Age of Empires IV, released in 2021 by Relic + World’s Edge for Microsoft, resurrected the Age of Empires franchise after 16 years of silence. In 2026, it’s one of the best living classical RTS with an active competitive scene and regular content. Here’s the complete guide.
Why play Age of Empires IV in 2026
- 14 unique civilizations with radically different mechanics
- 4 narrative campaigns (documentary + live-action, History Channel vibe)
- Active multiplayer: 1v1 ladder, team games, regular esports tournaments
- Regular patches: Microsoft continues investing with new content yearly
- Accessible interface: friendlier approach than StarCraft 2 or AoE 2 DE
The 14 AoE4 civilizations
”Vanilla” civilizations
| Civilization | Gameplay |
|---|---|
| English | Defense, long-range archers, solid economy — beginner friendly |
| French | Smooth economy, heavy cavalry, fast feudal age |
| Holy Roman Empire (HRE) | Prayer, prelates, varied infantry |
| Rus | Hunt bounties, alternative economy, late but powerful outputs |
| Chinese | Multiple dynasties, strategic depth, varied roster |
| Mongols | Nomads, no fixed villages, devastating cavalry raids |
| Abbasid | House of Wisdom, tech bonuses |
| Delhi | Free but slow research, elephants |
DLC civilizations
| Civilization | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Byzantines (The Return of Rome DLC) | Byzantine culture, cataphracts, mercenaries |
| Japanese | Samurai, balanced economy, bakufus |
| Ottomans | Viziers, Topkapi, devastating siege |
| Malians | Archipelago, naval, tropical variants |
| Jeanne d’Arc | French alternative campaign |
| Order of the Dragon | Romania / Vlad Dracul, vampires (fantastic) |
Strategies to climb the ladder
Build orders by civilization
English (beginner):
- 6 villagers → wood
- 4 villagers → food (sheep then farms)
- Feudal Age around 3:30
- Archer + militia production
- Defense + economic boom until castle age
French (intermediate):
- Focus on smooth economy
- Feudal Age around 3:00 (bonus)
- Rush light cavalry then knights
- Sieges in castle
Mongols (advanced):
- No fixed villages — mobile nomadic
- Ultra-fast feudal age
- Constant cavalry raids
- Khan buffs
The 3 ages and their timings
- Dark Age (start): 1:00 - 3:00 — exploration, economy
- Feudal Age: 3:00 - 8:00 — first army, first raids
- Castle Age: 8:00 - 15:00 — heavy cavalry, unique units
- Imperial Age: 15:00+ — final tech, siege, imperial army
AoE4 competitive multiplayer
1v1 ranked
The purest mode. Aim for:
- Gold ladder (top 20%): optimal build orders + correct micro
- Conqueror (top 1%): meta game, counter-strategies, perfect execution
Team games
4v4 remains the most fun mode. Less meta, more creativity.
Tournaments
- Red Bull Wololo: the major AoE4 esports tournament
- Nili Invitational: between community casters
- Community tournaments: signed up directly via Discord servers
Best AoE4 streamers to follow
- Beastyqt — caster and top player
- Nili_AoE — historical AoE caster
- Aussie Drongo — educational streamer
- ModriDoesStuff — beginner guides
AoE4 mods and tools
- Advanced Game Settings — more lobby options
- Custom Maps — via the built-in Mod Centre
- Better Balanced Mod — gameplay rebalances
Conclusion
Age of Empires IV is, in 2026, the best modern classical RTS. With 14 unique civilizations, a quality narrative campaign and an active competitive scene, it offers years of content for a reasonable price.
For more RTS options, see our top 10 PC strategy games 2026.
FAQ
What's the best civilization to start AoE4?
English: simple gameplay, clear economic bonus, solid defense. Alternatives: French (smooth economy) or Chinese (strategic depth).Does Age of Empires IV have a solo campaign mode?
Yes, AoE4 offers 4 narrative campaigns (Normans, Rise of Moscow, Hundred Years' War, Mongol Empire) with documentary voiceover + live-action cinematics. About 30h of campaign.Is AoE4 competitive in 2026?
Yes, the esports scene is vibrant. Major tournaments (Red Bull Wololo, Genesis), substantial prize pools, active streamers. The 1v1 ranked ladder is very active.How many civilizations in AoE4?
In 2026, AoE4 offers 14 civilizations: English, French, HRE, Rus, Chinese, Mongols, Abbasid, Delhi, Byzantines, Japanese, Ottomans, Malians, Jeanne d'Arc, Order of the Dragon. Regular DLC additions.What mods improve AoE4?
Modding scene is limited vs StarCraft 2 or AoE 2. Major mods: Better Balanced Mod (balance), Map Pack+ (new maps), UI Overhaul. Activatable via game settings.AoE4 or AoE 2 Definitive Edition?
AoE4 for modern graphics, narrative campaigns, refined gameplay. AoE 2 DE for 40+ civilizations depth, historical community, legendary esports.
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