On the 53 civilizations In Age of Empires 2, a handful of players dominate in 1v1 matches on Arabia : The Mongols, the Maya, and the Portuguese lead the way.
This is the complete tier list, from Class S to the most situational ones, keeping in mind that the meta evolves with every patch.
Our list of must-play civilizations in Age of Empires 2
This ranking applies primarily to the 1v1 multiplayer on Arabia. In team games or on other maps, the order may vary. The six civilizations listed below should be your top choices if you want to climb the rankings in AoE 2, thanks to solid economic dividends and an special unit that makes the difference.
⚠️ A tier list is just an opinion and can’t be perfect. Our writer did some research online and talked to players, but the ranking may contain errors. The meta changes with every patch of’Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, and a strong choice in 1v1 might not be as strong in team games. If you spot a mistake, please let us know in the comments.
No. 1: The Mongols
The Mongols are the top choice for a fast-paced horseback game in Age of Empires 2. Their mounted archers (Cavalry Archers) pull 25% Faster, and their special unit, the Mangudai, crushes the units and machines of headquarters.
The weak point is a very limited infantry in their technology stack.
No. 2: The Portuguese
The Portuguese offer gold units at more affordable prices, which is a real relief when you're facing one battle after another in the late game. Their ships take more damage, making them an excellent choice on the nautical charts.
Top 3: The Maya
The Mayas are designed for aggressive long-range play in Age of Empires II. Their archers have become cheaper and cheaper over the centuries:
- -10% in the feudal era
- -20% In the Age of Castles
- -30% in the imperial era
Their special unit, the Plumed Archer, is a fast and resilient archer. They also have the Eagle Warrior (Eagle Warrior), a highly mobile melee infantry unit. Their resources last longer, which helps secure your late-game economy.
Top 4: The Khmer People
The Khmers do not require specific buildings to advance from one age to the next: you advance more quickly to the’Age of Castles. Their farmers also deliver food directly from the farms, without having to store it at a mill.
It is a civilization centered on Elephants and the Siege, with units that are devastating but slow to deploy.
Top 5: The Incas
The Incas are both strong on offense and solid on defense. It is undoubtedly one of the best civilizations in’Age of Empires 2 for a versatile player.
Top 6: The Persians
The Persians round out the top tier thanks to their War Elephant, a slow but devastating unit that can absorb a tremendous amount of damage. Their the economy is picking up speed right at the start of the game, which gives them an advantage from the very first minutes.
Ranking of the best civilizations in Age Of Empires 2
Here are all the civilizations listed in 4 categories, from the strongest to the most situational. This ranking is based on overall usefulness, across all card types (land, water, nomad). If you're looking for other references in the best war games, the approach is often the same: it all depends on the card and your playing style.
S-Class
- Mongols
- Portuguese
- Mayas
- Khmers
- Incas
- Persians
These are the Best Civilizations in Age of Empires II, with bonuses that are useful in most scenarios and a well-balanced technology tree. All six are described in detail in the previous section.
Class A
- Chinese
- Saracens
- Georgians
- Vietnamese people
- Malay
- Slavs
- Aztecs
- Tatars
- Khitans
These civilizations remain very strong in AoE 2 and hold their own in multiplayer. They fall short in one specific area: a bonus that doesn't quite fit their style, or counter-units a bit inadequate in certain situations.
The Khitans They field highly mobile steppe cavalry and the unique Liao Dao unit, which is formidable against infantry. A civilization that rewards players who can survive the early game.
💡 Please note that since the recent buffs From the Three Kingdoms DLC, some pro players now consider them among the very best choices on Arabia.
Class B
- Malians
- Armenians
- Romans
- Gurjaras
- Franks
- Lithuanians
- vikings
- Hindustanis
- Byzantines
- Ethiopians
- Berbers
- Koreans
- Bohemians
- Italians
- Goths
- Sicilians
- Tupi
- Mapuche
- Muisca
- Jurchens
- Shu
- Wei
These civilizations have potential and can compete with the S and A classes in Age of Empires 2. The problem often stems from a a clear weakness in the technology stack. The vikings glisten on the water with their Longboats but lack cavalry heavy.
The Franks and their knights remain formidable in cavalry. The Goths are betting everything on a infantry cheap, mass-produced. The Lithuanians have a strong cavalry force that grows stronger as they collect relics. The Byzantines excellent on defense thanks to sturdy buildings and good versatility in’infantry and of headquarters.
The Sicilians shine on defense with their Dungeons and Sergeants, who take less damage from counter-units.
The Tupi, Mapuche, and Muisca are from the "The Last Chieftains" DLC (February 2026):
- them Tupi Infantry and archers play in the jungle,
- them Mapuche rely on reinforced counter-units,
- them Muisca on the economy and slingers.
The Jurchens, Shu and Wei (Three Kingdoms DLC) features aggressive scout openings and gunpowder units.
Class C
- British
- Japanese
- Burmese
- Magyars
- Bengalis
- Spaniards
- Turks
- Dravidians
- Cumans
- Burgundians
- Polish
- Huns
- Teutons
- Celts
- Wu
- Bulgarians
In most parts of’Age of Empires II, these civilizations are weaker. They could become powerful if everything goes as planned, but they lack consistency.
The British rely on their longbow archers, who are formidable at a distance but vulnerable when facing the cavalry. The Japanese have a infantry They're solid but struggle to adapt when facing a variety of players.
The Teutons and the game's Celts suffer from bonuses that are too situation-dependent to shine in 1v1 matches. The problem often stems from bonuses that don’t work well together, or from a fundamental weakness that’s hard to compensate for. Even if you master these flaws, your chances of winning still suffer.
The Bulgarians are based on a rush Men-at-Arms + Kreposts but they run out of steam early in the game and lack long-range shots. The Wu have a less comprehensive technology tree than Shu and Wei.
Nothing is stopping you from choosing your civilizations based on your preferences and playstyle in AoE 2. Do you have a question about your favorite? Ask it in the comments.
Check out the tier lists for other video games, too:
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