The Anniversary Edition is Age of Empires IV one year on from its October 2021 launch, adding the Ottomans and the Malians to the original eight civilisations for a roster of ten. Every civilisation ages up by building Landmarks rather than clicking a generic button, so the choice between two Landmarks per age is a real strategic fork instead of a formality. Matches run to a 200 population cap across four ages, and you win by Landmark destruction, by holding Sacred Sites, or by finishing a Wonder and surviving the countdown.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A | Balanced | Longbowman | Yes |
| French | A | Balanced | Royal Knight | Yes |
| Mongols | A | Balanced | Mangudai | Yes |
| Ottomans | A | Balanced | Janissary | Yes |
| Malians | A | Balanced | Musofadi Warrior | Yes |
New player? Start with French. See our beginner's guide for why.
English
English is a strong option in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Longbowman |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Landmark ageing up |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Longbowman
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Dry Arabia to learn English-specific mechanics
- Focus on Landmark ageing up. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Longbowman as your first major upgrade
- See our full English build guide for the optimal gear progression
French
French is a strong option in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Royal Knight |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Relics and Sacred Sites |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Royal Knight
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Dry Arabia to learn French-specific mechanics
- Focus on Relics and Sacred Sites. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Royal Knight as your first major upgrade
- See our full French build guide for the optimal gear progression
Mongols
Mongols is a strong option in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Mangudai |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Counter unit triangle |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Mangudai
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Dry Arabia to learn Mongols-specific mechanics
- Focus on Counter unit triangle. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mangudai as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mongols build guide for the optimal gear progression
Ottomans
Ottomans is a strong option in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Janissary |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Siege engines and walls |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Janissary
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Dry Arabia to learn Ottomans-specific mechanics
- Focus on Siege engines and walls. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Janissary as your first major upgrade
- See our full Ottomans build guide for the optimal gear progression
Malians
Malians is a strong option in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Musofadi Warrior |
| 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 Musofadi Warrior
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Dry Arabia to learn Malians-specific mechanics
- Focus on Civilisation specific economies. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Musofadi Warrior as your first major upgrade
- See our full Malians 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
English is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Longbowman for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Malians 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
Ottomans shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Guides
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Overview
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Best Builds
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Tier List
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Walkthrough
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Beginner's Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Tips & Tricks
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Weapons Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Combat Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Boss Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Maps & Locations
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
