Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings Rankings And Opinions

If you’ve ever clicked “Start Game” in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, you already know two truths. First, no matter how many years pass, this classic real-time strategy game still eats entire evenings. Second, every fan has strong opinions about which civilizations, campaigns, and versions deserve to be called the best.

In this deep dive, we’ll look at how critics, competitive players, and everyday ladder warriors rank Age of Empires II. We’ll cover civilization tier lists, fan-favorite campaigns, and how the original 1999 release compares with the modern Definitive Edition. Then we’ll finish with a set of lived-in experiences and stories from the AoE2 community that bring all those rankings down to earth.

Why Age of Empires II Still Rules the RTS Kingdom

When The Age of Kings launched in 1999, critics praised its elegant interface, detailed 2D graphics, and rich historical campaigns. Reviewers pointed out that it took the basic “gather, build, crush” RTS loop and layered in thoughtful civ bonuses, smart pathfinding for the era, and campaigns that felt like interactive documentary episodes rather than simple mission packs.

Decades later, the game still scores highly on modern review aggregators thanks to the Definitive Edition, which updated visuals, added dozens of civilizations and campaigns, and integrated online matchmaking. It’s rare for a 1990s RTS to stay competitive in 2020s gaming, but AoE2 pulls it off with a mix of nostalgia, balance patches, and an active esports and modding scene.

All of that sets the stage for the real obsession: arguing over Age of Empires II rankings. Is Mayans really S-tier? Are Teutons secretly underrated? Is Joan of Arc’s campaign actually good, or just famous? Let’s dig in.

How Rankings in Age of Empires II Are Built

Before we start putting crowns on anyone’s head, it helps to understand where these rankings come from. In the AoE2 world, “best” can mean very different things depending on who you ask:

1. Critic and Legacy Rankings

Critics typically rank Age of Empires II and its expansions against other RTS games, focusing on design quality, campaign variety, and historical flavor. In these lists, AoE2 often sits near all-time greats like StarCraft and Command & Conquer: Red Alert. The original Age of Kings is frequently called one of the most polished and accessible RTS titles ever released.

Legacy rankings also consider influence. AoE2 helped define how later RTS games handled formations, tech trees, and multiple playable civilizations with distinct bonuses. When strategy fans rank “best RTS of all time,” The Age of Kings almost always lands near the top.

2. Ladder Data and Civilization Statistics

Competitive rankings lean heavily on actual match data. Modern stat-tracking sites for the Definitive Edition look at ranked matches across ELO brackets and show which civilizations have the highest win rates on common maps. This is where newer civs like Romans or certain Asian and Indian subcontinent factions can creep up the charts, despite not existing in the original 1999 release.

However, raw win rate doesn’t tell the whole story. Some civilizations overperform at lower ELOs because they’re easy to use, while others shine in the hands of high-level players who can micro tricky units or manage greedy economic bonuses. That’s where community-created AoE2 tier lists come in.

3. Community Tier Lists and Player Opinions

Fan-made Age of Empires II rankings are where the game’s personality really shows. You’ll find YouTube breakdowns, Reddit debates, forum posts, and tier maker images labeling civs as S, A, B, or “only pick this if you’re trying to lose on purpose.” These are more opinion-driven, but they synthesize real ladder data, pro tournament play, and thousands of hours of experience.

Put all that together and a rough consensus emergesespecially around which civilizations dominate in open land maps like Arabia versus closed or water-heavy maps.

Civilization Rankings: Who Really Rules the Map?

Every AoE2 fan has a favorite civ, usually for deeply emotional reasons: “Franks forever, because paladins,” or “I only play Britons for the longbowmen sound effects.” Still, most modern tier lists and expert opinions converge around a few recurring stars.

S-Tier Civilizations (Competitive Favorites)

In many modern Age of Empires II civilization rankings, especially for open land maps, you’ll often see these names in the top group:

• Mayans – Cheap archers, longer-lasting resources, and the elusive Plumed Archer make Mayans terrifying in the hands of a solid archer player. Their economy scales well, and they have answers to most unit compositions.
• Aztecs – In the original and early expansions, Aztecs were infamous for their strong infantry and deadly monk play. Even after balance tweaks, they remain a top pick in 1v1 for aggressive players who like early military pressure and powerful late-game relic control.
• Mongols – Faster-firing cavalry archers and strong hunting bonuses make Mongols explosive in early and mid-game. In micro-heavy hands, their unique Mangudai and mobile armies shred slow compositions.
• Huns (expansion civ, but often lumped into “classic AoE2” rankings) – No need to build houses and powerful cavalry options mean faster openings and brutal power spikes, especially in mid-game timing attacks.

These civilizations consistently appear at or near S-tier in both expert tier lists and community rankings for land maps. They combine strong economic bonuses with flexible, high-impact military options that reward both macro and micro skills.

A-Tier Workhorses (Strong, Flexible, and Beginner-Friendly)

Beneath the S-tier are civs that might not be “broken,” but are almost always solid picks and great for learning the game. Common examples include:

• Franks – The unofficial tutorial civ of AoE2. Free farm upgrades, cheap castles, and some of the best paladins in the game make them a favorite in community polls and a staple in lower and mid ELOs.
• Britons – Long-range archers, strong town centers, and simple game plans make Britons a favorite in both casual and competitive play, especially on maps where ranged control matters.
• Vikings – Originally known for water dominance, Vikings also boast strong infantry and eco bonuses. On water-heavy maps, they frequently rank among the best civilizations.
• Chinese – Tricky to start with (because of their unique starting setup), but devastating once mastered. They feature strong tech options and powerful archers, often placing high in advanced-tier lists.

These civilizations show up in a lot of “best overall civ” debates because they’re flexible. They may not always top the charts in high-level tournaments, but across random map settings they’re safe, reliable choices.

Situational, Niche, and “Love Them Anyway” Picks

Not every civ needs to be S-tier to be fun. Some are situational all-stars that shine on specific maps or in team games:

• Teutons – Slow, tanky, and terrifying under castle fire. They might not dominate open maps, but on closed maps or in late-game arena-style situations, their strong melee units and fortified positions feel incredible.
• Koreans – Famous (or notorious) for tower rushes and nasty defensive play. They may not top most Age of Empires II tier lists, but in the right hands they turn the map into a maze of stone and regret.
• Persians – Strong economies and war elephants make them fan favorites. They often sit somewhere between A and B tier, but few things feel better than an elephant stampede through an unprepared enemy base.

Expansions and the Definitive Edition have added many more civilizations with creative bonuses, but the core dynamic remains the same: civs with straightforward eco bonuses and flexible military options tend to rise in rankings, while one-dimensional or very micro-intensive civs feel “weaker” for most players.

Campaign Rankings: Which Stories Stand the Test of Time?

Rankings in AoE2 aren’t only about civs. Campaigns inspire just as many debates, especially now that the Definitive Edition includes dozens of historical storylines covering Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Classic Campaigns from The Age of Kings

The original game shipped with iconic campaigns that many players know almost by heart:

• Joan of Arc – A favorite for its emotional storytelling and varied objectives, from escort missions to large-scale sieges. Many campaign rankings place it in the upper tier for narrative and pacing.
• William Wallace – Technically the tutorial, but still beloved as a gentle introduction to game mechanics. It’s rarely “top tier,” but gets high marks for nostalgia.
• Genghis Khan – Popular in modern lists thanks to its sweeping, mobile warfare and the feeling of leading a relentless horde across the map.

Even now, players returning to AoE2 often start by replaying these campaigns, and they tend to land somewhere between A and S tier in fan-made AoE2 campaign rankings.

Definitive Edition Favorites

Later expansions and the Definitive Edition added campaigns that many players rank as mechanically “better” than some classics, even if they’re less nostalgic:

• Attila the Hun – Brutal and bombastic, often ranked very highly for players who enjoy non-stop aggression.
• Tamerlane and Kotyan Khan – Frequently placed near the top in modern lists for mixing challenging objectives with interesting map design and unit compositions.
• Bari and Sforza – Campaigns featuring political intrigue and varied mission formats, often called standouts in more recent rankings.

When you look at polls and tier lists created since 2020, a pattern emerges: older campaigns win on charm and familiarity, while newer ones win on pacing, mission variety, and clever scripting. Depending on which you value more, your personal rankings may flip completely.

Meta vs Fun: Why Rankings Don’t Tell the Whole Story

One of the biggest takeaways from browsing Age of Empires II opinions online is that context matters. A civilization that’s overpowered in 1v1 ranked Arabia may feel awkward and slow on a turtly team game map, and a campaign that hardcore fans rank “S-tier” may feel punishing for a newcomer.

Skill Level and Learning Curve

Many players note that civilizations with simple, obvious bonuseslike Franks, Britons, and Vikingsoverperform at lower ELOs because their strengths are easy to use. You don’t need perfect micro to benefit from cheaper castles or stronger knights. In contrast, civs that rely on fragile unique units or tricky eco setups might only shine at higher ELOs.

This is why some stat-based rankings split results by ELO bracket. A civ can be terrifying in the hands of experts but mediocre for beginners, or vice versa. When you see “best civ” debates, it’s worth asking: best for who?

Map Types and Game Modes

Map and mode are also huge variables. Vikings and Italians can look incredible on water maps but less impressive on dry land. Civs with strong early aggression may dominate 1v1, while boomy, late-game powerhouses feel better in team games, where allies can cover early weaknesses.

Likewise, some campaigns feel amazing on standard difficulty but turn into frustrating slogs on hard. A mission ranked “S-tier” by veterans for its intricate objectives might feel like an exercise in trial and error to newer players still learning hotkeys.

Personal Preference Still Rules

At the end of the day, many long-time players pick civilizations and campaigns based on vibe, not spreadsheets. Maybe you just like the sound of Teutonic Knights thudding across the map, or the atmosphere of a rainy Joan of Arc scenario. Rankings are useful guides, but AoE2’s staying power comes from how fun it is to break those rankings and win with your favorites anyway.

Practical Tips for Using Age of Empires II Rankings

So what should you actually do with all these AoE2 tier lists and campaign rankings?

1. Use Rankings to Narrow Your Options, Not Make Them

If you’re new or returning, start by picking from the commonly recommended “easy but strong” civs: Franks, Britons, Vikings, and Mayans are solid bets on many maps. You’ll benefit from strong bonuses without overcomplicating your game plan.

2. Match Civs to Your Natural Playstyle

If you love aggressive rushes, try Aztecs, Huns, or Mongols and practice early pressure builds. If you prefer booming and building the ultimate late-game army, look at civilizations with strong economies and late-game power units like Persians or some of the beefier European civs.

3. Treat Campaign Rankings as a Playlist, Not Homework

Campaign tier lists are great for figuring out what to play next. Start with a mix of highly ranked classics (Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Attila) and more modern standouts from the Definitive Edition. If you find yourself frustrated, switch to another storylineAoE2 has enough campaigns that you never have to grind through one you’re not enjoying.

4. Remember That Balance Patches Shift the Meta

Definitive Edition balance patches regularly adjust civilization bonuses, unit stats, and sometimes even tech trees. A civ that ranked mid-tier a few years ago might currently be top-five in win rate, and vice versa. That’s part of what keeps the game alivebut it also means no single ranking is final.

of AoE2 Experience: When Rankings Meet Reality

On paper, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings rankings look clean and logical: S-tier civs at the top, D-tier memes at the bottom, and a clear suggestion about what you “should” play. In real matches, though, those tidy lists meet messy human realityand that’s where the game really lives.

Ask a group of long-time players about their most memorable games, and they rarely mention a perfectly executed meta build with a top-tier civ. Instead, they talk about the time someone picked a supposedly “weak” civilization and somehow steamrolled the lobby, or the night a friend tried a meme strategy like full tower rush Koreans and actually pulled it off.

One common story goes like this: a player reads that Mayans, Aztecs, or Huns are S-tier and decides to hop into ranked. They pick the civ, copy a build order from a guide, and… immediately forget half of it when the first scout rush shows up at their wood line. The lesson comes quickly: choosing a top-ranked civ is not a substitute for learning the fundamentalslike making villagers, keeping town centers busy, and spending resources instead of hoarding them.

On the campaign side, experiences are just as personal. Some players swear that Joan of Arc or Genghis Khan is peak AoE2, while others quietly admit they got hooked on less famous campaigns with quirky objectives and unusual maps. A mission one person ranks “S-tier brilliance” might be another’s “I’m turning this off and playing random map instead.” Difficulty settings, patience, and willingness to retry mission failures all shape those opinions.

There’s also the social side of rankings. In group chats and Discord servers, friends trade tier list images like sports fans trade power rankings. Someone posts a list putting Teutons in B-tier, and a Teutons main jokingly declares war. Another player insists that Franks are training wheels and everyone should move on; ten minutes later, they get flattened by a Frankish paladin timing push in a match. The rankings keep the conversation going long after the game itself is closed.

Streaming and content creation amplify this. Viewers love watching high-level players push “off-meta” civs to their limits or win tournaments with unexpected picks. Every time someone wins a big match with a civ the community had written off as average, the tier lists get reexamined, argued over, and updated. Rankings drive the meta, but big moments on stream reshape those rankings in turn.

Perhaps the most useful mindset is this: treat Age of Empires II rankings as a map, not a rulebook. They can guide you toward civilizations and campaigns that are strong, polished, and fun, especially when you’re short on time and want a good experience fast. But the most satisfying games often come from experimentationtrying a civ you’ve never touched, replaying a campaign on a higher difficulty, or teaming up with friends to make a silly strategy work just once.

In the end, the real “S-tier” part of The Age of Kings isn’t any one civ or campaign. It’s the combination of deep strategy, lively community debates, and endlessly replayable scenarios that keep people arguing, learning, and laughing about the game more than two decades after launch.

So by all means, read the lists, respect the data, and pick a strong civ. But don’t be afraid to queue up as your sentimental favorite, drop a castle in a questionable spot, and write your own rankings one wild match at a time.

Conclusion: Crowning the Kings of AoE2

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings has earned its place among the greatest RTS games ever made, and its endless rankings and opinion pieces are part of what keeps it alive. Critics celebrate its design, competitive players analyze civilization win rates to the decimal, and campaign fans debate which historical storyline best blends fun with challenge.

If you want a simple takeaway: Mayans, Aztecs, Mongols, and Huns frequently top competitive Age of Empires II civilization rankings, while classics like Joan of Arc and newer campaigns like Attila and Tamerlane tend to lead the story-mode charts. But your personal list will always be shaped by how you like to play, which maps you enjoy, and which moments made you lean back from the screen and say, “Okay, that was awesome.”

Use rankings as a compass, not a cage. Try the top-tier civs, explore the fan-favorite campaigns, then branch out. Somewhere between your first paladin charge and your hundredth mangonel shot, you’ll build your own Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings rankings and opinionsand that’s the list that really matters.