Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV

Civilization Overviews

Gain a decisive edge with Civilization Overviews for Age of Empires IV. Learn each faction's unique units, landmarks, and technologies for strategic victory.

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Civilization Overviews

Welcome, aspiring emperors! This detailed section provides comprehensive overviews for each civilization in Age of Empires IV. Understanding your chosen faction's unique strengths, weaknesses, and strategic nuances is paramount to achieving victory. We'll delve into their distinctive units, technologies, landmarks, and recommended build orders to give you a decisive edge.

The English

The English are a defensive powerhouse, excelling at holding ground and outlasting their opponents with strong early-game defenses and powerful long-range units. Their unique economic bonuses allow for consistent resource generation, making them a formidable force in prolonged engagements.

  • Unique Units:
    • Longbowman: Available in the Feudal Age (Age II) from the Archery Range, these archers boast increased range and the unique ability to deploy stakes, creating a defensive barrier against cavalry charges. Prioritize their production in the early game for strong map control and defense.
    • King: A powerful hero unit available from the Dark Age (Age I) at the Town Center. The King provides a healing aura to nearby units and can inspire villagers to work faster. Keep him safe and utilize his aura during pushes or defensive stands.
  • Unique Technologies:
    • Network of Castles: Researched at the Keep in the Castle Age (Age III), this technology grants Keeps and Outposts increased attack speed and vision range, further solidifying your defensive lines.
    • Enclosures: Available in the Imperial Age (Age IV) at the Mill, this technology allows Farms to generate a small amount of gold over time, providing a late-game economic boost.
  • Landmarks:
    • Feudal Age (Age II):
      • Council Hall: Produces Longbowmen faster and cheaper. A must-pick for early aggression or strong defensive play.
      • Abbey of Kings: Heals nearby units and provides a steady trickle of gold. Useful for sustained pressure or defending a forward position.
    • Castle Age (Age III):
      • King's Palace: Acts as a Town Center, allowing for additional villager production and housing. Essential for booming your economy.
      • White Tower: A powerful Keep that can garrison units and fire additional projectiles. Excellent for securing strategic locations or defending against sieges.
  • Strategic Walkthrough:
    1. Dark Age (Age I): Immediately build a House and send 6 villagers to Sheep, 3 to Wood, and 1 to Gold. Train additional villagers continuously from your Town Center. Scout aggressively with your starting Scout to locate additional food sources and potential enemy positions.
    2. Feudal Age (Age II) Transition: Aim to reach Feudal Age with around 18-20 villagers. Build the Council Hall for early Longbowman production. Start building a Barracks and an Archery Range. Train 2-3 Spearmen to defend against early cavalry raids and then focus on Longbowmen.
    3. Early Feudal Aggression/Defense: Use your Longbowmen, supported by Spearmen, to pressure enemy resource lines or defend your own. Utilize their stake ability to deter enemy cavalry. Build Outposts strategically to gain vision and protect key areas.
    4. Castle Age (Age III) Boom: Once your economy is stable and you have map control, transition to Castle Age. The King's Palace is generally the stronger choice for economic growth. Begin researching Network of Castles at your Keeps. Start producing Knights or Men-at-Arms to complement your Longbowmen.
    5. Late Game (Imperial Age IV): Research Enclosures at your Mills to bolster your gold income. Focus on a balanced army composition of Longbowmen, Knights/Men-at-Arms, and Trebuchets for siege. Utilize your strong defensive structures to repel enemy attacks while you push for victory.

The Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate is a civilization focused on research and technological superiority. Their unique ability to research technologies without resource cost, albeit slowly, allows them to gain significant advantages over time. They excel at controlling sacred sites and leveraging powerful war elephants.

  • Unique Units:
    • War Elephant: A powerful, heavily armored cavalry unit available in the Castle Age (Age III) from the Stable. They deal massive damage and have high health, making them excellent shock troops.
    • Scholar: Available from the Dark Age (Age I) at the Mosque. Scholars can garrison in Mosques to accelerate research and can also capture Sacred Sites. Essential for the Delhi Sultanate's unique research mechanic.
  • Unique Technologies:
    • Horticulture: Researched at the Mill in the Feudal Age (Age II), this technology increases farm gather rates.
    • Sanctity: Researched at the Mosque in the Feudal Age (Age II), this technology allows Scholars to capture Sacred Sites faster.
  • Landmarks:
    • Feudal Age (Age II):
      • Dome of the Faith: Produces Scholars at a reduced cost and faster rate. Crucial for accelerating your research.
      • Tower of Victory: Provides a damage bonus to nearby units. Useful for early aggression or defending a forward position.
    • Castle Age (Age III):
      • House of Wisdom: Acts as a University, allowing access to advanced technologies.
      • Compound of the Defender: Acts as a Keep, providing strong defenses and a garrison point.
  • Strategic Walkthrough:
    1. Dark Age (Age I): Build a House and immediately construct a Mosque. Train 2-3 Scholars from the Mosque and garrison them to begin researching Dark Age technologies for free. Send villagers to Sheep, Wood, and Gold as usual.
    2. Feudal Age (Age II) Transition: Aim for Feudal Age with 18-20 villagers. Build the Dome of the Faith to quickly produce more Scholars. Continue researching technologies in your Mosque. Build a Barracks and Archery Range.
    3. Sacred Site Control: Use your Scholars to capture nearby Sacred Sites. Defend these sites with Spearmen and Archers. The gold income from Sacred Sites is vital for the Delhi Sultanate's economy, as their research is free but slow.
    4. Castle Age (Age III) Power Spike: Transition to Castle Age, ideally with the House of Wisdom to access advanced technologies. Start producing War Elephants from the Stable. These units are expensive but incredibly powerful. Support them with Archers and Spearmen.
    5. Imperial Age (Age IV) Dominance: Continue to research all available technologies. Your fully upgraded War Elephants, combined with strong infantry and archers, will be a formidable force. Focus on maintaining Sacred Site control and pushing for a military victory.