The Age of Empires 2: Definitive Editionhas over 30 differentcivilizations, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re playing on a water or a closed forest map, understanding an army and its economy bonuses is key to determining which one is better suited for the map.
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One example of that is the Arena map, where players start on opposite sides, enclosed by sturdy stone walls and gates with a dense forest line guarding their backs. In a map like this, where the first player to seize the center is likely to emerge victorious, we bring you the best civilizations to play.
10The Britons
The Britons are a civilization thatexcels in the late gamewith a powerful combination ofElite Longbowman,Trebuchetswith blast damage and 100% accuracy against units, after researching Warwolf, and afront line of Light Cavalryacting as a shield for their archers.
Additionally, the Britons possess astrong economywithcheaper Town Centers, allowing them to establish a solid foundation for their forces. However, their preferred army composition takes time to build, and theymay struggle in the early game.
On the other hand, the Britons have a weakness against other dominant Arena civilizations that can effectively buildBombard Cannons, Hand Cannoneers, and Skirmisherstocounter their archer-heavy armies.
9The Byzantines
The Byzantines are a powerful civilization that boasts several unique advantages. Firstly, they benefit from acheaper upgrade to the Imperial Age, allowing them to reach this advanced stage of the game more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, theirteam bonusmakesmonks heal 100% faster.
The Byzantines also have a25% discount on their Camel Riders, Skirmishers, and Spearman lines, which counter the most popular units. Moreover, the Byzantines have access to formidable late-game units like theCataphract and Bombard Cannons.
As players advance through the Ages,their buildings become stronger, making the Byzantines an excellent defensive civilization for Arena.
8The Malay
The Malay has a unique advantage in that theyadvance in Age 66% faster, allowing them to build more Villagers from their Town Center and establish anabove-average economy.Additionally, the Malay has astrong military, with versatile options such as greatMonks, Bombard Cannons, Karambit Warriors, and cheap Battle Elephants.
While the Malay do not have a significant downside, they may not perform as well as other top civilizations in the Arena, as these civilizations possess more bonuses that specifically favor this map.
Nonetheless, the Malay’s strengths make them a valuable asset in this game mode, their fast age advancement and economic effectiveness can give them a significant advantage over their opponents.
7The Bengalis
The Bengalis don’t have the strongest army in the game, but theirunique economy bonusesare unmatched. They gaintwo new villagers each time they advance to the next age, providing them with a great advantage over their opponents. Coupled with Arena’s stone walls, which offer early game protection, the Bengalis can secure an economic edge.
Moreover, the Bengalis can researchMahayana in the Imperial Age, which reduces the population space required by villagers by 10%. This allows players to build even more villagers, thereby boosting their economy even more.
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Additionally, the+3/+3P armor bonus on Monksis especially advantageous on this map, as there are numerous relics up for contention in the middle of the field. The Bengalis can capitalize on this advantage andgain control of the relics, securing a strategic edge over their opponents.
6The Aztecs
The Aztecs used to be the best civilization on the Arena map, thanks to theirexcellent Monks and Eagle Warriors. Their Monks, which haveall available Monastery upgrades, are among the strongest in the game andgain 5 HP after each upgrade.
This, paired with theirEagle Warriors, make them a formidableduo for contesting relics, which are boosted by theirteam bonus of increasing relic gold by 33%. However, the Aztecsstruggle against cavalry civilizations, as their only effective counter is using their powerful monks.
Despite this weakness, the Aztecs have astrong infantry, includingJaguar Warriorswho excel against other infantry, andEagle Warriorswho are great against ranged units.
5The Bohemians
The Bohemians are an excellent civilization on this map, particularly due to theirexceptional late-game army composition.A combination ofHoufnices, Halberdiers, and Monkscreates an almost unstoppable force, and even if their opponents resort to infantry, the Bohemians havepowerful Hand Cannoneersthat directly counter infantry troops.
One of the Bohemians' key strengths is their ability to researchChemistry and Hand Cannoneers in the Castle Age, enabling them to control the map early on. Additionally, as soon as they reach the Imperial Age, they can start creating bombard cannons, providing them with a significant tempo advantage over their opponents, assuming they have already researched chemistry.
However, the Bohemians' only weakness is their relativelyweak economy, which could be a potential obstacle to creating the perfect army in the late-game stage.
4The Turks
The Turks are a strong choice for Arena due to their advantageous matchups. TheirHeavy Cavalry Archersare highly versatile, while theirArtilleryupgrade providesextra rangeto theirBombard CannonsandBombard Towers, making it easier to defend their walls.
Additionally, the Turks receivefree upgrades for the Light Cavalry line, which is especially helpful when competing for relics. TheJanissary, a unique unit of the Turks, can be devastating whencombined with an early castle drop, as they are difficult to counter effectively.
Overall, the Turks' combination ofmilitary bonuses and unique unitsmake them a force to be reckoned with on Arena, and a popular choice among experienced players.
3The Burgundians
The Burgundians may not have a stronger army composition than other civilizations, but theirspeed and efficiencymake them a formidable force on the map. They canswiftly gain control over resources, leaving their opponents struggling to keep up.
The Burgundians' rapid development is due to theirunique bonusthatreduces the food cost of economy upgrades by -33%, and being able toresearch economic bonuses one Age earlierthan their opponents. Furthermore, theirstable technologies are 50% cheaper, and they can researchCavaliers in the Castle Age, providing them withexcellent map control early on.
2The Portuguese
The Portuguese gain an early advantage due to their newbonusthat allowsvillagers to collect wood from berries, often resulting in anearly castle dropand an almost unstoppableattack of a few organ guns.Their late-game is equally strong, withdiscounts on all gold units, andstrongbonuses on monks,siege, andorgan guns.
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Additionally, theirFeitoriaswill help you create anamazing economy, it almostfeels like you’re cheatingif you manage to go up to the Imperial Age quickly. However, the downside is that this strategy is common, andexperienced players can counter itwith a stronger civilization, making it important for the Portuguese to be prepared for potential challenges.
1The Poles
The Poles are a dominant civilization in Arena, with afast food collection ratedue to their uniqueFolwarkbuilding thatcollects 8% of a farm’s food upon seeding or reseeding. Their military strength is also impressive, with bonuses that make them a force to be reckoned with in the late game.
Lechitic Legacy gives their Hussars trample damage, whileThumb Ring provides their Arbalests with increased accuracy. TheirMonk upgradesinclude Redemption, Sanctity, and Block Printing, and theirBombard Cannons with Siege Engineers.
Overall, the Poles' combination ofeconomic and military dominancemakes them a highly versatile civilization, capable of excelling in both early and late-game scenarios.
