Welcome to an exciting update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! This patch brings bug fixes, balance changes, plus paves the road for the Empire Wars 1v1 ladder reset that will become the Red Bull Wololo: Londinium ladder from January 2nd to 18th, 2026. Be sure to dig down into the post below to get all of the smaller details before hopping in-game and checking them out firsthand.
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 162286.
If you are unable to launch the game after downloading the update, make sure you add (or re-add) the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition 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 162286.
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 162286.
That’s it; you’re ready to play!
- Under the games tab from the PlayStation Home Screen Locate the game and hover over it. Make sure not to select it!
- While hovering over the game press the Pause button (☰) on your controller.
- In the new pop up menu select the Check for Update option.
- If there is a new update available, this will automatically start the download. If your game is on the most recent version, selecting this option will confirm that information for you.
That’s it; you’re ready to play!
Please note that custom mods may not be compatible with the latest game update. If you are experiencing issues launching or playing the game after downloading the new build, try disabling your installed mods before trying again.
Still having trouble? Visit our support site!
Build Spotlight
Temporary Reset of Empire Wars 1v1 Ladder During Red Bull Wololo: Londinium
This patch is mainly paving the road for the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Empire Wars 1v1 ladder that will become the Red Bull Wololo: Londinium ladder from January 2nd to 18th, 2026, 17:00 UTC. The rating will be reset, and players may compete for a slot in the main event. The top four players advance into the main event, while 5th-12th place finishers gain an advantage for the last-chance qualifier.
Why is the ladder being temporarily reset?
To ensure an even playing field for all competitors, the leaderboard has to be temporarily reset. The four with the highest ELO rating achieved on the leaderboard on January 18th, at 17:00 UTC, will be directly invited to the Red Bull Wololo: Londinium event taking place in London, UK.
How does this affect you?
Your experience will remain the same; however, you may find that your EW 1v1 rating will require 10 games before being shown on the leaderboard. With this change, you will be able to experience what it’s like to play on the settings and maps of one of the biggest tournaments for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. The ladder holds no restrictions—anyone is free to play on the ladder whether they intend to participate in the tournament or not.
Please be aware, there is a controller-only ladder visible for Red Bull Wololo: Londinium for those playing on Xbox and PS5 consoles. However, this ladder will not be eligible for qualification. Remember to enable cross-play, as qualification will only be available to those on the cross-play-enabled ladder.
Game
Stability & Performance
- Fixed a disconnect that would occur when accessing the game through xCloud.
Gameplay
Fixes
- Fixed an issue where hares would decay faster than expected. They now have the same decay rate as chickens.
Balance Changes
General
- Chicken-type animal food increased from 65 → 75.
- Eagle Warrior cost reduced from 25 food 50 gold → 20 food 50 gold.
- Gambesons cost reduced from 100 food 100 gold → 50 food 100 gold.
- Traction Trebuchet reload time increased from 9 seconds → 11 seconds.
- Traction Trebuchet bonus damage vs. buildings increased from 175 → 230.
- Traction Trebuchet movement speed reduced from 0.6 → 0.57.
Armenians
- Warrior Priest cost reduced from 30 food 60 gold → 30 food 50 gold.
Bulgarians
- Krepost
- Can now train Petards.
Burgundians
- Flemish Militia movement speed increased from 0.9 → 0.94.
Georgians
- Aznauri Cavalry
- Effect improved from Mounted Units takes less population space from -15% → -20%.
- Upgrade cost reduced from 750 food 250 gold → 550 food 250 gold.
- Fortified Churches improve nearby Villagers civilization bonus area improved from 8 tiles → 9 tiles.
Jurchens
- (Elite) Iron Pagoda base reload time reduced from 2.28 → 2.15.
- Mounted Units and Fire Lancers attack faster civilization bonus increased from 20% → 25%.
Khitans
- Mounted Trebuchet
- Lingering fire tile area increased from 0.65 → 0.7.
- Lingering fire duration increased from 8 seconds → 10 seconds.
- Pasture
- Cost increased from 100 wood → 110 wood.
- Pasture animal food increased from 105 food → 115 food.
- Construction time increased from 18 seconds → 22 seconds.
Persians
- Kamandaran
- Effect improved from Archer-line costs 60 wood → 50 wood.
Shu
- Lumberjacks generate food in addition to wood civilization bonus reduced from 9% → 7%.
Spanish
- Elite Conquistador attack increased from 18 → 19.
- Elite Conquistador upgrade cost reduced from 1200 food 600 gold → 900 food 600 gold.
Tatars
- Keshik HP increased from 110 → 120, Elite 140 → 145.
- Elite Keshik upgrade cost reduced from 700 food 900 gold → 700 food 600 gold.
Turks
- Gold miners work faster civilization bonus increased from 20% → 25%.
Wu
- Jian Swordsman train time increased from 27 seconds → 35 seconds.
Random Maps
New Maps
Added 9 New Random Maps
Crownwood
A land of hills where forests cling to the summits. The high ground makes protecting your woodlines challenging.
Dorothea Quarry
A sunken pit with a central water basin brimming with oysters for those bold enough. Scale the surrounding heights to reach the exposed forests and additional resources.
Glacis
While partially protected, you must leave the safety of your walls to take control of the no-man’s-land in the center of the map; otherwise, you risk leaving all the additional resources to your foes.
Hengehold
Stonehenge stands in the center, encircled by relics and roaming wildlife for those bold enough to claim it. The outer perimeter holds many neutral resources and forests.
Loch Ness
A slender river slices the map in half, with a small crossing through the middle. With most neutral resources surrounding the lake, controlling the waters will be crucial for victory.
Rampart
Twisting earthen ramparts link every player in a maze of elevation. Only a few woodlines surround the player initially, but abundant wildlife can be found roaming the lands.
Stonefront
Few resources surround the players. Wealth lies in nearby quarries surrounded by rock formations that make maneuverability difficult. Map control is key to victory.
Thames
Battle along the River Thames. Seize the Royal Albert Hall to gain a population bonus or control the south of the map for an unlimited supply of gold and stone.
Vulpine
Unbuildable terrain surrounding you makes expansion a gamble. Hunt the roaming foxes for a significant gold boost and chop through the central forest to take control of the secrets within.
AI
General
- AI monks will no longer successfully convert buildings and siege units from large distances or those that cannot be converted (such as Wonders). However, some rare cases remain where the AI can still attempt to convert Town Centers. In this situation, the Town Center will no longer change player but the AI monk may lose faith and the conversion sound will play. This case will be addressed in a future patch.
Modding
Scenario Editor
- Added Stonehenge eye candy object.
Ongoing…
Investigation
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!
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.