Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition will receive The Baltic Powers on September 10, 2026. The DLC is now available to pre-order through Steam and the Microsoft Store with a 15% discount, according to the Age of Empires team’s August 13 announcement.
The expansion’s first Baltic Powers details introduced the Danes and Poles. The latest update fills out the rest of the package, which moves the action into northern Europe and around the Baltic Sea, with maps reaching from the Black Sea to the Arctic.
Danes and Poles take different routes to power
The Baltic Powers will add two European civilizations, each with its own units, technologies, cards, and bonuses. The Danes represent Denmark-Norway, while the Poles are based on Poland-Lithuania.
The Danes build wealth behind strong defenses
The Danish economy centers on the Customs House, which can generate income from shipments sent by other players. Snaphane and Gunboat levies provide defensive options on land and at sea, while Round Churches can shelter villagers from attacking mercenaries.
Danish players will also spend fewer resources when advancing through the Ages and can field a complete roster of Royal Guards. The result is a civilization built around trade, defensive positioning, and a well-funded fleet.
The Poles turn farms into cavalry power
The Polish economy revolves around Folwarks, which support a growing agricultural empire. Population growth strengthens the Sejm parliament, giving the civilization another economic tool as it prepares a large army.
Players can pursue early Cossack uprisings or bring back the Teutonic Knights, while a mounted Hetman leads the famous Winged Hussars into battle. The Poles favor expansion across the land, with food production supporting repeated cavalry attacks.
Maps stretch from the Black Sea to the Arctic
The expansion will add more than 25 maps across several formats. Random Maps will include environments from the Black Sea to the Arctic, including an Icelandic volcano and the Northwest Passage.
- Historical Maps: Recreate the Dano-Swedish rivalry or join the Teutonic Knights in battles over Livonia.
- Bonus Maps: Play selected maps from earlier DLC in the homelands of the new major and minor civilizations.
The northern setting also introduces new allies, enemies, and mercenary units. Players can work with the Scottish House of Stuart, the Scandinavian Sámi, or the Arctic Inuit. Encounters may also include Harpooners, Whaling Ships, and the feared Qivittoqs.
Mercenary choices will include Gallowglasses, mounted Cranequiniers, and Fortified Wagon artillery, which becomes available in the Second Age.
New resources and modes change the battlefield
Maps in The Baltic Powers will feature Seals, Walruses, and frozen Fishing Holes that Villagers can harvest by breaking through the ice. Capturable Lighthouses offer a way to monitor maritime activity, while Timber Importers can improve access to wood.
Fish Traps will also give Fishing Boats another source of food, and the feature will be available to every civilization rather than only the new factions.
Two new Challenges will test players who want a tougher tactical scenario. Regicide requires players to protect their Regent while eliminating opposing forces. Independence removes XP and Home City systems, offering a different way to play familiar civilizations.
Hero cosmetics round out the expansion
The DLC will include fresh outfits for the Danish Explorer and Polish Hetman, along with Hero Cosmetics Pack Vol. 2. The collection will let players customize Warchiefs, Monks, and Explorers from other civilizations.
Across its two civilizations, map pool, new units, challenges, and cosmetic content, The Baltic Powers will add more than 40 new units and over 50 hero customizations when it launches on September 10, 2026.
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