Age of Empires III Civilizations

Age of Empires III has always been considered the weakest entry in the series, since it launched with a very small number of civilizations, and risked with gameplay mechanics too much. Certainly a letdown after AoE 2’s grand success, but still a gem on its own, let’s break down all AoE 3 civs!

The game initially launched with just 8 civilizations, but through its multiple expansions and remasters, the Definitive Edition includes 16 civilizations, along with 6 more through DLC, for a grand total of 22 civilizations:

• The WarChiefs expansions added Aztecs, Haudenosaunee & Lakota.
• The Asian Dynasties expansion added Chinese, Indians & Japanese.
• The Definitive Edition remaster of 2017 added Incas & Swedes, as well as 4 DLCs that offer extra civilizations:
  • United States Civilization, adding United States.
  • The African Royals, adding Ethiopians & Hausa.
  • Mexico Civilization, adding Mexicans.
  • Knights of the Mediterranean, adding Italian & Maltese.

Aztecs (Tenochtitlan)

Aztecs, Age of Empires III Civilization

A powerful central American nation that was well known for its conquest of neighbors. Their power was centered in Tenochtitlan, present day Mexico city.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Warrior priests can occupy at the Community Plaza for greater effect.

 

Unique units:

Arrow Knights, Coyote Runner, Eagle Runner Knight, Jaguar Prowl Knight, Otontin Slinger, Puma Spearman and Skull Knight.

 

Unique buildings:

Nobles Hut provides excellent defense and trains elite Aztec units.

 

Unique ceremonies:

Healing Ceremony and Garland War Ceremony

British (London)

British, Age of Empires III Civilization

In the New World they were one of the most powerful colonizers defeating multiple European powers. They eventually established thirteen colonies, which later revolted against the British Empire to form the United States of America.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Manor spawns a settler when built.

 

Royal guard units:

Musketeer (Redcoat) and Hussar (King’s Life Guard)

 

Unique units:

Longbowman and Rocket

Chinese (Beijing)

Chinese, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Qing dynasty was known to be the 5th largest empire of world history. The Chinese had organized “banners”, military social units that included Manchu, Han and Mongol units.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Can reach population of 220. Trains banner armies in War Academy.

 

Unique units:

Arquebusier, Changdao Swordsmen, Chu Ko Nu, Disciple, Fire Junk, Flamethrower, Flying Crow, Fuchuan, Hand Mortar, Iron Flail, Keshik, Meteor Hammer, Qiang Pikemen, Shaolin Master, Steppe Rider and War Junk.

 

Unique buildings:

War Academy is a combination of barracks and stables. Village supports 20 population and also fattens livestock.

 

Wonders:

Confucian Academy, Porcelain Tower, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and White Pagoda

Dutch (Amsterdam)

Dutch, Age of Empires III Civilization

Replacing the Spanish as the wealthiest nation in the 18th century, the Dutch were a key proponent in managing the resources and profits gained from colonial North and South America.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Trains Merchants, unique villagers that cost coin instead of food and have lower train limit, but gather coin 15% faster. Begins with an Envoy.

 

Royal guard units:

Halberdier (Stadswacht) and Ruyter (Carabineer)

 

Unique units:

Merchant, Envoy, Ruyter and Fluyt

 

Unique buildings:

Can build Banks to automatically produce coin

Ethiopians (Gondar)

Civilization Bonus:

French (Paris)

French, Age of Empires III Civilization

Descendants of the Franks who inhabited regions in France. They held large areas in the New World until the late 1700s. They famously supported the American revolution after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Begins with a Native Scout. Trains Coureurs des Bois instead of Settlers.

 

Royal guard units:

Skirmisher (Voltigeurs), Cuirassier (Gendarmes)

 

Unique units:

Coureurs des Bois and Cuirassier

Germans (Berlin)

Germans, Age of Empires III Civilization

In the New World, the Germans ruled territories in South America in the 1500s, such as Venezuela. They were short lived until were able to successfully colonize in the late 1800s.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Receives Uhlans with every home city shipment. Begins with three Settler Wagons.

 

Royal guard units:

Skirmisher (Prussian Needle Gun) and Uhlan (Czapka Uhlan)

 

Unique units:

Settler Wagon, Doppelsoldner, Uhlan and War Wagon

Haudenosaunee (Caughnawaga)

Haudenosaunee, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Haudenosaunee was a Native American civilization that thrived in the northeastern part of North America. The rule of the Confederacy was to keep peace with all members, and against a foe, they were a strong united force.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Begins with a Travois that constructs buildings for free.

 

Unique units:

Aenna, Forest Prowler, Kanya Horseman, Light Cannon, Mantlet, Musket Rider, Ram and Tomahawk.

 

Unique buildings:

Longhouse supports up to 15 population and Siege Workshop trains and upgrades artillery.

 

Unique ceremonies:

Founder Ceremony and Earth Mother Ceremony

Hausa (Kano)

Civilization Bonus:

Inca (Cuzco)

Inca, Age of Empires III Civilization

A vast South American empire known for the power of its walls and smart administration.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Kancha Houses produce food. Receives a free Chasqui with Exploration Age shipments and with each Age-up. Chasqui’s can construct Tambos (powerful Trading Posts that can receive shipments and civilians can garrison in). Military units can garrison in Kallankas and Strongholds. Priestesses can convert enemies and work at the Community Plaza.

 

Unique units:

Chasqui, Plumed Spearman, Chimu Runner, Jungle Bowman, Bolas Warrior, Huaraca, Maceman, Priestess and Chincha Raft.

 

Unique buildings:

Kallanka, Stronghold, Kancha House and Tambo

 

Unique ceremonies:

Moon Ceremony and Supay Ceremony

Indians (Delhi)

Indians, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire in South Asia. It was known as one of the largest empires in the history of South Asia.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Most shipments will give you additional villagers. Villagers cost wood instead of food, cannot gather food from livestock.

 

Unique units:

Brahmin, Flail Elephant, Gurkha, Howdah, Mahout Lancer, Rajput, Siege Elephant, Sepoy, Sowar and Zamburak.

 

Unique buildings:

Sacred Field generates more exp when tasked with livestock and also trains cows. Mango Grove is a resource for wood. Caravanserai fulfils a similar role to stables.

 

Wonders:

Agra Fort, Charminar Gate, Kami Mata, Taj Mahal, Tower of Victory

Italians (Venice)

Civilization Bonus:

Japanese (Edo)

Japanese, Age of Empires III Civilization

Descendants of the Yamato civilization, who inhabited the island of Japan and other parts of Asia in the far-east. The Japanese civilization is now under the Tokugawa Shogunate, that unified the country.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Villagers cannot hunt. Shrines attract animals to generate resources.

 

Unique units:

Ashigaru Musketeer, Atakebune, Daimyo, Flaming Arrow, Fune, Sohei Archer, Morutaru, Naginata Rider, Tekkousen, Samurai, Yabusame Archer and Yumi Archer.

 

Unique buildings:

Cherry Orchard is a resource for food. Dojo generates armies automatically and Shrines are Japanese homes.

 

Wonders:

Golden Pavilion, Great Buddha, The Shogunate, Torii Gates and Toshogu Shrine

Lakota (Great Council)

Lakota, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Lakota occupied large territories in North America, and also absorbed the “Great Plains” culture of their neighbors by becoming skilled buffalo hunters.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Begins with 200 population and Huntable Animals last longer, but cannot build Walls until the Industrial Age.

 

Unique units:

Axe Rider, Bow Rider, Cetan Bowman, Rifle Rider, Tokala Soldier, Tashunke Prowler, Wakina Rifle and Club Warrior.

 

Unique buildings:

Teepee provides small hitpoint bonus to nearby units.

 

Unique ceremonies:

Call the People Ceremony and Tokala Ceremony

Maltese (Valletta)

Civilization Bonus:

Mexicans (Mexico City)

Civilization Bonus:

Ottomans (Istanbul)

Ottomans, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Ottoman Empire, situated in a prime position between Europe and Asia, was the location of great technological and militarist improvements. They had heavy influence on Eastern Europe and possessed the main trade route to Asia until the path around Africa was discovered.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Town Centers cannot train Settlers but produce Yörüks overtime, villagers which do not cost resources. Has access to the most unique units compared to European civilizations.

 

Royal guard units:

Deli (Rumeliot) and Humbaraci (Bostanci)

 

Unique units:

Yörük, Azap, Janissary, Imam, Bashibozuk, Spahi, Abus Gunner, Humbaraci, Great Bombard and Galley

 

Unique buildings:

Has a Mosque to train healers, base and unit improvements.

Portuguese (Lisbon)

Portuguese, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Portuguese Empire was a global empire originating from the European nation of Portugal that possessed multiple overseas colonies. In the New World, the Portuguese controlled a large amount of land in the eastern parts of South America until 1822 which is now known as Brazil.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Receives a free Covered Wagon with every Age and starts with 7 Settlers.

 

Royal guard units:

Crossbowman (Ordinance Besteiro), Musketeer (Legionario), Dragoon (Legion Dragoon)

 

Unique units:

Cassadorand Organ Gun

Russians (St. Petersburg)

Russians, Age of Empires III Civilization

Known for its military accomplishments and rapid expansions, was a strong military oriented nation. Russia expanded from what is now Alaska down to northern California, but Spanish settlement In those locations forced the ill- supplied settlers back to Alaska.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Settlers and Infantry are trained in groups.

 

Royal guard units:

Cavalry Archer (Tatar Loyalists) and Grenadier (Pavlov Grenadiers)

 

Unique units:

Strelet, Cossack and Oprichnik

 

Unique buildings:

Blockhouses are a combination of Barracks and Outposts.

Spanish (Seville)

Spanish, Age of Empires III Civilization

One of the greatest colonizers of North and South America was known for having acquired great wealth from the colonies during the 17th century. While Spain focused primarily on South America, developments in Europe often entangled it in the affairs of other colonizing nations.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Faster shipments from home city.

 

Royal guard units:

Pikeman (Tercios), Rodelero (Espadachins), Lancer (Garrochistas)

 

Unique units:

War Dog, Missionary, Rodelero, Lancer

Swedes (Stockholm)

Swedes, Age of Empires III Civilization

The Swedish Empire became one of the greatest in Europe through innovation in military tactics and logistics. Its artillery and cavalry charges dominated the battlefields, particularly during the Thirty Years War. Despite a relatively small population, the Swedes fielded some of the largest armies in Europe, partly through the recruitment of mercenaries.

 

Civilization Bonus:

Torps gather nearby resources. Jaeger and Black Rider mercenaries can always be recruited from the Tavern. Mercenary shipments are cheaper and arrive more quickly. Advanced improvements available at the Arsenal.

 

Royal guard units:

Pikeman (Dalkari) and Hakkapeiit (Drabant)

 

Unique units:

Carolean, Leather Cannon and Hakkapeiit

United States (Washington, D.C.)

Civilization Bonus: