World's Edge, Forgotten Empires and Tantalus Media relaunched Age of Empires III on 15 October 2020 with 4K art, reworked multiplayer and two fresh civilisations, the Incas and the Swedes. The base game carries 16 civilisations and four paid packs take the roster to 22, adding the United States, Mexicans, Ethiopians, Hausa, Italians and Maltese. Steam sits at 84 percent positive across roughly 18,900 reviews, and a Baltic Powers pack is listed on the store as coming soon.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British | A | Balanced | Musketeer | Yes |
| French | A | Balanced | Skirmisher | Yes |
| Ottomans | A | Balanced | Hussar | Yes |
| Japanese | A | Balanced | Falconet | Yes |
| Swedes | A | Balanced | Crossbowman | Yes |
New player? Start with French. See our beginner's guide for why.
British
British is a strong option in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Musketeer |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Home City shipment decks |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Musketeer
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Great Plains to learn British-specific mechanics
- Focus on Home City shipment decks. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Musketeer as your first major upgrade
- See our full British build guide for the optimal gear progression
French
French is a strong option in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Skirmisher |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Five age advancement |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Skirmisher
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Great Plains to learn French-specific mechanics
- Focus on Five age advancement. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Skirmisher as your first major upgrade
- See our full French build guide for the optimal gear progression
Ottomans
Ottomans is a strong option in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Hussar |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Treasures and Explorer scouting |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Hussar
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Great Plains to learn Ottomans-specific mechanics
- Focus on Treasures and Explorer scouting. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Hussar as your first major upgrade
- See our full Ottomans build guide for the optimal gear progression
Japanese
Japanese is a strong option in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Falconet |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Trade Routes and native alliances |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Falconet
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Great Plains to learn Japanese-specific mechanics
- Focus on Trade Routes and native alliances. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Falconet as your first major upgrade
- See our full Japanese build guide for the optimal gear progression
Swedes
Swedes is a strong option in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Crossbowman |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Civilisation specific economies |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Crossbowman
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Great Plains to learn Swedes-specific mechanics
- Focus on Civilisation specific economies. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Crossbowman as your first major upgrade
- See our full Swedes build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
French is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
British is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Musketeer for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Swedes offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Japanese shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Guides
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Overview
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Best Builds
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Tier List
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Walkthrough
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Beginner's Guide
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Tips & Tricks
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Weapons Guide
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Combat Guide
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Boss Guide
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Maps & Locations
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Crafting Guide
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