Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North launched on October 29, 2026, for PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5. It introduces the Vikings and Scots, alongside the Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer biomes. Official launch announcement.
A second expansion for 2026
The release follows World’s Edge’s plan for two Age of Empires IV expansions this year. Yue Fei’s Legacy previously added a campaign set in China. This time the focus moves north, with the Viking civilization developing from its early raiding identity toward the medieval kingdoms of Scandinavia. World’s Edge’s 2026 overview.
Two different economic foundations
Viking villagers arrive automatically and without a resource cost until their capacity is reached. Longhouses raise that limit and accept economic attachments. Seven Sagas award military or economic bonuses for completing objectives. Berserkers temporarily heal and increase their damage when their health becomes low. Official Vikings overview.
The Scots generate food through cattle grazing at berry bushes without consuming them. Tower Houses produce and shelter the animals. The Mustering Hall rapidly raises troops for food, while Gallowglass heavy infantry deal area damage and can brace against cavalry charges. Official Scots overview.
Our reading of these systems is that the Vikings ask players to rethink population growth, while the Scots make the placement and protection of food production especially important. That is an interpretation of their rules, not a competitive verdict. Neither description establishes which civilization will be easier to learn or stronger in ranked play.
Both civilizations come with their own architecture, music and masteries. Viking armies later gain access to units including Knights and Militia Crossbowmen. The expansion also develops Crucible with additional objectives, Boons, Perks, Mutators and civilization-specific Talent Tracks. Expansion preview.
Crucible co-op has ownership requirements
The four missions are Sea Raiders, Scottish Isthmus, Lost Desert and Thunder & Trumpets. Raiders of the North unlocks Crucible without requiring Dynasties of the East. For a pre-arranged co-op lobby, both players need the DLC containing their selected mission. Quick match has different ownership rules, so that restriction should not be generalized to every match. Crucible details and FAQ.
For a first evening together, we would suggest choosing one goal: learning an unfamiliar economy or concentrating on a scenario. Trying to evaluate a civilization, learn a challenge and coordinate with a partner simultaneously makes it harder to understand what went wrong. A more deliberate introduction should help separate mistakes from possible balance concerns.
The update comes with a compatibility warning
Update 17.0.12182 adds an Attack Move setting for whether buildings are targeted. Saves and match recordings from previous builds are incompatible with the new version. The developers also corrected an earlier claim: single-player pausing with commands is not available yet and has been deferred to a later patch before the end of 2026. Update notes.
On Steam, the expansion requires Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. The accessible listing showed $19.99 when checked on October 30; regional pricing may differ. This is downloadable content, not a standalone game. Steam listing.
Returning players therefore have a fairly specific choice: new civilizations for regular matches, or additional challenges to tackle together in Crucible. The systems are documented, but their balance, learning curve and long-term appeal still need to be judged through play rather than the announcement alone.
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