The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion is the newest chapter for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. It launches on 29 October 2026, and it adds two civilizations, four Crucible missions, and two new biomes in one package.
This guide explains what age of empires 4 raiders of the north includes, what it costs, which platforms it covers, and how to start playing it. It also separates confirmed facts from details that are still unclear, so you do not buy the wrong version or expect a feature that was never announced.
The headline is simple. If you play Age of Empires IV, age of empires 4 raiders of the north gives you two fresh ways to play the game, plus a bigger, co-op-friendly Crucible mode to test them in.
Table of Contents
- What Is Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North?
- Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North at a Glance
- Release Date and Platforms
- The Vikings: Raids, Sagas, and an Evolving Kingdom
- The Scots: Defence, Cattle, and the Mustering Hall
- The Crucible Expands: Four Missions and Co-op Play
- Two New Biomes: Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer
- Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Price: What We Know
- How to Play Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North
- Is Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Worth It?
- What Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Is Not
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North?
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion is a paid add-on for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition. It is not a standalone game, and it is not a free update, so you need the base game on the same platform to play it.
World’s Edge and Xbox Game Studios announced the expansion at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026. It arrives alongside Update 17.0 for Age of Empires IV, which also brings balance changes and Crucible improvements.
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion focuses on the north of Europe. The Vikings arrive as raiders from across the sea, and the Scots stand against them as a resilient, defensive civilization shaped by harsh land and long conflict.
That pairing is deliberate. One civilization rewards aggression, mobility, and early pressure, while the other rewards fortification, food security, and disciplined infantry play.
Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North at a Glance
| Detail | Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North |
| Release date | 29 October 2026 |
| Price (US) | $19.99 |
| Price (UK) | £14.99 |
| Platforms at launch | PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 |
| Base game required | Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, on the same platform |
| New civilizations | Vikings and Scots |
| New Crucible missions | Four, playable solo or in two-player co-op |
| New biomes | Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer |
| Companion update | Update 17.0 |
| New progression | Boons, Perks, Mutators, and civilization-specific Talent Tracks |
| Conqueror Mode addition | 25 new weekly mutators |
| New taunts | 12 Vikings and Scots themed taunts |
This table uses only details confirmed in the official announcement and its coverage. Prices are handled separately below, because they differ by store and region.
Release Date and Platforms
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north release date is 29 October 2026. The official Age of Empires site announced the expansion as available now on that date, on Steam, the Microsoft Store, Xbox, and PlayStation 5.
On PC, the expansion arrives through Steam and the Microsoft Store. On console, it covers Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5, so both current and last-generation Xbox players are included at launch.
PlayStation players had one timing difference to note. The expansion was available for pre-order on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and Xbox, but PlayStation 5 players could only buy it from the PlayStation Store on launch day itself.
That difference no longer matters after launch, because the expansion is now listed for purchase on all of its platforms. If you play on PS5, you can buy age of empires 4 raiders of the north from the PlayStation Store in the same way Xbox and PC players buy it from their own stores.
Steam unlock timing was reported as 17:00 UTC on 29 October 2026. That is 1 p.m. in New York and 5 p.m. in London on the same day, based on the official Steam time-zone announcement.
The Vikings: Raids, Sagas, and an Evolving Kingdom
The Vikings in age of empires 4 raiders of the north are built around raiding, fast melee infantry, and early naval strength. Their economy is centred on the Longhouse, which acts as the backbone of their early game and supports their ambitions as they expand across the map.
Their early strength comes from speed and pressure. Fast infantry and strength at sea let Viking players take the initiative early, contest resources, and force opponents to react instead of building undisturbed.
The Vikings are not only an early-game civilization, however. As the match progresses, their society evolves from pagan raiders into the emerging kingdoms of medieval Scandinavia, and their armies grow alongside them.
That evolution shows up in the units they can field later in a match. The official update notes name Knights and Militia Crossbowmen as units that become available as Viking society develops, which gives the civilization a different shape in the late game.
Two other systems define the Vikings. Heroic Sagas let players forge a legacy through great deeds, with lasting bonuses that can shape strategy throughout the match, while Sacred Groves extend Viking influence across the battlefield.
Völur seers also help guide the Viking path, according to the official civilization description. The Berserkers, meanwhile, are always ready for the next charge, which fits a civilization built for players who like to keep the pressure on.
- Fast melee infantry and early naval dominance
- Longhouse-centred economy for a resilient early game
- Evolution from Viking Age raiders into a medieval kingdom
- Heroic Sagas that grant lasting bonuses for great deeds
- Sacred Groves and Völur seers for map influence and guidance
The Vikings therefore suit aggressive players who enjoy raiding, map control, and adapting as a match develops. They are not a one-trick early rush civilization, because their late-game evolution gives them tools for longer games too.
The Scots: Defence, Cattle, and the Mustering Hall
The Scots in age of empires 4 raiders of the north stand firm as a resilient and defensive civilization. Their strength lies in disciplined infantry, fortified defenses, and a unique food economy driven by Highland cattle and fishponds.
Highland Cattle provide the Scots with a reliable source of food to support continued military production. Protecting grazing cattle matters, because that food supply underpins the steady stream of infantry the Scots rely on.
Fishponds add a communal food source alongside the cattle. Together, those two systems give the Scots a food economy that is distinct from other civilizations, and one that rewards careful placement and protection.
Defence is the other half of the Scots identity. Tower Houses and grand castles help establish a powerful defensive presence, and Scottish infantry can make dangerous use of stealth forests to ambush unsuspecting enemies.
At the centre of their military strategy is the Mustering Hall. It allows players to shape their forces between Highland and Lowland strengths, creating tactical flexibility in every match rather than locking the Scots into a single army composition.
Named Scots units in the official description include the fearless Gallowglass, who meet enemies head on, and the Border Reivers, who strike deep into enemy territory. Scottish infantry can also form a schiltron with Pike and Lochaber Axe units to stop cavalry charges, according to launch coverage.
- Disciplined infantry and fortified defenses
- Highland Cattle and communal Fishponds for food
- Tower Houses and castles for a strong defensive presence
- Stealth forest ambushes for Scottish infantry
- Mustering Hall for Highland and Lowland army choices
The Scots therefore suit players who prefer to hold ground, build a strong economy, and punish opponents who overextend. They are the natural counterweight to the Vikings, and that contrast is the expansion’s central design idea.
The Crucible Expands: Four Missions and Co-op Play
The Crucible is the mode that gains the most from age of empires 4 raiders of the north. The expansion introduces four new Crucible missions, with fresh challenges like seaborne raiders and civil war among Scottish clans.
Those missions are exclusive to Raiders of the North, which matters for players who already own the earlier Crucible content. The mode itself was introduced with Dynasties of the East, and it tasks players with defending a Wonder against waves of enemies.
The biggest change is co-op play. For the first time, Crucible challenges can be tackled in two-player co-op, allowing you to enter the mode alongside a friend, while solo play remains available for players who prefer to face the challenge alone.
Progression also deepens in the expanded Crucible. New Objectives, Boons, Perks, Mutators, and civilization-specific Talent Tracks add variety and replayability to each run, and a new progression system adds unlockable Boons and Boon Ascension.
Conqueror Mode improves alongside the new missions, with 25 new weekly mutators. Those mutators change the conditions of a run, which keeps repeat playthroughs from feeling identical even after you have learned a mission’s basic shape.
One co-op detail is worth checking before you buy for a friend. Coverage of the launch notes that both premade teammates need the selected mission’s DLC, so a friend without age of empires 4 raiders of the north cannot simply join your exclusive missions for free.
The Crucible expansion is therefore more than four extra maps. It is a larger, more replayable mode with co-op play, deeper progression, and weekly variety, and it gives both new civilizations a natural place to be tested.
Two New Biomes: Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion adds two new biomes: Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer. They shape the look and feel of the battlefield, and they are inspired by the lands shaped by the Vikings and Scots.
Biomes in Age of Empires IV change more than the scenery. They affect how a map reads at a glance, how terrain and vegetation are placed, and how a battlefield feels during a long match.
Scottish Heathland fits the Scots identity, with rugged, open land that suits a defensive, infantry-focused civilization. Tundra Summer fits the northern setting more broadly, with a colder, harsher landscape for Viking and Scots battles alike.
Neither biome was announced as changing core rules in the sources checked for this guide. Their confirmed role is atmospheric and visual, bringing the spirit of the north to life on maps that previously used other biomes.
That distinction matters for expectations. The biomes make age of empires 4 raiders of the north feel like a northern expansion, but the gameplay changes come from the civilizations and the Crucible, not from the biomes themselves.
Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Price: What We Know
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north price is $19.99 in the United States and £14.99 in the United Kingdom. Both figures are confirmed by store listings and by launch coverage, and they apply to the expansion itself, not to the base game.
The expansion requires Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on the same platform. That requirement is stated on every store listing checked for this guide, so buying the expansion on PC does not unlock it on Xbox or PlayStation 5.
One price detail remains unverified, and this guide will not guess it. The PlayStation 5 local price was not verified in the sources checked for this guide, even though the expansion is available on the PlayStation Store.
That means PS5 players should check their own PlayStation Store listing before buying, rather than converting the US or UK price. Regional pricing, taxes, and store promotions can change the exact amount you pay.
Game Pass is another area where careful wording matters. Store listings show age of empires 4 raiders of the north as a paid add-on, and they make no mention of Game Pass inclusion for the expansion itself.
The Game Pass wording that does appear on console listings is different. It states that online multiplayer on console requires Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate, which is a multiplayer requirement, not a statement that the expansion is included with a subscription.
The practical advice is therefore simple. Do not assume that a subscription which lets you launch the base game also includes Raiders of the North. Check the expansion’s own purchase or ownership status on your platform before you expect to play it.
The official Age of Empires announcement for age of empires 4 raiders of the north confirms the expansion is available now on Steam, Microsoft Store, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. The US Xbox store listing for age of empires 4 raiders of the north confirms the $19.99 price and the base game requirement.
How to Play Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North
Playing age of empires 4 raiders of the north starts with the base game. Make sure Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is installed on the platform you plan to play on, and that it is updated to Update 17.0.
Next, buy the expansion from that platform’s store. PC players can buy it on Steam or the Microsoft Store, Xbox players on the Xbox Store, and PlayStation 5 players on the PlayStation Store.
Once the expansion is installed, the Vikings and Scots appear as playable civilizations. You can try them in standard matches, skirmishes against the AI, and multiplayer games, depending on how you normally play Age of Empires IV.
For the Crucible, look for the mode’s mission list after updating. The four new Raiders of the North missions sit alongside the existing Crucible content, and you can choose solo play or invite a friend for two-player co-op.
A useful first step is to play a skirmish with each new civilization before jumping into ranked or co-op Crucible runs. The Vikings reward early aggression and map control, while the Scots reward careful food management and defensive positioning, and both feel different from the civilizations you already know.
If you play on PlayStation 5, one extra check helps before you start a multiplayer session. The official PlayStation FAQ requires PS Plus for multiplayer, while single-player remains available without it, so check your subscription status if you plan to play online.
Notebookcheck’s report on age of empires 4 raiders of the north confirms the 29 October date, the platforms, and the paid add-on framing. The launch-times and co-op guide for age of empires 4 raiders of the north confirms the Steam unlock time and the co-op DLC requirement for premade teammates.
Is Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Worth It?
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion is easiest to recommend to active Age of Empires IV players. Two new civilizations, four Crucible missions, co-op play, and two new biomes is a substantial package for $19.99 or £14.99.
Crucible players get the strongest case for buying it. The four exclusive missions, the new progression system, and two-player co-op give an existing mode a genuine second life, rather than just adding two civilizations to the roster.
Civilization collectors also get good value. The Vikings and Scots are distinct in economy, army composition, and playstyle, and they are not reskins of existing civilizations with new names.
Returning players who have not played Age of Empires IV in a while face a closer call. The expansion is a strong reason to return, but it does not change the base game into a different genre, so buy it because you want more Age of Empires IV, not because you expect a new kind of game.
New players should not buy the expansion first. You need Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on the same platform, so start with the base game, learn its systems, and add age of empires 4 raiders of the north once you know you enjoy the core game.
What Age of Empires 4 Raiders of the North Is Not
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion is not a standalone game. It requires Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, and it does not include the base game in its $19.99 or £14.99 price.
It is also not a new campaign in the traditional sense. The expansion’s headline content is two civilizations and Crucible missions, not a story campaign with a new narrative arc, and no such campaign was announced in the sources checked for this guide.
It is not confirmed as included with Game Pass. Store listings show it as a paid add-on, and the Game Pass wording on console listings refers to online multiplayer requirements, not to expansion ownership.
Progress and trophies do not transfer between platforms, according to the official PlayStation FAQ cited in launch coverage. That means a PS5 purchase does not continue a PC adventure, and each platform’s progress stays on that platform.
Finally, the expansion is not a mobile or Switch release. Its confirmed platforms are PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5, and no other platform was announced in the sources checked for this guide.
Keeping those boundaries clear matters, because age of empires 4 raiders of the north is strong on its own terms. It does not need invented extras to justify its price for active Age of Empires IV players.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does age of empires 4 raiders of the north release?
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion releases on 29 October 2026. It is available on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5, alongside Update 17.0.
How much does age of empires 4 raiders of the north cost?
The age of empires 4 raiders of the north expansion costs $19.99 in the United States and £14.99 in the United Kingdom. The PlayStation 5 local price was not verified in the sources checked for this guide, so PS5 players should check their own store listing.
Do you need the base game to play age of empires 4 raiders of the north?
Yes, age of empires 4 raiders of the north requires Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on the same platform. Buying the expansion on one platform does not unlock it on another platform.
Is age of empires 4 raiders of the north included with Game Pass?
No Game Pass inclusion for age of empires 4 raiders of the north was mentioned in the store listings checked for this guide. The expansion is shown as a paid add-on, while Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate is listed only as a requirement for online multiplayer on console.
What is new in age of empires 4 raiders of the north besides the civilizations?
Besides the Vikings and Scots, age of empires 4 raiders of the north adds four Crucible missions, two-player co-op Crucible play, new Boons, Perks, Mutators, and Talent Tracks, 25 new Conqueror Mode weekly mutators, and two new biomes, Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer.
Can you play age of empires 4 raiders of the north Crucible missions in co-op?
Yes, age of empires 4 raiders of the north Crucible missions can be played solo or in two-player co-op. Both premade teammates need the selected mission’s DLC, according to launch coverage, so a friend without the expansion cannot join its exclusive missions for free.
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