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InAge of Empires 4, players should choose a civilization wiselybefore starting a match. As one of eight possible civilizations, the Rus represent an intriguing challenge. The Rus draw their strength by living off the land while allowing nothing to go to waste. If given ample time to grow, the Rus are difficult people to keep down.
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Understanding the nuances of the Rus faction is essential for achieving victory in a match. Fans who can capitalize on the Russian strengths in the early game will be in a fine position to dominate the late game. With this guide, fans will possess all the key information they need before playing as the Rus.
Updated July 13, 2025 by Mark Hospodar:Few strategy games remain exactly the same as they did on the day of their release. Age of Empires 4 is no exception. Several rebalancing updates have been implemented for the game’s civilizations.
The Rus, like the other factions, have undergone a few changes. This guide has been updated to include a new chart regarding the Mastery challenges available to the Rus. Some stats have also been updated to accurately reflect the current state of the game.
An Overview Of The Rus Civilization
The Rus possess a lot of early-game advantages that make them formidable opponents at the start of a match. They can erect strong defenses in the form of durable palisade walls and Wooden Fortresses. Access to Knights in the Feudal Age also comes in handy for repelling enemy attacks and initiating early raids.
The core of the Russian economy stems from the bounty of the land itself, specifically through hunting. The Rus gain Gold as well as Food through their Hunting Cabins. Unique Russian units, such as the Warrior Monks, give the faction an edge when trying toachieve a Sacred Victory in a match.
Rus Civilization Bonuses
The Rus can call upon a score of civilization bonuses unique to their faction. Players must leverage these advantages to the fullest extent possible, considering the Rus are a bit tricky to master. The Civilization Bonuses of the Rus are as follows:
As fans can see, hunting plays a significant role in the Russian economy. The more animals players hunt, the higher the bounty. In turn, a higher bounty means more Food and Gold overall in the player’s coffers. With early Knights and strong fortifications, the Rus can skillfully stave off invasion while expanding their own forces.
Unique Rus Units
The Rus possess two wholly unique units that can help turn the tide of a battle.Warrior Monksretain all the standard abilities of generic religious units. They canheal friendly forces, convert enemies to the player’s side, andcapture relics and Sacred Sites. They are mounted, however, which affords them greater mobility.
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The Warrior Monk’s greatest strength lies in theirSaint’s Blessingability. When a Warrior Monk strikes an enemy, all nearby friendly units receive a buff to their armor and damage ratings, which significantly increases their effectiveness on the battlefield. Thus, bringing along a few Warrior Monks to a battle is worth it.
TheStreltsyis aunique Russian gunpowder unit. Unlike standard Hand Cannoneers, Streltsy can make use of increased firepower while remaining stationary. While not entirely unique in a strict sense, the Rus can also recruitHorse Archers, which are relatively cheap to produce.
Unique Rus Technologies & Abilities
Double Timeincreases themovement speed of Streltsy by +30%for 10 seconds.Mounted Precisionincreases theweapon range of Horse Archers by +1.Blessing Durationincreases theduration of Saint’s Blessing by +10 seconds.Boyar’s Fortitudeincreases thehealth of Rus cavalry by +20.
Knight Sabersincreases themelee damage of Knights by +4.Castle Turretincreases thedamage of arrows fired from a Wooden Fortress by +2.Castle Watchincreases thesight range of a Wooden Fortress by +6 tiles.
Banded Armsincreases therange of Springalds by +0.5 tiles.Wandering TownincreasesRam damage by +100%. WithSiege Crew Training, thesetup and teardown speed of Trebuchets and Mangonels is instant.Fine Tuned Gunsreduces thereload time of Bombards by -20%.
Rus Naval Advantages
Russian naval vessels are flexible.Fishing Ships don’t require a return tripto the Docks to drop off their payloads.Lodya shipsare dynamic in that they can beconverted into any other type of ship.Clinker Constructionincreases thehealth of all Lodya Attack Ships by +200.Cedar Hullsincreases thehealth of all Lodya Attack Ships by +200 and their ranged armor by +1.
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The Bounty System
The Rus can receive a boost to their economy through a system of bounties. The more animals hunted, the greater the rewards in the form ofGold. Sheep are worth+5, Deer+10, Wolves+25, and Boar+75. This system is broken into three tiers:
Rus Landmarks
Rus Masteries
Like the other civilizations in the game, players can complete several Mastery challenges for the Rus. Completing these missions nets the player 1,000 Experience Points, along with other fun rewards in the form of fun facts, monuments, portraits, etc.
Reward
Hunting Grounds
Accumulate 50 bounty by hunting Sheep, Deer, or Boar in the Dark Age
Portrait: Rus Forester Fun Fact: The Forest Provides
Foresters
Construct 4 Lumber Camps within the range of influence of a Wooden Fortress
Fun Fact: The Wolf Hunt Coat of Arms-Frame: Rounded Banner Shape
Test Of Strength I
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Easy A.I.
Portrait: Elena Glinskaya Fun Fact: The Fur Trade
Birch Barricades
Construct 25 Fortified Palisade Walls with Villagers in the Dark Age
Fun Fact: The Moscow Kremlin Coat of Arms-Sigil: Boar’s Head
Frontier Trading
Use the Golden Gate Landmark to make 5 trades in the Feudal Age
Portrait: Rus Scout Fun Fact: A Crowded Winter
Test Of Strength II
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Intermediate A.I.
Day And Knight
Defeat 15 enemies with Early Knights in the Feudal Age
Portrait: Olga of Kiev Fun Fact: The Monk and the Mongol
Defeat 30 enemies affected by Saint’s Blessing
Coat of Arms-Sigil: Hand Ax Fun Fact: The Trading Square
Mount The Attack
Research Boyar’s Fortitude and Mounted Precision and then defeat 30 enemies with cavalry
Portrait: Rus Horse Archer Fun Fact: Wandering Town
Test Of Strength III
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Hard A.I.
Portrait: Rus Streltsy Fun Fact: The Reign of Elena
Lay Siege
Research two upgrades from the High Armory and produce 20 siege engines in the Imperial Age
Portrait: Druzhina Knight Fun Fact: The Rise and Fall of the Streltsy
Black Powder
Research Double Time from the Archery Range and defeat 30 enemies with Streltsy
Ours Is The Glory
Achieve a Sacred Victory with fully upgraded Warrior Monks
Portrait: Ivan the Terrible Fun Fact: The Tsar and the Church
Test Of Strength IV
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Hardest A.I.
Coat of Arms-Pattern: Right Quadrant Pattern Fun Fact: Fear and Control
Tips For Playing As The Rus
The Russian predilection toward hunting can’t be overstated. The more animals that can be hunted means more Gold in the player’s pockets. With an abundant supply of Food and Gold, players can recruit units and purchase upgrades with ease. Any deficient resource can be bought through the Market. Consider building the High Trade House Landmark for a regular supply of Deer.
Fans playing as the Rus should use their early-game advantages tojumpstart their economy aggressively. Build plenty of Hunting Cabins near forests to generate respectable amounts of Gold. Once enough Wooden Fortresses and military units have been acquired, players can adopt a slower pace to grind their enemies down, courtesy of a robust and highly efficient economy.
Age of Empires 4is currently available on PC.
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