This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires IV. For other uses, see French. |
The French are a playable European civilization in Age of Empires IV.
Their variant civilization is Jeanne d'Arc.
They also appear in Age of Empires II as the Franks and in Age of Empires III under the same name.
Civilization overview[]
“ | Known for their cavalry, the French are a fearsome army whose armored knights and charges can tip the tides of battle. The French civilization in Age of Empires IV spans the years 840-1559 CE and is based on a medieval France that fought its way from adversity to prosperity. Overcoming invasions, plagues and revolt, France emerged as a powerful modern nation. Playing the French civilization will take you through the age of chivalry and honorable combat, to the time of Jeanne d'Arc and France's darkest hour, to the formation of a disciplined standing army capable of liberating the nation with the roar of cannon fire. |
” |
—[1] |
Strengths[]
“ | The French civilization's strength lies in their formidable army of knights, gunpowder siege weapons, and advantages in trade. French Traders have the unique ability to bring back any resources needed, a valuable trait during a resource shortage. French cavalry charges can break enemy lines and give bonus damage, useful for hit-and-run tactics. French units also have access to several upgrades, ranging from special health to defense bonuses available only for certain French units. The French have a unique Influence system, where units cost less from Archery Ranges and Stables around the Keep. Their Town Center can produce units quicker with each Age, a key advantage in hastening their economy. |
” |
—[1] |
Civilization bonuses[]
- Royal Stallions: Get access to the Royal Knight, the French version of the heavy cavalry unit, in the Feudal Age
- Mainland Economy:
- Resource drop-off buildings 50% cheaper
- Economic technologies are 35% cheaper.
- Town Centers work 15%, 15%, 20%, 25% faster per Age.
- Trade Economy:
- Trade Posts are fully revealed on the map (and minimap) at the start of the game.
- Traders and Trade Ships can return Food, Wood, or Gold to Markets.
- Trade Ships return a 20% bonus consisting of all resources.
- Docks provide 10 population space*
- Smithy's Grace: Melee damage techs are researched for free at the Blacksmith after each age up.
- Influence: Keeps cost -10% and reduce the cost of units produced from Archery Ranges and Stables within their influence by 20%
- The springald ship (called War Cog) costs -35 food and has +1 ranged armor
Starting resources[]
Unique units[]
- Royal Knight: Heavy Cavalry that gains +3 bonus damage for 5 seconds after completing a charge.
- Arbalétrier: Crossbowman with +1 melee armor that can deploy a defensive Pavise to provide +5 ranged armor for 30 seconds.
- Cannon: Bombard replacement with more damage, mobility and no setup time.
- Galleass: Large war galley that has a long range forward mounted bombard.
“ | The Royal Knight is the French civilization's heavily armored knight, with their fearsome charge ability. The Arbalétrier is a powerful range unit, who gains a special ability called Pavise—a deployable shield for ranged defense. The Cannon is a mobile gunpowder siege weapon unique to the French. Unlike the Bombard, the Cannon does not need to pack and unpack. |
” |
—[1] |
Landmarks[]
Dark Age[]
- Chamber of Commerce - Acts as a Market. Trains one free Trader for every economic technology researched.
- School of Cavalry - Acts as a Stable. All Stables produce units 20% faster.
Feudal Age[]
- Guild Hall - Generates and stores resources over time. The more resources stored, the faster they are generated. The rate is reset when a resource is collected.
- Royal Institute - Houses all technologies unique to the civilization. Research at the Landmark is 30% cheaper and ignores Age requirements.
Castle Age[]
- College of Artillery - Trains "Royal" versions of gunpowder siege units, which deal 30% more damage, and unlocks the Artillery Shot ability for Cannons. Also contains gunpowder and siege technologies. Trains units and researches technologies 50% faster.
- Red Palace - Acts as an improved Keep, with high-damage Arbalest Emplacements already installed. Garrisoned units add additional arbalests. Also unlocks Arbalest Emplacements on all Town Centers and Keeps.
Unique technologies[]
- Chivalry (Stable)
- Cantled Saddles (Stable)
- Gambesons (Archery Range)
- Crossbow Stirrups (Archery Range)
- Enlistment Incentives (Keep)
- Royal Bloodlines (University)
- Long Guns (Dock)
- Merchant Guilds (Market)
Changelog[]
- Originally, French Trade Ships returned a 20% bonus of gold on every trade. With Season Two Update 17718, they return a 20% bonus of all resources on every trade.
- Originally, French Town Centers had a production speed bonus of 10% in the Dark Age, 15% in the Feudal Age, and 20% in the Castle and Imperial Ages. With patch 20249, they have a production speed bonus of 10% in the Feudal Age, 15% in the Castle Age, and 20% in the Imperial Age. With patch 6.1.130, they have a production speed bonus of 15% in the Feudal Age, 20% in the Castle Age, and 25% in the Imperial Age. With update 11.0.782, the production speed bonus in the Dark age was increased to 15%.
- With update 24916, French trade units can no longer trade for stone.
- With update 6.0.878, Springald Ships have +1 ranged armor.
- Originally, the economic technology discount was 30%. With patch 11.1.1201, it was increased to 35%.
- Originally, Trade Posts were only revealed on the minimap. With patch 11.1.1201, they are fully revealed on the map as well.
- With update 12.0.1974, French Docks now provide 10 population space.
In-game dialogue[]
The French units speak Old French with modern diction. As the ages progress, the language drifts further away from Gallo-Romance towards Middle French.
Trivia[]
- The flag of the French most closely resembles the flag of France under the Capetian dynasty in 14th-16th centuries and features Fleur-de-lis.
- The Dark Age architecture of the French is based on the reconstructed Norman houses at the Stansted Mountfitchet Castle.
- The French are the only civilization to have access to all generic siege engines in some form.
- The time span of the civilization begins in 840, with the death of Louis the Pious (following his death, the Carolingian Empire was divided in 843, which created West Francia, the predecessor to the Kingdom of France), and ends in 1559, with the death of Henry II.
Gallery[]
References[]
Civilizations in Age of Empires IV | |
---|---|
African | Malians |
Asian | Abbasid Dynasty · Chinese · Delhi Sultanate · Japanese · Mongols · Ottomans |
European | Byzantines · English · French · Holy Roman Empire · Rus |
Variant civilizations | |
Asian | Ayyubids · Zhu Xi's Legacy |
European | Jeanne d'Arc · Order of the Dragon |
Campaign-only civilizations | |
Asian | Fatimid Caliphate · Ilkhanate · Mamluk Sultanate · Saladin · Seljuk Empire |
European | Anglo-Saxon England · Antioch · Cyprus · Danes · Grand Duchy of Lithuania · Jerusalem · Kingdom of Bohemia · Kingdom of Hungary · Kingdom of Poland · Knights Hospitaller · Knights Templar · Normans · Novgorod Republic · Teutonic Order |
Classification of campaign-only civilizations is based on their base civilizations, not geographical locations. |