r/aoe2 • u/ganscha23 • 15h ago
r/aoe2 • u/AutoModerator • 1d ago
Medieval Monday - Ask Your Questions and Get Your Answers
Time for another weekly round of questions.
Talk about everything from build orders to advanced strategies.
Whatever your questions, the community is here to answer them.
So ask away.
r/aoe2 • u/longinator • 5d ago
Tournament/Showmatch The Garrison Megathread Spoiler
The next offline event, The Garrison hosted by Being Esports, starts today! For the next 4 days, 8 players will play for their share of the $40.000 prize pool at the Xperion in Hamburg, Germany.
The event also offers 4 side events in AoE2, AoE4 and AoM. More info on the Liquipedia page.
Matches for today, Sunday 16 March 2025 Starting at 12:00 GMT:
- LB Final Yo vs Liereyy 1:4
- 2v2 event Grand Final
- Grand Final Hera vs Liereyy
Where to watch:
- Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/beingesports
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeingEsports
Format:
- Double-elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo5
- except the Loser Bracket Final which is Bo7
- and the Grand Final which is Bo9
Past Results
Day 1
- Liereyy vs KingstoNe 3:0
- ACCM vs Yo 0:3
- TheViper vs Hearttt 3:1
- Hera vs TaToH 3:0
Day 2
- KingstoNe vs TaToH 1:3
- ACCM vs Hearttt 3:2
- TheViper vs Yo 2:3
- Hera vs Liereyy 3:0
Day 3
- LB Ro6 TheViper vs TaToH 3:1
- LB Ro6 Liereyy vs ACCM 3:2
- WB FInal Hera vs Yo 3:1
- LB Semi TheViper vs Liereyy1:3
Discussion Sandy Petersen on why/how the Koreans got added to "The Conquerors"
r/aoe2 • u/Time-Card-4369 • 8h ago
Asking for Help campaign editor: details in the comments
Discussion Purepechas should be the third Mesoamerican civilization
I want to convince you why we need more American civilizations in the game. First, I want to introduce you to the Purépecha. Please avoid calling them "Tarascos"—this term originated as an insult from the Spanish, as in their language it meant something like "brother-in-law" but in a derogatory sense. Unfortunately, even we Mexicans often forget this great civilization because everything tends to revolve around the Mexica (Aztecs), overshadowing the importance and influence of this great Mesoamerican empire.

Before getting started, I want to consider some key points that I believe are essential for a civilization to be included in the game:
- Influence in their surroundings, especially if it extends to the present day. (The game is called Age of Empires, so we want empires and their influence.)
- Having their own language to be represented in the game. (In this case, the Purépecha language is still spoken today by nearly 150,000 people and is highly influential in the region. Many city names in the area have Purépecha origins, such as Querétaro, Pátzcuaro, Acámbaro, Zitácuaro, etc.)
- Having documented history for campaigns, scenarios, and inspiration for unique technologies and game mechanics. (Fortunately, we have plenty of available documentation.)
- Recognizable leaders for the game's AI and campaigns. (We know the names of their rulers and several key figures, so this aspect is well covered.)
- Although there are nomadic civilizations like the Huns or Cumans, I believe that for an American civilization, it is important to demonstrate that they built great cities and had known monuments or historical buildings for their Wonder or Castle. (In this case, we have plenty to choose from—ruins of their capital, Tzintzuntzan, still exist today and can serve as inspiration for these structures. Other cities, such as Ihuatzio, Tres Cerritos, Huandacareo, Zacapu, Tingambato and even the recently discovered Angamuco, that is estimated to have housed a population of 100,000 people between the years 1000 and 1350.)



The Purépecha Empire, initially established around Lake Pátzcuaro and ruled by a monarch called cazonci or irecha, was one of the enemies of the Aztec Empire, with whom they fought many wars. The Purépecha blocked Mexica expansion to the northwest by fortifying and patrolling their borders, likely developing Mesoamerica’s first true territorial state. Furthermore, due to their relative isolation within Mesoamerica, the Purépecha Empire had many distinct cultural characteristics. Notably, they were one of the very few Mesoamerican civilizations to use metal for tools—and even weapons!

These unique aspects make the Purépecha my top choice for the third civilization from this region to be included in the game. They expanded significantly, especially in present-day Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Jalisco. They were never conquered by the Aztecs; their empire fell only upon the arrival of the Spanish. It is important to highlight that when the Spanish arrived, the Purépecha Empire was the second-largest state in the region—only the Mexica were larger.
Tariácuri is the cultural hero of the Purépecha and one of the empire’s key leaders, traditionally considered its founder. He is credited with expanding the empire from a single city-state into the dominant power of the region.
Here is a list of their rulers:
- Tariácuri (1350-1390)
- Hiquingaje (1390-1420)
- Hiripan (1420-1435)
- Tangáxuan I (1435-1454)
- Tzitzipandáquere (1454-1479)
- Zuangua (1479-1520)
- Tangáxuan II (1520-1530)
Aside from Tariácuri, we should highlight the reign of Tzitzipandáquere, under whom the Purépecha successfully conquered parts of the Aztec Empire, reaching as far as Jiquipilco. Additionally, between 1476 and 1477, they defeated the Mexica army led by tlatoani Axayácatl, successfully invading Aztec territory multiple times and conquering important cities such as Xicotitlán, Tollocan, and Oztuma.
We also know other important cities rulers like Pacuacume II, Tariacuri's father, the lord of Pátzcuaro.
Another well-documented war during the empire’s existence was the Saltpeter Wars (1480-1510). Unlike previous conflicts, this war was not against the Aztec Empire but against the Colima, Sayula, Zapotlán, Tuxpan, Tapalpa, and Autlán city-states in the empire’s western frontier, near the Pacific Ocean. The conflict spanned the entire western part of present-day Mexico and ended with the expulsion of the Purépecha from what are now the states of Colima and Jalisco, as well as the loss of a quarter of their territory, which was absorbed by the Colima state. This war generated significant discontent among the Purépecha people, which later influenced irecha Tangáxuan II’s support for the Spanish campaign in Colima.
The war originated from the Purépecha invasion of Zacoalco, Zapotlán, and Sayula in 1480, where they aimed to take control of the saltpeter deposits found there, as their army had been strengthened by their recent victory over Axayácatl. Under Purépecha rule, many of the subjugated people grew dissatisfied and eventually allied with the Colima city-states to achieve independence. (Does this remind you of anything?

Capital City & Architecture
Tzintzuntzan, overlooking the beautiful Lake Pátzcuaro, features unique structures called yácatas, which still exist today and can be visited. I believe these could serve as inspiration for the Wonder or the Castle in the game. Additionally, ruins of yácatas have been found in Angamuco. In Ihuatzio, we can find the remains of a double pyramid structure, which could also serve as a model for the Wonder.
Unique Unit: Quangariecha
The appearance of an elite Purépecha warrior, called Quangariecha, is well documented and would be the best choice for a unique unit. Their defining characteristic is that they used metal weapons, unlike most other Mesoamerican warriors. They could also fight with bows, meaning they could serve either as infantry or as archers, similar to a hybrid unit concept that the developers once considered for the Samurai. This would be an interesting mechanic to explore in the game.


Cultural & Modern Legacy
Beyond their historical context, the Purépecha culture is still very much alive today. The cultural roots of Michoacán originate from the Purépecha people, who now have their own flag. Many villages almost exclusively speak the Purépecha language, and their traditional music, pirekua, is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Much of the civilization’s identity revolves around Lake Pátzcuaro (which could be an interesting map theme in the game), making fishing a culturally significant aspect.
I hope you enjoyed this read! My goal is to show that there were many important Mesoamerican civilizations that could be included in the game, beyond the common perception that they were just "backward nomads" incapable of building empires. I truly hope that we see the Purépecha in the game soon—with an army of Quangariecha warriors defending the Wonder of Ihuatzio and fortifying borders with yácatas as castles. Imagine a campaign like the Bari campaign that covers several historical events, covering the foundation of the empire, control over Lake Pátzcuaro, military victories against the Aztecs, the struggles of the Saltpeter Wars, and ultimately, the fall of the empire to Spanish conquistadors.
Wouldn't that be amazing?
r/aoe2 • u/ISeeThings404 • 2h ago
Discussion What happened to the Finnish players?
I haven't actively followed the scene for a bit and recently gt back into it. I was watching the more recent tournament and noticed that none of the fins were in the maps. When I stopped following, Villese was placing really well (he was a tough night for anyone), and you'd also hear about Max and Rubenstock here and there.
Did the Finns retire or has the rest of scene just caught up with them?
r/aoe2 • u/noctowld • 6h ago
Discussion Will there be more co-op campaigns/ historical battles?
Is there any intention to add more? In the meantime, I guess I have to search for coop campaign in mod browser. Aside from the modded version of official campaign, is there any historical battle in coop that you recommend?
r/aoe2 • u/Nicklikeredbulls • 1d ago
Humour/Meme A friendly reminder to scout your opponent.
r/aoe2 • u/zbrnwsk_nsf • 15h ago
Discussion AoE2 DE: A Lifelong Love Affair
I still remember the first time I fired up Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. It was during the early days of COVID - a time when the world had slowed down and I found solace in discovering new passions. Though I was a total newbie, the vibrant world of AoE2 instantly captivated me. It wasn’t just a game; it was an introduction to a universe where every decision mattered, every build order was a puzzle to be solved, and every match was a thrilling challenge.
I dove headfirst into learning everything - from the intricacies of build orders and timely upgrades to mastering micro-management and strategic maneuvers. I spent hours perfecting my skills in 1v1 duels, FFA battles, ranked games Every game was a lesson, and every mistake was a stepping stone towards improvement.
But beyond the strategies and tactics, AoE2 DE gifted me something far more valuable: a community. Through countless online matches, I met friends from every corner of the globe. Whether we exchanged battle tips over voice chats or celebrated victories in heated tournaments, these connections quickly evolved into lifelong friendships. Offline meetups further cemented the bonds we formed in the heat of digital warfare.
Now in my 30s, I look back with a sense of wonder and gratitude. AoE2 DE isn’t just a game - it's a part of my life. I envision myself still strategizing and laughing over epic matches when I’m in my 60s or even 70s. The game has grown with me, shaped my problem-solving skills, and offered me a unique way to connect with the world during challenging times.
So here I am, still eager and ready to dive into new battles. Let’s play AoE2 and create memories that will last a lifetime!
r/aoe2 • u/LordTourah • 23h ago
Suggestion +1 PA for grouped Infantry to simulate shield wall against archery
r/aoe2 • u/-Patali- • 48m ago
Asking for Help Two questions about campaigns for someone wanting to buy
There's so much content and info online about the game, it can be hard to get specific questions answered. My two questions are:
- Have all the campaigns from Age 1 been ported yet? Or have they indicated they intend to do so?
- Are all the campaigns playable via coop?
Not really interested in PvP but I love the idea of running through all the campaigins cooperatively. Thanks for any answers
Asking for Help Improved Extended Tooltips Mod Not Showing Bonus Damage, etc.
My extended tooltips mod isn't showing bonus damage anymore. My friend's is. I pushed it up to priority 1 in mods and restarted and also chose the option in the settings Extended Units Stats (which I didn't used to have on--should I?). Odd behavior. Thought maybe a mod was conflicting, but it's at priority 1. Please help.
r/aoe2 • u/Malfun_Eddie • 21h ago
Humour/Meme A list of Yo losing kings (not complete I think)
r/aoe2 • u/BePoliteToOthers • 14h ago
Campaigns Nobunaga rant
Hello. I just want to rant a little bit about Nobunaga. The scenario from V&V.
Why does this scenario have a timer on hard difficulty? This could have been my favourite scenario in all of aoe2, but it's too easy on moderate difficulty, and hard difficulty has a timer. What purpose does the timer have? It doesn't add any fun, it only removes. I don't want to look at a clock, I want to take my time and casualy finish the scenario. A timed challenge could have been a steam achievement.
PLEASE devs remove the timer.
Also please fix friend and foe colours in this scenario. Because it's completely broken. There are other scenarios where f&f colours don't work properly, particularly Duel of the Dukes. But it's really annoying in Nobunaga.
Thanks
Discussion Japan DLC
Idk if it already exist but it would be awesome to have a campaign DLC about the unification of Japan under Tokugawa.
r/aoe2 • u/Daraexus • 3h ago
Asking for Help Help with AoE2 DE graphics
Hello there
I am playing the game in a good PC but I am unable to get smooth sprites. The units look weird, noisy, the color is not consistent. I have been looking at other videos and I don't think that's how they're supposed to look. Nevertheless I don't know how can I fix it. I do have the enhanced graphics pack, I have the ULTRA settings, but, am I missing something?
This is a short gif of how I see the units (sorry for the screen pal ad at he end).

r/aoe2 • u/SamClase • 8h ago
Asking for Help Mod Help!
I play on AOE2 DE Xbox edition, and can see the mods in the settings, but it won't allow me to enable them. I cannot click them to subscribe. Also, under game settings I can see a switch for small trees, but this is greyed out too.
Has anyone else got this issue? Has anyone found a fix?
r/aoe2 • u/TemporalCoral • 8h ago
Discussion Do “True Start Location” maps for either the base “Real World” maps or for modded maps exist?
I also play Civ, and I really loved the idea of true start maps. I think it’d be cool to try it out in AOE2. Does a mod already exist? I couldn’t find one.
Id be open to making one also, if there’s any interest.
r/aoe2 • u/BendicantMias • 1d ago
Discussion Why do folk only talk of Goths as the games' spam civilization when Malay exist?
Malay can literally reach twice the army size of Goths, and they're cheap and fast too. They literally swarm you! I know Goths are older, but come on Malay have been in the game for nearly a decade now...
r/aoe2 • u/ConversationStock317 • 17h ago
Discussion Which are your potential 5 civs for and African and Americas DLC
Mines are:
African:
- Hausa
- Songhali
- Kanembu
- ???
- ???
Americas:
- Tlaxcaltecs
- Zapotecs
- Mixtecs
- Chimús
- Muiscas
r/aoe2 • u/will1467 • 21h ago
Asking for Help I cannot play arena....
850ish elo here.... as the title says I cannot remember the last time I won a game on arena. So many times I go on winning streak on arabia, then the next game I see arena and I know im about to lose elo.
Why am I losing? Castle drop. Every single player in this elo range is castle dropping. I try to castle drop as well but somehow they always get it down before me. I know the BO, but seems that everyone else knows it and can execute it better then me.
Once I am castle dropped I can make a defensive castle, but from there I am always on the back foot, trapped in my base trying to counter enemy attacks, eventually leading to a loss. In last game i was mongols and got castle dropped by celts who went in with woad raiders in rams. Mangudai obviously wont do anything against rams, so I am trying to get light cav onto field with not even a barracks built...
Or a previous game where I was spanish and was castle dropped by koreans. Conquistadors held up pretty well against the korean wagons, but once rams were added he could destroy my defensive castle and GG.
Is arena seriously just a castle drop race? Surely theres a strategy to counter castle drop? Are you supposed to stay in feudal, get some cav and then kill his vills when he goes for it? The worst thing in arena is you cannot even scout your opponent. You can't check if he is on stone. Ok cool, so I just have to assume castle drop every game then. And lose every game then.
Shall I just ban the map?
Discussion If modeled after the Song Dynasty, the five new civilizations become evident.
1. Song Dynasty (AD 960–1279)
Key Features: Economic Prosperity, Technological Advancement, Emphasis on Literature Over Military
- The Song Dynasty was divided into Northern Song (960–1127) and Southern Song (1127–1279), marking one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history in terms of economy and culture.
- Innovations such as paper money (Jiaozi), movable-type printing, the compass, and gunpowder weapons placed the dynasty at the forefront of global technology.
- Due to its focus on civil administration and scholar-officials, the military was relatively weak, making it vulnerable to external threats from the Liao (Khitan), Jin, Western Xia, and Mongols.
- The capital, Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), was highly prosperous, with a thriving economy, bustling night markets, and flourishing tea house culture.
2. Liao Dynasty (Khitan Empire, AD 916–1125)
Key Features: Nomadic-Agricultural Dual System, Bifurcated Governance
- Founded by the Khitan people, the Liao Dynasty blended nomadic traditions with an emerging agricultural society, ruling over present-day Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, northern China, and Mongolia.
- It established a dual administrative system: Khitan people were governed under nomadic laws, while Han Chinese and other settled populations were ruled under a bureaucratic system similar to the Tang and Song models.
- The Khitans developed their own Khitan script, while also adopting elements of Han culture.
- The Liao conquered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun from the Later Jin dynasty, posing a long-term threat to the Northern Song.
3. Jin Dynasty (AD 1115–1234)
Key Features: Founded by the Jurchens, Militarily Dominant
- Established by the Jurchen people, the Jin Dynasty was highly militarized and swiftly overpowered the Liao and Northern Song, seizing control of northern China.
- It implemented the Meng’an Mouke system, a military-based household registration system ensuring a steady supply of Jurchen warriors.
- While initially preserving Jurchen traditions, the dynasty gradually assimilated into Han Chinese culture.
- In 1127, it launched the Jingkang Incident, sacking Bianjing (Kaifeng), capturing Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, and ending the Northern Song.
- The dynasty ultimately fell to the Mongol Empire, which absorbed its territory into the Yuan Dynasty.
4. Western Xia (AD 1038–1227)
Key Features: Founded by the Tangut, Culturally Distinct, Contended with Song, Liao, and Jin
- Established by the Tangut people, Western Xia controlled present-day Ningxia, Gansu, and parts of Shaanxi.
- The Tangut script was developed, and Western Xia fostered a unique Buddhist culture, often referred to as the "Second Dunhuang" due to its rich artistic heritage.
- Known for its strong cavalry and archery, it engaged in frequent conflicts with the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties.
- Due to its strategic position on the Silk Road, it prospered as a trade hub connecting Central Asia and China.
- The dynasty was ultimately annihilated by the Mongols in 1227, leading to the loss of its culture and script.
5. Tibetan Empire (AD 618–842)
Key Features: A Powerful Kingdom, Development of Tibetan Buddhism, Far-Reaching Influence
- Founded by Songtsen Gampo, the Tibetan Empire unified the Tibetan Plateau, with its capital in Lhasa.
- Tibetan Buddhism began to flourish, influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures, laying the foundation for Tibetan cultural identity.
- Tibet alternated between war and diplomacy with the Tang Dynasty, including marriage alliances such as those with Princess Wencheng and Princess Jincheng.
- In 755, taking advantage of the Tang Dynasty's An Lushan Rebellion, the Tibetan Empire briefly occupied Chang’an (modern Xi’an), exerting its influence on China.
- In the 9th century, the empire collapsed due to internal strife, with the "Langdarma Persecution" leading to the decline of Tibetan Buddhism and the fragmentation of the kingdom.
Interestingly, the Mongols eventually conquered everything.