Raiders of the North is now available for pre-order for Age of Empires IV, bringing two new civilizations and a major expansion of The Crucible. The Age of Empires team confirmed the news in its September 29 announcement.
Players can pre-order the expansion through Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox. It will also be available for purchase through the PlayStation 5 store on launch day, although the announcement does not provide a launch date.
The Vikings and Scots take different routes to power
The Vikings focus on speed, aggressive infantry, and economic momentum. Their Longhouse supports the Northern Migration system, which allows population to train for free, while Völur seers, Berserkers, Heroic Sagas, and Sacred Groves give the civilization several ways to build power across a match.
Viking armies can also move into a later-game lineup built around Knights and Militia Crossbowmen. Successful attacks against an opponent’s economy feed into the Viking economy, giving early raids a clear purpose beyond simple disruption.
Scotland takes a more defensive route. The Scots rely on disciplined infantry, fortified positions, Highland Cattle, communal Fishponds, and the Gallowglass and Border Reiver units. Their Mustering Hall lets players favor Highland warriors or a more structured Lowland force, creating different approaches within the same civilization.
The Crucible adds co-op and new progression
The expansion will add four exclusive Crucible missions, including scenarios built around seaborne raiders and conflict between Scottish clans. The mode will support solo play and two-player co-op, with both new and existing missions receiving support for shared runs.
New Objectives, Perks, Mutators, and civilization-specific Talent Tracks will give each run more ways to develop. The Crucible will also receive Conqueror Mode, Custom Mode, 25 new Boons, and 25 new Mutators, alongside a broad balance pass and other changes based on player feedback.
New biomes add Scottish moors and northern tundra
Raiders of the North will add two biomes called Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer. Scottish Heathland covers the battlefield in purple heather, standing stones, and misty waterways, while Tundra Summer brings a short warm season to a frozen region filled with red shrubs, cotton grass, and conifer forests.
The package will also include new architecture, music, mastery unlocks, seven achievements tied to the two civilizations, and 12 themed taunts. The Vikings and Scots will arrive with their own economic systems and battlefield identities, giving Age of Empires IV players two very different ways to command the north.
Would you start with the Vikings’ raiding economy or the Scots’ fortified infantry? Follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Age of Empires IV
Developed by Relic Entertainment
One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
- Genre Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
- Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Perspective Bird view / Isometric
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release October 28, 2021
- Publisher Xbox Game Studios
-
Age Rating
