This Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition 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 | Rome | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Carthage | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Macedon | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Egypt | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Parthia | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Rome (A-Tier)
Rome is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Legionary Cohorts. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Carthage (A-Tier)
Carthage is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Pike phalanx. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Macedon (A-Tier)
Macedon is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: War elephants. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Egypt (A-Tier)
Egypt is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Horse archers. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Parthia (A-Tier)
Parthia is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Scorpions and onagers. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legionary Cohorts | Roman campaigns from the mid game onward, and any battle you intend to win by breaking the enemy centre. | Rome's line infantry after the Marian reforms, throwing pila before contact and grinding through sustained melee. |
| Pike phalanx | Anchoring a centre while cavalry decides the battle on the wings. Never for pursuing anything. | Sarissa blocks fielded by Macedon, the Seleucids and Ptolemaic Egypt. |
| War elephants | Punching a hole in a static infantry line early, before enemy skirmishers get a clean angle. | Carthaginian and Eastern shock units that break morale on impact and trample formed infantry. |
| Horse archers | Parthian, Scythian and Roxolani campaigns, and any battle you can afford to fight over distance. | The Parthian and Steppe answer to heavy infantry: fire, withdraw, repeat until morale breaks. |
| Scorpions and onagers | Sieges and defensive battles where the enemy has to walk toward you across open ground. | Field artillery that outranges everything and shreds packed formations and gates. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Legionary Cohorts: Rome's line infantry after the Marian reforms, throwing pila before contact and grinding through sustained melee. They hold against anything that is not a pike wall or a line of elephants.
Pike phalanx: Sarissa blocks fielded by Macedon, the Seleucids and Ptolemaic Egypt. Frontally they are nearly unbeatable, and from the flank or rear they collapse in seconds.
War elephants: Carthaginian and Eastern shock units that break morale on impact and trample formed infantry. Sustained missile fire panics them, after which they rampage back through your own line.
Horse archers: The Parthian and Steppe answer to heavy infantry: fire, withdraw, repeat until morale breaks. They win by attrition and by baiting slow armies into chasing them across the map.
Scorpions and onagers: Field artillery that outranges everything and shreds packed formations and gates. Slow to reposition and defenceless the moment cavalry reaches it.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition centers on Province and region system and Public order and food. 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:
- Rome with Legionary Cohorts is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Army traditions and generals builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Macedon remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Carthage is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- War elephants offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Parthia builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Rome | Legionary Cohorts | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Carthage | Pike phalanx | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Macedon | War elephants | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Egypt | Horse archers | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Parthia | Scorpions and onagers | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
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 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
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Classes & Characters
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If you enjoy Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition, check out these related guides:
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