[Multiple Polls] Which civ do you think is...?

Age of Empires II: DE II - Discussion
1

Hello. I’ve decided to make a collection of polls regarding which civ people think is best at certain things.

Which civ is best in general?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ is weakest in general?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ has the best eco?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ is most enjoyable to play?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ is easiest to learn?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ is hardest for new players to learn?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which is the best archer civ?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which is the best cav civ?

  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which is the best infantry civ?

  • Aztecs
  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Cumans
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Huns
  • Incas
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mayans
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which is the best gunpowder civ?

  • Berbers
  • Bohemians
  • Britons
  • Bulgarians
  • Burgundians
  • Burmese
  • Byzantines
  • Celts
  • Chinese
  • Ethiopians
  • Franks
  • Goths
  • Indians
  • Italians
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Koreans
  • Lithuanians
  • Magyars
  • Malay
  • Malians
  • Mongols
  • Persians
  • Poles
  • Portuguese
  • Saracens
  • Sicilians
  • Slavs
  • Spanish
  • Tatars
  • Teutons
  • Turks
  • Vietnamese
  • Vikings

0 voters

Which civ has the best unique techs?

  • Aztecs (Atlatl and Garland Wars)
  • Berbers (Kasbah and Maghrabi Camels)
  • Bohemians (Wagenburg Tactics and Hussite Reforms)
  • Britons (Yeomen and Warwolf)
  • Bulgarians (Stirrups and Bagains)
  • Burgundians (Burgundian Vineyards and Flemish Revolution)
  • Burmese (Howdah and Manipur Cavalry)
  • Byzantines (Greek Fire and Logistica)
  • Celts (Stronghold and Furor Celtica)
  • Chinese (Great Wall and Rocketry)
  • Cumans (Steppe Husbandry and Cuman Mercenaries)
  • Ethiopians (Royal Heirs and Torsion Engines)
  • Franks (Bearded Axe and Chivalry)
  • Goths (Anarchy and Perfusion)
  • Huns (Marauders and Atheism)
  • Incas (Andean Sling and Fabric Shields)
  • Indians (Sultans and Shatagni)
  • Italians (Pavise and Silk Road)
  • Japanese (Yasama and Kataparuto)
  • Khmer (Tusk Swords and Double Crossbow)
  • Koreans (Eupseong and Shinkichon)
  • Lithuanians (Hill Forts and Tower Shields)
  • Magyars (Corvinian Army and Recurve Bow)
  • Malay (Thalassocracy and Forced Levy)
  • Malians (Tigui and Farimba)
  • Mayans (Hul’che Javilineers and El Dorado)
  • Mongols (Nomads and Drill)
  • Persians (Kamandaran and Mahouts)
  • Poles (Szlachta Privileges and Lechitic Legacy)
  • Portuguese (Carrack and Arquebus)
  • Saracens (Madrasah and Zealotry)
  • Sicilians (First Crusade and Hauberk)
  • Slavs (Orthodoxy and Druzhina)
  • Spanish (Inquisition and Supremacy)
  • Tatars (Silk Armor and Timurid Siegecraft)
  • Teutons (Ironclad and Crenellations)
  • Turks (Sipahi and Artillery)
  • Vietnamese (Chatras and Paper Money)
  • Vikings (Chieftains and Berserkergang)

0 voters

Last one, Which civ has the best unique unit?

  • Aztecs (Jaguar Warrior)
  • Berbers (Camel Archer)
  • Berbers (Genitour)
  • Bohemians (Hussite Wagon)
  • Bohemians (Houfnice)
  • Britons (Longbowman)
  • Bulgarians (Konnik)
  • Burgundians (Coustillier)
  • Burmese (Arambai)
  • Byzantines (Cataphract)
  • Celts (Woad Raider)
  • Chinese (Chu Ko Nu)
  • Cumans (Kipchak)
  • Ethiopians (Shotel Warrior)
  • Franks (Throwing Axeman)
  • Goths (Huskarl)
  • Huns (Tarkan)
  • Incas (Kamayuk)
  • Incas (Slinger)
  • Indians (Elephant Archer)
  • Indians (Imperial Camel Rider)
  • Italians (Genoese Crossbowman)
  • Italians (Condottiero)
  • Japanese (Samurai)
  • Khmer (Ballista Elephant)
  • Koreans (War Wagon)
  • Lithuanians (Leitis)
  • Magyars (Magyar Huszar)
  • Malay (Karambit Warrior)
  • Malians (Gbeto)
  • Mayans (Plumed Archer)
  • Mongols (Mangudai)
  • Persians (War Elephant)
  • Poles (Obuch)
  • Portuguese (Organ Gun)
  • Saracens (Mameluke)
  • Sicilians (Serjeant)
  • Slavs (Boyar)
  • Spanish (Conquistador)
  • Spanish (Missionary)
  • Tatars (Keshik)
  • Teutons (Teutonic Knight)
  • Turks (Janissary)
  • Vietnamese (Rattan Archer)
  • Vikings (Berserk)

0 voters

2

didn’t vote as the poll in my opinion is senseless. For example, let’s take the question “which civ has best eco”. Well, if it’s a hybrid map, probably civs like Persians are close to the top. On water maps, Vikings with cheaper boats, Italians with cheaper aging up and solid tech tree, Portuguese with solid tech tree, and Japanese with faster fishing boats are all top tier. On an open map, Aztecs and Khmer might be toward the top because of their vills carrying more resources/dropping instantly (from an eco point of view). But on Ghost Lake, Tatars or Britons shine as they have a good eco bonus + strong FC follow up potential.

On a map where you get a lot of time before the first fight can realistically happen, like Arena, a civ like Burgundians can be close to the top due to their 1 age earlier eco techs. So… it depends.

This without even going into FULLY subjective questions like “which civ is most enjoyable to play in general”, I mean at that point you might ask everyone what their favorite candy flavor is, if you must spam at all costs go the full way ig.

3

I think that the Burmese are the hardest civilization by far for beginners.

4

Best Civ: Byzantines: Have no major weakness and answers to everything. Basicallly no bad maps. Master Byzantines and you have a civ for every situation.

Weaket Civ: Currently maybe burmese. Since the arambai nerf they are just a shadow of themselves.

Best Eco: Vikings. Maybe not the best eco in every situation, but one of the best in almost all situations. Can’t make anything wrong with them. This flexibility makes them so annoying to play against, cause most other civs with good ecos have serious tradeoffs and often only shine in special setups. Vikings eco is always strong.

Most Enjoyable: Franks. Just that easy gameplan plus it working so often so nicely… At least in their favorite maps Franks are just so easy going.

Easiest to learn: Huns. Not being housed is just too good.

Hardest to learn: Byzantines. Yeah, being the in theory best civ must come with a tradeof, no? Practically everything is totally different with them, so naturally you also can’t refer to common knowledge, you have to grind them.

Best Archer civ: It’s tough, but I would still say Britons. Mayans are strong, but mayans also have their insane eagles.

Best Cav Civ: I think it’s still franks. Besides lately we got a lot of civs with insane cav bonusses. Lith, Burg, Sic, Poles… It’s not that easy anymore. And ofc berbers are also always one of the best, too.

Best Infantry: Goths. What else?

Best Gunpoweder: Turks. They are basically the only civ that can really make much use of their gunpowder, so… Bohemians can make HC in castle, but I am not really impressed by their performance yet.

Best UT: Burgundians. FR just OP.

Best UU: Koreans. Because they got 2. War wagon is among the best UUs on land and turtle ship quite situational, but in sum this makes koreans having the best UUs overall. If koreans had not the turtle ship i would have voted for mongols ofc.

1 Like
5

I wouldnt consider either of these true ‘eco’-bonuses because they don’t directly benefit the functioning of your eco like, say, getting handcart for free or instantly dropping of farmed food. Although saving resources indirectly benefits your eco since you have more left to potentially invest into it, there is no guarantee for this investment so it’s best to separate such bonuses from ‘true eco bonuses’ for the sake of clarity.

1 Like
6

In what world Byzantines are hard to play? For the longest time they have been a top recommandation for beginners.

7

Maybe they were, but with the current gameplay focussed on raiding units and keeping them alive and herassing the opponent with them, counters are quite hard to make use of and require permanent babysitting.
And that’s what byz are all about.

You need a lot of experience to make the civ work, at least at higher levels. Especially beginners should maybe focus more in getting the basics done first before opting to go for such a demanding civ in basically all parts of the game.

I can’t really tell if byz can maybe bring you to like 1200 elo or so quite fast, but at some point the opponents just learn how to deal with your counters and if you don’t babysit them then you get in big trouble. And with civs like franks or huns you can quite easily get to 1500 or even higher by just learning the basic builds. And byz gameplay is also not transmissible to other civs, so it’s a bad idea to begin with that civ cause you basically have to learn the game again when you opt to go random civ.

So all in all I don’t recomment byz for beginners, I think it’s actually the worst choice for beginners.

8

Best Civ: Bulgarians for me, not just for the civ strengths/weaknesses, but for the krepost thing as well, it’s just different from other civs. They also have strong infantry, cavalry and siege, with more than decent HCAs.

Weaket Civ: Burmese and Portuguese, I had to pick one I chose Burmese. They’re just too weak to archers and Arambai is now a complete joke with the last nerf (no more Manipur cavalry effect).

Best Eco: Indians, more vills = more resources, plus Sultans is very good in team games.

Most Enjoyable: Malians, my second best civ. Up to castle age they can do absolutely everything, and I like the wood discount, I wish it worked for farms too. In imperial age they suffer a bit but they have strong infantry and cavalry, weird siege (SO without SE) but you can work with it.

Easiest to learn: Celts, you get even a dedicated campaign, the most unidimensional civ ever, along with Goths. Easiest to learn imho because differently from Goths they have good stone walls and eco bonuses.

Hardest to learn: Malay or Chinese, but imho Malay is harder because learning Chinese is a matter of knowing how to deal with the first 2-3 minutes, Malay faster aging can completely throw off all your build orders because of resource shortages.

Best Archer civ: Mayans for me, better than Britons because on top of raw discount power, their archer line is employed differently from their UU. Britons longbows are just buffed up arbs, you can instead raid much better with Plumes.

Best Cav Civ: Franks, no doubt.

Best Infantry: Celts, a unit for every role, plus they’re faster. Halbs for cavalry, Champs for trash, Woad for raids and to kill enemy siege/archers (if you don’t have siege ready).

Best Gunpowder: Bohemians, not because of raw power, but because differently from Turks their gunpowder units don’t overlap, so you have 3 gunpowder land units all with a different role, plus faster speed is a nice bonus.

Best UTs: Sipahi and Artillery for me, both very powerful and at the same time they are very different from each other allowing different gameplay strategies.

Best UU: Camel archer for me, fast, high damage, low train time with Kasbah, plus it regenerates itself.

9

If only Byzantine had stronger buildings to block raiding… I also don’t get why you have to babysit dirt cheap units, nor how you have to relearn the game when switching from Byz, even more so when you recommend Huns that teach people to never build houses.

10

Aren’t Celts harder because you have to completely change army compositions once you go to imp? Also at lower levels people tend to dislike heavy use of siege, which is required for Celts.

11

Hmm, maybe I’m a little biased because I like to play infantry+siege civs, but the Celts wood bonus is really powerful until imperial age, and can support any strategy, being wood very important even for food economy required for, say, knights.

12

I would argue that good Monk play is the most difficult technique for most players to learn, and note that many higher end players remain frustrated by it. Civilizations that thrive on it are naturally more difficult, as it is quite the micro intensive task. The too many options, but few very strong ones can also be difficult for them. The Chinese tend to be thought of as the most difficult starter, because they have such a unique, and somewhat unforgiving start, that can be a great boon if mastered, but also the downfall of those who do not wish to learn it.