This Age of Empires II (Retired) tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Britons | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Franks | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Mongols | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Aztecs | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Vietnamese | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Britons (A-Tier)
Britons is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Longbowman. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Franks (A-Tier)
Franks is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Throwing Axeman. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Mongols (A-Tier)
Mongols is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Mangudai. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Aztecs (A-Tier)
Aztecs is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Jaguar Warrior. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Vietnamese (A-Tier)
Vietnamese is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Rattan Archer. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Longbowman | Static Britons archer lines that outrange the answer | The Britons unique unit, an archer with the longest reach in the game once Yeomen and the elite upgrade land. |
| Throwing Axeman | Anti infantry support behind Frankish cavalry | The Franks unique unit, ranged infantry whose axes ignore the usual archer armor class. |
| Mangudai | Hit and run raiding and deleting enemy siege | The Mongols unique cavalry archer, fast and carrying a bonus against siege weapons. |
| Jaguar Warrior | Countering enemy infantry masses in Aztec pushes | The Aztecs unique infantry, built specifically to shred other infantry. |
| Rattan Archer | Winning archer versus archer fights outright | The Vietnamese unique unit from Rise of the Rajas, an archer with high pierce armor that beats other archers head on. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Longbowman: The Britons unique unit, an archer with the longest reach in the game once Yeomen and the elite upgrade land. Britons also get extra Town Center range and shepherds who work faster.
Throwing Axeman: The Franks unique unit, ranged infantry whose axes ignore the usual archer armor class. Franks are better known for free Farm upgrades, cheaper castles and Knights with 20 percent more hit points.
Mangudai: The Mongols unique cavalry archer, fast and carrying a bonus against siege weapons. Mongols also get faster hunters and siege units that move 50 percent quicker than everyone else's.
Jaguar Warrior: The Aztecs unique infantry, built specifically to shred other infantry. Aztecs start with 50 extra gold, train military units 11 percent faster and their villagers carry 5 extra resources.
Rattan Archer: The Vietnamese unique unit from Rise of the Rajas, an archer with high pierce armor that beats other archers head on. Vietnamese also reveal enemy starting positions at the beginning of a match.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Age of Empires II (Retired) centers on A build frozen since 2019 and 31 civilizations across three expansions. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Britons with Longbowman is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Steam multiplayer lobbies and Workshop builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Mongols remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Franks is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Mangudai offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Vietnamese builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Britons | Longbowman | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Franks | Throwing Axeman | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Mongols | Mangudai | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Aztecs | Jaguar Warrior | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Vietnamese | Rattan Archer | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Age of Empires II (Retired) Guides
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Age of Empires II (Retired) Overview
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Best Builds
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Walkthrough
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Beginner's Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Tips & Tricks
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Weapons Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Combat Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Boss Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Maps & Locations
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Crafting Guide
- Age of Empires II (Retired) Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Age of Empires II (Retired), check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
