Worked out · AoE3: DE 100.19.18309
Best late-game and Treaty civilizations
No. 1: Chinese (average edge ×2.28), then Spanish (×2.2) and Dutch (×2.14). All 24 civilizations ranked by their best four-unit Imperial Age army against every regular unit, the army of the Treaty plan on /builds.
| # | Name | Average edge | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chinese | ×2.28 | Arquebusier + Changdao Swordsman + Qiang Pikeman + Steppe Rider; beats 93% of 123 |
| 2 |  Spanish | ×2.2 | Musketeer + Pikeman + Veteran Lancer + Falconet; beats 96% of 123 |
| 3 |  Dutch | ×2.14 | Veteran Halberdier + Hussar + Ruyter + Falconet; beats 98% of 123 |
| 4 |  Italians | ×2.14 | Pavisier + Veteran Halberdier + Hussar + Falconet; beats 98% of 123 |
| 5 |  French | ×2.14 | Veteran Halberdier + Dragoon + Hussar + Falconet; beats 98% of 123 |
| 6 |  Danes | ×2.14 | Veteran Halberdier + Dragoon + Hussar + Falconet; beats 98% of 123 |
| 7 |  Portuguese | ×2.1 | Veteran Halberdier + Dragoon + Hussar + Horse Artillery; beats 98% of 123 |
| 8 |  Hausa | ×2.1 | Levied Bowman + Levied Gunner + Levied Spearman + Raider; beats 97% of 123 |
| 9 |  Haudenosaunee | ×2.05 | Aenna + Tomahawk + Kanya Horseman + Musket Rider; beats 98% of 123 |
| 10 |  Ethiopians | ×2.05 | Levied Bowman + Levied Gunner + Levied Spearman + Desert Raider; beats 97% of 123 |
| 11 |  Swedes | ×2.04 | Carolean + Pikeman + Hussar + Falconet; beats 97% of 123 |
| 12 |  Germans | ×2.02 | Crossbowman + Pikeman + Uhlan + Falconet; beats 90% of 123 |
| 13 |  British | ×2 | Musketeer + Pikeman + Hussar + Falconet; beats 95% of 123 |
| 14 |  Mexicans | ×1.99 | Bandido + Desperado + Soldado + Chinaco; beats 98% of 123 |
| 15 |  Russians | ×1.99 | Poruchik + Strelet + Veteran Oprichnik + Falconet; beats 99% of 123 |
| 16 |  Aztecs | ×1.99 | Arrow Knight + Jaguar Prowl Knight + Otontin Slinger + Puma Spearman; beats 95% of 123 |
| 17 |  Lakota | ×1.98 | Cetan Bowman + Club Warrior + Axe Rider + Rifle Rider; beats 98% of 123 |
| 18 |  Poles | ×1.97 | Crossbowman + Pikeman + Retainer + Falconet; beats 90% of 123 |
| 19 |  United States | ×1.95 | Pistolero + Renegado + Hussar + Horse Artillery; beats 98% of 123 |
| 20 |  Maltese | ×1.91 | Crossbowman + Pikeman + Sentinel + Falconet; beats 97% of 123 |
| 21 |  Ottomans | ×1.86 | Azap + Janissary + Deli + Falconet; beats 96% of 123 |
| 22 |  Indians | ×1.8 | Gurkha + Rajput + Sepoy + Sowar; beats 93% of 123 |
| 23 |  Japanese | ×1.78 | Ashigaru Musketeer + Samurai + Naginata Rider + Flaming Arrow; beats 93% of 123 |
| 24 |  Inca | ×1.61 | Bolas Warrior + Jungle Bowman + Maceman + Plumed Spearman; beats 96% of 123 |
How this is worked out
Each civilization's best army of 4 of its own regular units out by the Imperial Age (the Treaty plan on /builds): against every regular unit of every civilization out by then, the best unit of the army counts, by its edge for the same resources (Lanchester's square law: strength = (resources ÷ cost)² × damage per second × hit points; edge = √ of the strength ratio, held between ×¼ and ×4). The score is the geometric mean of those edges.
Assumptions: Base stats: no upgrades, cards or civilization bonuses. Only the army counts: economy, timing, bonuses and cards are not in it. Range, speed and area damage are not modelled.