Lines:
Infantry Effectiveness — Imperial Age (147 units) Infantry
Civ▴ Unit▴ Line▴ ScoreScore▼ Rankⓘ▴ vs Medianⓘ▴ Cost▴ Special▸▴
Teutons Teutons
Elite Teutonic Knight Elite Teutonic Knight *
Militia83.9136.7115
✨ Infantry Cavalry +1 armor, Teuton Crenellations
Incas Incas
Elite Kamayuk Elite Kamayuk *
Militia81.6234.479
✨ Military cost -30%
Khitans Khitans
Elite Liao Dao Elite Liao Dao *
Militia69.6322.480
Bleed 3 dps; Reflects 25% melee dmg
✨ Double Forging, Double Iron Casting, Lamellar Armor
Muisca Muisca
Elite Temple Guard Elite Temple Guard *
Militia69.5422.2115—
Khitans Khitans
Elite Fire Lancer Elite Fire Lancer(Khitans)
Militia68.5521.390
Reflects 25% melee dmg
✨ Double Forging, Double Iron Casting, Lamellar Armor
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Aztecs Aztecs
Elite Jaguar Warrior Elite Jaguar Warrior *
Militia67.5620.390
+4 atk per kill
✨ Aztec Garland Wars
Armenians Armenians
Champion Champion(Armenians)
Militia65.5718.370
✨ Fereters
Danes Danes
Elite Jomsviking Elite Jomsviking *
Militia64.6817.480
✨ Hamask
Koreans Koreans
Elite Fire Lancer Elite Fire Lancer(Koreans)
Militia63.3916.167
✨ Units cost less wood
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons
Jurchens Jurchens
Elite Fire Lancer Elite Fire Lancer(Jurchens)
Militia63.21016.090
✨ cavalry & Fire Lancer +25% attack, No friendly damage
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Varangians Varangians
Elite Varangian Guard Elite Varangian Guard *
Militia62.91115.7110
✨ VG attack +25% faster, Gothikon
Sicilians Sicilians
Elite Serjeant Elite Serjeant *
Militia62.51215.380
40% bonus dmg reduction
✨ Bonus damage resistance
Vikings Vikings
Champion Champion(Vikings)
Militia62.11314.970
✨ Infantry +20% HP, Viking Chieftains
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Dravidians Dravidians
Elite Urumi Swordsman Elite Urumi Swordsman *
Militia61.51414.385
Ignores melee armor; Trample 50%; Charge +15 melee
✨ Wootz Steel
Chinese Chinese
Elite Fire Lancer Elite Fire Lancer(Chinese)
Militia61.41514.290
✨ Fire Lancer/Ship speed
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Vikings Vikings
Elite Berserk Elite Berserk *
Militia60.31613.185
40 HP/min regen
✨ Infantry +20% HP, Viking Chieftains
Vikings Vikings
Elite Varangian Guard Elite Varangian Guard *
Militia60.01712.8110
✨ Infantry +20% HP, Viking Chieftains
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Bulgarians Bulgarians
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Bulgarians)
Militia59.71812.570—
Japanese Japanese
Elite Samurai Elite Samurai *
Militia59.51912.375
Charge +1 melee
✨ Infantry Attack Speed
Dravidians Dravidians
Champion Champion(Dravidians)
Militia59.02011.870
Ignores melee armor
✨ Wootz Steel
Slavs Slavs
Champion Champion(Slavs)
Militia58.92111.770
Trample +5 dmg
Japanese Japanese
Champion Champion(Japanese)
Militia58.32211.070
✨ Infantry Attack Speed
Poles Poles
Elite Obuch Elite Obuch *
Militia58.02310.875
Strips 1 armor/hit
Romans Romans
Legionary Legionary
Militia57.72410.570
Charge +5 melee
✨ Double Scale Mail, Double Chain Mail, Comitatenses
❌ Missing: Arson, Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Danes Danes
Elite Varangian Guard Elite Varangian Guard *
Militia57.52510.3110
✨ Longboats & VG move +10% faster, Hamask
Teutons Teutons
Champion Champion(Teutons)
Militia55.7268.570
✨ Infantry Cavalry +1 armor, Teuton Crenellations
Vietnamese Vietnamese
Elite Fire Lancer Elite Fire Lancer(Vietnamese)
Militia55.6278.490
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons
Saxons Saxons
Champion Champion(Saxons)
Militia55.4288.270
✨ Shield Wall
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Byzantines Byzantines
Elite Varangian Guard Elite Varangian Guard *
Militia54.9297.7110
✨ Byzantine Logistica
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Aztecs Aztecs
Champion Champion(Aztecs)
Militia54.5307.370
✨ Aztec Garland Wars
Khitans Khitans
Champion Champion(Khitans)
Militia53.9316.770
Reflects 25% melee dmg
✨ Double Forging, Double Iron Casting, Lamellar Armor
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Saxons Saxons
Elite Varangian Guard Elite Varangian Guard *
Militia53.4326.2110
✨ Shield Wall
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Wu Wu
Champion Champion(Wu)
Militia53.1335.970
30 HP/min regen
✨ infantry regen
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Mayans Mayans
Elite Eagle Warrior Elite Eagle Warrior *
Militia52.3345.170
✨ Mayan El Dorado
Celts Celts
Elite Woad Raider Elite Woad Raider *
Militia52.1354.995
✨ Infantry +20% speed
Mapuche Mapuche
Halberdier Halberdier(Mapuche)
Spear51.414.960
✨ Skirmishers Spear Settlements, Skirmishers Spear +5 HP
❌ Missing: Squires
Shu Shu
Elite White Feather Guard Elite White Feather Guard *
Militia51.3364.175—
Danes Danes
Champion Champion(Danes)
Militia51.3374.170
✨ Hamask
Japanese Japanese
Halberdier Halberdier(Japanese)
Spear50.924.460
✨ Infantry Attack Speed
Teutons Teutons
Halberdier Halberdier(Teutons)
Spear50.233.660
✨ Infantry Cavalry +1 armor, Teuton Crenellations
Saxons Saxons
Halberdier Halberdier(Saxons)
Spear50.043.460
✨ Shield Wall
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Goths Goths
Halberdier Halberdier(Goths)
Spear49.753.243
✨ Infantry vs Buildings, Infantry Cost -30%, Goths Team Bonus
❌ Missing: Arson, Plate Mail Armor
Incas Incas
Halberdier Halberdier(Incas)
Spear49.763.149
✨ Military cost -30%
Burmese Burmese
Champion Champion(Burmese)
Militia49.7382.470
✨ infantry +1 attack
Goths Goths
Champion Champion(Goths)
Militia49.6392.449
✨ Infantry vs Buildings, Infantry Cost -30%, Goths Team Bonus
❌ Missing: Arson, Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Dravidians Dravidians
Halberdier Halberdier(Dravidians)
Spear49.472.860
Ignores melee armor
✨ Wootz Steel
Tupi Tupi
Elite Ibirapema Warrior Elite Ibirapema Warrior *
Militia49.1401.990
Trample 100%
Burmese Burmese
Halberdier Halberdier(Burmese)
Spear49.182.560
✨ infantry +1 attack
Slavs Slavs
Halberdier Halberdier(Slavs)
Spear48.892.360
Trample +5 dmg
Saxons Saxons
Elite Hearth Troop Elite Hearth Troop *
Militia48.8411.6115
✨ Shield Wall
Danes Danes
Halberdier Halberdier(Danes)
Spear48.8102.260
✨ Hamask
Wu Wu
Halberdier Halberdier(Wu)
Spear48.7112.260
30 HP/min regen
✨ infantry regen
Romans Romans
Halberdier Halberdier(Romans)
Spear48.7122.260
✨ Double Scale Mail, Double Chain Mail
❌ Missing: Arson, Plate Mail Armor
Mapuche Mapuche
Elite Champi Warrior Elite Champi Warrior *
Militia48.6421.475
✨ Skirmishers Spear +5 HP
❌ Missing: Squires
Celts Celts
Champion Champion(Celts)
Militia48.5431.370
✨ Infantry +20% speed
❌ Missing: Squires
Sicilians Sicilians
Champion Champion(Sicilians)
Militia48.4441.270
40% bonus dmg reduction
✨ Bonus damage resistance
Bohemians Bohemians
Halberdier Halberdier(Bohemians)
Spear48.1131.560
✨ Bonus damage increase
Incas Incas
Elite Champi Warrior Elite Champi Warrior *
Militia47.8450.660
✨ Military cost -30%
Portuguese Portuguese
Champion Champion(Portuguese)
Militia47.246066
✨ All units -20% gold
❌ Missing: Squires
Armenians Armenians
Halberdier Halberdier(Armenians)
Spear47.0140.560
✨ Fereters
Britons Britons
Halberdier Halberdier(Britons)
Spear47.0140.560—
Bulgarians Bulgarians
Halberdier Halberdier(Bulgarians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Burgundians Burgundians
Halberdier Halberdier(Burgundians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Chinese Chinese
Halberdier Halberdier(Chinese)
Spear47.0140.560—
Cumans Cumans
Halberdier Halberdier(Cumans)
Spear47.0140.560—
Ethiopians Ethiopians
Halberdier Halberdier(Ethiopians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Franks Franks
Halberdier Halberdier(Franks)
Spear47.0140.560—
Georgians Georgians
Halberdier Halberdier(Georgians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Malay Malay
Halberdier Halberdier(Malay)
Spear47.0140.560—
Mayans Mayans
Halberdier Halberdier(Mayans)
Spear47.0140.560—
Persians Persians
Halberdier Halberdier(Persians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Spanish Spanish
Halberdier Halberdier(Spanish)
Spear47.0140.560—
Varangians Varangians
Halberdier Halberdier(Varangians)
Spear47.0140.560—
Sicilians Sicilians
Halberdier Halberdier(Sicilians)
Spear46.9280.460
40% bonus dmg reduction
✨ Bonus damage resistance
Britons Britons
Champion Champion(Britons)
Militia46.547-0.770—
Franks Franks
Champion Champion(Franks)
Militia46.547-0.770—
Georgians Georgians
Champion Champion(Georgians)
Militia46.547-0.770—
Saracens Saracens
Champion Champion(Saracens)
Militia46.547-0.770—
Spanish Spanish
Champion Champion(Spanish)
Militia46.547-0.770—
Bengalis Bengalis
Halberdier Halberdier(Bengalis)
Spear46.229-0.460
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Huns Huns
Halberdier Halberdier(Huns)
Spear46.229-0.460
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Jurchens Jurchens
Halberdier Halberdier(Jurchens)
Spear46.229-0.460
✨ No friendly damage
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Wei Wei
Halberdier Halberdier(Wei)
Spear46.229-0.460
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Malians Malians
Champion Champion(Malians)
Militia46.152-1.170
✨ infantry +1 armor
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons
Koreans Koreans
Halberdier Halberdier(Koreans)
Spear45.833-0.747
✨ Units cost less wood
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Armenians Armenians
Warrior Priest Warrior Priest *
Militia45.753-1.590
✨ Fereters
Italians Italians
Condottiero Condottiero *
Militia45.754-1.585
✨ Archers +1/+1 armor, Pavise
Byzantines Byzantines
Halberdier Halberdier(Byzantines)
Spear45.034-1.545
✨ Skirmishers Pikes cost -25%
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Burgundians Burgundians
Flemish Militia Flemish Militia *
Militia43.955-3.360—
Aztecs Aztecs
Elite Eagle Warrior Elite Eagle Warrior *
Militia43.756-3.570
✨ Aztec Garland Wars
Berbers Berbers
Champion Champion(Berbers)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Bohemians Bohemians
Champion Champion(Bohemians)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Burgundians Burgundians
Champion Champion(Burgundians)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Chinese Chinese
Champion Champion(Chinese)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Cumans Cumans
Champion Champion(Cumans)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Italians Italians
Champion Champion(Italians)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Mongols Mongols
Champion Champion(Mongols)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Poles Poles
Champion Champion(Poles)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Turks Turks
Champion Champion(Turks)
Militia43.757-3.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Tatars Tatars
Halberdier Halberdier(Tatars)
Spear43.635-3.060
❌ Missing: Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
Vikings Vikings
Pikeman Pikeman(Vikings)
Spear43.536-3.060
✨ Infantry +20% HP, Viking Chieftains
Portuguese Portuguese
Halberdier Halberdier(Portuguese)
Spear43.137-3.460
✨ All units -20% gold
❌ Missing: Squires
Celts Celts
Halberdier Halberdier(Celts)
Spear43.138-3.560
✨ Infantry +20% speed
❌ Missing: Squires
Muisca Muisca
Elite Champi Warrior Elite Champi Warrior *
Militia43.066-4.275
✨ Archers + Champion +1 armor, Herbalism
❌ Missing: Arson, Blast Furnace
Lithuanians Lithuanians
Halberdier Halberdier(Lithuanians)
Spear42.839-3.760
✨ Skirmishers Pikes 10% faster
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Plate Mail Armor
Khmer Khmer
Halberdier Halberdier(Khmer)
Spear42.740-3.960
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor, Squires
Magyars Magyars
Halberdier Halberdier(Magyars)
Spear42.740-3.960
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor, Squires
Shu Shu
Halberdier Halberdier(Shu)
Spear42.542-4.160
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Iron casting
Varangians Varangians
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Varangians)
Militia41.267-6.070—
Tupi Tupi
Halberdier Halberdier(Tupi)
Spear41.143-5.560
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Vietnamese Vietnamese
Halberdier Halberdier(Vietnamese)
Spear41.143-5.560
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Goths Goths
Elite Huskarl Elite Huskarl *
Militia40.268-7.078
✨ Infantry vs Buildings, Infantry Cost -30%, Gothic Anarchy, Goths Team Bonus
Byzantines Byzantines
Champion Champion(Byzantines)
Militia39.869-7.470
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Shu Shu
Champion Champion(Shu)
Militia39.770-7.570
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Iron casting
Ethiopians Ethiopians
Elite Shotel Warrior Elite Shotel Warrior *
Militia39.571-7.780—
Hindustanis Hindustanis
Elite Ghulam Elite Ghulam *
Militia39.372-7.975—
Tupi Tupi
Elite Champi Warrior Elite Champi Warrior *
Militia39.273-8.075
✨ Caciques
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Khitans Khitans
Pikeman Pikeman(Khitans)
Spear38.645-7.960
Reflects 25% melee dmg
✨ Double Forging, Double Iron Casting, Skirmishers Spear Scout train 25% faster, Lamellar Armor
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Bengalis Bengalis
Champion Champion(Bengalis)
Militia38.474-8.870
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Aztecs Aztecs
Pikeman Pikeman(Aztecs)
Spear38.346-8.260
✨ Aztec Garland Wars
Koreans Koreans
Champion Champion(Koreans)
Militia36.875-10.470
✨ Units cost less wood
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons
Vietnamese Vietnamese
Champion Champion(Vietnamese)
Militia36.875-10.470
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons
Wu Wu
Jian Swordsman Jian Swordsman *
Militia36.577-10.795
Transforms at 64% HP; 30 HP/min regen
✨ Jian & Hei Kuang attack, infantry regen
Magyars Magyars
Champion Champion(Magyars)
Militia36.278-11.070
❌ Missing: Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor, Squires
Malay Malay
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Malay)
Militia35.779-11.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Hindustanis Hindustanis
Champion Champion(Hindustanis)
Militia35.780-11.570
❌ Missing: Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Ethiopians Ethiopians
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Ethiopians)
Militia34.681-12.670
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Mayans Mayans
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Mayans)
Militia34.681-12.670
❌ Missing: Gambesons
Berbers Berbers
Pikeman Pikeman(Berbers)
Spear32.147-14.560—
Italians Italians
Pikeman Pikeman(Italians)
Spear32.147-14.560—
Mongols Mongols
Pikeman Pikeman(Mongols)
Spear32.147-14.560—
Poles Poles
Pikeman Pikeman(Poles)
Spear32.147-14.560—
Saracens Saracens
Pikeman Pikeman(Saracens)
Spear32.147-14.560—
Lithuanians Lithuanians
Champion Champion(Lithuanians)
Militia31.483-15.870
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Gurjaras Gurjaras
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Gurjaras)
Militia31.184-16.158
✨ Kshatriyas
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Gambesons, Squires
Malians Malians
Pikeman Pikeman(Malians)
Spear29.652-16.960
✨ infantry +1 armor
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace
Khmer Khmer
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Khmer)
Militia29.385-17.970
❌ Missing: Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor, Squires
Muisca Muisca
Pikeman Pikeman(Muisca)
Spear29.153-17.460
❌ Missing: Arson, Blast Furnace
Hindustanis Hindustanis
Pikeman Pikeman(Hindustanis)
Spear28.954-17.660
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor
Huns Huns
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Huns)
Militia28.986-18.470
❌ Missing: Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Wei Wei
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Wei)
Militia28.986-18.470
❌ Missing: Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Tatars Tatars
Two-Handed Swordsman Two-Handed Swordsman(Tatars)
Militia26.388-20.970
❌ Missing: Chain Mail Armor, Gambesons, Plate Mail Armor
Persians Persians
Long Swordsman Long Swordsman
Militia25.989-21.370—
Malay Malay
Elite Karambit Warrior Elite Karambit Warrior *
Militia22.290-25.040
0.5 pop space
Turks Turks
Spearman Spearman(Turks)
Spear17.255-29.460—
Gurjaras Gurjaras
Spearman Spearman(Gurjaras)
Spear16.156-30.451
✨ Kshatriyas
❌ Missing: Blast Furnace, Squires
Jurchens Jurchens
Man-at-Arms Man-at-Arms
Militia8.891-38.470
✨ No friendly damage
❌ Missing: Plate Mail Armor

Rankings at a glance

Land units are scored by Simulation V3 at full Imperial upgrades, with 27 units on the cheaper side and population- and cost-balanced opposing armies. Each matchup averages three seeded runs, extended to ten when outcomes differ. Score = 50 + half the average signed surviving HP percentage. Higher is stronger; 50 is neutral. Below are the top units in each category; use the interactive table above to explore every line, civ, and matchup.

Published land rankings: 555 unit variants across 10 categories, generated 2026-10-30. Some siege and naval categories retain historical results; each category's score information explains its method. Scores are published separately from the live simulator.

Best Infantry

#UnitCivilizationScore
1Elite Teutonic KnightTeutons83.9
2Elite KamayukIncas81.6
3Elite Liao DaoKhitans69.6
4Elite Temple GuardMuisca69.5
5Elite Fire LancerKhitans68.5
6Elite Jaguar WarriorAztecs67.5
7ChampionArmenians65.5
8Elite JomsvikingDanes64.6

Best Archers & Gunpowder

#UnitCivilizationScore
1Elite Ballista ElephantKhmer92.1
2Elite Elephant ArcherDravidians89.1
3Elite Elephant ArcherGurjaras87.2
4Elite Elephant ArcherBengalis86.1
5Elite War WagonKoreans85.8
6Elite Hussite WagonBohemians85.4
7Elite MamelukeSaracens84.8
8Heavy ScorpionCelts81.2

Best Cavalry

#UnitCivilizationScore
1Elite War ElephantPersians90.4
2Elite Battle ElephantBengalis82.0
3Elite Battle ElephantBurmese80.8
4Elite Battle ElephantVietnamese79.6
5Elite Battle ElephantKhmer78.9
6Elite Battle ElephantMalay76.6
7Elite KonnikBulgarians74.1
8Elite LeitisLithuanians72.6

Best Siege

#UnitCivilizationScore
1Siege RamCelts100.0
2TrebuchetJapanese99.3
3TrebuchetCelts98.6
4Siege RamSlavs97.7
5TrebuchetSaracens97.6
6Siege RamAztecs97.3
7Siege RamBulgarians97.3
8Siege RamEthiopians97.3

Best Naval

#UnitCivilizationScore
1Elite LongboatVikings100.0
2Fast Fire ShipByzantines100.0
3Elite Turtle ShipKoreans100.0
4CarrackPortuguese99.1
5ThirisadaiDravidians89.1
6GalleonPortuguese74.3
7Fast Fire ShipBengalis73.0
8Fast Fire ShipKoreans72.3