This is a very hypothetical situation where you are the one that would choose all the civs. You somehow have all the knowledge of 2023 in 1999 and also know that this game will survive 25 years and you can bring new civs after civs in numerous DLCs.
Before going to the topic, I’ll make some ground rule. Because some people think AOE means Age of Europe and some thinks AOE means Age of Everything but Europe.
- You have to add exact same amount of civs in each DLC as it is right now. So 13 civs at first, then 5-5-4-4-4-2-2-3-1.
- You have to keep at least 70% of civ as it is. That is 30 civs out of 43. For the rest 13, you have the freedom to swap with your choice.
- Number of architecture set will also have to be maintained. 4 sets at starts, 1 more in AOC, 3 more Forgotten and go on. However, you can add 1 new architecture set in each DLCs that didn’t give anything new - LOTW, DOTD, DOI, and ROR.
I also want to strictly keep the time frame 500-1500 AD. Huns and Romans (I’m okay with Goths) are not allowed. But I have stepped back. I personally wouldn’t add them but I’m fine if other people add them.
I’ll also request to add campaign of your choice. But again, you have to keep the numbers same as it is. 5 at start, 3 with AOC, 4 with Forgotten and so on.
My picks will be like this -
Age of Kings - 13 civs, 4 architecture set, 5 campaigns
Civilizations
Western Europe - Franks, English, Teutons
Eastern Europe - Rus, Poles, Goths
Middle Eastern - Arabs, Turks, Byzantines, Persians
East Asian - Mongols, Chinese, Japanese
Campaigns
Joan of Arc (Franks), Basil II (Byzantines), Khalid Ibn Al-Walid (Arabs), Richard the Lionheart (English), Genghis Khan (Mongols).
Age of Conquerors - 5 civs, 1 architecture set, 3 campaigns
Civilizations
Western Europe - Spanish
American - Aztecs, Mayans
Middle Eastern - Tatars, Berbers
Campaigns
Tamerlane (Tatars), Tariq Bin Ziyad (Berbers), Montezuma/Moctezuma (Aztecs)
The Forgotten - 5 civs, 3 architecture set, 4 campaigns
Civilizations
Asian - Tibetans
Eastern Europe - Magyars
Central Asian - Hindustanis (Tatars is moved here)
Mediterranean - Lombards
American - Incas
Campaigns
Babur (Hindustanis), Arpad (Magyars). Sforza (Lombards. I’m not sure about this), I can’t find another suitable campaign. Any suggestion?
African Kingdoms - 4 civs, 1 architecture set, 4 campaigns
Civilizations
African - Nubians, Malians, Somali, Benin
Campaigns
Sundjata (Malians)
Rise of the Rajas - 4 civs, 1 architecture set, 4 campaigns
Civilizations
South-East Asian - Malay, Khmer, Cham, Siamese
Campaigns
Gajah Mada (Malay), Suryavarman I (Khmer)
The Last Khans - 4 civs, 1 architecture set, 3 campaigns
Civilizations
Eastern Europe - Bulgars
Central Asian - Kazars
Inner China - Gokturks, Khitans.
Campaigns
Ivaylo (Bulgars)
Lords of the West - 2 civs, 1 (0 in real game) architecture set, 3 campaigns
Civilizations
Western Europe - Celts
Mediterranean - Normans.
Central European - Teutons and Goths are moved here.
Campaigns
William Wallace (Celts), Hautevilles (Normans), Barbarossa (Teutons)
Dawn of the Dukes - 2 civs, 1 (0 in real game) architecture set, 3 campaigns
Civilizations
Balkans - Lithuanians, Bohemians.
Campaigns
Algirdas and Kestutis ############# Jaz Zizka (Bohemians), Jadwiga (Poles).
Dynasties of India - 3 civs, 1 (0 in real game) architecture set, 3 campaigns
Civilizations
Indians - Bengalis, Rajasthanis, Tamil
Campaigns
Devapala (Bengalis), ########## (Rajasthanis), Rajendra (Tamils).
Return of Rome - 1 civ, 1 (0 in real game) architecture set, 0 campaign
South-East Asian - Vietnamese
Summary
Saracens → Arabs
Britons → English
Slavs → Rus
Italians → Lombards
Koreans → Tibetans
Ethiopians → Nubians
Portuguese → Benin
Vikings → Somali
Burmese → Siamese
Cumans → Kazars
Sicilians → Normans
Burgundians → Gokturks
Huns → Khitans
Gurjaras → Rajasthanis
Dravidians → Tamil
Romans → Cham