Emperor Edition is the free September 2014 overhaul that rebuilt ROME II's politics, building chains and campaign AI after a rough 2013 launch. It ships the Grand Campaign across 57 provinces stretching from Britannia and Hispania to Bactria, plus the Imperator Augustus campaign covering the Second Triumvirate's civil war. Turn-based empire management feeds into real-time battles of thousands of men, and these are the rules everyone still plays under.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | A | Balanced | Legionary Cohorts | Yes |
| Carthage | A | Balanced | Pike phalanx | Yes |
| Macedon | A | Balanced | War elephants | Yes |
| Egypt | A | Balanced | Horse archers | Yes |
| Parthia | A | Balanced | Scorpions and onagers | Yes |
New player? Start with Carthage. See our beginner's guide for why.
Rome
Rome is a strong option in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Legionary Cohorts |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Province and region system |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Legionary Cohorts
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Italia to learn Rome-specific mechanics
- Focus on Province and region system. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Legionary Cohorts as your first major upgrade
- See our full Rome build guide for the optimal gear progression
Carthage
Carthage is a strong option in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pike phalanx |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Public order and food |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pike phalanx
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Italia to learn Carthage-specific mechanics
- Focus on Public order and food. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Pike phalanx as your first major upgrade
- See our full Carthage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Macedon
Macedon is a strong option in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | War elephants |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Army traditions and generals |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with War elephants
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Italia to learn Macedon-specific mechanics
- Focus on Army traditions and generals. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize War elephants as your first major upgrade
- See our full Macedon build guide for the optimal gear progression
Egypt
Egypt is a strong option in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Horse archers |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Political parties and civil war |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Horse archers
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Italia to learn Egypt-specific mechanics
- Focus on Political parties and civil war. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Horse archers as your first major upgrade
- See our full Egypt build guide for the optimal gear progression
Parthia
Parthia is a strong option in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Scorpions and onagers |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Combined land and naval battles |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Scorpions and onagers
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Italia to learn Parthia-specific mechanics
- Focus on Combined land and naval battles. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Scorpions and onagers as your first major upgrade
- See our full Parthia build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Carthage 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
Rome is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Legionary Cohorts for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Parthia 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
Egypt shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Guides
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Overview
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Best Builds
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Tier List
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Walkthrough
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Beginner's Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Tips & Tricks
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Weapons Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Combat Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Boss Guide
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Maps & Locations
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Total War: ROME II - Emperor 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
