Humankind cultures guide: The best cultures and civilizations for each era

Humankind is a 4X strategy game that lets you combine multiple civilizations and cultures on your way to victory. Due to several options in each era or time period, you're bound to encounter various intricacies as you progress. This also means looking at the possible bonuses you'll earn and how these could affect your playthrough. Anyway, here's our Humankind civilizations and cultures guide to help you with the best civilizations, cultures, emblematic traits, emblematic districts, and emblematic units in each era. Note: For more information, check out our Humankind guides and features hub. You may also take a look at our beginner's guide to learn about the basic mechanics and early-game progression. Humankind: Civilizations and cultures guide - Traits, emblematic districts, and emblematic units Since we're discussing several core concepts that are part of Humankind's gameplay, I've divided this guide into several parts. You can click on the pages below for the concepts that you need help with: I. The basics - Advancing through eras, era stars, and fame II. Civilization affinities/types - Aesthete, Agrarian, Builder, Expansionist, Merchant, Militarist, and Scientist III. Ancient Era IV. Classical Era V. Medieval Era VI. Early Modern Era VII. Industrial Era VIII. Contemporary Era The basics of progression in Humankind Let's talk about the basics of how we'll progress throughout Humankind's campaign. Era Stars and Fame Era Stars are what you'll need to acquire to advance to a new era or time period in the game. During the Neolithic Era when your nomadic tribe is just wandering around, you only need one Era Star. However, in every subsequent period thereafter, you'll need a total of seven stars. The Neolithic Era has the following objectives and you only need to complete one: Growth Star (+20 Fame) - Have 5x population/units in your empire. You can do this by discovering food curiosities. Hunter Star (+20 Fame) - Hunt 3x animals. Knowledge Star (+20 Fame) - Discover curiosities to accrue 10x Science; unlocks a Neolithic Legacy Trait. This can either be +1 food, +1 industry, or +1 science per population across your entire empire. It also lasts for the rest of the game. The Hunter Star is the easiest one to get due to all the stags and mammoths roaming around. As for the discoveries (shining objects on tiles), it can take you a while to find a lot of them. That makes the Knowledge Star one of the hardest to get. In any case, you can either acquire a single Era Star from any category to advance to the Ancient Era, or you can try to obtain the Neolithic Legacy Trait at least. The choice is yours. The Ancient Era (and all time periods thereafter) require seven Era Stars before you can advance. There are multiple objectives: Agrarian - Have more population/units. Aesthete - Amass more influence. Builder - Construct districts. Expansionist - Territories attached to cities. Merchant - Amass more money/gold. Militarist - Kill a sufficient number of units. Scientist - Research a certain number of techs. As you earn Era Stars from these options, you'll also accrue Fame points. If you receive Era Stars that match your chosen culture or civilization in Humankind, you'll get bonus Fame, too. For instance, choosing a Militarist culture and killing lots of units to gain Militarist Stars equates to more points. Note: Fame is basically the "score" in Humankind. You'll also increase your points by completing Competitive Deeds (i.e., being the first to research Writing, circumnavigate the globe, launch satellites, construct wonders, and so on). The Fame score is the sole determining factor on who wins the game at the end of your run. Traits, Emblematic Districts, Emblematic Units, and Transcending Every civilization or culture in Humankind has its own Legacy Trait, Emblematic District, and Emblematic Unit. "Emblematic" is just a fancy term for "unique" (something that Civilization players will be familiar with): A Legacy Trait is something that is passed down to subsequent eras, allowing you to retain the perks from the civilizations you've chosen throughout your playthrough. Meanwhile, most Emblematic Districts can only be built once per territory (a region that's outlined on the world map), and only for that particular era. As for Emblematic Units, they'll be present throughout your run until you acquire a direct upgrade via techs. Now, let's say you like a particular nation that you chose during the Ancient Era and you definitely don't want to switch to a different one upon reaching the Classical Era. Don't worry because the game lets you stick to the same one. This is called "transcending," and it provides a +10% bonus to the Fame points you earn. Of course, since you're playing as a nation/culture from a bygone era, you might find out that your unique district and unit have become outclassed and outdated. Anyway, since we're already talking about the civilizations and cultures in Humankind, let's discuss the different archetypes in the next section of our guide. The different civilization/culture affinities in Humankind Humankind has seven different affinities for the civilizations or cultures that you pick during your run. Although each affinity has a particular gameplay focus that it's good at, you'll also notice some overlaps depending on a culture's trait or uniques. For instance, a nation might be considered Expansionist, but some of its perks might provide boons to gold or influence generation as well. Affinity and Symbol Gameplay Focus Unique Actions Unique Bonus Examples Aesthete (star) Influence and diplomacy Cultural Blitz – Spend money to bring back a territory back into your sphere of influence. Gain influence from each adjacent territory that's already in your sphere of influence. Grace – The Cultural Proximity value is always maxed out. For instance, you'll only need to pay the minimum amount of influence or gold to bribe free peoples. Olmecs, Zhou, Mauryans, Franks, Edo Japanese, Ming, Austro-Hungarians, Italians, Egypt, Indians Agrarian (wheat) Empire growth and population Greener Pastures – Spend influence to attract 1x population from each adjacent city or outpost. This causes neighboring empires to have a grievance against you for stealing their population. Community - +5 stability on a turn when you generate population. Harappans, Celts, English, Haudenosaunee, Mexicans, Brazilians, Turks Builder (gear/cog) Industry and construction Land Raiser - Can set a city to “Land Raiser” mode – All money and science are converted into industry for 5 turns. Pride - +10 stability on a turn when you finish a district's construction. Egyptians, Maya, Khmer, Mughals, Persians, Siamese, Australians Expansionist (flag) Empire expansion (not necessarily through warfare) Under One Banner – Can annex another empire's outposts or administrative centers; only one may be active at any given time. Annexation requires you to have a unit on an outpost/admin center tile. You'll spend gold and a few turns to complete the action. Ambition – Lets you trespass through another empire's lands even with Closed Borders active and without any health penalties. This will still generate a trespassing grievance against you. Assyrians, Achaemenid Persians, Romans, Teutons, Ottomans, Spanish, British, Russians, Americans, Soviets Merchant (coin) Money and trade Power Investor – Use influence to instantly create an extractor on a deposit. Alternatively, you can target the extractor of an empire (gives money to both of you) or free peoples (counts as a bribe). Forward Trade – Resources that you purchased via trade can be purchased by other empires. Nubians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Aksumites, Byzantines, Ghanaians, Dutch, Venetians, Chinese Militarist (crossed swords) Warmongering Iron Reserves - Instantly raise a militia army using a city's population. These militia armies can be used to attack or defend, and can be moved on the map. You can check our Classical Era guide to learn more about the Hunnic Horde Rush that uses this mechanic extensively. Vigilance - +30 war support. Also allows Militarist cultures to declare formal wars without grievances or demands; makes it tougher for Militarist cultures to be forced to surrender. Hittites, Mycenaeans, Goths, Huns, Mongols, Aztecs, Norsemen, Poles, Germans, Zulu Scientist (atom) Science and research Collective Minds - Can set a city to “Collective Minds” mode – All money and industry are converted into science for 5x turns. Foresight – Allows you to research techs that are one era ahead of the one that you're in (research science costs and tech tree pre-requisites still apply). Babylonians, Greeks, Umayyads, Joseon, French, Japanese, Swedes At best, you'll want to maximize the use of unique actions that are available to each archetype. You'll see these unique actions when you have a city selected. Likewise, consider how you'll advance in each stage of the game. For instance, you should opt for Militarist or Expansionist cultures if you're planning on warring with neighbors. But, if you want a little stability, you could go with Agrarian options (for population growth and churning out units/speeding up construction), or Scientist picks (to improve your tech research capabilities). Anyway, the next part of our Humankind guide talks about the Ancient Era civilizations and cultures. Ancient Era Let's talk about the civilizations and cultures that you can choose during the Ancient Era in Humankind. The selections here will determine your early-game run, so make sure to pick the nation that suits your playstyle. Likewise, consider the emblematic units that are available. Some do require strategic resources which you might not have access to during this particular stage. Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Olmecs Natural Harmony +1 influence on territory Olmec Head +1 influence; +3 food; -10 stability; +1 influence per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 farmer slot; counts as a Farmers Quarter Javelin Thrower (ranged) Ambusher – Stronger on forest tiles. Zhou Harmonious Thought +2 stability on district Confucian School +8 stability; +1 science; +5 science per adjacent mountain; +1 researcher slot; counts as a Research Quarter Zhanche (heavy cavalry) Mandate of Heaven - Bonus combat strength when stability is high; requires 1x horse and 1x copper. Agrarian Harappans Fertile Inundations +1 food on districts that produce food; +1 food on river tiles Canal Network -10 stability; +3 food; +3 food per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 farmer slot; tile is considered a river Runners (melee) Pathfinder – Ignores movement penalties from forests. Builder Egyptians Grand Planners +1 industry on tiles that produce industry; -10% industry costs for districts Egyptian Pyramid +1 influence; +3 industry; -10 stability; +3 industry per adjacent Makers Quarter; +1 worker slot; counts as a Makers Quarter Markabata (ranged cavalry) Move and Fire - Can move after attacking; requires 1x horse. Expansionist Assyrians Siege Masters +1 land movement on unit; +5 combat strength bonus when ransacking Dunnu +10 district fortification; +2 influence; +1 combat strength for adjacent units; fortified land unit spawn Assyrian Raiders (cavalry) Pillager - Generates additional money when destroying an outpost or camp; requires 1x horse. Merchant Nubians Golden Dreams +5 money on luxury resource and strategic resource deposits Meroe Pyramids +2 industry; +2 money; -10 stability; +3 money per adjacent Makers Quarter; +1 traders slot; counts as a Makers Quarter and Market Quarter Ta-Seti Archers (ranged) Exceptional Accuracy – 3-tile range; can shoot over obstacles without penalties. Phoenicians Trading Pioneers +2 money per trader in cities/outposts Haven -10 stability; +2 money; +2 money per adjacent lake; +1 traders slot; replaces Harbor; is a naval unit spawn; allows units to embark without movement point costs; counts as a Farmers Quarter and Market Quarter Bireme (ship) Navigator – Damaged by consecutive turns spent in deep water. Militarist Hittites Lust For War +1 combat strength Awari Automatically upgrades regular outposts; fortified land unit spawn Gigir (heavy cavalry) Suppression – The targetted unit can either move or attack next turn, but not both; requires horses and copper. Mycenaeans Brutal Upbringing -20% industry cost for units; +25 experience when creating units in cities or outposts Cyclopean Fortress +15 district fortification; +3 industry; +15 stability; +2 combat strength for adjacent units; fortified land unit spawn; counts as a Makers Quarter; increases movement cost for adjacent hostile armies Promachoi (melee) Champion – Stronger when attacking during the first round of battle. Scientist Babylonians Philosophers of the Wilds +2 science in the capital for every researched technology Astronomy House +1 food and +1 science per researcher; -10 stability; +1 food and +3 science per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 researchers slot; counts as a Farmers Quarter and Research Quarter Sabu Sa Qasti (anti-cav) Guardian – Stronger when standing on friendly districts; requires 1x copper. I consider the Harappans to be the best culture in Humankind during the Ancient Era. It's got a Legacy Trait that remains helpful throughout your campaign since food continues to help your empire grow. Moreover, all tribal units in the Neolithic Era automatically turn into the Runner, a stronger variant of the Scout. This allows you to do the Harappan Runner Rush as you can see in our Ancient Era guide. If you're unable to choose the Harappans, then there are decent alternatives in Egypt (+industry), Babylon (+science), the Olmecs (+culture), and the Zhou (+stability and science). The Nubians are also fairly strong thanks to their unique unit. Just try to avoid scenarios where you're left with only Phoenicia or Assyria because those civs are underwhelming. Anyway, the next part of our Humankind guide talks about the Classical Era civilizations and cultures. Classical Era Let's talk about the civilizations and cultures that you can choose during the Classical Era in Humankind. The Classical Era in other 4X franchises (most notably Civilization) is when open warfare becomes the norm. It's when you've gained some semblance of stability in your empire which means you're ready to strike out and conquer. Here are your options in Humankind: Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Mauryans Guiding Light +1 influence on Emblematic District; -10% attach outpost cost Stupa +1 influence; +2 faith; -10 stability; +3 science; +2 influence per adjacent district; +1 researchers slot; counts as a Research Quarter Samnahya (ranged cavalry) Elephant Platform – Ignore penalties from fighting in melee. Agrarian Celts Druidic Lore +2 food per farmer in cities or outposts Nemeton +3 food per number of attached territories; +3 faith; -10 stability; +3 food per adjacent Farmers Quarter; counts as a Farmers Quarter Gaesati (melee) Fervor – No combat strength penalty even if the unit has taken damage. Builder Maya Tireless Spirit +2 industry per worker in cities or outposts K'uh Nah +3 industry per number of attached territories; +2 faith; -10 stability; +4 industry per adjacent Makers Quarter; +1 workers slot; counts as a Makers Quarter Noble Javeliners (ranged) Poison – Applies the poisoned status to a target, reducing movement and attack range. Expansionist Achaemenid Persians Cyrus' Shadow +2 city cap; +10 stability on cities and outposts Satraps' Palace +1 influence; +5 money; -10 stability; +2 influence per adjacent district; +1 traders slot; counts as a Market Quarter Immortals (anti-cavalry) Bastion – Stronger when fighting from high ground and fortified positions; requires 1x copper. Romans Legion's Finest +1 unit slot available for each army; -30% unit upkeep Triumphal Arch +3 influence; +3 stability; +5 influence and +10 stability when city is “victorious” Praetorian Guards (melee) Tactical Superiority – Rear attack bonus applies even from adjacent flanking by an ally; requires 1x iron. Merchant Aksumites Horn of Plenty +2 money on tiles that produce money Great Obelisk +1 money per territory under your religion's influence; +3 faith; +3 money; -10 stability; +3 money per adjacent Market Quarter; +1 traders slot; counts as a Market Quarter Shotelai (melee) Grappler – Larger zone-of-control (ZOC) that can't be ignored; requires 1x iron. Carthaginians Hard Bargainers -25% constructible buyout cost Cothon +10 district fortification; -10 stability; +3 industry per adjacent coastal water tile; +2 industry per adjacent lake tile; +1 workers slot; replaces Harbor; naval unit spawn; allows embarkation without movement cost; counts as a Makers Quarter and Market Quarter War Elephant (heavy cavalry) Trample – Stronger when attacking weaker units; requires 2x copper. Militarist Goths Nimble Pillage +10 combat strength from ransacking; +2 influence from Garrisons Tumulus +3 influence; +3 faith; +2 faith per adjacent district; -10 stability Gothic Cavalry (heavy cavalry) Ransacker – Bonus combat strength when ransacking and fighting on enemy districts; requires 1x horse and 2x iron. Huns Formidable Steeds +3 combat strength for cavalry units; +3 combat strength for mounted nomads/nomadic cavalry Ordu Automatically upgrades outpost; cannot be attached to cities Hunnic Horde (nomadic cavalry) Free Riders – Can move and attack after attacking. Scientist Greeks Socratic Methods +2 science per researcher in a city or outpost Amphitheatron +1 influence and +3 science per era; -10 stability; +2 science per adjacent district; counts as a Research Quarter Hoplites (anti-cavalry) Phalanx – Gain additional combat strength for every adjacent unit that has the “Phalanx” ability; requires 1x copper. Do you hear that sound? Those are the advancing nomadic horsemen that are out to annihilate your foes. That's because the Huns are the top choice here. As mentioned in our Humankind Victor OpenDev feature as well as our Classical Era guide, the Huns have a combination of being a Militarist civ (you can raise militia units from your population) and access to a nomadic emblematic unit (the Hunnic Horde). With these in mind, you can use the Militarist special action in your city to get your rabble army. Then, you'll bring that army to an outpost and disband all the units. This allows the outpost to gain the population necessary to raise a Hunnic Horde instantly (as long as you have horses). If you do this process in multiple outposts, you'll have a nigh-unstoppable force that can swarm the AI even at higher difficulties. Don't forget to pillage improvements and outposts as well so your nomadic horsemen can gain extra units. Note 1: If you use the Hunnic Horsemen to erect new outposts, you'll use up the troops. You're better off bringing a scout along to plop down those outposts if needed. Note 2: If you chose the Harappans during the Ancient Era, your outposts (that turn into Ordus) will gradually gain more population after a few turns. You might not even need to raise militia squads that often since you can directly recruit a stack of Hunnic Horde units from Ordus. If someone else already chose the Huns, you can pick the Achaemenid Persians (+city cap, influence, and money), Greeks (+science), Mayans (+industry), or Romans (+influence, stability, decreased unit upkeep, and an additional unit slot in your armies). Anyway, the next part of our Humankind guide talks about the Medieval Era civilizations and cultures. Medieval Era Let's talk about the civilizations and cultures that you can choose during the Medieval Era in Humankind. This is like Classical Era 2.0. Here are your options: Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Franks Crown Lands +10% influence Scriptorum +3 faith; -10 stability; +5 science; +2 influence per adjacent district; +1 researchers slot; counts as a Research Quarter Franci Milites (heavy cavalry) Heavier Charge – Receives a higher combat strength bonus when charging; requires 2x horses and 2x iron. Agrarian English Serfs' Labor +7 food per attached territory on cities/outposts Stronghold +2 range for ranged units standing in this fortification; +5 stability; +20 district fortification; fortified land unit spawn; counts as a Farmers Quarter Longbowmen (ranged) Indirect Fire – Can attack units without a clear line of sight. Builder Khmer Servants of Magnificence +2 industry per worker in cities or outposts Baray +5 food; +1 industry per population; -10 stability; +2 industry per adjacent river tile; +1 workers slot; counts as a Makers Quarter and Farmers Quarter Dhanvi-Gaja (ranged gunner) Move and Fire - Can move after attacking; requires 2x copper and 2x iron. Expansionist Teutons Spurred By Faith +1 money and +1 science per state religion follower Kaiserdom +1 faith per district; +3 influence; -10 stability; +3 faith per adjacent district; counts as a Makers Quarter Teutonic Knights (heavy cavalry) Proselyte – Bonus combat strength vs. enemies following a different religion; requires 2x horses and 2x iron. Merchant Byzantines Master of Whispers +5% money on all cities per alliance Hippodrome +5 money per horse resource; +3 money; +25 money per adjacent horse deposit; -10 stability; +1 traders slot; counts as a Market Quarter Varangian Guards (melee) Honor Code – Prevents army from retreating; requires 2x iron. Ghanaians Life of Luxury +5 money per luxury resource and +5 money per strategic resource that you have access to Luxuries Market +1 money per trade route; +5 money; -10 stability; +3 money per adjacent Market Quarter; +1 traders slot; counts as a Market Quarter Meharists (cavalry) Anti-Cavalry – Bonus combat strength when fighting mounted units. (Yes, it's an anti-cav cavalry unit.) Militarist Aztecs Huitzilopochtli's Glory +2 land movement speed; -20% unit industry cost Sacrificial Altar +5 faith; +5 stability; +2 influence per adjacent district; unlocks the “Sacrifice Population” action for the city; using this action applies the “celebrating” effect in the city Jaguar Warriors (melee) Fervor – No combat strength penalty even if the unit has taken damage. Mongols Mounted Mayhem +100% ransack gains on army Orda Automatically upgrades outpost; cannot be attached to cities Mongol Horde (nomadic cavalry) Multi-Move – Can move and attack after attacking. Norsemen Stormborn +3 naval movement speed and +2 combat strength for naval units Naust -10 stability; +5 food per adjacent coastal water tile and lake tile; +50 money when ransacking; +1 farmers slot; replaces harbor; naval unit spawn; allows embarkation without movement cost; counts as a Farmers Quarter and Market Quarter Langskip (naval transport) High Sea – Ignores deep water penalties. Scientist Umayyads Learned Friends +5% science on all cities per alliance Grand Mosque +3 science per number of attached territories; +5 faith; -10 stability; +1 researchers slot; counts as a Research Quarter Haras (cavalry) Enforcers – Drains additional stability during sieges; requires 3x horses. What we've learned from the Classical Era still applies during the Medieval Era. It's all about conquests and open warfare. The Mongols are viable here if you picked the Huns earlier. You can still use the same old tricks (raising a rabble army, bringing it to an outpost, disbanding, and raising Mongol Hordes). Even better, if you picked the Huns prior to swapping to the Mongols, you'll retain the "Formidable Steeds" trait (+3 combat strength for cavalry units; +3 combat strength for mounted nomads/nomadic cavalry) which applies to the Mongols' unique unit. The only major downside is that opponents in the Medieval Era can churn out pikemen often, effectively countering your cavalry. Alternatively, the Franks are a great choice here, too. It's due to the bonus influence, science, and faith, which will be important as you swap from pure conquest to domestic policies. Another great option are the Khmer (+industry and food), and the Baray is an amazing emblematic district. Lastly, the Byzantines and Ghanaians can snowball with lots of gold, but it's very situational. Just be sure to spawn all possible Hunnic Hordes from your outposts before making the switch or you'll lose this capability. Anyway, the next part of our Humankind guide talks about the Early Modern Era civilizations and cultures. Early Modern Era Let's talk about the civilizations and cultures that you can choose during the Early Modern Era in Humankind. Here are your options from this time period: Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Edo Japanese Shogun's Authority +3 influence per population in cities/outposts Tera +2 faith; +3 influence; -10 stability; +5 influence per adjacent mountain Naginata Samurai (anti-cavalry) Honor Code – Prevents army from retreating. Ming Grand Secretariat +1 influence on territories; -25% costs when enacting and cancelling civics Grand Teahouse +1 influence per district; +10 stability; +2 influence per adjacent district Rocket Cart (gunner) Suppression – Targetted unit can either move or attack next turn, but not both; requires 3x gunpowder. Agrarian Haudenosaunee Land of Plenty +1 food on exploitation (i.e., an improvement must be built on a tile) Three Sisters Plantation +5 food per number of attached territories; -10 stability; +3 food per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 farmer slot; counts as a Farmers Quarter Rotiskenrakehte (gunner) Stealth – Cannot be seen except by adjacent units. Builder Mughals Imperial Magnificence +2% industry in the capital for every territory that's under your sphere of influence Jama Masjid +3 industry per worker; +2 influence; +3 industry; -10 stability +3 industry per adjacent Makers Quarter; counts as a Makers Quarter Gajnal (gunner) Move and Fire – Can move after attacking; requires 2x copper and 2x gunpowder. Expansionist Ottomans Sultan's Realm -50% industry costs when recruiting heavy weapon units; +3 combat strength for heavy weapon units Sultan Camii +1 faith per district; +3 influence; -10 stability; +3 influence per adjacent district Janissaries (gunner) Siege Mastery – Bonus combat strength when participating in an assault or sortie; requires 1x iron and 1x gunpowder. Spanish Honor and Glory +3 combat strength for units starting their turn in non-allied territory Catedral Gotica +1 faith per population; -10 stability; +3 faith per adjacent district Conquistadores (gunner) El Dorado – Generates additional money from winning battles and ransacking; requires 1x iron and 1x gunpowder. Merchant Dutch Stock Wisdom +1 money per population in all cities VOC Warehouse +1 money; -10 stability; +20 money per adjacent harbor; +2 money per trader; +1 trader slot; counts as a Market Quarter Fluyt (naval transport) Conveyor – Increased movement when starting its turn in allied territory. Venetians Silver Tongues +1 money per trade route in city/outpost; +2 money per naval trade route in city/outpost Botteghe di Artisti +4 influence; +1 money; -10 stability; +1 influence per adjacent Marker Quarter; +1 money on tiles producing money; counts as a Market Quarter Galleass (gun platform) Inner Sea Mastodonte – Much higher combat strength when in coastal waters; requires 2x copper and 2x gunpowder. Militarist Poles Deadly Ramparts +10 district fortification and +2 stability on district Barbican +2 influence; +20 district fortification; +8 stability; +3 combat strength for units adjacent to the district; is a fortified land unit spawn; protects neighboring tiles from being ransacked Winged Hussars (heavy cavalry) Charge Master – Target cannot retaliate when you charge it with this unit; requires 2x horses and 2x iron. Scientist Joseon Tranquil Waters +3 science on tiles producing science Seowon +2 influence; -10 stability; +2 science; +3 science per adjacent Research Quarter; +1 science per researcher; +1 researchers slot; counts as a Research Quarter Geobukseon/Turtle Ships (gun platform) Ramming – Increased movement during battles and bonus combat strength against adjacent targets; requires 2x copper and 2x gunpowder. Assuming you focused on science throughout your Humankind campaign, then there's a good chance that you're competing admirably against the AI. Now, if you select Joseon (Korea), you'll practically leave everyone in the dust. Joseon is pretty much science on top of science (science for days) even if they got hit with a nerf before the release. Honestly, if you couldn't select Joseon, only the Mughals (+industry) and Ming (+influence) can be considered alternatives, though they'd still lag behind. Anyway, the next part of our Humankind guide talks about the Industrial Era civilizations and cultures. Industrial Era Let's talk about the civilizations and cultures that you can choose during the Industrial Era in Humankind. Here they are: Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Austro-Hungarians Emperor's Hand +1 influence on districts; +1 influence on Emblematic District Opernhaus +1 stability per district; +5 influence; +2 stability per adjacent district Evidenzbureau Agents (gunner) Sly – Ignore hostile zones-of-control (ZOC). Italians Inspiring Virtuoso +10 stability and +1 influence on Commons Quarter; -50% industry cost for Commons Quarter Teatro +1 influence per trader and researcher; +1 influence; +5 stability; +2 influence per adjacent Commons Quarter Alpini (gunner) Cliffs Crosser – Can traverse cliffs. Agrarian Mexicans Fields of Gold +20% food in all cities Hacienda +1 food; -10 stability; +3 food per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 food on tiles that produce food; +1 farmers slot; counts as a Farmers Quarter Soldaderas (gunner) Guerrilla Fighters – Stealth unit that remains hidden even when attacking. Builder Persians Mighty Works -25% shared project and constructibles industry costs Caravanserai +1 money per trade route; +5 industry; +5 money; -10 stability; +3 money per adjacent Market Quarter; +1 trader slot; counts as a Makers Quarter and Market Quarter; applies “Swift” to friendly armies in this district (+2 land and naval movement) Jazayerchis (gunner) Piercing – Stronger when attacking. Siamese Gilded Orchids +3% industry per district in all cities; +1 money from all ongoing trades in cities Floating Market +1 money per population; +5 industry; -10 stability; +3 money per adjacent Market Quarter; counts as a Market Quarter and Makers Quarter Gatling Elephant (gunner) Suppression – Targetted unit can either move or attack next turn, but not both. Expansionist British Colonial Riches +10 money and +10 science on the capital per attached territory Colonial Office +10 money; +10 money for liege; +2 money and +2 money for liege per adjacent district; can only be built in the lands of other civilizations that have you as their liege; counts as a Market Quarter Redcoats (gunner) Expedition – Regenerates health when outside your territory. Russians Land and Blood +10 experience when creating units per number of territories in all cities; +10 war support when you capture a city Sobor +3 influence; +5 stability; +5 faith per adjacent district; +10 unit health regen Cossacks (gunner) Free Riders – Can move and attack after attacking; requires 3x horses and 1x gunpowder. Militarist Germans Iron Ordnance +3 combat strength for naval and air units; -20% industry cost for all units Coking Works +1 industry per population; +10 pollution; -10 stability; +3 industry per adjacent Makers Quarter; +1 workers slot; counts as a Makers Quarter U-Boat (torpedo vessel) Stealth – Cannot be seen except by adjacent units; requires 2x iron and 1x oil. Zulu Warrior's Pride +50% unit health regeneration; +2 combat strength for units that start their turn in allied territory Warriors' Izindlu +10 experience when creating a unit; +5 stability; +4 combat strength for adjacent units; fortified land unit spawn Impi (melee) Unstoppable – Bonus combat strength when attacking stronger units. Scientist French Enlightened Thinking +10% science on all cities Exhibition Hall +1 science per population; -10 stability; +1 influence per adjacent district; +3 influence on territory; counts as a Research Quarter Cuirassiers (heavy cavalry) Heavier Charge – Heavier Charge – Receives a higher combat strength bonus when charging; requires 3x horses and 2x iron. What's unique about the Industrial Era is that it's the only one, so far, that doesn't have a Merchant-type culture. We'll see if there will be changes down the line after the game's launch. Anyway, in keeping with our science-based run from the Medieval and Early Modern Eras, I would go with the French here. The science bonuses are massive, so you can expect to outpace the competition. The Siamese (+industry and money) and Germans (+industry and recruitment cost reduction) also seem like viable choices. In any case, let's move to the next part of our Humankind civilizations and cultures guide. We'll check out the selections for the Contemporary Era. Contemporary Era The Contemporary Era is the final time period in Humankind. Once an empire reaches this point, you'll see a countdown as to how many turns are left until the game ends. It's also possible to conclude the game through other means, such as earning all Contemporary Era stars, researching all techs, sending a mission to Mars, or rendering the Earth uninhabitable. Those last two have projects or units that require high-end resources like aluminum and uranium which can be obtained by completing the necessary techs. Anyway, here are the Contemporary Era civilizations and cultures in Humankind: Type Culture Trait Emblematic District Emblematic Unit Aesthete Egyptians Valley of Kings +4 influence on Emblematic District Archaeological Dig -10 stability; +3 influence per adjacent district; +3 influence on Emblematic District Free Officers (gunner) Anti Colonialism – Allied units gain a combat strength bonus when attacking stronger units. Indians Economic Elephant +3 influence on territories; +10 money per number of territories in your sphere of influence Ashram +2 faith per population; +5 influence; +3 faith per adjacent district Peacekeepers (gunner) Peace Protector – Bonus combat strength for each war declared on you. Agrarian Brazilians Lungs of the Planet +3 food on tiles that produce food Agronomy Lab +1 food per population; -10 stability; +3 food per adjacent Farmers Quarter; +1 farmers slot; counts as a Farmers Quarter Jungle Brigades (gunner) Master Ambusher – Has increased ambusher bonuses when on forest tiles. Turks People's Reforms +1 food per population in all cities Public School +1 science per population; -10 stability; +300% science per adjacent Research Quarter; +1 researcher slot; counts as a Research Quarter Stealthy Operative Missile Aerial Stealth – Can perform anonymous airstrikes; requires 1x oil, 1x uranium, and 3x aluminum Builder Australians Dream Weavers +20% industry on all cities Strip Mining Complex +10 industry; +15 pollution; -10 stability; +50 industry per adjacent strategic resource deposit; +1 workers slot; counts as a Makers Quarter All Terrain PMV (armored vehicle) All-Terrain – Ignores terrain penalties; requires 2x iron and 3x oil. Expansionist Americans American Exceptionalism +10 influence on resources that are being traded/sold; +1 money for trades on cities/outposts Defense Agency -10 stability; +2 combat strength for units adjacent to this district; +2 influence per adjacent Garrison Lightning (multi-role aircraft) Aerial Stealth – Can perform anonymous airstrikes; requires 1x uranium, 2x oil, and 3x aluminum. Soviets Red Tide +3 combat strength and -20% industry cost for units Arms Factory +5 industry and money; +10 pollution; -10 stability; counts as Makers Quarter and Market Quater Red Army Tank (armored vehicle) Field Repairs – Regenerates HP after a battle; requires 2x iron and 2x oil. Merchant Chinese Silk Railroad +10% money on all cities Congress +7 money per number of attached territories; -10 stability; +3 influence per adjacent Market Quarter; +1 farmers/workers/traders/researchers slot; counts as a Market Quarter Guardians (heavy weapon) Multi-rocket Bombard – Can use the bombard action twice per turn; removes the “dug in” status on target; requires 1x aluminum, 2x uranium, and 2x oil. Scientist Japanese Blossoming Innovation -20% technology costs for research Robotics Lab +5 industry; +5 pollution; -10 stability; +5 science; +3 industry and science per adjacent district; +2 industry on Makers Quarter; +2 science on Research Quarter; +1 workers/researchers slot; counts as a Makers Quarter and Research Quarter Reisen (fighter aircraft) Light – Gets destroyed if an attack manages to deplete half of the unit's health; requires 1x oil and 1x aluminum. Swedes Prize Science +1 science per district on all cities; +3 science on Research Quarter Research Institute +3 science per district; -10 stability; +3 science per adjacent Research Quarter; counts as a Research Quarter Stealth Corvette (armored vessel) Stealth – Cannot be seen except by adjacent units; requires 1x iron and 2x oil. Around this time, the game should be almost over (i.e., normal speed at 300 turns). However, there are some great picks here. Leading the pack are the Turks due to the Emblematic District. That's a whopping 300% science bonus from each adjacent Research Quarter. I'm not even sure if that's how it was intended or if someone accidentally put an extra zero. Likewise, the Swedes are decent if you want science gains. Australia is also good due to the industry boosts and China's got an Emblematic District adds numerous specialist slots. The worst of the bunch are probably the Americans. There's nothing exceptional about their uniques at all. Humankind is available via Steam, the Epic Games Store, Stadia, and Xbox Game Pass for PC. For more information, check out our guides and features hub.

Humankind: Civilizations and cultures guide — Ideal picks for each era

Humankind: Civilizations and cultures guide – Traits, emblematic districts, and emblematic units

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