AoE4 has now debuted entire “civilizations” consisting of a single individual. While this is obviously a terrible idea, the concept of adding some variety to civilizations via different leaders is not entirely without merit and it could be a great addition to AoE3. The leaders of this game serve only to give some thematic flavour and to trash talk the player when facing the AI so new leaders could be primarily cosmetic. The one area where they could differ is AI behavior, with different leaders having slightly different proclivities for certain strategies or different decks to choose from.
I’ve created a list of what I think are the best examples of alternate leaders for each civilization. For the most part, I’ve tried to contrast them as much as possible with leaders from a different era, faction, or regime from the existing leader (republican vs monarchist, medieval era vs industrial era, etc). For reference, here is the list of current AI personalities.
In summary, there are many positives from adding more personalities:
- More snarky dialogue for the AI to chirp you with
- More immersion when picking duplicate civilizations
- A more comprehensive representation of each civilization
- Different AI tendencies (for example a French AI that doesn’t revolt so much)
- This could also be a good excuse to improve the AI
- Revenue from selling it as a DLC/cosmetic pack
- Positive press by virtue signaling about female leaders (I know it’s silly, but Microsoft eats this up, and I’ve only suggested women who were actually significant)
- Could provide a framework for AoE4 to rework “variants” into alternate leaders (more like Civilization VI leader bonuses instead of entirely separate civs)
Spanish - Philip II
Led the Spanish Empire at the height of its golden age.
British - Victoria
She’s the namesake of an era and grandmother of Europe. During her reign the British empire dominated the world and made massive technological and industrial progress.
French - Louis XIV
The Sun King’s opulence, power, and long reign were unrivalled. He consolidated power into an absolute monarchy and pivoted France’s might against the rest of Europe.
Portuguese - Marquis of Pombal
He wasn’t a monarch but he may as well have been one. During his reign he led the recovery from the Lisbon earthquake, suppressed the Jesuits, and dominated politics.
Dutch - Johan de Witt
He represents the Dutch States Party faction that was the rival of the Oranjists. He’s probably most well known for the regrettable incident in Dutch history where they ate their prime minister. In my opinion, the absolute goldmine of potential witty dialogue that can come from that is enough to justify having him as a leader.
Russians - Catherine the Great
After overthrowing her husband to take the throne and ushered in an era of massive territorial expansion and a renaissance of science and culture.
Germans - Maria Theresa
She rained over the Habsburg domains and served a Holy Roman Empress. She would provide some Austrian representation to the German civilization.
Ottomans - Mehmed IV
He led the Ottomans during the Great Turkish War which included the monumental sieges of Vienna and Candia. The middle of his reign saw an Ottoman revival under capable advisors.
Swedes - Charles XII
Carolus Rex led the Swedish armies to countless victories against overwhelming odds. He’s also one of the namesakes of the Caroleans.
Italians - Julius II
Known as the Warrior Pope, he wielded great temporal power and fought in the Italian Wars. Given his position as Pontiff, he had religious authority over all of Italy and would be the closest thing to a pan Italian leader before the Risorgimento.
Maltese - Giovanni Paolo Lascaris
He was the Grand Master who oversaw Malta’s acquisition of Caribbean colonies.
Haudenosaunee - Tanacharison
Known and the Half-King, he represented the Six Nations in treaty negotiations and fought alongside Washington in the 7 Years War.
Lakota - White Buffalo Calf Woman
She is a legendary prophetess that taught the Lakota their most sacred ceremonies. She represents the Lakota in the time long before contact with Europeans and the Sioux Wars.
Aztecs - Moctezuma II
He’s the most prominent of the Aztec emperors in their brief time from the game’s start to their overthrow. He could have some good quips about revenge.
Inca - Tupac Amaru
He was the final leader of the Neo-Inca State that defied the initial conquest of the Inca Empire. He could also rap some of his dialogue.
Japanese - Meiji
He oversaw the Meiji Restoration which transformed Japan from and isolated, feudal state to a modern industrial nation.
Chinese - Wanli
He represents China under the Ming Dynasty that preceded the Qing. During his rule China saw an economic flourishing and thwarted the Japanese invasion of Korea.
Indians - Shivaji
He founded the Maratha Empire that overthrew the Mughals.
Ethiopians - Fasilides
He founded Gondar and started an era of achievement in art and architecture. He engaged diplomatically with surrounding sultans and safeguarded the Ethiopian Orthodox Church from Jesuit encroachment.
Hausa - Usman dan Fodio
He led a revolutionary Jihad that founded the Sokoto Caliphate.
Americans - Abraham Lincoln
He led the United States during the American Civil War.
Mexicans - Porfirio Díaz
He served as a general fighting French incursions into Mexico before ascending to the presidency for a long reign that lasted until the Mexican Revolution.