Age of Empires IV: Raiders of the North is out now, adding two civilizations with very different approaches to building an empire. The expansion launched on October 29, 2026, and is available for the game on Steam, the Microsoft Store, Xbox and PlayStation 5.
The official Age of Empires announcement confirms that the Vikings and the Scots headline the new content. There are also two map biomes, extra Crucible missions and new ways to tackle that challenge mode with a friend.
Vikings focus on raids, while Scots reward careful defense
The Vikings are built for aggressive play. Their mobile infantry, Berserkers and raid-focused bonuses favor players who want to keep moving and put pressure on opponents. Saga mechanics track accomplishments, while the Longhouse supports the economy and Völur seers add another piece to the civilization’s identity.
The Scots offer another approach. They lean into strong infantry, defenses and a food economy centered on features such as Highland Cattle and Fishponds. Their troops include Gallowglass fighters and Border Reivers. For players who like establishing a secure position before choosing when to strike, that makes them a different prospect from the Vikings.
The expansion also includes Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer biomes, bringing new surroundings to matches without requiring players to learn an entirely new game.
Crucible gets co-op and expansion missions
Raiders of the North adds four exclusive Crucible missions, featuring fresh objectives and challenges. Crucible also receives broader improvements, including support for two-player cooperative runs, new progression ideas and additional modifiers.
It is worth separating the paid content from the general update: the developer’s Crucible breakdown details changes to the mode, while the four new missions are specifically tied to ownership of Raiders of the North. Players should check the expansion requirements before assuming every new mission is included with the base game.
Is it worth returning to Age of Empires IV?
The main draw is variety. The two civilizations encourage different strategies, and the Crucible additions give solo or co-op players more to work through outside a standard match. If you already enjoy Age of Empires IV but have been using the same civilization for months, this expansion offers two fresh starting points.