In every Age of Empires title, there are always a few civilizations that dominate the leaderboards and tier lists.
Think Franks with their Paladin rushes, or the Mongols with their insane Mangudai micro. But what about the civs that never get the spotlight? The ones that seem average until they wipe your economy off the map in fifteen minutes flat? Yeah, those civilizations.
They’re the true underdogs of AoE history and it’s time they got the respect they deserve.
Before you pick your go-to powerhouse civ again, maybe consider one of these overlooked gems. Not only are they more fun to play than people give them credit for, but they might even give you a tactical edge.
After all, your opponent probably won’t expect an elite trash unit ambush from a so-called “mid-tier” faction.
And if you’re starting fresh or grabbing a new expansion, don’t forget to browse for PC keys at a price that won’t drain your gold reserves. Because saving your real-world resources is just as strategic as saving wood in Dark Age.
Who Are the Most Underrated Civilizations in Age of Empires History?
The Vietnamese: Scout’s Worst Nightmare
For some reason, players often sleep on the Vietnamese. Maybe it’s because they don’t have an obvious “OP” strategy, or maybe it’s because they don’t lean into flashy cavalry or siege play.
But guess what? They don’t need to. Starting the game with enemy positions already revealed is huge, especially in competitive play.
Their Archery Range units get more health with each upgrade, and their Imperial Skirmishers are pure gold in team games (literally, because they cost no gold!).
Plus, the Vietnamese economy doesn’t need to be micromanaged like crazy to be effective. They’re solid, safe, and sneakily strong.
The Malay: Time Is on Their Side
If you think booming is boring, you haven’t played the Malay. Their tech-up speed is no joke it’s fast enough to throw off your opponent’s entire timing.
You’ll find yourself in Castle Age while they’re still figuring out whether to build another house.
Combine that with cheaper elephants and a powerful navy, and the Malay can dominate on water maps or go full chaos with early aggression.
In late-game, they shine with their Karambit Warriors. Two-for-one infantry that flood the map faster than most players can react? Yes, please.
The Malay reward clever tech switches and reward players who thrive on momentum. They’re the perfect civ for people who love to break the rhythm.
The Bulgarians: Siege Bros in Disguise
No one ever expects the Bulgarians to show up with a full Krepost-powered fortress in mid-game. But they should.
These guys are built for bold moves free Blacksmith upgrades, cheap Militia-line units, and access to some of the best infantry tech in the game. Their unique techs make their swordsmen absolute tanks.
Bulgarians are incredibly efficient low on cost, high on value. If you like pushing early and holding the line with stubborn force, they’ll feel right at home.
Honorable Mentions
- Italians: Cheaper age-ups and strong navy make them sea kings.
- Koreans: Not just for tower cheese! Their war wagons and onagers hit hard.
- Cumans: A second TC in Feudal? Risky, but game-changing if pulled off right.
The Final Word: Never Count Out the Underdogs
The Age of Empires community loves its meta darlings, but part of the game’s brilliance lies in the depth of its roster.
Playing underrated civilizations not only keeps things fresh, but it forces you to think differently and sometimes, differently is exactly how you win.
Whether you’re prepping for your next ranked match or diving into campaign mode, consider giving these unsung heroes a try. And if you need to gear up without breaking the bank, Eneba, as a digital marketplace, offers great deals on PC keys for all your RTS needs.
