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This article documents upcoming content. Article may contain inaccuracies or values that are subject to change as information is updated. Please remove this template when the content has gone live. Adding speculation and leaks is prohibited, hence only information publicly revealed can be added. Release date: February 17, 2026 Related content can be found in the category: The Last Chieftains |
| “ | Venture into medieval South America to command the Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi through dense jungles and vivid landscapes in three epic campaigns where folklore, warfare, and endless intrigue collide. | ” |
| —Steam description | ||
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - The Last Chieftains is an upcoming expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, set to release on February 17, 2026, and available to pre-order (though not for Playstation 5) in January 2026.[1][2] It adds three new civilizations (playable in all game modes including Ranked) from the late 15th and 16th century South America, a new architecture set, and three new campaigns. It also features a rework of the Inca and their campaign Pachacuti, along with reworked naval combat and a new regional siege ship, which will be available to all players of the game.
Civilizations[]
| “ | In the Last Chieftains expansion, you will dive into medieval South America and take command of three powerful and unique new civilizations as history and folklore combine to present epic conflicts, riveting narratives, and endless intrigue. Challenge your friends in skirmish matches or battle your way across South America with three new civilizations. You can fight as the Mapuche, who famously harnessed the power of cavalry with their fearsome Bolas Riders to fight back against their Spanish oppressors, or wield the might of the Guecha Warrior, the famed elite soldier of the Muisca people. Finally, unleash the dual threat of the Blackwood Archers and Ibirapema Warriors as the Tupi, battling through the jungles of South America. | ” |
| —[3] | ||
| Architecture set | Civilizations |
|---|---|
| South American (new) |  Inca (existing)
|
 Mapuche
| |
| Muisca
| |
| Tupi
|
- Mapuche: Throw off the yoke of foreign oppression through unconventional cavalry and counter-unit tactics. The Mapuche unique units are the Kona, a melee cavalryman that deals increased damage to injured targets, and the Bolas Rider, a ranged cavalryman whose projectiles slow down enemy units.
- Muisca: Dominate the Colombian Andes with economic prowess, piety, and deadly ranged soldiers. The Muisca unique units are the Guecha Warrior, a javelineer whose death heals nearby Guecha Warriors, and the Temple Guard, a heavy infantryman that attacks faster the longer it remains in combat.
- Tupi: Master the jungles and coastlines of modern-day Brazil with infantry and ranged soldiers. The Tupi unique units are the Blackwood Archer, an inexpensive ranged soldier that trains in pairs, and the Ibirapema Warrior, a heavy infantryman who deals area damage.
Campaigns[]
| “ | The campaigns follow the true historical struggles of the brave men and women who stood up to violence from both internal and external forces. Take Arariboia (1520–1589 CE), who clashed with his indigenous rival Cunhambebe and was forced to ally with the Portuguese invaders to save his people from annihilation; or Lautaro (1534–1557 CE), who escaped enslavement under the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia and rallied the Mapuche to fight back against the Spanish invaders. In the final campaign, folk hero Pacanchique navigates the turmoil of the Muisca civil wars between the northern and southern territories that took place in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The significance of this period cannot be overstated: Lautaro's rebellion was a major event in the Arauco War, which lasted for over 300 years, during which the Mapuche successfully resisted Spanish invasion — one of the few indigenous peoples able to do so. Meanwhile, Arariboia's bravery and loyalty to the Portuguese in the face of a French invasion were rewarded with a knighthood in the Order of Christ, cementing his legacy. Finally, the Muisca legend of El Dorado lives on to this day, underscoring the enduring power of myth and memory in shaping history. |
” |
| —[3] | ||
The expansion will add three new campaigns with a total of 15 scenarios centered around the forces of folk heroes like Lautaro, Pacanchique, and Arariboia, which also introduce memorable secondary characters such as Galvarino and Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon. The choices taken in scenarios will carry over to future ones. The Muisca campaign will offer a unique narrative choice, allowing players to experience the story from two distinct perspectives, depending on whether they choose to serve Nemequene or Quemuenchatocha.
- Lautaro (Mapuche): After witnessing his village's destruction, the young warrior Lautaro vows revenge on the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. Can Lautaro change his people's fate by mastering Spanish tactics?
- El Dorado (Muisca): Commander Pacanchique is forced to pick a side between two powerful rulers, yet his true loyalty lies with his beloved Azay. Can Pacanchique protect her while surviving Muisca infighting and European incursions?
- Arariboia (Tupi): When a rival tribe threatens his people with extinction, chieftain Arariboia resolves to protect them at any cost. Will he be able to secure Portuguese aid and reclaim his people's lost homeland?
Additionally, the Inca and their campaign Pachacuti will be reworked to include civilizations and units introduced in this expansion:
| “ | The Pachacuti campaign for the Inca has been thoroughly updated and modernized. It now features quality-of-life additions like objective markers, and integrates many of The Last Chieftains' new civilizations and units for a richer, more varied experience. The improved Pachacuti campaign is available for free to all Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition players. Relive the days of the great Earth-Shaker and build your Inca empire! |
” |
| —[3] | ||
Units[]
Unique[]
Kona: Mapuche melee cavalryman that deals increased damage to injured targets- Bolas Rider: Mapuche ranged cavalryman whose projectiles slow down enemy units
- Guecha Warrior: Muisca javelineer whose death heals nearby Guecha Warriors
- Temple Guard: Muisca heavy infantryman that attacks faster the longer it remains in combat
- Blackwood Archer: Tupi inexpensive ranged soldier that trains in pairs
- Ibirapema Warrior: Tupi heavy infantryman that deals area damage
Regional[]
- Champi Warrior: Fast infantry that can build Outposts and excels at scouting, raiding, and fighting ranged soldiers. Available to the Inca, Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi.
- A new siege ship
Additionally, the Slinger will be turned into a regional unit for the Inca, Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi.
Animals[]
- Black Jaguar (predator)
- Capybara (herdable)
- Rhea (huntable)
- Guanaco
- Unidentified aquatic snake
Buildings[]
- Settlement: Regional building that supports population and serves as a dropsite for all resources. Available to the Inca, Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi.
Trivia[]
- This is the first expansion after the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to add a new architecture set for Age of Empires II game modes (the others being expansions for Age of Empires and Chronicles).
- Considering the non-Age of Empires II game modes, it is the fourth, with Return of Rome,[note 1] Chronicles: Battle for Greece, and Chronicles: Alexander the Great preceding it.
- The new civilizations are three tribes, representing the modern-day countries in which they primarily resided: the Tupi from Brazil and in some areas of Paraguay (Tupí-Guaraní), the Mapuche from Chile and Argentina, and the Muisca from Colombia.[3]
Gallery[]
Preview of the Mapuche
Preview of the Muisca
Preview of the Tupi
Preview of the Arariboia campaign (Arariboia and his Portuguese allies fight the ruthless forces of Cunhambebe)
Preview of the El Dorado campaign (Zipa warriors protect the Temple of the Sun against Zaque forces)
Preview of the Lautaro campaign
Muisca attackers besiege an Inca stronghold
Tupi raiders attack a Muisca town
Lautaro leads the Mapuche forces in the Araucanian War
The same place at a different time
Some new animals are visible
References[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Return of Rome does not add new sets, but adds pre-existing Age of Empires sets to the Age of Empires II game client.
