Next American DLC for 2028

Age of Empires II: DE II - Discussion
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Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – “Empires of the Sun” (2028 DLC Concept)

A Dynasties of India–style expansion focused on a full rework of American civilizations.

Empires of the Sun introduces four new civilizations from Central and Andean South America, alongside deep balance updates for the classic American civs (Aztecs, Mayas, Incas) and compatibility adjustments with The Last Chieftains ones (Muisca, Mapuche, Tupi).

This expansion is conceived similarly to Dynasties of India, requiring significant redesigns to ensure long-term balance across all American-based civilizations.

New Civilizations

Purepuchas (Mesoamerican)

Fortification civilization

  • Unique Unit: Quangariecha – Infantry with a mace; durable frontline unit designed to pressure buildings and fortified positions.

Mixtecs (Mesoamerican)

Infantry civilization

  • Unique Unit: Owl Warrior – Fast-moving infantry specializing in ambush tactics and anti-archer roles.

Chimus (Andean American)

Naval civilization

  • Unique Unit: Maceman – Heavy infantry with siege-like characteristics, effective vs. buildings and slow targets.

Tiwanakus (Andean American)

Monk civilization

  • Unique Unit: Gusha – Halberd infantry designed to counter cavalry and heavy units.

  • Second Unique Unit: Puma Priest – A hybrid monk-warrior with limited combat ability and reduced conversion time.

New Architecture Set

Andean American Architecture

Used by:

  • Incas (updated)

  • Chimus

  • Tiwanakus

This architecture differentiates true Andean highland cultures from the lowland South American set used by Mapuches, Muiscas, and Tupis.

New Regional Units

For Andean Civilizations (Incas, Chimus, Tiwanakus):

Slinger

  • Former Inca unique unit

  • Now a regional ranged infantry option for all Andean civs.

Elite Slinger (Inca-exclusive improvement)

  • Incas retain a unique Imperial Age upgrade, preserving their identity and the original role of the slinger.

Bolas Warrior

  • Replaces the Xolotl Warrior for Andean civs when converting an enemy Stable.

  • A ranged cavalry unit that disables or slows enemies instead of functioning as heavy cavalry.

Andean Runner

  • Replaces the Eagle Warrior line for Andean civs.

  • Three variations: Scout, Runner, Elite Runner.

  • Special ability: retains high speed even on slopes and elevated terrain.

For Mesoamerican Civilizations (Aztecs, Mayas, Purepuchas, Mixtecs):

Atlatl Warrior

  • Replaces the standard Skirmisher line.

  • A light infantry/javelin mix with improved accuracy and a distinct attack animation.

Holcan Javelineer (Mayas – second unique unit)

  • Elite infantry equipped with heavy javelins.

  • Designed to counter enemy infantry and lightly-armored units.

  • Available from Imperial Age at Barracks.

New Unique Building

War Hut (Aztecs – Castle Age)

A hybrid Barracks + Archery Range building, improving Aztec infantry-archer synergy and battlefield mobility.

Scenario Editor Additions

New fully functional units adapted from Age of Empires III and American cultures, including:

  • Carib Blowgunner

  • Cree Tracker

  • Quechua Huaminca

  • Nootka Clubman

  • Iroquois Mantlet

  • Zapotec Thunder Warrior

  • Huron Mantlet

Plus additional Aztec and Inca units from AoE III civs.

Summary

Empires of the Sun is a large-scale American rework DLC releasing in 2028, adding:

  • 4 new civilizations (Purepuchas, Mixtecs, Chimus, Tiwanakus)

  • New Andean architecture

  • New regional unit systems for both Andean and Mesoamerican civs

  • New unique units for Mayas and Incas

  • War Hut unique building for Aztecs

  • Dozens of new scenario editor units

Designed to unify and balance all American civilizations—classic, DLC, and newly introduced—into a cohesive, competitive, and historically respectful gameplay experience.

8 Likes
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Is it not very early to demand yet another American DLC?

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Never too early 20 charactera

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We got Lords of the West and Dawn of the Dukes back to back, and if you include The Last Khans that’s 3 European DLCs in a row. I think asking for 2 Native American DLCs in a row is fair.

On the topic of slingers, they were used all over the world, so I think they could be a shared unit for all NA civs, instead of just Andean ones. Or they could add blowgunners.

5 Likes
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Slings were still commonly used in the pre world war era still just flinging rocks

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It’s definitely not unjustified. I hope, if we get another DLC, it’s either going to be set there or that the game is going back to Africa. There are obvious factions missing there as well (Swahili, Kanembu,Haussa, Nubians, Kongolese, Zimbabweans, Somalians…)

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I would just like to add that in the case of Chimu, it was not an Andean civilization but a coastal one, and its architecture is based primarily on adobe. The term “Andean” comes from the name of the main mountain range in South America: “Cordillera de los andes” or “The Andes” in English, just like “The Alps” or “The Himalayas.”

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This is good…

Yes, that’s true… I mean, they release three European DLCs in a row. The fair thing would be for them to let Europe and Asia rest a bit and then release three DLCs for both America and Africa…

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I wonder why they diverged from 2 civ DLC like LotW and DotD. It was such a good strategy. You design 4 civs and put 2 of them together with an existing civ and launch two DLC in a short period of time. Cash in and keep the fan base happy without trying to reinvent the wheel.

I understand the approach on DoI, and I like it (love it). I thought that TMR would give us the original approach. Then 3K ( :frowning: ).

At this point I’m not as excited as I was when 3K was announced. Hope for the best, we’ll see.

TLC sounds like it’s back to what an AoE2 DLC used to be (they could use a different name in reference to TLK). I like that the game is getting more content every time. But we need to start requesting to fix the current issues and give more options/tools to the current settings in the game.

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Yes, that’s true…but we have to keep the wheel turning…

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Cuz people found it less content?

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I think the issue was DoI, not the content itself. Sure, LotW and DotD each had two new civs and three campaigns. Then DoI arrived, and for the same price you got a fully reworked civ, three new civs, and three and a half new campaigns. The model was working—then they screwed it up themselves.

Now that discussion doesn’t really matter anymore—those DLCs are part of the game anyway. I wonder whether they’ll eventually absorb RoR and Chronicles into the base game as well, and if so, when.

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I doubt these two will become base content as its different to the base game.

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Yes, that won’t happen, at least not with RoR… the Chronicles civs actually can be played in unranked multiplayer with those from AoE 2…

1 Like