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This article is about the expansion of Age of Empires IV. For the campaign in the same expansion, see The Sultans Ascend (campaign). |
Age of Empires IV: The Sultans Ascend is the second expansion to Age of Empires IV. It was announced on Gamescom 2023 on 23 August 2023, and was released on 14 November 2023.
New civilizations[]
| “ | The Japanese civilization tells the story of the age of the Samurai and includes special Shinobi units for espionage and assassination. The Byzantines civilization focuses on the Eastern Roman Empire which lasted over a thousand years. Players will be able to build aqueducts and cisterns, harvest a new resource, and hire mercenaries. | ” |
Variant civilizations[]
| “ | We're also adding re-imagined variants of four existing civilizations, with exciting new heroes, units, and strategies. The Abbasid Dynasty, Chinese, French and Holy Roman Empire will receive these new Variant Civilizations and players will have new ways to play as seasoned favorite civilizations | ” |
Note: The variant civilizations are fully playable and function like separate regular civilizations
- Ayyubids - based on the Abbasid Dynasty
- Zhu Xi's Legacy - based on the Chinese
- Jeanne d'Arc - based on the French
- Order of the Dragon - based on the Holy Roman Empire
New campaign[]
Campaign menu
- Main article: The Sultans Ascend campaign
| “ | This new Age of Empires IV single player campaign takes place in the Middle East during the European Crusades. You'll take on the role of the Muslim resistance to the invasion and follow the story of well-known Muslim leaders, their struggles with the Crusaders, and the battles they fought. Our story begins with the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century when Muslim provinces are mired in rivalry with one another. The Crusaders take advantage of this and sweep through the Levantine coast, taking major cities and capturing Jerusalem leading to their controlling most of the Holy Land. Players will fight against the Holy Orders of the Templars, Hospitallers, and Teutons, as well as their old foes, the Mongols. The Sultans Ascend is the first Age of Empires IV campaign to feature naval gameplay! The fight plays out both on land and at sea with new heroes, abilities, and mechanics at your disposal. | ” |
New random maps[]
Ten new maps which are exclusive to the owners of the expansion.
- African Waters - Experience immediate conflict from the start as players must battle to secure both space and resources.
- Cliffside - A pattern of cliffs and passes weaves across the map, exposing rich Stone and Gold deposits.
- Forts - Emerging civilizations have dug up themselves into small defensive forts, awaiting an imminent clash for supremacy.
- Glade - While the initial wall of forest provides a sense of security, you must soon venture out of your hideout to battle for resources.
- Golden Pit - The central pit contains numerous large gold deposits. Conquering the gold deposits will be crucial for victory.
- Haywire - Expand outwards, away from the chaotic center, where both allies and foes are settled in close proximity.
- Hidden Valley - A sacred valley cuts its way between two large mountains. Hidden far behind the tree lines are secrets and treasures for those who dare to search for them.
- Himeyama - Start atop a hill with scarce resources and venture into the valley to uncover valuable deposits. Be cautious, however; your enemies seek the same treasures.
- Thickets - Vanquish the enemy by taking control of the holy lake or send your armies around the extensive forests and cliff-sides to surprise them.
- Turtle Ridge - Nestled between protective mountains and blessed with bountiful resources, civilizations have time to both construct impressive fortification and prepare massive armies to overcome those of their foes.
New biomes[]
The Sultans Ascend provides two biomes when creating lobbies:
- Japanese Spring
A beautiful springtime environment dotted with cherry trees in bloom. - Savanna
Based on the grassy plains of Africa and dotted with the iconic Acacia tree.
New achievements[]
Byzantine achievements[]
- Win For The Empire: Win a match as the Byzantines.
- Protecting Constantinople: Win 20 matches as the Byzantines.
- Unsinkable: Construct a Transport Ship with a Varangian Guard and garrison it fully as the Byzantines.
- Getting Some Help: Recruit 60 mercenaries from a Mercenary House in a single match as the Byzantines.
- Bulwark: Defeat 200 enemies with Limitanei while Shield Wall is active as the Byzantines.
- Let There Be Fire: Destroy 50 buildings with Cheirosiphons as the Byzantines.
- Overflow: Build 10 Cisterns in a single match as the Byzantines.
- Let It Flow: Accrue 2,000 Olive Oil in a single match as the Byzantines.
Japanese achievements[]
- A First for the Emperor: Win a match as the Japanese.
- Established Lands: Win 20 matches as the Japanese.
- Protecting Us: Heal 20 units using Shinto Priest units in a single match as the Japanese.
- Daimyo Mastery: Spend Stone to research all Town Center upgrades as the Japanese.
- Exchange Rates: Convert Stone to Gold at a Forge 250 times in a single match as the Japanese.
- Shinobi Mastermind: Disable 50 buildings with Shinobi units as the Japanese.
- Gunpowder Mastery: Defeat 50 siege units using Ozutsu units as the Japanese.
- Successful Gatherer: Enhance 10 resource dropoff buildings by depositing a Sacred Object as the Japanese.
Campaign achievements[]
- The Sultans: Complete The Sultans Ascend campaign.
- Master Naval Trader: Have 20 Trade Ships trading simultaneously during the Raiders of the Red Sea.
- In the Lead By a Quarter Nile: Capture all Control Points during Into Egypt.
- Saving the Day Early: Eliminate all 3 enemy leaders within 30 seconds of each other during the Battle of Mansurah.
- Rescue: Rescue all the prisoners during the Invasion of Cyprus.
New masteries[]
Byzantine masteries[]
- Burn the Midnight Oil: Construct 3 Olive Groves and then harvest 300 Oil.
- Conveyance: Have 15 Villagers simultaneously Irrigated by Cisterns.
- Test of Strength I: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Byzantines against the Easy AI.
- Shared Interests: Construct 3 buildings within the influence of a Cistern before reaching the Feudal Age.
- Combat Streak: Construct the Imperial Hippodrome and activate a Triumph that lasts at least 45 seconds.
- Pointy End: Defeat 5 enemy units with Villagers using Akritoi Defense.
- Test of Strength II: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Byzantines against the Intermediate AI.
- Surefire Victory: Defeat 20 enemy units using Greek Fire.
- Sheild's Up: Defeat 15 units with Limitanei while Shield Wall is active.
- Bear Down: Produce 15 Cataphracts and then Trample enemy units 20 times.
- Test of Strength III: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Byzantines against the Hard AI.
- Terror Stricken: Produce 10 Varangian Guards and then defeat 15 enemies while Berserking.
- Fielding the Whole Gang: Construct a Mercenary House next to a neutral Trade Post and fully upgrade the contract units to Veteran.
- Rain of Fire: Research the Greek Fire Trebuchet and then destroy 20 buildings using Trebuchets.
- Test of Strength IV: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Byzantines against the Hardest AI.
Japanese masteries[]
- Senmaida: Improve your Town Center to Daimyo Manor and Produce a Bannerman.
- Honor Bound: Defeat 1 enemy unit with a Samurai in Age I.
- Test of Strength I: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Japanese against the Easy AI.
- By Night and Naginata: Defeat 15 enemy infantry units with Onna-Bugeisha.
- Duplicitous: Construct the Koka Township and produce 10 Shinobi.
- All a Quiver: Defeat 15 enemy spearmen with Yumi Ashigaru.
- Test of Strength II: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Japanese against the Intermediate AI.
- Encouraged Growth: Use Shinto Priests to place a Yorishiro into any building to provide special bonuses. Yorishiro are produced by the Floating Gate Landmark in Age III.
- Deflection: Research Maru-do Armor and defeat 30 enemy units with Mounted Samurai.
- Give Strength: Use the Conversion ability with a Buddhist Monk and inspire 20 nearby allied units.
- Test of Strength III: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Japanese against the Hard AI.
- Safeguard: Construct the Masumoto Castle Landmark and trade with the Treasure Trader 3 times during Age IV.
- Not So Fast: Increase the movement speed of 40 Onna-Musha using a Kabura-ya Whistling Arrow.
- Iron Rations: Defeat 20 enemy units with Ozutsu.
- Test of Strength IV: Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match as the Japanese against the Hardest AI.
Trivia[]
- On first announcement, Zhu Xi's Legacy was named Empire of Jade, and Ayyubids were named The Sultan's Army. On 25 September 2023, it was announced that the names are changed due to community's disapproval of the old names for various reasons.
- The community did not disapprove of the Order of the Dragon.
Gallery[]
Age of Empires IV- The Sultans Ascend - Official Launch Trailer
Age of Empires IV- The Sultans Ascend - Official Teaser Trailer
Expansion cover art without the logo
Expansion promotion art
Byzantines civilization reveal
Byzantine landmark, the Imperial Hippodrome
Japanese civilization reveal
Lancers charging through an area affected by Greek Fire
A still from the campaign
A base belonging to Jeanne d'Arc
Burgrave Palace landmark and troops of the Order of the Dragon
Naval base in the campaign
