Dawn of the Dukes, the second expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is now available for pre-order or to add to your wishlist. Here’s what it brings to Age II: DE:
- Challenge friends with two all-new civilizations, each of which include new unique units and technologies.
- Battle your way across Central and Eastern Europe with three new campaigns, overwhelming your opponents with sheer military might and economic productivity or with highly disciplined and technologically innovative armies!
- New achievements to earn on your Xbox or Steam account! Check out the full list below.
Dawn of the Dukes will be released on the Microsoft Store and Steam on August 10, 2021!
New Civilizations
The Poles
The Poles are a cavalry civilization. While their western neighbors employed deadly companies of heavily armored cavalry, the Poles leveraged their strengths to evolve more towards what modern eyes might class as medium cavalry. While they could not always triumph over their rival counterparts on an individual basis, they emphasized maneuverability, organization, and sheer numbers at a time when warfare was shifting away from the typical medieval model.
Obuch: The Polish unique unit is the Obuch, a brutal infantryman whose war hammer tears the armor from enemy units. Obuchs are best used against expensive, heavily armored units that might otherwise pose a deadly threat to the rest of your army.
Winged Hussar: The Poles also share a regional unit with the Lithuanians, their partners in their late-medieval commonwealth. This unit, the Winged Hussar, is a powerful upgrade to the Light Cavalry and replaces the Hussar upgrade that many other civilizations have.
Folwark: Additionally, the Poles have a unique building, the Folwark, which replaces the Mill and increases the efficiency of nearby Farms.
Technologies: Finally, the Poles have two unique technologies: Szlachta Privileges and Lechitic Legacy. Both of these provide powerful boosts to their roster of cavalry units.
The Bohemians
The Bohemians are a gunpowder and monk civilization. Threatened both militarily and ideologically on nearly all sides, the Bohemians responded with groundbreaking innovations in both spheres. Novel weaponry, battle tactics, and defensive strategies shattered the numerous feudal and professional armies of their invading rivals, while scholarly thought and debate inaugurated one of the earliest successful social revolutions in early modern European history. Bohemian armies compensated for a lack of sheer brute strength with an uncanny ability to outwit, outmaneuver, and counter their opponents.
Hussite Wagon: The first Bohemian unique unit is the Hussite Wagon, a deadly forerunner of the modern tank. Hussite Wagons possess strong firepower and are exceptional at protecting the units positioned behind them.-
Houfnice: The second Bohemian unique unit is the Houfnice, a powerful upgrade to the Bombard Cannon. Houfnices are adept at blasting enemy fortifications and formations to smithereens. - Technologies: The Bohemians have two unique technologies: Wagenburg Tactics and Hussite Reforms. The former boosts their roster of gunpowder units, while the latter improves their Monks and Monasteries.
3 New, Fully Voiced Campaigns
Algirdas and Kestutis
Faced with an impending invasion by the greedy Teutonic Knights, the small principality of Lithuania is on the brink of catastrophe. Divided and without wise leadership, the last pagans of Europe appear doomed, but Prince Algirdas and his loyal brother, Kestutis, refuse to bow to the marauders. Can they repel the crusaders and then contend with the grandsons of Genghis Khan — the fearsome horselords of the Golden Horde? In this campaign, you will play as the Lithuanians.
Jadwiga
Sent away from her mother and forcibly parted from the young man whom she loved, Jadwiga ascended to the Polish throne as a mere child. In a time of unending war, she must forge a future for her kingdom while contending with the wills of formidable leaders like Jogaila and Vytautas the Great. Can the beloved Star of the Poles bring about her vision of a powerful, united Poland-Lithuania, or will the incessant maelstrom of war plunge both realms into ruin once more? In this campaign, you will play as the Poles.
Jan Zizka
One-eyed Jan Zizka spent his youth as a mercenary fighting for honor and coin, but his destiny changed forever when he heard the preachings of the reformer Jan Hus in Prague. As a champion of the Hussite cause and the leader of its invincible armies, Zizka shattered existing notions of warfare with technological and tactical innovations. Cement the legacy of one of history’s greatest generals by galvanizing mere peasants into highly disciplined units and leading them to triumph over the Holy Roman Emperor’s knightly armies. In this campaign, you will play as the Bohemians.
New Achievements
Unlock and earn brand-new achievements on Steam and the Microsoft Store!
| Achievement Name | Achievement Condition | Points |
| Bond of Brothers | Complete the Algirdas and Kestutis campaign. | 10 |
| Tolerant Piety | This achievement can be unlocked during the Algirdas & Kestutis campaign. | 15 |
| Scattered Horde | This achievement can be unlocked during the Algirdas & Kestutis campaign. | 15 |
| Mint Condition | This achievement can be unlocked during the Algirdas & Kestutis campaign. | 20 |
| Star of the Poles | Complete the Jadwiga campaign. | 10 |
| Protector of the Realm | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jadwiga campaign. | 15 |
| No Baggage | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jadwiga campaign. | 15 |
| No Quarter | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jadwiga campaign. | 20 |
| Man of the Chalice | Complete the Jan Zizka campaign. | 10 |
| Malevolent Marauder | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jan Zizka campaign. | 15 |
| Zizkov Hill | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jan Zizka campaign. | 20 |
| Against All | This achievement can be unlocked during the Jan Zizka campaign. | 15 |
| Bohemian Victory | Win a game playing as the Bohemians. | 5 |
| Polish Victory | Win a game playing as the Poles. | 5 |
| Rhapsody of the Bohemians | Train 10 Houfnices as the Bohemians. | 5 |
| Fast Food | Gather 500 food by constructing farms next to Folwarks as the Poles. | 5 |
Pre-Order Now!
Pre-order Dawn of the Dukes today and get ready to march into battle with the Bohemians and Poles as you guide your forces to victory on August 10, 2021! Or, pre-order Age of Empires IV now and get the Dawn of the Dukes expansion as a free bonus!
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