In Age of Empires 4, the Chinese civilization is marked as one of the most difficult civs to play as. That’s partially because they have so many different avenues of success open to them in addition to some unique features. China is the only civilization that has dynasties, which are subtly indicated by a big box on the top center of your screen. It also sports Imperial Officials, which can either go around to all of your buildings and collect tax as a source of passive gold income or spend all their time overseeing one building to improve its efficiency. Here’s everything you need to know about the Chinese civilization in Age of Empires 4 at a glance.

Tips for Playing as the Chinese Civilization

China starts out with extra villagers. This can help you make an early game army more quickly than your opponents.
Plan your strategy when it comes to dynasties. Will you pursue all or just some of them?
Don’t be afraid to pivot. If you suddenly need the bonuses from a previous dynasty you skipped out on, get it!
This civilization peaks in power once you unlock your gunpowder units. Plan accordingly.
Build the Great Wall if you find yourself constantly being attacked.

Chinese Bonuses

These are the main perks you receive when playing as China.

Villagers construct defenses 50% faster and all other buildings 100% faster.
Can enter dynasties by building both Landmarks from an Age, giving them access to special bonuses.
Chemistry technology is granted for free after advancing to the Imperial Age.
Docks work 20% faster.

Chinese Dynasties

There are four different ages to progress through. Normally, you construct a single monument to unlock the new age and move on. The Chinese civilization, however, is rewarded for building both of the potential monuments. It is by no means required, but each one provides a buff and unlocks a new unit and building to construct.

If you have the additional funds, the developments are certainly worth the investment.

Tang Dynasty – Scouts gain +30% line of sight.
Song Dynasty – Villager production time reduced by 35%. Unlocks the Zhuge Nu unit and the Village upgrade.
- Village – Increases maximum population by 40.
Yuan Dynasty – Villagers, Officials, and Military units gain +15% speed. Unlocks the Fire Lancer and Granary building.
- Granary – Villagers can drop off food at this building. Improves the farm gather rate of nearby villagers by 15% (can stack). Generates tax each time a resource is dropped off.
Ming Dynasty – Military units gain +10% health. Unlocks the Grenadier and Pagoda.
- Pagoda – A Relic can be placed in the pagoda. Once placed, the structure generates 50 food, wood, gold, and stone every 30 seconds. Generates tax over time.

Unique Units

The Chinese unique units are very specialized. Early on, they’re good overall. But once you get to the Fire Lancer, especially later on, they begin having one incredible strength at the cost of some big weaknesses. Both the aforementioned Lancer and the Nest of Bees are fantastic at dealing AOE damage to structures but are particularly vulnerable.

Palace Guard – Similar to Men-At-Arms but with reduced armor. Tougher than an average unit with good damage but is countered by crossbows, knights, and lancers.
Zhuge Nu: A repeater crossbow unit effective against light units. Has a high rate of fire but is ineffective against armored units.
Fire Lancer: A light cavalry unit, which is better at destroying buildings. Charge attack deals AOE damage but is weak in melee combat with other units.
Grenadier: Throws grenades that inflict area of effect damage. Has a short range and slow movement speed.
Nest of Bees: A siege unit capable of firing a barrage of rockets at enemy walls, buildings, and clumps of units. One of the slowest movement speeds in the game and is weak if surrounded.

Unique Technologies

Alongside the usual unit upgrades, you can research Pyrotechnics to help all gunpowder units and eventually Ancient Techniques to really increase your gathering rate.

Reload Drills – Reduces the reload time of Bombards by 33%.
Reusable Barrels – Reduces the cost of Nest of Bees by 25%.
Pyrotechnics – Increases the range of gunpowder units by 20%.
Ancient Techniques – Increases the gathering rate of villagers by 5% for each dynasty achieved.

Age of Empires 4 Chinese Civilization Guide - Tips, Dynasties, Unique Units

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