Age of Empires II · Definitive Edition

AoE2 civilizations

Explore all 56 Age of Empires II: DE civilizations. Compare bonuses, unique units and tech trees to prepare your next game.

DE 185872

56 civilizations · game data

Change civilization

Franks

Cavalry civilization

51 units · 71 technologies

Civilization bonuses

Foragers work +15% faster
Mill technologies free
Mounted Units +20% HP starting in Feudal Age
Castles cost -15/25% in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus

Knight-line +2 line of sight

Unique units

Throwing AxemanCastle Age55 food · 25 gold

Description unavailable in the source.

Unique technologies

Ordonnance CompaniesCastle Age400 food · 250 gold

Description unavailable in the source.

ChivalryImperial Age500 gold · 600 wood

Description unavailable in the source.

How to choose your civilization in Age of Empires II

Use the catalog to learn each civilization's bonuses and the comparison to study their technology trees. Search by name, specialty or unique unit. The aim is to prepare decisions for your game using game information.

Start with the map

On open maps, consider an opening with early pressure. On closed maps, review your economy and Castle Age options. On water maps, also check the naval tree.

Compare upgrades

Unit availability does not tell the whole story. Check the blacksmith, technologies and unlock age before committing your economy to a composition.

Plan a transition

Compare your civilization bonuses with your opponent's options. Choose a second unit line to respond to what you scout during the game.

Check unit counters Prepare a build order Learn strategies for your map and level

Bonuses and unique units for all 56 civilizations

Reference for patch 185872. Expand a civilization to read its bonuses and open its full profile.

Armenians

Armenians · Infantry and Naval civilization

Mule Carts cost -25%
Mule Cart technology effects +40%
Spearman- and Militia-line upgrades (except Man-at-Arms) available one age earlier
First Fortified Church receives a free Relic
Galley-line and Dromons fire an additional projectile

Team bonus: Infantry +2 line of sight

Unique units: Composite Bowman, Warrior Priest

View the Armenians tech tree

Aztecs

Aztecs · Infantry and Monk civilization

Start with +50 gold
Villagers carry +3
Military Units train +15% faster
Monks gain +5 HP for each researched Monastery technology

Team bonus: Relics generate +33% gold

Unique units: Jaguar Warrior

View the Aztecs tech tree

Bengalis

Bengalis · Elephant and Naval civilization

Town Centers spawn 2 Villagers when the next Age is reached
Cavalry +2 attack vs. Skirmishers
Elephant Units receive -25% bonus damage and are more resistant to conversion
Monks +3 melee/+3 pierce armor
Ships regenerate 15 HP per minute

Team bonus: Trade Units generate +10% food in addition to gold

Unique units: Ratha

View the Bengalis tech tree

Berbers

Berbers · Cavalry and Naval civilization

Villagers move +5% faster in Dark Age, +10% faster starting in Feudal Age
Stable Units cost -15/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
Ships move +10% faster

Team bonus: Genitour available at the Archery Range starting in Castle Age

Unique units: Genitour, Camel Archer

View the Berbers tech tree

Bohemians

Bohemians · Gunpowder and Monk civilization

Mining Camp technologies free
Blacksmiths and Universities cost -100 wood
Spearman-line deals +25% bonus damage
Fervor and Sanctity affect Villagers
Chemistry and Hand Cannoneer available in Castle Age

Team bonus: Markets work +80% faster

Unique units: Hussite Wagon

View the Bohemians tech tree

Britons

Britons · Foot Archer civilization

Shepherds work +25% faster
Town Centers cost -50% wood starting in Castle Age
Foot Archers +1/+2 range in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Archery Ranges work +10% faster

Unique units: Longbowman

View the Britons tech tree

Bulgarians

Bulgarians · Infantry and Cavalry civilization

Militia-line upgrades free
Blacksmith and Siege Workshop technologies cost -50% food
Town Centers cost -50% stone
Can build Krepost in Castle Age

Team bonus: Blacksmiths work +80% faster

Unique units: Konnik

View the Bulgarians tech tree

Burgundians

Burgundians · Cavalry civilization

Economic upgrades available one age earlier and cost -40% food
Stable technologies cost -50%
Cavalier upgrade available in Castle Age
Gunpowder Units +25% attack

Team bonus: Relics generate food in addition to gold

Unique units: Flemish Militia, Coustillier

View the Burgundians tech tree

Burmese

Burmese · Infantry and Cavalry civilization

Lumber Camp technologies free
Infantry +1/+2/+3 attack in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Battle Elephants +1 melee/+1 pierce armor
Monastery technologies cost -50%

Team bonus: Relics visible on the map at the start of the game

Unique units: Arambai

View the Burmese tech tree

Byzantines

Byzantines · Defensive civilization

Buildings +10/20/30/40% HP in Dark/Feudal/
Camel Riders, Skirmishers and Spearman-line cost -25%
Town Watch, Town Patrol free
Advancing to Imperial Age costs -33%
Fire Ships and Dromons attack +25% faster

Team bonus: Monks heal +100% faster

Unique units: Cataphract

View the Byzantines tech tree

Celts

Celts · Infantry and Siege civilization

Lumberjacks work +15% faster
Livestock animals within Celt unit line of sight cannot be stolen
Infantry moves +5/10/15/20% faster in Dark/Feudal/
Siege Weapons attack +25% faster

Team bonus: Siege Workshops work +20% faster

Unique units: Woad Raider

View the Celts tech tree

Chinese

Chinese · Archer and Gunpowder civilization

Start with +3 Villagers, but -50 wood and -200 food
Technologies cost -5/10/15% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Town Centers +7 line of sight and provide +15 population space
Fire Lancers and Fire Ships move +5/10% faster in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Farms +10% food

Unique units: Chu Ko Nu

View the Chinese tech tree

Cumans

Cumans · Cavalry civilization

One additional Town Center can be built in Feudal Age
Mounted Units move +5/10/15% faster in Feudal/
Archery Ranges and Stables cost -75 wood
Siege Workshop and Battering Ram available in Feudal Age; Capped Ram available in Castle Age

Team bonus: Palisade Walls +33% HP

Unique units: Kipchak, Elite Kipchak

View the Cumans tech tree

Danes

Danes · Infantry and Siege civilization

Fishing Ships and Villagers drop off +5% food
Loot 25% of the resource cost of each destroyed building
Barracks and Siege Workshop upgrades cost -66% gold
Varangian Guards and Longships move +10% faster

Team bonus: Siege Weapons +2 line of sight

Unique units: Jomsviking

View the Danes tech tree

Dravidians

Dravidians · Infantry and Naval civilization

Fishermen and Fishing Ships carry +15
Receive +200 wood when advancing to the next Age
Skirmishers and Elephant Archers attack +25% faster
Barracks technologies cost -50%
Siege Weapons cost -33% wood

Team bonus: Docks provide +5 population space

Unique units: Thirisadai, Urumi Swordsman

View the Dravidians tech tree

Ethiopians

Ethiopians · Archer civilization

Receive +100 gold and +100 food when advancing to the next Age
Foot Archers attack +18% faster
Pikeman upgrade free

Team bonus: Outposts +3 line of sight and cost no stone

Unique units: Shotel Warrior

View the Ethiopians tech tree

Franks

Franks · Cavalry civilization

Foragers work +15% faster
Mill technologies free
Mounted Units +20% HP starting in Feudal Age
Castles cost -15/25% in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Knight-line +2 line of sight

Unique units: Throwing Axeman

View the Franks tech tree

Georgians

Georgians · Defensive and Cavalry civilization

Start with a Mule Cart
Units and buildings receive -15% damage when located on higher elevation
Mounted Units regenerate 2/8/14 HP per minute in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Fortified Churches provide Villagers in a 9 tiles radius with +10% work rate

Team bonus: Building repairs cost -25%

Unique units: Monaspa

View the Georgians tech tree

Goths

Goths · Infantry civilization

Loom is researched instantly
Hunters carry +15; hunted animals last +20% longer
Infantry costs -15/20/25/30% in Dark/Feudal/Castle/
Infantry +1/+2/+3 attack vs. buildings in Feudal/
+10 population space in Imperial Age

Team bonus: Barracks work +20% faster

Unique units: Huskarl

View the Goths tech tree

Gurjaras

Gurjaras · Cavalry and Camel civilization

Start with 2 Forage Bushes
Can garrison livestock in Mills to passively produce food
Mounted Units deal +20/30/40% bonus damage in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Camel and Elephant Units train +25% faster

Unique units: Camel Scout, Shrivamsha Rider, Chakram Thrower

View the Gurjaras tech tree

Hindustanis

Hindustanis · Camel and Gunpowder civilization

Villagers cost -8/13/18/23% in Dark/Feudal/Castle/
Camel Riders attack +20% faster
Gunpowder Units +1 melee/+1 pierce armor
Can build Caravanserai in Imperial Age

Team bonus: Scout Cavalry-line and Camel Units +2 attack vs. buildings

Unique units: Ghulam

View the Hindustanis tech tree

Huns

Huns · Cavalry civilization

Do not need houses, but start with -100 wood
Cavalry Archers cost -10/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
Trebuchets fire more accurately at units and small targets
On Nomadic maps, the first Town Center spawns a scouting Horse

Team bonus: Stables work +20% faster

Unique units: Tarkan

View the Huns tech tree

Inca

Inca · Infantry civilization

Houses and Settlements provide +5 population space
Buildings cost -15% stone
Military Units cost -15/20/25/30% food in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Villagers affected by Infantry Blacksmith upgrades starting in Castle Age

Team bonus: Start with a free Llama

Unique units: Kamayuk

View the Inca tech tree

Italians

Italians · Archer and Naval civilization

Advancing to the next Age costs -15%
Foot Archers and Condottieri +1 melee/+1 pierce armor
Dock and University technologies cost -25%
Gunpowder Units cost -20%
Fishing Ships cost -15%

Team bonus: Condottiero available at the Barracks in Imperial Age

Unique units: Condottiero, Genoese Crossbowman

View the Italians tech tree

Japanese

Japanese · Infantry civilization

Mills, Lumber- and Mining Camps cost -50%
Infantry attacks +33% faster starting in Feudal Age
Cavalry Archers +2 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers (except Skirmishers)
Fishing Ships work +5/10/15/20% faster in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age; +100% HP

Team bonus: Galley-line +4 line of sight

Unique units: Samurai

View the Japanese tech tree

Jurchens

Jurchens · Cavalry and Gunpowder civilization

Meat of hunted and livestock animals doesn't decay
Mounted Units and Fire Lancers attack +25% faster starting in Feudal Age
Siege Engineers available in Castle Age
Siege and Fortification upgrades cost -75% wood and research +100% faster
Units receive -50% friendly fire damage

Team bonus: Gunpowder Units +2 line of sight

Unique units: Grenadier, Iron Pagoda

View the Jurchens tech tree

Khitans

Khitans · Infantry and Cavalry civilization

Pastures replace Farms
Melee attack upgrade effects are doubled
Skirmishers, Spearman-, and Scout Cavalry-line train and upgrade +15% faster
Heavy Cavalry Archer upgrade available in Castle Age and costs -50%

Team bonus: Infantry +2 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers

Unique units: Mounted Trebuchet, Liao Dao

View the Khitans tech tree

Khmer

Khmer · Siege and Elephant civilization

No buildings required to advance to the next Age or to unlock other buildings
Farmers don't require Mills or Town Centers to drop off food
Villagers can garrison in Houses
Battle Elephants move +10% faster

Team bonus: Scorpions +1 range

Unique units: Ballista Elephant

View the Khmer tech tree

Koreans

Koreans · Defensive and Naval civilization

Stone miners work +20% faster
Ranged Soldiers and Infantry cost -50% wood
Archer armor and tower upgrades free (Bombard Tower requires Chemistry)
Warships cost -20% wood

Team bonus: Villagers +3 line of sight

Unique units: Turtle Ship, War Wagon

View the Koreans tech tree

Lithuanians

Lithuanians · Cavalry and Monk civilization

Each Town Center provides +100 food
Spearman-line and Skirmisher-line move +10% faster
Each garrisoned Relic provides +1 attack to Knight-line and Leitis (maximum +4)

Team bonus: Monasteries work +20% faster

Unique units: Leitis

View the Lithuanians tech tree

Magyars

Magyars · Cavalry civilization

Villagers defeat wolves with one strike
Scout Cavalry-line costs -15%
Melee attack upgrades free

Team bonus: Mounted Archers train +25% faster

Unique units: Magyar Huszar

View the Magyars tech tree

Malay

Malay · Naval civilization

Advancing to the next Age is +66% faster
Infantry armor upgrades free
Battle Elephants cost -25/35% in Castle/Imperial Age
Fish Traps cost -33% and provide +200% food

Team bonus: Docks +6 line of sight

Unique units: Karambit Warrior

View the Malay tech tree

Malians

Malians · Infantry civilization

Buildings cost -15% wood
Villagers drop off +10% more gold
Barracks Units +1/+2/+3 pierce armor in Feudal/

Team bonus: Universities work +80% faster

Unique units: Gbeto

View the Malians tech tree

Mapuche

Mapuche · Cavalry and Counter-Units civilization

Foragers drop off +25% food
Settlements can train Spearman-line and Skirmishers
Infantry, Slingers and Skirmishers +5/10/15 HP in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Mounted Units generate +3 gold when defeating military units
Enemy Castles are revealed on the map

Team bonus: Spearman-line and Skirmishers +2 line of sight

Unique units: Bolas Rider, Kona

View the Mapuche tech tree

Maya

Maya · Archer civilization

Start with +1 Villager, but -50 food
Resources last +15% longer
Foot Archers cost -10/20/30% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Walls cost -50%

Unique units: Plumed Archer

View the Maya tech tree

Mongols

Mongols · Cavalry Archer civilization

Hunters work +40% faster
Cavalry Archers attack +25% faster
Scout Cavalry-line and Steppe Lancers +20/30% HP in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Scout Cavalry-line +2 line of sight

Unique units: Mangudai

View the Mongols tech tree

Muisca

Muisca · Archer and Monk civilization

Advancing to the next Age costs -50% gold
Settlements cost -33% and heal nearby units
Champi Warriors and Archery Range Units +1/2/3 melee armor in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Monks regain faith +50% faster
Caravan, Guilds free

Team bonus: Natural gold sources last +15% longer

Unique units: Temple Guard, Guecha Warrior

View the Muisca tech tree

Persians

Persians · Cavalry civilization

Start with +50 wood and +50 food
Town Centers and Docks +100% HP and work +5/10/15/20% faster in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Parthian Tactics available in Castle Age
Can build Caravanserai in Imperial Age

Team bonus: Knight-line +2 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers

Unique units: War Elephant

View the Persians tech tree

Poles

Poles · Cavalry civilization

Folwark replaces Mill
Villagers regenerate 10/15/20 HP in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Stone Miners generate gold in addition to stone
Bloodlines and Scout Cavalry-line upgrades cost -50% food

Team bonus: Scout Cavalry-line +1 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers

Unique units: Obuch

View the Poles tech tree

Portuguese

Portuguese · Naval and Gunpowder civilization

Foragers generate wood in addition to food
All units cost -20% gold
Can build Feitoria in Imperial Age
Ships +10/15/20% HP in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Technologies research +25% faster

Unique units: Caravel, Organ Gun

View the Portuguese tech tree

Romans

Romans · Infantry and Cavalry civilization

Villagers gather, build, and repair +5% faster
Infantry armor upgrade effects are doubled
Scorpions cost -50% gold
Galley-line and Dromons +1 melee/+1 pierce armor

Team bonus: Scorpions minimum range reduced

Unique units: Centurion

View the Romans tech tree

Saracens

Saracens · Camel and Naval civilization

Market trading fee only 5%; Markets cost -100 wood
Camel Units +25% HP
Galley-line attacks +25% faster
Transport Ships +100% HP, +20 carry capacity

Team bonus: Foot Archers and Skirmishers +2 attack vs. buildings

Unique units: Mameluke

View the Saracens tech tree

Saxons

Saxons · Infantry and Defensive civilization

Mills, Lumber- and Mining Camps provide +35 food and +10 stone when built
Foot Soldiers cost -5% per Town Center or Castle controlled (maximum -20%)
Towers and Castles fire +100% base arrows starting in Castle Age
Longships and Catapult Galleons +20% HP

Team bonus: Repairers work +25% faster

Unique units: Hearth Troop

View the Saxons tech tree

Shu

Shu · Archer and Siege civilization

Lumberjacks generate food in addition to wood
Archery Unit technologies at the Archery Range and Blacksmith cost -25%
Siege Weapons and Siege Warships move +10/15% faster in Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Foot Archers +2 line of sight

Unique units: War Chariot, White Feather Guard, Liu Bei

View the Shu tech tree

Sicilians

Sicilians · Infantry and Cavalry civilization

Start with +100 stone
Farm upgrades provide +125% additional food
Soldiers receive -40% bonus damage
Can build Donjon in Dark Age, replaces Watch Tower-line
Fortifications built +50% faster; Town Centers built +100% faster

Team bonus: Transport Ships +5 line of sight and cost -50%

Unique units: Serjeant

View the Sicilians tech tree

Slavs

Slavs · Infantry and Siege civilization

Farmers work +15% faster
Arson, Gambesons free
Siege Workshop Units cost -15%
Monks move +20% faster

Team bonus: Military buildings (except Castles) provide +5 population space

Unique units: Boyar

View the Slavs tech tree

Spanish

Spanish · Gunpowder and Monk civilization

Builders work +30% faster
Receive +20 gold for each technology researched
Blacksmith upgrades cost no gold
Gunpowder Units attack +18% faster
Cannon Galleons fire more accurately at moving targets

Team bonus: Trade Units generate +25% gold

Unique units: Conquistador, Missionary

View the Spanish tech tree

Tatars

Tatars · Cavalry Archer civilization

Livestock animals last +50% longer
Units deal +25% damage when fighting from higher elevation
New Town Centers spawn 2 Sheep starting in Castle Age
Thumb Ring, Parthian Tactics free

Team bonus: Mounted Archers +2 line of sight

Unique units: Flaming Camel, Keshik

View the Tatars tech tree

Teutons

Teutons · Infantry and Defensive civilization

Farms cost -40%
Town Centers +10 garrison capacity; Towers +5 garrison capacity
Infantry and Mounted Units +1/+2 melee armor in Castle/Imperial Age
Monks +100% healing range
Murder Holes, Herbal Medicine free

Team bonus: Units more resistant to conversion

Unique units: Teutonic Knight

View the Teutons tech tree

Tupi

Tupi · Archer and Infantry civilization

Start with +25 of each resource
Villagers can garrison in Settlements
Fallen units return 15% of their cost
Archery Range and Barracks upgrades cost -50% food

Team bonus: Towers and Castles provide +10 population space

Unique units: Ibirapema Warrior, Blackwood Archer

View the Tupi tech tree

Turks

Turks · Gunpowder civilization

Gold miners work +25% faster
Scout Cavalry-line +1 pierce armor and upgrades free
Chemistry free; Gunpowder technologies costs -50%
Gunpowder Units +25% HP

Team bonus: Gunpowder Units train +25% faster

Unique units: Janissary

View the Turks tech tree

Varangians

Varangians · Cavalry and Naval civilization

Shepherding, fishing, and hunting also generate gold
Bloodlines and Caravan effects +50%
Varangian Guards attack +25% faster and generate +50% gold
Longships and Catapult Galleons attack +15% faster

Team bonus: Knight-line +1 attack vs. Infantry

Unique units: Jarl

View the Varangians tech tree

Vietnamese

Vietnamese · Archer civilization

Enemy Town Centers are revealed at the start of the game
Economic upgrades cost no wood and research +100% faster
Foot Archers and Skirmishers +20% HP
Conscription free

Team bonus: Imperial Skirmisher upgrade available in Imperial Age

Unique units: Rattan Archer

View the Vietnamese tech tree

Vikings

Vikings · Infantry and Naval civilization

Wheelbarrow, Hand Cart free
Infantry +20% HP starting in Feudal Age
Warships cost -10/15/20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age

Team bonus: Docks cost -15%

Unique units: Berserk

View the Vikings tech tree

Wei

Wei · Cavalry civilization

Receive one free Villager for each economic upgrade researched
Hei Guang Cavalry and Xianbei Raider +20/30% HP in Castle/Imperial Age
Traction Trebuchets and Lou Chuans cost -25%

Team bonus: Cavalry +2 attack vs. Siege Weapons

Unique units: Xianbei Raider, Tiger Cavalry, Cao Cao

View the Wei tech tree

Wu · Infantry and Naval civilization

Military production buildings and Docks provide +55 food when built
Infantry regenerates 10/15/30 HP per minute in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Jian Swordsmen and Hei Guang Cavalry +2 attack in Imperial Age
Careening, Dry Dock free

Team bonus: Houses built +100% faster

Unique units: Jian Swordsman, Fire Archer, Sun Jian

View the Wu tech tree

Questions about AoE2 civilizations

How many civilizations are in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?

The current reference includes 56 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition civilizations. The roster comes from game data and updates when the source publishes a complete new version.

How do I compare two AoE2 civilizations?

Open Compare and choose your civilization and your opponent. You can inspect bonuses, unique units and technologies, alongside differences in availability and unlock age in their technology trees.

What is the best civilization in AoE2?

The choice depends on the map, game mode, your skill level and your opponent. Compare economic bonuses, military options and available upgrades to choose an opening and a transition that fit your game.

Does the reference include the latest game changes?

We check the SiegeEngineers reference hourly and link the data to its official update. If the source is unavailable, we retain the last complete verified copy and show its status on the page.

Do the costs and statistics include every bonus?

Tables show base game values. Civilization bonuses, team bonuses and upgrades can change the actual cost and performance of units during a game.