Late game age-up options?

[ArrivedLeader22]

This is both a question and an update proposal.

The question
ASAIK most build orders are mainly centered around the first two ages (like resource crates or logisticians for age 2, exiled prince for age 3, etc.). When it comes to age 4 the choice becomes a little more arbitrary (maybe 2 falcs?). For age 5 the game has reached a scale that a few age-up rewards would not create a strong timing, so maybe permanent buffs like the age 5 mercenary contractor are always preferred, at least for me.
Asians and native Americans are a little more straightforward because the options are limited, and all American and African options offer much greater variety so there may be builds evolving around them.

I know I’m kind of bad at this game, but do late game age-up politicians/councils really matter that much, and are there good criteria for choosing them?

The suggestion
Considering (1) most games do not reach age 5 or fully utilize age 4, so balancing is not a big problem here (2) age 4 or 5 options, especially politicians, do not make big impacts on the gameplay as earlier ones (correct me if I’m wrong) (3) newer civs especially American and African ones have a lot of options for age 5 but older civs almost have nothing new, I think the late game age-ups can be improved for Europeans and native Americans as listed below:

• More options that offer permanent buffs.
• Some additional options that may change the playstyle a little more like this one:

Dissolving the Holy Roman Empire

In 1806 the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by its emperor Francis II in reaction to Napoleon’s victories. His coronation as Emperor of France and the creation of the Confederacy of the Rhine came with a serious threat of Napoleon taking the title of Holy Roman Emperor. Rather than suffer this, Francis dissolved the Empire and created his own Austrian Empire which included a hereditary title to safeguard the Habsburg’s domains. This Dissolvement of the Empire led to the German question. The maj…

• Unlock some (maybe very expensive) techs in the capitol/community plaza (or whatever building you find appropriate), depending on the choice. They can even cost shipments as was done in the NE mod.

Rework capitols?

Capitol is the only age 5-exclusive building that most games would never see (treaty not included) and serve only one purpose (other cive have those techs unlocked in regular buildings). The US state capitol is a good design, but we can keep their wagon-building and early build as a special feature. But “regular” capitols could be made more interesting following that direction: Available in age 4 Gives some additional civ-unique technologies (in both age 4 and 5; can be unlocked or made cheap…

[Jonasnee8581]

@ArrivedLeader22

Considering (1) most games do not reach age 5 or fully utilize age 4, so balancing is not a big problem here

the game is not only balanced for 1 vs 1, you cant just start destroying treaty balance.

@ArrivedLeader22

age 4 or 5 options, especially politicians, do not make big impacts on the gameplay as earlier ones (correct me if I’m wrong)

again depends on the mode.

@ArrivedLeader22

(3) newer civs especially American and African ones have a lot of options for age 5 but older civs almost have nothing new, I think the late game age-ups can be improved for Europeans and native Americans as listed below:

honestly the newer factions probably need a tone down, of the 6 factions we got since DE i think every single one of them have at least been competitive in treaty, and USA, Ethiopia and Sweden where/are OP.