The tribe selection menu, showing all 15 tribes and the "random tribe" button.
There currently are 15 tribes in Polytopia, including 12 regular tribes and three special tribes. Different tribes have different terrain spawn rates and start with different technologies.
On mobile, four tribes are available for free (Xin-xi, Bardur, Imperius, and Oumaji), and the other 11 are available as in-app purchases. Purchasing a tribe unlocks online multiplayer. In-app purchases help pay for game development while keeping the game free of advertisements.[1]
The Steam version of Polytopia includes all regular tribes and access to online multiplayer. Special tribes are sold as DLC.
Each tribe has its own unique cosmetic design for terrain, resources, units, cities, and monuments. These cosmetic differences do not impact gameplay. Also, each tribe has its own ambience that plays on tiles of their "native lands." For instance, a rattlesnake is heard in Oumaji terrain, and howling wind and wolves are heard in Bardur terrain.
More tribes will continue to be added in the future; however, all future tribes will be special tribes. (Yădakk is the final regular tribe.)
Regular Tribes
Regular tribes, formerly known as "human tribes," share the same standard technologies and units. Each tribe has its own unique starting technology, except for Luxidoor, which instead starts with a level 3 city and a city wall. The four free tribes, Xin-xi, Imperius, Bardur, and Oumaji, are all regular tribes.
Luxidoor costs $3.99 USD, while all other paid regular tribes cost $0.99 USD.
| Image | Name | Starting Technology | Release Date | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Xin-xi | Climbing | February 4th, 2016 | Red |
 |
Imperius | Organization | February 4th, 2016 | Blue |
 |
Bardur | Hunting | February 4th, 2016 | Black |
 |
Oumaji | Riding | February 4th, 2016 | Yellow |
 |
Kickoo | Fishing | February 4th, 2016 | Lime green |
 |
Hoodrick | Archery | March 23rd, 2016 | Brown |
 |
Luxidoor | None, starts with a level 3 city and a city wall | March 23rd, 2016 | Purple |
 |
Vengir | Smithery | June 23rd, 2016 | White |
 |
Zebasi | Farming | August 4th, 2016 | Orange |
 |
Ai-Mo | Meditation | December 1st, 2016 | Teal |
 |
Quetzali | Shields | October 19th, 2017 | Dark green |
 |
Yădakk | Roads | December 25th, 2018 | Crimson |
Special Tribes
Special tribes have unique, tribe-specific modifications to their technologies and units, such as unique Super Units in place of the Giant. There are currently three special tribes: Aquarion, ∑∫ỹriȱŋ, and Polaris. Aquarion, based on Atlantis, has a modified Chivalry branch with two unique units: the Amphibian, replacing the Rider, and the Tridention, replacing the Knight. ∑∫ỹriȱŋ, based on "nature magic," can enchant animals into powerful special units, build a unique building (the Sanctuary), and see Ruins through clouds. Finally, Polaris can freeze water into Ice and freeze enemy units.
All special tribes cost $1.99 USD.
| Image | Name | Starting Technology | Release Date | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Aquarion | None | June 8th, 2017 | Salmon Pink |
 |
∑∫ỹriȱŋ | Forest Magic (replaces Hunting) | May 24th, 2018 | Hot Pink |
 |
Polaris | Frostwork (replaces Sailing) | June 14, 2019 | Light Tan |
Disabling Tribes
The Xin-Xi tribe has been disabled, as seen by its greyed-out tribe head.
"Tribe disabled; it cannot be used by you or the AI."
-In-game description
Disabled tribes will not appear as an opponent in single-player games. In multiplayer games, tribes disabled by the host cannot be picked by other players. In single-player, disabling tribes is most commonly done to force the opponents to be tribes that are easier to play against (notably Quetzali for 1v1 Domination).
To disable (or enable) a tribe, go to the tribe selection screen (start a new game), select the tribe to be disabled (or enabled), and click "disable" (or "enable") in the upper right corner.
See also
References
| Tribes |
|---|
| Regular tribes: Xin-xi, Imperius, Bardur, Oumaji, Kickoo, Hoodrick, Luxidoor, Vengir, Zebasi, Ai-Mo, Quetzali, Yădakk |
| Game Mechanics |
|---|
| AI Relationships, City Connections, Combat, Movement, Population, Ruins, Score, Stars, Technology, Terrain, Tribes, Unit Abilities, Unit Skills, Unit Stats |
