Public Update Preview - January Update

Age of Empires III: DE III - Discussion
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Hello Explorers!

With today’s launch of the Public Update Preview, we’re making the first build available for an early hands look at the work being done for the upcoming January Update. As part of this process, we’ll be updating the build with additional fixes, so this is the thread to watch – this is where we’ll provide any notes or changes that are worth paying attention to, and we’ll update that information as newer builds come online. Keep an eye on this thread for more information throughout the Public Update Preview.

Below is a list of preliminary fixes we are prepping for this release. Please note that not all potential fixes/items are guaranteed to be in the final update, as we are still actively testing everything and may need to adjust or remove items if they are not ready. Additionally, this is not a holistic list, and some additional items may end up in our final release.

Quick reminders -

  • For common questions and answers, go here FAQ [steamcommunity.com]

  • To learn how to contact our Support team, go here Support How-To [steamcommunity.com]

  • As with all updates, certain Mods may no longer function as the underlying game code has changed. If you are experiencing issues please try disabling all Mods first to see if that addresses your issue as the Mod may need to be updated by the creator to work with the latest build.

January Update – Build # 100.15.59076.0

Stability & Performance

  • Fixed an issue with the Hero Cosmetic rewards not being unlocked for some players.

  • Fixed an issue where the game could crash when picking up treasure if the player name contains a % character.

UI

  • Added legacy hotkeys for units in Blockhouses, Grenadiers in Barracks, Ordinance Riflemen and Karelian Jaegers.

  • Cards of Salteadores are now colored green to use another color from Chinacos and Soldados.

  • Added new icons for recently added team cards.

  • Updated the icons of the Japanese Attack cards for Samurai, Yumi, Ashigaru and Yabusame.

  • Fixed the dark player color in the Ram icon.

  • Fixed the head size in the Wokou Ronin and Masterless Samurai icon.

  • Fixed the Inspiring Flag’s icon when returning from Mexican revolutions.

  • Fixed the Guerilla Tactics icon in the Yucatan revolution.

  • Fixed the outdated Observers card tooltip in the Yucatan revolution.

SOUND

  • The following cards now play a jingle upon arrival:

    • Marvelous Year (Spanish)

    • British Grenadiers (British)

  • Georgian Hussars (Russians): Now speak Georgian.

GRAPHICS

  • Mounted Riflemen now display swords while in the melee stance.

  • Masterless Samurai now wear a brown robe to be distinguishable from Wokou Ronin.

  • Upgraded Spies now wear a historical mask.

  • Fixed an issue with the Jesuit Church skin not always showing up correctly for the Ethiopians.

GENERAL

Units & Buildings

  • Artillery: Now take 3 seconds to embark on ships.

  • Walls: Costs increased by an additional +4w to 10w (up from 6w).

  • Hand Shock Infantry: Fixed the omission of removing the Cover mode from several units such as Tiger Claws or Rattan Shields.

  • Stagger formation: Increased the maximum numbers of lines in the Stagger formation to 6 (from 4) to ensure units spread out correctly at the selection limit of 95.

  • Galleon-likes: Ships that can train units by default are now classified as Training Ships.

  • Culverin: Now inflicts 400 damage against Training Ships such as Galleons or Steamers (down from 700).

  • Outlaws: Added a class icon to make bonuses against Outlaws visible in the statistics panel. Damage bonuses against Outlaws get added through Sheriff (United States) and Carabinieri (Italians).

  • Wokou Ronin: Speed increased to 5 (from 4.5).

  • Tatar Archer (Tengri Shrine): ROF improved to 1.2 (from 1.25) and artillery damage multiplier reverted to 2.5x (from 2x).

  • Mountain Trooper (House of Wittelsbach): Reduced the promotions’ benefits for range and rate-of-fire for level 2 and 3 by about -33%.

  • Sudanese Dervish (Sudanese):

    • Damage, range and ranged resistance reduced to 9 (from 14), 13 (from 14) and 15% (from 20%).

    • Removed the 0.5x damage multipliers against infantry, artillery and villagers.

    • Ranged damage multiplier against Heavy Infantry reduced to 2.5x (from 3x).

    • Speed increased to 5 (from 4.5).

  • Zapotec Lightning Warrior (Zapotecs): Damage multiplier against Heavy Infantry reduced to 2.25x (from 2.5x).

Cards & Technologies

  • Advanced Artillery (III): Now also sends 1 Mortar.

  • Bastion, Redoubts, City Walls (IV): Now slows down Wall construction time by an additional +30% (up to +80%, 70% for Redoubts).

  • Goldener Reiter (House of Wettin): This ability now increases cavalry armor by +15% (down from +20%).

Aztecs

  • Arrow Knight:

    • Speed increased to 4 (from 3.75).

    • Improved damage multipliers against artillery and cavalry to 5.25x and 0.75x (from 5x and 0.6x).

British

  • Improved Grenades, Grenade Rifles (III, IV): Cards removed and effects merged into the new British Grenadiers card.

  • [NEW] British Grenadiers (III): Card added. Compared to the two previous cards this card improves Grenadiers in combat by 15% (down from 20%) and building damage by an additional +20% (down from 25%).

Chinese

  • Hand Mortar: Added a 6x damage multiplier against Siege Units.

  • TEAM Hanging Bridges (II): Corrected the availability of the card to Age 2 (from Age 1) and updated the icon and name to TEAM Yongle Infrastructure.

Dutch

  • Dutch East India Company (I): Improves Bank HP by 50% (from 100%). Icon updated.

  • Belanda Hitam (IV): Fixed the omission of build limits for Akan Ankobias (now 20). Build limit now scales with additional Akan settlements.

Ethiopians

  • Shotel Warrior: Movement speed increased to 6.25 (up from 6).

  • [NEW] TEAM Habesha Kemis (II): Sends 3 Villagers.

  • 7 Jesuit Allies (II): Now sends 6 Conquistadors.

  • 10 Jesuit Allies (III): Now sends 8 Conquistadors.

French

  • TEAM Tirailleurs Sénégalais: Name simplified to TEAM Senegalese Riflemen and icon updated.

Germans

  • Doppelsöldner: Melee attack range is now visible.

  • TEAM Cavalry Attack (II): Effect no longer stacks with the Italian equivalent card.

Haudenosaunee

  • War Chief: Eagle Eye ability’s area-of-effect reduced to 2 (from 3).

  • Tomahawk: Hitpoints reduced to 145 (from 150).

  • Forest Prowler: Train time increased to 36s (from 33s).

  • Ram: Can now attack units inflicting 10 damage with a 4x multiplier against Artillery. Rams continue to prioritize buildings over units.

Hausa

  • Fodio Tactics (II):

    • Card moved to Age 3.

    • Non-siege range now gets increased by +2 (down from +3).

    • Siege range now gets increased by +4 (up from +3).

  • Fulani Archer: Range increased to 18 (from 17).

Inca

  • Huaraca:

    • Damage multiplier against Infantry now applies to Heavy Infantry only.

    • Range reduced to 21 in Age 3 (down from 23) and increased to 14 in Age 2 (up from 12).

  • Plumed Spearman: Cost increased to 100f 25w (from 90f 25w).

  • Chimu Runner: Cost and train time increased to 75f 40c (from 70f 35c) and 30s (from 27s).

  • Jungle Bowman: Poison effect now inflicts 50% less damage against Heavy Cavalry and Hand Shock Infantry.

  • Priestess: Hitpoints reduced to 320 (from 360).

Italians

  • Roman Tactics (IV): Now also improves units in the Imperial Age by an additional +15%, but the aura’s radius has been halved to 17.

  • TEAM Cavalry Attack (II): Effect no longer stacks with the German equivalent card.

Lakota

  • TEAM Rum Distillery (I): Card added.

Japanese

  • 47-Ronin (IV): Masterless Samurai are now also classified as Heavy Infantry and had their speed reduced to 5.5 (down from 7).

  • TEAM Odzutsu Mortars (III):

    • Fixed an issue with the card neither affecting damage nor the team as a whole.

    • Now also grants Samurai a hand mortar siege attack (only against buildings).

Maltese

  • Reduced shipment penalty curve to 1% (from 2%).

  • [NEW] 1 Falconet + 1 Mortar (III): Card added.

Mexicans

  • Salteador:

    • Hitpoints and speed reduced to 110 (from 115) and 4 (from 4.25).

    • Range reduced to 18, but the Vigilantes upgrade now adds +2 range (up from +1).

  • Plan of Ayutla (IV): Fixed an issue that resulted in Revolutionaries not becoming available after returning from a revolt.

  • Plan of Miramare (IV): Cost reduced to 750w 750f (from 1000w 1000f).

  • Maya Revolution:

    • Cruzob Infantry: Range decreased to 16 (from 18) and cost increased to 80f 35c (from 80f 30c).

    • Cult of the Talking Cross: Corrected the tooltip pointing out the card improves both hitpoints and damage of all hero units (not just Generals) and improves treasure rewards.

    • Nojpetén: Now also sends 6 Fishing Boats.Icon updated.

    • Maria Uicab:

      • Updated the Priestess’ strength and capabilities to roughly match a legendary Inca Priestess.

      • Enables retraining in Cathedrals (build limit 1) for 300c.Icon updated.

  • Rio Grande Revolution:

    • Guard upgrades: Remain free, but now take 200% longer to research.

    • Sierra Madre Republic: Maximum amount of possible Settlers reduced to 24 (from 85).

  • Texas Army (Texas Revolution): Fixed an issue with the cost increase by setting it to 500c. Also reverted the train time increase.

Ottomans

  • Azap:

    • Fixed an issue with the siege damage not being reduced to 20.

    • Ranged damage multiplier against Light Cavalry increased to 3.25x (from 3x).

    • Range decreased to 14, but the Veteran and Guard upgrades now improve range by +2 (up from +1).

  • The Imam (II): Cost increased to 900 food and now provides 200 gold (up from 100).

Portuguese

  • Ordinance Rifleman: Reverted unintentional improvements to the unit’s speed and train time.

  • TEAM Rum Distillery (I): Card added and replaces the Rum Distillery card.

  • Naval Infantry (I): Now also classifies other ships than Galleons as Training Ships, resulting in lower damage from Culverins.

Russians

  • 5 Poruchiks (II, Russians): Increased to 6 Poruchiks.

Swedes

  • March of the Hakkapelits (II): Now also sends 3 Hakkapelits.

United States

  • Carbine Cavalry: Range reduced to 12 (from 14) in Age 2, but automatically restored to 14 in Age 3.

REVOLUTIONS

ARGENTINA

  • Hire Elmetti: Fixed the wrong display number of the card in the Italian Argentina revolution.

CANADA

  • Native Warrior Conscription: Card replaced with TEAM Native Weapon Trade increasing native warrior build limits.

CHILE

  • German Settlements: Now sends 2 Settler Wagons (down from 3) and Settler Wagons take 40s to train (up from 25s).

  • Salitrera: Fixed the omission of build limits for Estates (now 10) and lowered the coin trickle to 0.5c/s (down from 0.8c/s).

GRAN COLOMBIA

  • 3 Ironclads: Card added.

INDONESIA

  • Advanced Arsenal: Card added.

  • Sumatran Elephants (infinite): Also adds 1 population space cost to War Elephants.

PERU

  • American Allies: Fixed an issue with the card not removing the Quechua option within the Caribs’ alliance.

  • Manco Inca: Manco Inca is no longer classified as hero.

ROMANIA

  • 8 Cavalry Archers (infinite): Card added.

  • [NEW] Russian Expeditionary Army (500c): Sends 9 Counter Dragoons and 3 Culverins.

  • Fixed an issue with several cards not providing their revolutionary bonus effect.

UNITED STATES

  • Bushnell’s Continental Sappers: Reverted the cost increase to 500c (from 800c).

  • Knox Continental Artillery: Cost reduced to 600w (from 1000w).

  • Removed costs from the following cards:

    • Lee’s Continental Light Dragoons (-500f),

    • Morgan’s Continental Sharpshooters (-500w),

    • Haslet’s Continental Regiment (-500c).

CAMPAIGNS

Algiers (1516)

  • Fixed the appearance of the Villagers.

  • Mosques now use the North African skin.

  • Replaced the Grenadiers of the Barbary Pirates with Humbaracis.

Christopher Da Gama’s Expedition(1542)

  • Fixed an issue with the 3 Organ Gun card costing resources.

Battle of Alcácer-Quibir (1578)

  • Fixed the appearance of the Villagers.

  • Replaced the Grenadiers of the Moroccans with Humbaracis.

  • Mosques now use the North African skin.

Chuvash Cape (1582)

  • The Tatars now train Tatar Archers instead of Cavalry Archers.

MAPS

GENERAL

  • Historical Battles: Added flags to the thumbnails of the Historical Battles for easier identification of player civilizations.

Random Maps

  • Unknown: Fixed an issue with several spawns.

Standard Maps

  • Removed Rockies

  • Removed Sudd

  • Added Deccan

  • Added Horn

Team Maps

  • Removed Alaska

  • Removed Malaysia

  • Added Pomerania

  • Added Spain

15 Likes
2

Yessss. Keep nerfing those Incans until there is nothing left but rubble.

6 Likes
3

nerf to haudenosaunee is super questionable, largely a good looking patch list. odd that hand mortars get the anti siege unit multi but not light cannon or siege elephants

13 Likes
5

More Otto nerfs? A rather significant Ports buff?

Holy cow, that’s amazing.

Also people are gonna use Samurai much more now and that’s a stealth nerf for Lakota and France funny enough.

6

nooo why did they add Deccan ;-;

2 Likes
8

Better do a map vote for the community, like in AoE4 and AoE2.

27 Likes
9

Why Nerfing Salteadors? And When Salteadors Card in Age 4? And why not making the Age up Cost cheaper to make viable a sort of Semi FF just Like Euro civs?

2 Likes
10

Will there be any updates Revolution: Jacobites’s Britain ’s cards rev civ and rev civ irish and Spain crossbowmen’s card Rifleman Miquelets they are give it to us

2 Likes
11

Deccan is Classic and Good for cheese Strats 21

1 Like
12

It was fair.

Removes heavy infantry tag.

13

new england is also a classic ;-;

3 Likes
14

When Haiti Revolt Buff. Like Polish allies which ships Like 10 Guard Winged Hussars. When Infinite 16 Maroons?

2 Likes
15

image

New outlaw icon

4 Likes
16

Germany can have 2500res shipment for 1000c
Ethiopia cant have 1600 res shipment for 500inf. I see, i see. I guess it would be too much for me to ask a way to stand up to spain anyways.
Shotel buff … never saw it coming, better give it multy vs arty.
Also aztec gets 11 maya x2 for 500c (0 pop). Hausa gets 9 musks for 500c (27 pop) and this is still not touched in any way.
Walls :skull:. Altho i appreciate advanced arty buff.

1 Like
17

The single most important question is still unanswered though…

Has the explorer skin unlock bug been fixed? Actually fixed?

Edit: I know the notes say it has, but I will not believe until I see evidence

Edit 2: it is fixed!!!

5 Likes
18

It is clearly unreasonable for the Chimu people and the Bourbon Musketeers to use the same cost

Also, I would like to know where the preparation for the new DLC is? When can we see the emergence of new Asian indigenous peoples and Persians?

4 Likes
23

This seems nice. Though a late game buff for late game would still be nice.

Sweet. Seems like a great addition. It’s a straight buff to a civ that could use it.

Not what I would have done, but it’s nice to see a patch with no Aztec nerfs.

Nice buff to a useless card (Naval Infantry). Team Rum Distillery is nice too. The nerf to ORs seems reasonable, I’d rather like to see Cassadors make a comeback. Too many ORs lately.

This will either be fun or quite bad. This could really go either way…

Seems like a good patch overall. Good work devs!

1 Like
24

The small nerfs to the Salteador and the cruzoob infantry are appreciated. But Mexico continues to be broken in the treaty and Italy continues to be trash.

7 Likes
25

you mean outlaws? that unit thats worth 2x of a unit and is a super caro? on a civ with plenty of cows?

its not a musk if you want to make a comparison, use the akan one in age2 vs aztec maya. i think maya 2x send too much as well (should be 1 or less per a ship imho) but hard to compare

Also conqs also include the shadowtech, and are generally considered one of the best goons in the game, on a civ with plenty of anti cav, vs a civ with 10xp malus, is probably not the best comparison. like by your own cost estimation, its 1100 worth of conqs vs 1k +10% xp cost.

this hardly kills the civs especially now shotels are faster.

1 Like