Worked out · AoE3: DE 100.19.18309
Best rush civilizations
No. 1: Chinese (average edge ×1.87), then United States (×1.69) and Hausa (×1.66). All 24 civilizations ranked by their best two-unit Colonial Age army: how hard it beats, for the same resources, every regular unit out in the Colonial Age.
| # | Name | Average edge | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chinese | ×1.87 | Qiang Pikeman + Steppe Rider; beats 75% of 77 |
| 2 |  United States | ×1.69 | Pistolero + Hussar; beats 97% of 77 |
| 3 |  Hausa | ×1.66 | Levied Gunner + Raider; beats 96% of 77 |
| 4 |  Mexicans | ×1.65 | Desperado + Chinaco; beats 97% of 77 |
| 5 |  Haudenosaunee | ×1.65 | Tomahawk + Kanya Horseman; beats 88% of 77 |
| 6 |  Ethiopians | ×1.6 | Levied Gunner + Desert Raider; beats 96% of 77 |
| 7 |  Russians | ×1.6 | Poruchik + Cossack; beats 91% of 77 |
| 8 |  Lakota | ×1.55 | Cetan Bowman + Club Warrior; beats 97% of 77 |
| 9 |  Aztecs | ×1.54 | Otontin Slinger + Puma Spearman; beats 87% of 77 |
| 10 |  Germans | ×1.54 | Pikeman + Uhlan; beats 66% of 77 |
| 11 |  Spanish | ×1.52 | Rodelero + Hussar; beats 74% of 77 |
| 12 |  Indians | ×1.5 | Sepoy + Sowar; beats 77% of 77 |
| 13 |  British | ×1.5 | Musketeer + Hussar; beats 87% of 77 |
| 14 |  French | ×1.5 | Musketeer + Hussar; beats 87% of 77 |
| 15 |  Portuguese | ×1.5 | Musketeer + Hussar; beats 87% of 77 |
| 16 |  Italians | ×1.5 | Musketeer + Hussar; beats 87% of 77 |
| 17 |  Danes | ×1.5 | Musketeer + Hussar; beats 87% of 77 |
| 18 |  Dutch | ×1.48 | Pikeman + Hussar; beats 65% of 77 |
| 19 |  Swedes | ×1.48 | Pikeman + Hussar; beats 65% of 77 |
| 20 |  Japanese | ×1.48 | Samurai + Naginata Rider; beats 78% of 77 |
| 21 |  Poles | ×1.47 | Pikeman + Retainer; beats 65% of 77 |
| 22 |  Ottomans | ×1.46 | Janissary + Deli; beats 79% of 77 |
| 23 |  Maltese | ×1.34 | Pikeman + Sentinel; beats 77% of 77 |
| 24 |  Inca | ×1.17 | Jungle Bowman + Plumed Spearman; beats 52% of 77 |
How this is worked out
Each civilization's best army of 2 of its own regular units out by the Colonial Age (the Colonial rush 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.