Dominions 4 Thrones of Ascension

Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension is one of the longest-running 4X strategy series still actively played, going back to 2002. You are a Pretender God claiming a mortal nation as your own, aspiring to become the new Pantokrator. The Pretender form (towering archmages, titans, animated monuments, dragons, sleeping primordials) reshapes the kingdom's strengths and weaknesses.

Dominion is the game's central mechanic. It is the spiritual influence of your god radiating from temples and priests, and it both expresses your divine might and empowers your sacred warriors. Lose your dominion entirely, and you die. Win through one of three paths: conquer rivals' lands outright, extinguish their dominion, or claim the titular Thrones of Ascension scattered across the map.

Nations draw from historical and mythological cultures (Vanir, Aztecs, Romans, Greeks, Israelites, Shona, Kievian Rus and many more) rather than generic fantasy archetypes. Modding is fully supported: custom monsters, spells, items and entire nations can be authored. Team games allow a supreme god and loyal subject players, sharing dominion across the table.