CLASSICAL era culture tier list.

[Matthew]

Some cultures make sense or work better with certain combinations from other eras, so there is some flexibility in where a culture is placed on this tier list, but even so there is a general sense of where we can place them.

S-tier - Performs exceptionally well over the average.

Achaemenid Persians. Their district and unit are nothing special, but their real strength is the legacy trait. The ability to almost double your territory multiplies everything you do. Your religion spread is stronger, your influence spread is stronger, your overall science is higher, your overall number of regions to spam emblematic districts is higher. The +10 stability per city/outpost is significant this early on as well.

*Aksumites. This culture I would split between S and A tier. If you are winning the religion game and have several luxuries, they perform at an S tier level. Their district can reach 45+ gold early on, which is absolutely massive. To put that in perspective, Ghanaians, the medieval gold equivalent, is only going to net you about half that much. The insane amount of gold allows you to buy out anything, and in large quantities. Field 24 military units in classical instantly. Have a new city? It now has all the ancient/classical infrastructure already built (purchased).

Without the optimal set up, I would place them at A tier. Their emblematic unit isn't anything special, but you will still have plenty of gold to allow the culture to function at a decent level.


A-tier - Always performs well.

Maya. It is a production culture, that alone makes them A tier. It should be noted that their district also pairs well with both Egyptians and Nubians, two of the more powerful ancient era cultures. This allows for a good production base which sets you up for the rest of the game.


B-tier. Good, but doesn't quite give enough to be put higher.

Huns. Some may be surprised to see Huns so low, since there is almost daily a topic of how op their horse archers are. Anything you accomplish with horse archers would be significantly stronger with Persians or Aksumites. They are a one trick pony which does well on the battlefield, but has nothing in terms of empire bonuses. Still, being a militaristic culture with a strong unit allows them to shape the map as they wish.

Greeks. Hoplites are one of the better military units in this era. They provide a strong front line, only require copper, and shut down the infamous Hunnic horse archers. Their science district continues to scale through the game. Nothing massive, but having a district which keeps improving is something to note. Being a scientific culture, this allows Greeks to pick up powerful medieval techs early, like feudalism (+1 on food tiles), while still finishing up classical era fame stars.


C-tier - Average. Not good, not bad.

Carthaginians. Like all emblematic naval districts, it is strong, but requires the coastline to actually use. Their elephants are amazing, but they require an additional tech and take a lot to produce. Their overall performance depends a lot on the map.

Celts. A personal favorite of mine, but they are nothing special. The food boost is nice, because you likely won't be building many farmers districts this early on. Their unit doesn't require iron, so it is something you will always have access to, but it is one of the weakest emblematic units of this era.

Mauryans. A poor man's Greeks. They give similar influence and science boosts, but overall Greeks just do it better. The elephant archers come later and more expensive than Hoplites. They are good, but upgrade into crossbows. The tankier front line of Greeks just seems more flexible and useful overall on the long term.


D-tier Lacking.

Romans. +1 military cap is of limited use when you can just reinforce. Their praetorians don't perform so much better than other emblematic units to make up for their later place in the tech tree. Their district is okay, but compare it to Persians who are getting similar stability and influence, while also getting a market district and +2 city cap.


Goths-tier (AKA garbage tier)

Goths. Nearly useless legacy trait. Their district gives faith, but hardly worth the time/production/stability to build. Their unit requires 2 iron and dies to everything in this era. If you are playing with 10 players and Goths are the only option left to pick, just transcend your ancient era culture instead.

[jonnin]

Carthage has a problem. There is no way you can embark at all. Can't be done. Their district is useless for TWO eras (their era and the next one) unless you upgrade into norse.

[SBA77]

Originally posted by jonnin:

Carthage has a problem. There is no way you can embark at all. Can't be done. Their district is useless for TWO eras (their era and the next one) unless you upgrade into norse.

I wonder why they went with that? Not only is it unrealistic, but they have also included seafaring civilizations in the game as well. They could at least have a coast and open ocean system, where you can embark in "coastal waters" from the beginning of the game but need tech to embark in the open ocean, it's more realistic but more importantly it's been done before in competitors like Civ.

[mk11]

The Persian Immortals is a very good unit. It is better than the Greek Hoplite (+1 base strength +3 when in good position versus +1 per other hoplite adjacent).

[Kotli]

Originally posted by jonnin:

Carthage has a problem. There is no way you can embark at all. Can't be done. Their district is useless for TWO eras (their era and the next one) unless you upgrade into norse.

That units can embark without movement cost is a basic harbour ability that applies to all harbours. Also you can embark with Trade Expeditions Classical era tech (though you will lose health in deep water).
The real bonus of the Carthage Cothon is as well as being a harbour its also add 2/3 industry to water tiles and counts as a workshop, farmer and market quarter.