Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition surprises us with a new expansion: The Baltic Powers
World's Edge and Xbox Game Studios have surprised us by announcing a new expansion for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition: The Baltic Powers, which the development team says is in response to fan passion and feedback.
The expansion brings two new civilizations, fresh Challenge Scenarios, rule-bending game modes, more than 20 new maps, and over 50 hero customizations.
Two New Civilizations, Two New Strategic Identities
The Danes
Command the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, a civilization built around economic intelligence, naval control, and layered defense.
Strengthen your economy as you advance through the ages by leveraging shipments from other players right from the start using the unique Customs House.
Defend your land with Snaphane infantry, and control the seas with Gunboat levies. When the enemy inevitably invades your territory, shelter your villagers in Round Churches to hold the line.
The Poles
Build an agrarian powerhouse with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, utilizing lower building costs and a robust Folwark economy to fuel powerful cavalry options like the mounted Hetman and Winged Hussars.
Enrich the Sejm parliament as your population grows. Players can choose their path as they advance through the ages with options like Cossack uprisings or the Teutonic Knights.
High-Stakes Challenge Scenarios
Two new Challenges designed around tactical management and replayability:
Commonwealth Charge: Protect the Polish-Lithuanian realm against overwhelming forces by securing villages, expanding your resources and populating, and deploy Winged Hussars to fend off invaders.
Havana Heat: Defend the Spanish position against a British naval assault. In a race against the clock, you should inflict 1,000 casualties while protecting your Town Center and securing coastal areas before enemy artillery arrives.
Two New Rule-Changing Game Modes
Regicide: This mode raises the stakes; hunting down and eliminating the enemy Regent gives you an instant victory! Because Regents cannot hide inside buildings, protecting your Regent is as important as hunting your enemy's. You'll need to balance aggressive pushes, scouting, defending, and map control without losing focus on protecting your Regent.
Independence: Players looking to test their pure tactical skill, this mode completely removes the safety net of Home City shipments. Adjusted civilization bonuses put players' skills to the test; relying strictly on strategy, map control, and precise execution. It offers a fresh way to rediscover and remaster your favorite civilizations.
Battle from the Baltic to the Arctic with 20+ New Maps
The expansion vastly expands the game's geographical footprint with more than 20 new thematic and historical maps, taking the conflict into frigid new territory.
New thematic maps include an Arctic Map Pack stretching from Svalbard to Nunavut. Cross frozen tundra by Inuit dog sled, brave icy waters aboard a Whaling Ship, or fight further south in places like Nova Scotia and the Shetlands, where Scottish Clansmen loyal to the House of Stuart may join the conflict.
The Age III Free Trial Is Coming to an End
Ahead of the DLC release, the ongoing Age of Empires III: DE free trial on Steam will officially close on August 13. Existing owners of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition are not affected.
The Baltic Powers officially launches on September 10, 2026. If you can't wait until September, an Open Beta is live right now on Steam for players eager to get an early look at what the expansion has to offer.