Age of Empires II
AOE2 Guide
The living codex of the current meta.
18580K+ ranked 1v1 matches patch 162286 updated Jul 2026
State of the Meta
The civilizations leading the current ladder.
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53 Civilizations tier distribution
- S 3
- A 13
- B 16
- C 18
Where do you want to start?
- Pick a civilization All civilizations with bonuses, unique units, and tier ratings. 53 civilizations
- Learn a build order Step-by-step build orders with villager timings. 43 build orders
- Plan for a map Map strategies and the best civs for each. 13 maps
- Counter an opponent Compare any two civilizations side by side. Compare any two civs side by side
Featured build orders
Start here — beginner-friendly plans first.
Maps to master
Map-specific strategy and civ picks.