Age of Wonders 4: Best Traits in the Game

Age of Wonders includes an extremely wide variety of Society Traits, with some of them being available when starting, while others being unlocked through the Pantheon system.

Some Traits can significantly impact your overall gameplay, while others have a more secondary role.

In this guide, I will list the five best Society Traits in Age of Wonders 4 to showcase which ones you need to select when starting, and which ones to prioritize unlocking via the Pantheon.

Also, if you’re just starting, don’t forget to check out our guide on how to heal your units in Age of Wonders 4 since a healthy army is an important step for leading your way to victory.

Best Traits in Age of Wonders 4

Best society traits in Age of Wonders 4.

For this list, I will rank Age of Wonders 4 best Traits based on their independent effectiveness (regardless of combos with Race), how easy they are to unlock, and whether they are situational or not.

Without further delay, here are the five best Society Traits in Age of Wonders 4.

5. Scions of Evil

Scions of Evil is a starting Trait that focuses on Evil Alignment. It will increase Draft and Imperium based on your Evil Alignment.

Also, all units are recruited with +1 Rank when you have maximum Evil Alignment (Pure Evil). Lastly, Shock and Shield Units have +1 Rank and you’ll start with an extra Shock or Shield Unit.

If you want to focus your gameplay on maximizing Evil Alignment, this Trait can help you with everything you need. During the end game, gaining +1 Rank on all your units is a significant buff that can make the difference between winning and losing a fight.

As for the Imperium bonus, it’s important to note that Imperium can be challenging to get, especially early on, so it’s a welcome buff.

4. Chosen Destroyers (Pantheon)

Chosen Destroyers is the best society trait for Domination Victory in Age of Wonders 4.

Chosen Destroyers grants you the following effects when razing a city:

  • +40 Gold
  • +20 Mana
  • +20 Knowledge income

However, you’ll be unable to obtain new cities and be forced to raze any conquered ones. Additionally, you’ll have -300 Relations with all Free Cities and Empires.

This is an extremely situational Trait that will lock you into a Domination Victory one-city challenge. If you’re aiming to become a warmonger, this Trait can be exceptionally helpful and guide you to victory.

Due to that, it’s considered one of the best Traits in Age of Wonders 4.

3. Imperialists

Imperialists is a starter Trait that increases City Stability and Gold income by +20 of all cities that share a border with your Capital. Also, your Capital will start with +1 Population.

Since your cities will share borders either way with your Capital, Imperialists gives you an easy and fairly unconditional bonus.

Keep in mind that selecting Imperialists will block you from choosing Adept Settlers.

If combined with High Culture and Ruthless Raiders, you’ll be able to start each of your cities with increased food and gold production and allow them to thrive almost immediately.

2. Prolific Swarmers

Prolific Swamers is a solid and unconditionally great early-game trait in Age of Wonders 4.

Prolific Swamers is a starter Trait that causes your cities to require 10% less Food for gaining a new Population. Additionally, Tier 1 units have +1 Rank and non-magic origin units require 20% less unit upkeep. As a starting bonus, you’ll have an extra Tier 1 unit.

This is a solid early-game Trait that will allow you to grow faster, while also helping you in the mid and late stages of the game since it makes it easier to increase your Population overall.

Based on that, you can never go wrong with Prolific Swarmers and it’s one of the safest Trait choices overall.

1. Mana Addicts (Pantheon)

Mana Addicts equips all your units with Attunement: Mana Addicted (which grants a unit lifesteal for 1 turn after using a combat spell but reduces Morale if no spell is cast) and gives Battle Mage and Support Units +1 Rank.

Additionally, its starting bonus allows you to start with an extra Battle Mage of Support unit.

Since you’ll be using combat spells on the majority of your turn, Mana Addicts is extremely powerful as lifesteal will keep your units alive for the entirety of the fight.

Overall, Mana Addicts is considered the best Trait in Age of Wonders due to its unconditionally great effect.

Wrapping up

To summarize, these are the best Traits in Age of Wonders 4 that will allow you to lead your army to victory.

Make sure to keep an eye on their situational effects and select the ones that mostly fit your playthrough.

Which is your favorite Trait in the game? Do you agree with this tier list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

While Traits are essential, they are not the only important aspect. Make sure to check out our guide on the best Race and Trait combos to choose when starting Age of Wonders 4 to ensure your empire is starting on the right foot.

Harry

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