the Holy Roman Empire an edge in terms of economy. The Landsknecht is also a glass cannon of a powerful unit, encouraging more tactical use for players. The faction’s playstyle, when used properly alongside the right buffs from Relics, can transform the Holy Roman Empire into a force to be reckoned with.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Being a more specialized faction, players can excel with the Holy Roman Empire if they focus carefully on their religious potential. This is made easier considering they enjoy a 25% boost in building time for fortresses, towers, and outposts.
When combined with the boosts relics provide in towers, fortresses, outputs, and docks, a well-developed Holy Roman Empire can enjoy plenty of advantages in the early game. Not to mention, the Prelate religious unit is already accessible in the first era, with Early Warriors accessible as early as the second.
Weaknesses To Take Note
The Relic-heavy game of the Holy Roman Empire can become their biggest weakness, as not possessing Relic bonuses can leave them rather poorly paced in most other aspects of the game. Their lack of strong units in the Feudal Age means players need to get to the Imperial Age to have a more competitive advantage.
11 Delhi Sultanate
No Research Costs At The Cost Of Learning Slower
Time is of the essence for the Delhi Sultanate. They’re the only faction to not have research costs in the game, but that comes at the cost of learning everything else much slower. This puts a high demand on the player, as they need to know which research they benefit from in advance lest they spell out their doom early.
To compensate for the longer research times, the Delhi Sultanate also allowed their infantry to create defensive structures, allowing them to fortify defenses whenever necessary. However, the Delhi Sultanate is quite squishy in the early game. Unless players time their research right, they won’t get to capitalize on the Sultanate’s potential in the late game.
How To Play The Delhi Sultanate
Scaling up control is the central theme of the Delhi Sultanate, courtesy of the Scholar that can not only heal and convert units, but also garrison in specific buildings to provide production bonuses, giving the Delhi Sultanate an edge in terms of battle prep. The flexibility of their Infantry Units in their capability of creating structures without specific buildings and research also emphasizes the use of proper upgrades to upscale their overall development in the endgame.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Of all the factions in Age of Empires 4, the Delhi Sultanate has a particular focus on tech and knowledge. This makes them rather weak in terms of offense but strong on defense and especially amazing in research, with tech-boosting Scientists already accessible in the first era.
This knowledge-focused approach is reflected in Infantrymen, who cannot build defenses but are compensated by the fact that fishing ships can be armed with archers. Though the lack of offense and difficulty in defense makes Delhi a tricky faction to play, understanding the “groove” in their tech can make them formidable.
Weaknesses To Take Note
While Delhi positions itself as a faction with a lot of tech bonuses, the wrong choices can make them relatively easy to outpace. Not only that, but their research leaves a lot to be desired in expected achievements during Age jumps - such as their lack of decent armored units in the Feudal Age and the lack of strong siege units in the Imperial Age.
10 Abbasid Dynasty
House Of Wisdom Can Diversify Playstyle With Buffs
Sometimes, the key to winning is to outsmart the enemy, and that’s the specialization of the Abbasid Dynasty. Unlike other civilizations, they have the House of Wisdom instead of Landmarks as an age-up mechanic, where players can add wings to the House of Wisdom after every epoch to procure various bonuses.
However, the Abbasids truly shine not only with their unique anti-cavalry units but also in managing what bonuses the House of Wisdom provides the Abbasids. This level of unpredictability can take some getting used to, but players who manage to get the hang of this can force enemies into some unsavory situations.
How To Play The Abbasid Dynasty
This civ can take a bit getting used to, as it plays less like a sprint and more of a tree. With its House of Wisdom replacing the traditional tech tree, players can approach progression in a more nuanced way. Using the House of Wisdom for upgrades like the Boot Camp and securing the Phalanx can give the Abbasids a strong front line, especially with Camels debuffing enemy cavalries for a quick finish.
Ideal Strategy For Success
The building-heavy nature of the Abbasid Dynasty can seem overwhelming at first, which is why their 50% cost reduction for building docks and the speed boost for production, research, and resource gathering during the Golden Age is quite a godsend for players.
Abbasid Infantrymen can also create siege weapons and battering rams without the need for siege engineering. Moreover, rebuilding the various parts of the House of Wisdom can let players go through the ages much faster, giving them access to tech advancements much earlier.
Weaknesses To Take Note
Players aiming to work with the Abbasid Dynasty need to consider the faction's relative weakness in the Feudal Age. The Abbasid needs a strong macro game in order to maximize their bonuses, leaving a lot to be desired in terms of adaptability.
9 English
Defensive Powerhouse Can Defend Against The Fiercest Threats
Basic isn’t always bad, and the English proves that having perhaps the most streamlined mechanics can work in a faction's favor. The English have reduced wood costs, making building more economical overall. Their Farms also get a food gathering boost when built near Mills, and the English immediately encourage close ties among buildings.
This tactic works great with their overall toolkit, as the English compensate for the lack of overall features with their awesome defense. Their Network of Castles gives certain buildings an attack speed boost provided they’re close to one another. This works great considering the range boost of their Longbowmen, as well as the higher defenses of fortified walls. Players who want to play safe and sound can rest comfortably behind the walls of their English castles.
How To Play The English
Wars of attrition are easy-peasy for the English, courtesy of their impressive turtling strength and ranged combat domination. Centered around the early arrival of the Longbowman, the English can keep enemies at bay. And even without them, Defensive Byrig ensures that Villagers attack enemy units with short bows, while Call to Arms secures faster generation of Man-at-Arms, giving them early access to decent power. Resource generation isn’t a problem for the English, especially when their Farms cost half the price and gather more resources when close to Mills.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Built as an early-level faction, newcomers will enjoy playing the English due to their unique advantages, such as ordinary villagers being able to use bows, as well as a 15% boost in harvesting resources and building farms twice as fast.
Vanguard Warriors are deployable as early as the first era, which, when combined with the English castle network providing bonuses to connected structures, makes English a formidable foe to face.
Weaknesses To Take Note
Despite their early-game advantages, the English still lacks a stable economic bonus to keep the empire sustainable for longer periods. Their lack of decent Cavalry can leave them vulnerable to sudden rushes unless they macro their way properly into Feudal.
8 Ayyubids
Decent Flow And Rhythm For Progression But Weak Endgame
Inspired by the same dynasty created by Saladin, the Ayyubids are a variant civilization of the Abbasid Dynasty that emphasizes adapting to situations with their focus on knowledge, decent cavalry, and powerful siege weapons. Their Civilization enjoys aging up without the need for Villagers, courtesy of wings in the House of Wisdom. Likewise, Mills placed close to Berry Bushes now create Orchards that massively boost the Food cap.
Mechanically, their gameplay is characterized by the presence of melee-and-ranged Desert Raider Cavalry, a defensible siege weapon called the Tower of the Sultan, an AOE-healing Dervish Cavalry, and the House of Wisdom that can provide different upgrades per age up.
How To Play The Ayyubids
Flexibility and adaptability are at the heart of the Ayyubids, with the House of Wisdom giving them access to customizable strategies they can alter per age. The melee-or-ranged dual modes of the Desert Raider add further combat flexibility, whereas the highly mobile Camel Lancers and their powerful charge attack can tear through enemy lines. Thanks to Berries being converted into Orchards, the Ayyubids can also appreciate a more efficient economy.
Ideal Strategy For Success
As the House of Wisdom is the only Landmark available to the Ayyubids, this is a central point in a player’s strategy in any match. A recommended gameplay style here would be focusing on the Economic Wing at Feudal Age and creating an Archery Range and a Stable. This should give the Ayyubids access to early Desert Raiders to destabilize the enemy’s economy. With this lead time, players can switch to the Culture Wing to speed up their progress to Castle Age and build Camel Lancers and Ghulams to obliterate foes.
Weaknesses To Take Note
Despite wings making the Ayyubids rather multi-faceted, a lot of their benefits last only for the short term - with not a lot of upgrades offering lasting long-term advantages. This means choosing the right wing at any moment can give them bonuses to areas they won't be able to capitalize on, leaving them underdeveloped compared to their peers.
7 Chinese
Slow-Burner Can Secure The Endgame With Gold Acquisition
Gold can win wars, and the Chinese know how to use their gold. In Age of Empires 4, their faction relies heavily on gold, which they use to access a plethora of unique technologies and research. However, they have a steep learning curve with the Dynasty System, as this is another requirement in addition to Landmarks to advance in the next stage. Moreover, completing Dynasties will lock out the research of previous Dynasties, adding both a caveat and flexibility to the faction.
The faction’s sheer domination when it comes to passive gold collection compensates for this. This gives the Chinese quite an edge as a slow-burner since their potential is tied to the endgame. However, players need to watch out for aggressive factions, as they can outpace and defeat the Chinese quickly.
How To Play The Chinese
Thanks to the Dynasty mechanic, the Chinese can adapt into different strategies very quickly - only requiring two Landmarks to transition from one dynasty to the next. Global bonuses from these Dynasties can drastically alter playstyles, such as the Song Dynasty speeding up Villager Production, the Yuan Dynasty boosting unit speed, and the Ming Dynasty enhancing overall hit points. All Dynasties offer unique unit unlocks, like the repeating crossbow Zhuge Nu of the song or the more devastating Fire Lancers of the Yuan. Being able to switch between Dynasties can leave enemies off-guard, as they never know what to expect next.
Ideal Strategy For Success
Strong in terms of both offense and defense, the Chinese remain one of the most balanced factions with a rather steep learning curve. Villagers can build structures almost twice as fast and defensive structures half as fast. Docks are much faster when it comes to production, incentivizing travel to expand their horizons.
What perhaps makes the Chinese a tricky faction is how their dynasty advancement can lock out certain tech, so players are forced to choose their progression route carefully.
Weaknesses To Take Note
The overall lack of versatility remains the Chinese's biggest weakness in the title, especially in the early game where they also tend to be much slower in terms of progression. Their lack of armored units in the Feudal Age can leave them vulnerable unless the players macro their way to advancement.