Over the past three years, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has undergone numerous balance updates affecting civilizations, units, technologies, and game mechanics. Here's a comprehensive summary of the key changes:
🏰 Civilization Updates
Aztecs
- Villager carry capacity bonus reduced from +5 to +3.
- Jaguar Warrior training time decreased from 20 to 12 seconds. www.ageofempires.com
Bohemians
- Hussite Wagon speed reduced from 0.85 to 0.8.
- Houfnice upgrade cost increased from 950 food / 750 gold to 1100 food / 800 gold; blast radius decreased from 0.8 to 0.7. www.ageofempires.comupdatecrazy.com
Bulgarians
- Blacksmith work rate increased from 50% to 80% faster.
- Blacksmith and Siege Workshop upgrades now cost 50% less food. www.ageofempires.com
Burgundians
- Economic upgrades discount reduced from 40% to 33%.
- Flemish Militia can now be trained at the Barracks starting in Feudal Age; cost changed from 50 food / 15 gold to 30 food / 30 gold. updatecrazy.comgaming.news
Celts
- Infantry movement speed bonus now scales per age: +5% in Dark Age, +10% in Feudal Age, +15% in Castle Age, and +20% in Imperial Age. gaming.news
Chinese
- Reclassified as an Archer and Gunpowder civilization.
- Gained access to Fire Lancers, Rocket Carts, Lou Chuans, and Dragon Ships.
- Elite Chu Ko Nu attack increased from 8 to 10; upgrade cost increased from 807 food / 807 gold to 1105 food / 1105 gold. gaming.news
Cumans
- Feudal Age Town Center construction time increased from 225 to 270 seconds.
- Kipchak rate of fire slowed from 1.8 to 2.2 seconds; hit points reduced. www.ageofempires.com
Ethiopians
- Shotel Warrior training cost reduced from 35 to 30 gold. www.ageofempires.com
Goths
- Loom can now be researched instantly rather than at no cost. www.ageofempires.com
Hindustanis
- Villager cost discount reduced across all ages. updatecrazy.com
Japanese
- Samurai hit points increased from 60 to 70; attack increased from 8 to 10.
- Elite Samurai upgrade cost decreased from 950 food / 875 gold to 750 food / 650 gold. www.ageofempires.com
Khmer
- Battle Elephant speed bonus reduced from +15% to +10%.
- Tusk Swords technology cost increased from 200 wood / 300 gold to 300 wood / 450 gold. www.ageofempires.com
Koreans
- Now receive archer armor upgrades for free.
- Eupseong technology replaces Panokseon, granting towers +2 range. www.ageofempires.com
Lithuanians
- Leitis pierce armor reduced from 2 to 1. www.ageofempires.com
Malians
- Gbeto fire delay reduced from 1.2 to 1.0. www.ageofempires.com
Mayans
- Obsidian Arrows no longer grants double attack bonus versus stone structures. www.ageofempires.com
Portuguese
- All technologies now researched 30% faster. www.ageofempires.com
Tatars
- Town Centers now spawn 2 Sheep upon reaching the Feudal Age and when newly constructed.
- Silk Armor technology now grants +1/+1 armor to Steppe Lancers. www.ageofempires.comwww.ageofempires.com
Turks
- Scout Cavalry, Light Cavalry, and Hussar units gain +1 pierce armor.
- Elite Janissary accuracy increased from 50% to 65%. www.ageofempires.com
⚔️ Unit and Technology Adjustments
General Units
- Battle Elephant trample damage reduced from 50% to 25%.
- Battering Ram move speed increased from 0.5 to 0.6; garrison capacity increased. www.ageofempires.comdevtrackers.gg
Monk Mechanics
- Conversion chance increased from 25% to 40%; interval adjusted for consistency.
- New technology "Devotion" introduced, providing additional conversion resistance. devtrackers.gg
Technologies
- Gillnets gather rate reduced from 25% to 20%.
- Stone and Gold Shaft Mining costs reduced. ageofnotes.com
⚙️ Game Mechanics and Balance
- Palisade Wall cost increased from 2 wood to 3 wood.
- House melee armor reduced in Dark and Feudal Ages.
- Scout units no longer have extra conversion resistance levels; minimum conversion time increased. www.ageofempires.com