Age of Wonders 4 is an exceptionally crafted grand strategy game. With an insane amount of detail in the faction customization, there are countless ways you can create one that goes well with your playstyle. However, if you choose to stick with the factions already available in Age of Wonders 4 then we have you covered right here.
Age of Wonders 4 is all about creating your own faction. But there are 19 factions in the game already pre-made for quick play. These factions have unique looks and themes behind them, which synergizes their effectiveness in the game. You can also customize/edit these factions if you want to put your own flavor into the mix.
This detailed guide covers all the base factions you can play in Age of Wonders 4 and ranks them from worst to best on several factors. Let’s take a deep dive and see what makes some of these factions much more potent compared to others.
19. Alfred Elderston – Destined Humans
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Order Affinity: 4 Nature Affinity: 1 Materium Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Faith |
Tome Overview | Heal and support your units through the power of the Faithful. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Order Affinity Abbey – Special Province Improvement Mending Touch – Adept Hero Skill |
Research | Army Heal – Friendly Army Spell Staves of Mending – Unit Enchantment Chaplain – Unit Faithful Whispers – Sustained City Spell Convent – City Structure Wrath of the Faithful – Combat Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Destined Humans |
Traits | Fast Recuperation Adaptable |
Culture | Feudal Chosen Uniters Great Builders |
Starting Equipment | Lance Horse |
18. Zaethyl Silverleaf – First Elves
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Nature Affinity: 3 Order Affinity: 2 Astral Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Beasts |
Tome Overview | Walk beside the Animals of nature. Specialize in summoning and buffing Animals and become stronger when standing next to them. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Nature Affinity Wildlife Sanctuary – Special Province Improvement Pack Leader – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Wildspeaker – Unit Summon Wild Animal – Summon Spell Animal Kinship – Minor Race Transformation Call of the Wild – Buff Spell Mark as Prey – Debuff Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | First Elves |
Traits | Keen-Sighted Arcane Focus |
Culture | High Ancient Wise Ones Adept Settlers |
Starting Equipment | Staff of Spirit |
17. Asgera Spinesplitter – Bloodfang Orcs
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Chaos Affinity: 4 Nature Affinity: 2 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of the Horde |
Tome Overview | Turn your cheapest units into large, deadly armies. Specialize in summoning and buffing Tier 1 units. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Chaos Affinity Mob Camp – Special Province Improvement Battle Seeker Training – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Spawnkin – Minor Race Transformation Fury of the Horde – Buff Spell Houndmaster – Unit Blaze of the Horder – Damage Spell Summon Irregulars – Summon Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Bloodfang Orcs |
Traits | Strong Ferocious |
Culture | Barbarian Ruthless Raiders Fabled Hunters |
Starting Equipment | Greataxe |
16. Tugrum Hammerhall – Mountain Dwarves
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Materium Affinity: 5 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Rock |
Tome Overview | Smash your enemies with the force of stone. Specialize in increasing your defenses and dealing Physical Damage. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Materium Affinity Central Quarry – Special Province Improvement Obsidian Weaponry – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Earthkin – Minor Race Transformation Gargoyle – Unit Rock Blast – Damage Spell Summon Lesser Stone Spirit – Summon Spell Stone Skin – Buff Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Mountain Dwarves |
Traits | Tough Defensive Tactics |
Culture | Industrious Great Builders Adept Settlers |
Starting Equipment | Greathammer |
15. Enam’Ru Enkhanan – Arcane Tigrans
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Astral Affinity: 5 Shadow Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Warding |
Tome Overview | Specialize in magic that protects your units from damage and retaliates against enemies that attack you. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Astral Affinity Bolstering Support – Adept Hero Skill |
Research | Magical Wards – Minor Race Transformation Summon Phatasm Warrior – Summon Spell Mark of Invulnerability – Buff Spell Static Shield – Buff Spell Stave of Warding – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Arcane Tigrans |
Traits | Resolute Desert Adaptation |
Culture | Mystic Mana Channelers Shadow Walkers |
Starting Equipment | Lightning Orb Horse |
14. Ham Binger – Wholesome Halflings
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Nature Affinity: 4 Order Affinity: 2 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Roots |
Tome Overview | Specialize in magic that revolves around poison. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Nature Affinity Herbalist – Special Province Improvement Poison Weapons – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Poison Blades – Unit Enchantment Poison Arrows – Unit Enchantment Healing Roots – Healing Spell Vine Prison – Combat Summon Spell Summon Entwined Thrall – Summon Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Wholesome Halflings |
Traits | Quick Reflexes Elusive |
Culture | Feudal Adept Settlers Devotees of Good |
Starting Equipment | Bow Horse |
13. Gloom Hooknail – Necrotic Goblins
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Shadow Affinity: 5 Chaos Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Souls |
Tome Overview | Harvest Souls from your enemies and create Undead creatures. Specialize in expendable units and starting your Soul economy. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Shadow Affinity Soul Harvest – Tome Passive Soul Collector – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Soulbinders – Unit Enchantment Bone Golem – Unit Soul Fire – Damage Spell Soulbind Army – Enemy Army Spell Soul Overflow – Buff Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Necrotic Goblins |
Traits | Fast Recuperation Sneaky |
Culture | Dark Ruthless Raiders Scions of Evil |
Starting Equipment | Staff of Fire |
12. Kruul Blightlord – Fiendish Rodents
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Chaos Affinity: 5 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of the Horde |
Tome Overview | Turn your cheapest units into large, deadly armies. Specialize in summoning and buffing Tier 1 units. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Chaos Affinity Mob Camp – Special Province Improvement Battle Seeker Training – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Spawnkin – Minor Race Transformation Fury of the Horde – Buff Spell Houndmaster – Unit Blaze of the Horder – Damage Spell Summon Irregulars – Summon Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Fiendish Rodents |
Traits | Quick Reflexes Overwhelm Tactics |
Culture | Barbarian Prolific Swarmers Ritual Cannibals |
Starting Equipment | Poison Orb Horse |
11. Dafal Dea – Crusading Croakers
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Order Affinity: 5 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Zeal |
Tome Overview | Rile up your fanatic population for a common goal. Use units with Zeal and inflict Condemned on enemies. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Order Affinity Circle of Zealotry – Special Province Improvement Condemn – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Legion of Zeal – Unit Enchantment Condemnation – Damage / Debuff Spell Summon Zealot – World Map Summon Spell Inspiring Chant – Buff Spell Fanatical Workforce – City Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Crusading Croakers |
Traits | Resilient Water Adaptation |
Culture | High Experienced Seafarers Imperialists |
Starting Equipment | None |
10. Cinren Toliath – Ashborn Hedonists
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Astral Affinity: 4 Chaos Affinity: 1 Shadow Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Evocation |
Tome Overview | Grants excellent and cheap attack spells to any aspiring wizard. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Astral Affinity Channeling Tower – Special Province Improvement Lightening Weapons – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Summon Lesser Storm Spirit – Summon Spell Lightning Blades – Unit Enchantment Fulmination – Damage Spell Lightning Torrent – Enemy Army Spell Evoker – Unit Lightning Focus – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Ashborn Hedonists |
Traits | Resistant Arcane Focus |
Culture | Mystic Powerful Evokers Prolific Swarmers |
Starting Equipment | Lightning Orb Horse |
9. Fangir – Moonrock Dwarves
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Astral Affinity: 4 Materium Affinity: 2 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Warding |
Tome Overview | Specialize in magic that protects your units from damage and retaliates against enemies that attack you. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Astral Affinity Bolstering Support – Adept Hero Skill |
Research | Magical Wards – Minor Race Transformation Summon Phatasm Warrior – Summon Spell Mark of Invulnerability – Buff Spell Static Shield – Buff Spell Stave of Warding – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Moonrock Dwarves |
Traits | Tough Underground Adaptation |
Culture | Mystic Great Builders Runesmiths |
Starting Equipment | Godir Greataxe |
8. Werlac of Insaldur – Shadowborn Elves
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Shadow Affinity: 4 Astral Affinity: 2 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Evocation |
Tome Overview | Grants excellent and cheap attack spells to any aspiring wizard. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Astral Affinity Channeling Tower – Special Province Improvement Lightening Weapons – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Summon Lesser Storm Spirit – Summon Spell Lightning Blades – Unit Enchantment Fulmination – Damage Spell Lightning Torrent – Enemy Army Spell Evoker – Unit Lightning Focus – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Shadowborn Elves |
Traits | Keen-Sighted Arcane Focus |
Culture | Dark Shadow Walkers Scions of Evil |
Starting Equipment | Frost Orb Horse |
7. Blint the Underdelver – Deep Dwellers
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Materium Affinity: 5 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Rock |
Tome Overview | Smash your enemies with the force of stone. Specialize in increasing your defenses and dealing Physical Damage. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Materium Affinity Central Quarry – Special Province Improvement Obsidian Weaponry – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Earthkin – Minor Race Transformation Gargoyle – Unit Rock Blast – Damage Spell Summon Lesser Stone Spirit – Summon Spell Stone Skin – Buff Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Deep Dwellers |
Traits | Bulwark Underground Adaptation |
Culture | Industrious Wonder Architects Adept Settlers |
Starting Equipment | Greathammer |
6. Artica – Gnarled Frostlings
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Shadow Affinity: 3 Chaos Affinity: 2 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Cryomancy |
Tome Overview | Specialize in dealing Frost Damage and inflicting Frozen. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Shadow Affinity School of Cryomancy – Special Province Improvement Frost Weapons – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Frost Blades – Unit Enchantment White Witch – Unit Ice Coffin – Damage Spell Blizzard – Enemy Army Spell Summon Lesser Snow Spirit – Summon Spell Frost Arrows – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Gnarled Frostlings |
Traits | Fast Recuperation Arctic Adaptation |
Culture | Barbarian Ruthless Raiders Powerful Evokers |
Starting Equipment | Staff of Spirit |
5. Meshara the Radiant – Human Paladins
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Order Affinity: 6 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Faith |
Tome Overview | Heal and support your units through the power of the Faithful. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Order Affinity Abbey – Special Province Improvement Mending Touch – Adept Hero Skill |
Research | Army Heal – Friendly Army Spell Staves of Mending – Unit Enchantment Chaplain – Unit Faithful Whispers – Sustained City Spell Convent – City Structure Wrath of the Faithful – Combat Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Human Paladins |
Traits | Fast Recuperation Adaptable |
Culture | High Devotees of God Imperialists |
Starting Equipment | Horse |
4. Xetevaca Worldshaper – Underground Disciples
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Materium Affinity: 4 Astral Affinity: 1 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Enchantment |
Tome Overview | Improve your units with Unit Enchantments and specialize in Physical Damage. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Materium Affinity Runecarver’s Camp – Special Province Improvement Sundering Strikes – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Sunder Blades – Unit Enchantment Seeker Arrows – Unit Enchantment Summon Copper Golem – Unit Awakened Tools – City Spell Spell-Tempered Shields – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Underground Disciples |
Traits | Bulwark Underground Adaptation |
Culture | Industrious Fables Hunters Gifted Casters |
Starting Equipment | Godir Greataxe |
3. Karissa the Red – Enthralled Orcs
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Chaos Affinity: 5 Nature Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Pyromancy |
Tome Overview | Specialize in high Fire Damage by inflicting and exploiting Burning. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Chaos Affinity Ritual Pyre – Special Province Improvement Searing Weapons – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Ignite – Damage Spell Pyromancer – Unit Searing Blades – Unit Enchantment Fiery Arrows – Unit Enchantment Immolate – Damage Spell Summon Lesser Magma Spirit – Summon Spell |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Enthralled Orcs |
Traits | Strong Ferocious |
Culture | Barbarian Ruthless Raiders Ritual Cannibals |
Starting Equipment | Godir Greataxe |
2. Raina the Golden – Cursed Toadlings
Hero Details
Hero Type | Champion |
Hero Affinity | Materium Affinity: 3 Nature Affinity: 2 Order Affinity: 1 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Gold income and +20 City Stability All non-Hero Units gain +20% Experience Start with +100 Relation with Free Cities |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Enchantment |
Tome Overview | Improve your units with Unit Enchantments and specialize in Physical Damage. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Materium Affinity Runecarver’s Camp – Special Province Improvement Sundering Strikes – Novice Hero Skill |
Research | Sunder Blades – Unit Enchantment Seeker Arrows – Unit Enchantment Summon Copper Golem – Unit Awakened Tools – City Spell Spell-Tempered Shields – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Cursed Toadlings |
Traits | Resilient Water Adaptation |
Culture | Feudal Adept Settlers Great Builders |
Starting Equipment | Greatsword |
1. Nekron the Risen – Cruel Deathbringers
Hero Details
Hero Type | Wizard King |
Hero Affinity | Chaos Affinity: 2 Astral Affinity: 2 Shadow Affinity: 2 |
Hero Perks | All Cities have +10% Mana Income +5 World Map Casting Points and Combat Casting Points per level of the Wizard King Wizard Kings have the Overchannel ability in Combat. |
Tome Details
Starting Tome | Tome of Warding |
Tome Overview | Specialize in magic that protects your units from damage and retaliates against enemies that attack you. |
Initial Bonus | +2 Astral Affinity Bolstering Support – Adept Hero Skill |
Research | Magical Wards – Minor Race Transformation Summon Phatasm Warrior – Summon Spell Mark of Invulnerability – Buff Spell Static Shield – Buff Spell Stave of Warding – Unit Enchantment |
Race, Society Traits, and Culture Details
Race | Cruel Deathbringers |
Traits | Fast Recuperation Cold Blooded |
Culture | Dark Prolific Swarmers Ritual Cannibals |
Starting Equipment | Lightning Orb Horse |
As you can see, these are the best factions in Age of Wonders 4. Ranking them is quite difficult since it all boils down to your preferred playstyle.
Some of you like to be goody two shoes, thus opting for Destined Humans, while others just want to see the world drenched in death, then the Cruel Deathbringers is the faction for you. There is no wrong choice here.