Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition News

26 years later, Age of Empires 2 update makes a life-saving early game change

Long-running RTS games like Age of Empires 2 are notoriously well-optimized. Picking up set build paths and strategies is crucial, even as a total newbie, or else you'll quickly fall behind the tempo of the lobby. When every second counts, so too does every morsel of food and splinter of wood you can gather early on. This typically includes having your villagers dance around a boar or two, which can quickly descend into chaos, and a spree of murdered townsfolk, if you have a tough time kiting the peeved off pigs. Fortunately, a new update is empowering your collective action, making the risky maneuver a thing of the past.

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New Public Update Preview - July

[p]Hello everyone!

We've got a HUGE Public Update Preview that we're excited to share with you!

This PUP introduces new balance changes and gameplay fixes, adjustments to graphics, audio, UI, performance stability, and much more including 9 NEW official maps!

[/p][h3]Check out the PUP Notes[/h3][p]Steam owners can view the patch notes here: 🛠 July Public Update Preview Notes! (Note that you must own the game and log in to Steam to access the PUP forum.)

[/p][h3]How to participate in the PUP[/h3][p]Steam owners can download the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition PUP by following the instructions below:

1. Navigate to your Steam library and right click on Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.
2. Select "Properties…" at the bottom of the menu.
3. Select the "Betas" tab on the left.
4. In the "Beta Participation" dropdown menu, select pup_july.
5. The build will begin downloading—once complete, you are ready to play!

[/p][h3]Where to Give PUP Feedback[/h3][p]You can provide feedback in the official 🛠 Public Update Preview forums. (Note that you must own the game and log in to Steam to access the PUP forum.)

Thank you for your support and participation, we can't wait to hear what you think! We’re definitely listening and looking for every opportunity to make this the game you love to play.

Thank you!
- The World's Edge Team

Beat the Heat with the Steam Summer Sale!

The Steam Summer Sale is happening now! Complete your Age of Empires collection and grab a couple of DLCs with up to 75% off on all your favorites - it’s time to Age up your Summer!

Don’t wait – sale ends July 10th at 10 AM PT (17:00 UTC).

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Update 147949

Welcome to another update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! This will bring some balance changes and bug fixes based on your feedback.

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team
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        ◆ Update 147949 ◆

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Balance Changes

[h3]General[/h3]
Fire Lancer attack increased from 8 → 9.
(Elite) Fire Lancer cost reduced from 40 wood 50 gold → 40 wood 45 gold.

[h3]Jurchens[/h3]
Grenadier
HP increased from 35 → 40.
Cost reduced from 35 food 70 gold → 35 food 65 gold.
Attack increased from 11 → 12.

Iron Pagoda
Ability recharge reduced from 60 seconds → 40 seconds, Elite 50 seconds → 30 seconds.
Upgrade cost reduced from 950 food 750 gold → 950 food 550 gold.

[h3]Khitans[/h3]
Shepherds and Herders generate +10% additional food civilization bonus removed.
Herder walking distance on Pastures increased.
Herder gather rate adjusted, so the overall income is reduced from +12% → +7% compared to generic un-upgraded Farmers.
Developer Note: The Khitan food economy provided too much early tempo by receiving ~64 food from Sheep in Dark Age, followed by exceptionally efficient Pastures. These changes will adjust the overall food income to be in line with other food bonuses in the game, while maintaining the unique strengths and feel of the Pasture economy.

[h3]Shu[/h3]
War chariot
Speed increased from 0.8 → 0.9.
Reload time reduced from 8 → 6.5.

[h3]Wei[/h3]

Gain access to Gold Shaft Mining.
Xianbei Raider
Attack increased from 4 → 5.
Charge attack now also shoots the main projectile with 5 damage, in addition to the existing 5 projectiles with 1 damage each.
Charge attack now properly affected by Parthian Tactics.

Tuntian
Food generation per soldier increased from 1.2 food/minute → 1.8 food/minute.
Cost adjusted from 250 food 300 gold → 250 food 300 wood.

[h2]Ongoing...[/h2]

[h3]Investigation[/h3]
As always, we are continuing to track issues reported by the community for future updates.

For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!

[h3]:alertalert: DISCLAIMER[/h3]This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Have You Played the Ayn Jalut Scenario Yet?

To celebrate the partnership with the Louvre, we released a brand new custom scenario for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on PC, “Ayn Jalut”.

In this scenario, you play as Baybars before the pivotal battle when the fate of the Muslim world held in the balance. Prepare your forces, set up your ambushes, and use your cunning and strategy to overcome the Mongol horde. Like the Mamluks, can you be the first to defeat the Mongols?

If you're on PC, you can play it at your convenience—no trip to the Louvre necessary! Lead Baybars and the Mamluk army to victory as you fight off the Mongol horde in this official mod.