Choice of civilization for early Ages in particular

This could be another controversial post as everyone has their own ideas on what Civilization to choose. Treat this as a guide not a bible and do what suits you, as everyone has their own playing style. Most players will change civilization at some stage, as what suits early ages may not be the best as each player knows more about the mechanics of the game and develops his or her own styles.

Personally I choose the civilization based upon the special ability not the special units, as the majority of the special units are only used in early ages, as most of us swap to factory units in later ages. As this is an early age guide they are important however. I have put them in a rough sequence of importance for early ages but its really hard to choose.


 * British: This is my civilization. Boost is extra plunder from raiding 15%, which when combined with museum artifact boosts gives me a lot of resources. As i don't upgrade roads, farms or caravans i need that boost.  In later ages this is still important as oil is my greatest problem so the oil raiding boost really comes in handy.  Special unit longbows. These are good in early ages, as their distance keeps them away from towers and kills units before they get close. In later ages i never use them as so many better choices.
 * Chinese: Can't beat that extra citizen, plus the extra mercenary camp for attacks and extra defenders. Best all round civilization. Starting again, i would have to seriously choose between Chinese and British. special unit is bows which have their own benefit but you stop using them once you can make machine guns from factory
 * Romans: Increased attack size by 10%, is a really nice bonus of the civilization to your attack. Special unit is infantry which is good in very early ages. I am currently looking at changing civilization, and this is the one i will probably change to, but not so sure it is as good for early ages. I think early ages i would still choose British or Chinese.
 * French: reduces time to train army which is good if you attack a lot, and the extra 3 army units (6 later ages) is good in early ages, but not so good in later ages (roman is better). Special unit is cavalry which is great unit in early ages, and is probably used for a longer time than other special units. A good choice for early ages not so much later ages unless you attack constantly and want the training time bonus, plus extra army units.
 * Germans: Don't underestimate the rally is doubled and cool down reduced, as rally is a really important function in war. 15% military boost after a world war attack is also very nice, but not as good as the roman boost that is on all the time. Special unit of infantry is good in early ages.
 * Korean: special bonus is an extra war tactic which boosts attack but not sure it is good enough in comparison to those above. Special unit is bowman again which is not as good as British or Chinese.  the war tactic is nice but there is better.
 * Greeks: faster building time, which is not as good as British or Chinese as a boost. Knight is nice but not as good as the french. No real reason to choose this civilization.
 * Japanese: longer peace treaties, and better defenders? again can't see the benefit of the special bonus for early ages, and infantry is the special unit which is not used in later ages.
 * So starting again i would choose either British or Chinese or Roman for military boost in early ages. depending upon game style.

This post should generate comments as the choices are different for everyone. I am happy for you to disagree with me, but explain why to give others a comparison of choices.