Our Enchanted Grove event comes to a close with the release of Patch 6.1.130. We hope you had an enchanting time in the biome but now both the biome and the Enchanted Stag have trotted off to parts unknown.
In this new patch we have listened to your feedback and reverted the resource-gathering boost which was added to the Hardest AI. Instead, we have added multiple additional new levels of AI difficulty beyond the Hardest setting making use of the boosted resource-gathering in those difficulties. We can’t wait to hear your feedback on the new AI Difficulty levels!
There are also improvements to in-game balance, fixes to known issues, and slight tweaks to trade as our team previews some of our larger goals with that mechanic – read more below!
Thanks 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
Remember that you’ll need to update your game in the Microsoft Store:
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Click the [∙ ∙ ∙ ] symbol next to your profile picture.
- Select Downloads and updates.
- Press the Get updates button to automatically detect, download, and install the latest changes to your game!
- Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 6.1.130.
If you are unable to launch the game after downloading the update, make sure you add (or re-add) the Age of Empires IV client or folder as an exception to your firewall and antivirus program. That’s it; you’re ready to play!
Remember that you’ll need to update your game in Steam:
- Open Steam.
- Click on Library to see your games list.
- Click Downloads at the bottom of the Library window.
- [If the new build does not download automatically,] click the Download Now button to manually download the new update.
- Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 6.1.130.
That’s it; you’re ready to play!
Remember that you’ll need to update your game in the Xbox App for Windows.
- Open the Xbox app.
- Games that are installed show up on the left side of the app.
- Hover over the game or click it, and then select Update.
- [If the new build does not download automatically,] hover over the game, select More Options (…), choose Manage. Under the Files tab, choose the option to Check for Updates.
- Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 6.1.130.
That’s it; you’re ready to play!
Still having trouble? Visit our support site!
Return of Hardest AI & New Difficulty Selections
Earlier this year, we introduced a new Hardest AI that gathered resources faster and took quicker military action. You let us know that the resource-gathering boost created too much of a step-up in difficulty from Hard to Hardest and indicated that more difficulty options would be preferable. We’re pleased to provide the following updates:
- We have reverted the resource-gathering boost which we had given to Hardest AI but kept other improvements made in January’s 5.2.131 patch.
- We have added not 1, not 2, but 3 new AI Difficulty levels beyond the Hardest setting which have been given incremental resource-gathering boosts. The resource-gathering boosts are set at 1.2x, 1.5x and 2x the normal rate.
We believe these changes provide a better range of opportunities based on the amount of challenge you’re seeking. This will provide new ways of playing with and against the AI allowing for more varied battles and even more fun!
Age Insider Rewards
We’ve unlocked several Age Insider rewards for all players starting with this update. This is to thank everyone who’s played and given feedback from before launch until now. You will find the Fishing Boat Monument, Insider Portrait, Dual Fish Coat of Arms, and Fishing Net Sigil Frame within your in-game profile options. Thank you for joining us on our journey thus far!
If you are receiving an error while attempting to save your new rewards, please try restarting the title or retry after several minutes.
More information and troubleshooting is available on our Support Pages.
General Changes & Bugfixes
- Fishing boats will now always return to the nearest dock.
- Cancelled building blueprints no longer block future placements.
- Added additional HUD feedback when building limits have been reached for certain buildings or units, for example the Ottoman’s Military School and Grand Galley.
- Fixed an issue to ensure units only display weapons that are currently available to them. Upgraded weapons are shown when upgraded, the basic version is hidden after upgrading.
- Fixed issue where some Cheats not intended for Campaign were usable in campaign missions and potentially breaking them.
- Fixed some Masteries and Achievements to make sure playing with new AI Difficulties would still allow for completion.
- Fixed an issue with Training Mastery that would not progress for some players and added Art of War challenges for Ottoman and Malians.
Balance Changes (All Civilizations)
- Trader income reduced by 10%.
Developer’s Note: This balance change is a stepping stone on our way to bigger changes to the trade system. Thank you to everyone for all the feedback and discussions on the topic. We are listening and have future plans for additional improvements.
- Trebuchet Changes
- Counter-weight Trebuchet
- Cost reduced from 500 wood 250 gold to 400 wood 150 gold.
- Health reduced from 210 to 170.
- Damage reduced from 50 to 40.
- Bonus damage vs buildings reduced from 450 to 375.
- Build time reduced from 35 seconds to 30 seconds.
- Mongol Traction Trebuchet
- Cost reduced from 400 wood 150 gold to 300 wood 100 gold.
- Health reduced from 190 to 150.
- Damage reduced from 50 to 40.
- Bonus damage vs. buildings reduced from 250 to 200.
- Build time reduced from 35 seconds to 30 seconds.
- Counter-weight Trebuchet
Developer’s Note: Our goal with the trebuchet changes are to allow players to react more easily & quickly to enemy structures by reducing the initial investment cost. It does make trebuchets less population efficient in the late game, however, with the recent update we buffed rams and bombards in the late-game to provide different options.
- Cannon Emplacement Upgrade cost increased from 75 gold 300 stone to 125 gold 375 stone.
- House of Wisdom Landmark
- Trade Wing
- Provides 3/4/5 Traders depending on what Age the wing is selected.
- Military Wing
- Provides another Archer in the Feudal Age.
- Total 2 Spearman and 2 Archers.
- Culture Wing
- Preservation of Knowledge cost reduced from 50 wood 125 gold to 25 wood 75 gold.
- Trade Wing
- Fixed a bug where Chinese Palisade Walls were not being built 50% faster than other Civilizations.
- Fishing Ships are no longer selected with Military selection hotkeys.
- Compound of the Defender Landmark’s discount on Stone for buildings and emplacements reduced from 25% to 20%.
- Village Fortresses Technology research time increased from 5 to 6 minutes.
- When using Seek Shelter as the Delhi Sultanate, Villagers will no longer stand idle next to Houses before researching the Reinforced Foundations technology.
- Network of Citadels Technology cost increased from 75 stone 200 gold to 150 stone 350 gold.
- Wynguard Footmen now take bonus damage from “vs Heavy” attack types.
- Civilization Bonus
- Town Center production rate bonus increased from 10/10/15/20% to 10/15/20/25%.
- Royal Knights now correctly deal damage on their next attack after charging.
- Sofa train time reduced from 30 to 26 seconds.
Developer’s Note: This puts Sofa inline with knights in terms of cost and power level per second spent training.
- Malian Age Up keybinds now function correctly.
- Civilization Bonus
- Silk Road resource bonus trade requirements changed from 3/5/7/9 to 5/10/15/20.
- Kurultai Landmark bonus damage reduced from 25% to 20%.
- Civilization Bonus
- Blacksmith and University production influence bonus reduced from 25/33/40% to 20/30/40%.
- Sea Gate Castle Landmark
- Trader move speed bonus reduced from 40% to 30%.
- Trader armor bonus reduced from 10 to 8.
- The name of the Ottoman Knight has been changed to Lancer.
Investigation
Community-Reported Issues:
- Your reports continue being crucial to our prioritization and implementation of fixes and features in the game. Keep them coming!
For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!
Coming Up…
There’s still plenty to do in Season Four – We’re celebrating our busy villagers who help make the world go round! Join us April 20th through May 18th for our Villager Appreciation Celebration and complete challenges to unlock up to 20 new portraits in-game! Details are coming so look out for more!
Season Four has been extended through June 14th, but you can rest assured we’ll keep the fun rolling with Season Five. Some monstrous events are even ready for a return!
DISCLAIMER
Please note that 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.