As with the vanilla game, there are 24 different factions available for play in Hammurabi, with each having their own special playstyle, depending on what unique units, wonders and abilities are available to each of them.
While the major powers of Hammurabi - Subartu, the Elamites, the Shang and the Egyptians - are very strong factions, there are many others who are no less interesting, and with skill and creativity can be a rewarding civ to play.
Whatever their differences, each civ available for play has its own weaknesses as it is bestowed with strengths. It's up to you to decide how history shall be remade or repeated by choosing a game strategy that plays to your strengths and your opponents' weaknesses.
​
Some of these civilisations are fairly sophisticated metalworking cultures such as the Hurrians and the Babylonians, while others are still Stone Age or Copper Age tribes or nomadic hosts such as the Xirong or the Euskaldunak. Some are inclined towards military victory such as the Shang and the Elamites; others prefer a cultural approach, such as the Minoans and Yamhad.
Click the link above to learn more about factions in general, or click the roundels to learn about a specific faction.
Wonders
.png){kind=small}
Unfortunately, as befitting a mod set in the early Bronze Age of the Old World, wonders are alas very few and far between - thus, only ten Wonders are available for construction in a single game.
Unlike most other Kings & Conquerors-based mods, where all Wonders required different technologies to be built, in Hammurabi the requirements for Wonders are much simpler -- and brutally so. For some of these, you need to research the two Reform techs, as well as red Policies in order to obtain them - there is no other way.
Three Wonders are locked out to all but a few factions, but do not need any special tech requirements to be built.
-
Necropolis Complex: Buildable to all except Minoans, Cimmerian factions and Xirong.
-
Pyramid: Egypt only.
-
Imperial Gardens: Shang, Elam and Minoans only.
-
Megalith Complex: Nubia, and barbaric factions only.
-
Grand Library: Egypt, Babylon, Elam only.
-
Etemenniguru: Babylon only
-
Zigurrat Dur-Untash: Elam only. However, because this is a wonder from the far future, its cost, WP score and build time have all been doubled.
-
All other wonders (Great Temple, Grand Citadel, Royal Palace) are mostly buildable only to non-barbaric factions.
​
You are advised to check the Techs and Upgrades section for more information on Wonders, while mousing over and clicking each Wonder icon on the left can provide additional information.