Get ready, strategy game fans! Age of Empires IV is about to expand with its newest DLC, Knights of Cross and Rose. This exciting addition launches on April 8, 2025, just two weeks from now. The new DLC will introduce historically-inspired content centered around knights, bringing fresh gameplay elements and strategic warfare to the beloved real-time strategy game.
Players can already pre-order Knights of Cross and Rose, with special promotions offering a 15% discount on Steam. The expansion promises to deliver rich storytelling based on historical knights while adding new gameplay features. A new scoring and ranking system using medals will challenge players to demonstrate their tactical skills.
Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose continues the tradition of blending historical accuracy with engaging strategy gameplay. The April 8th release will give players new civilizations to master, battles to fight, and stories to experience in the medieval world that fans have come to love.
Two New Civilizations: Knights Templar and House of Lancaster
The Knights of the Mediterranean have already made their mark in Age of Empires IV, but the upcoming Knights of the Cross and Rose DLC introduces two entirely new variant civilizations: the Knights Templar and the House of Lancaster. These factions aren’t just reskins of existing civs—they each bring unique mechanics, units, and playstyles that set them apart from anything currently in the game.
Knights Templar
The Knights Templar are designed around disciplined order and unyielding faith. They emphasize heavily fortified structures and a strong late-game military. Their unique unit roster includes highly armored Templar Knights that can inspire nearby troops, bolstering their strength in prolonged battles. Additionally, their economy thrives on sacred sites and relic control, rewarding players who pursue religious domination and map control early on.
House of Lancaster
In contrast, the House of Lancaster focuses on raw military aggression and the power of nobility. Known for their ability to rapidly assemble armies, they utilize unique “Retinue” mechanics that allow nobles and elite knights to command units with enhanced precision. Their economy favors strong trade networks, and they excel in map control through fast-paced expansion and powerful feudal and castle-age units.
New Historical Battles Mode: Relive Epic Conflicts
For those who love single-player content, the DLC adds the highly anticipated Historical Battles mode. These scenarios offer crafted missions that recreate iconic clashes from the time of the Crusades and the Wars of the Roses. Each battle has its own set of objectives, challenges, and storylines that bring these pivotal moments in history to life.
- Battle of Montgisard (1177): Command the forces of the young King Baldwin IV as he leads a desperate defense against Saladin’s vastly superior army.
- Aftermath of Towton (1461): Lead the House of Lancaster in a brutal campaign to reclaim power after the devastating defeat at Towton.
Each scenario combines historically inspired narratives with Age of Empires IV’s signature gameplay mechanics, ensuring a deep and immersive experience.
Ten New Maps for Skirmish and Multiplayer
No expansion would be complete without new battlegrounds. Knights of the Cross and Rose introduces ten additional maps, each offering diverse terrain, new strategic opportunities, and environmental hazards.
Whether you prefer lush green fields, coastal strongholds, or treacherous mountain passes, these new maps are designed to test both seasoned veterans and new players. Some maps focus on open warfare and economic growth, while others encourage naval dominance or defensive turtling.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
This DLC doesn’t just bring new civilizations and maps—it introduces several gameplay refinements and additions:
- Advanced Fortification Options: Both new civilizations feature unique fortification choices, including upgraded walls, keeps, and defensive structures.
- New Naval Units: Fresh naval units expand water-based combat options, giving players more tactical choices on the seas.
- Expanded Tech Trees: Each civilization has access to new technologies, offering deeper strategic paths and combinations.
These additions aim to keep the meta fresh and provide more tactical flexibility for both casual and competitive play.
Release Date and Pre-Order Bonuses
Knights of the Cross and Rose launches on April 8, 2025, for PC and Xbox. Players can pre-order the DLC now via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox platforms, with a 15% discount available until release day.
Pre-ordering also grants early access to exclusive profile icons and a unique monument skin that can be displayed in your empire’s capital.
Knights of the Cross and Rose is shaping up to be one of the most exciting expansions for Age of Empires IV yet. Whether you’re a fan of competitive multiplayer, historical campaigns, or just want to explore new civilizations, this DLC promises to deliver something for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Knights of Cross and Rose DLC launches for Age of Empires IV on April 8, 2025, with pre-orders currently available at a 15% discount.
- The expansion features historically-inspired knight warfare, new ranking systems, and rich storytelling elements.
- Players can expect fresh strategic challenges while experiencing authentic medieval content in the upcoming DLC.
Overview of the Knights of the Cross and Rose Expansion
Knights of Cross and Rose brings exciting new content to Age of Empires IV with historically-inspired armies and fresh gameplay mechanics set to launch on April 8, 2025. This DLC expansion focuses on medieval military orders and introduces strategic elements that will challenge both new and veteran players.
Content and Features
The expansion introduces two new playable civilizations based on historical military orders. Players can command the Knights Templar, known for their distinctive white mantles with red crosses, bringing unique unit abilities and building styles to the battlefield.
New maps set in the Holy Land and European territories provide fresh environments for conquest. These include desert fortresses, Mediterranean coastal regions, and European forest landscapes that require different tactical approaches.
The DLC also adds several single-player challenges called “Legion Trials” that test player skills in specific scenarios. These challenges help players master new units and tactics before taking them into full battles.
Campaign content follows historical events surrounding the rise and operations of these knightly orders, offering both storytelling and strategic gameplay opportunities.
Impact on Gameplay and Strategy
Knights of Cross and Rose introduces unique military units with specialized abilities that change battlefield dynamics. Templar Knights offer powerful heavy cavalry options with special resistance to conversion attacks.
Resource management receives new complexity through the introduction of donation mechanics, reflecting the historical funding methods of these orders. Players must balance military needs with economic development in new ways.
Defensive structures feature prominently, with new castle designs and fortification options that enhance territorial control. These structures provide strategic advantages but require significant resources.
The expansion’s new technologies focus on cavalry improvements and religious military bonuses. These technologies create interesting decision points for players regarding development paths and timing of military advances.
Integration with Age of Empires IV
The DLC seamlessly integrates with the base game, allowing players to use new civilizations against original factions in both single and multiplayer modes. Matchmaking has been updated to account for the new faction balance.
Cross-play functionality ensures all players can enjoy the expansion together regardless of platform. The release maintains compatibility across Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox platforms.
Balance adjustments accompany the expansion to ensure new content doesn’t disrupt competitive play. The development team has worked closely with community members to test interactions between new and existing game elements.
Pre-order bonuses include exclusive cosmetic items and early access to certain challenges. Players who purchase before the April 8th release date receive a 15% discount on the expansion.
Technical Enhancements and Graphics
The Knights of Cross and Rose DLC brings several technical improvements to Age of Empires IV, enhancing both visual fidelity and gameplay mechanics. These updates aim to create a more immersive medieval experience while maintaining performance across various PC configurations.
Graphic Improvements and Art Style
The DLC features significantly enhanced visual elements that bring medieval Europe to life with greater detail. Players will notice improved texture resolution on buildings, units, and terrain, creating a more authentic representation of the era. The lighting system has been overhauled to produce more realistic shadows and time-of-day effects.
Water reflections and weather systems have been enhanced to create more dynamic battlefields. Rain affects visibility and terrain, while fog can provide tactical opportunities for surprise attacks. The art team has implemented historically accurate architectural details for both French and German structures.
Vegetation density has increased by approximately 30%, making forests and fields more lush and realistic. Character models for new units like the Knights Hospitaller and Teutonic Knights feature intricately detailed armor and heraldry. Weapon effects and combat animations have been refined for more impactful battle sequences.
AI Enhancements
The artificial intelligence in Knights of Cross and Rose has undergone substantial improvements. Enemy commanders now utilize faction-specific strategies that reflect historical tactics of the era. The AI adapts more effectively to player actions, creating challenging and unpredictable opponents.
Pathfinding algorithms have been optimized, reducing instances of units getting stuck on terrain or making illogical movement choices. This makes large-scale battles flow more naturally. The AI now prioritizes strategic resource control based on its current needs rather than following predetermined patterns.
Economic management by computer opponents has been refined to create more competitive late-game scenarios. AI will now correctly value certain buildings and units based on the current match situation rather than fixed priorities. These improvements make single-player campaigns and skirmishes more engaging and realistic.
PC System Requirements
The base requirements for running Knights of Cross and Rose remain similar to the main game, but some specifications have been adjusted to accommodate the enhanced graphics:
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6300U or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Vega 7
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 50 GB available space (additional to base game)
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 50 GB SSD (additional to base game)
New graphics settings allow players to adjust vegetation density and particle effects separately. This helps maintain performance on mid-range systems while still enjoying the enhanced visuals.
Historical and Cultural Context
Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose draws heavily from medieval European history, focusing on religious military orders and the legacy of Rome. The DLC explores the complex relationship between faith and warfare during a pivotal era of European history.
Knights Templar and the Roman Empire
The Knights Templar, a powerful religious military order founded in 1119, serves as a central inspiration for the DLC. These warrior monks protected pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land while amassing significant wealth and influence throughout Europe.
The DLC also examines how medieval societies built upon the fallen Roman Empire’s legacy. Players will notice how Roman architectural styles influenced fortress designs and town layouts during the medieval period.
Religious institutions played a crucial role in this era, with monasteries preserving knowledge and serving as centers of learning. Many medieval towns grew around religious sites, with church authorities often holding significant power over local governance.
Authenticity and Historical Atmosphere
The developers have meticulously researched medieval warfare, religion, and daily life to create an authentic gaming experience. Castle designs reflect actual defensive innovations of the period, with realistic manor houses and fortified towns.
The inheritance systems of medieval nobility are accurately portrayed, showing how land and titles passed through generations. This attention to detail extends to the representation of different religious practices that shaped medieval society.
Players will experience the atmosphere of medieval towns with their distinct social hierarchies and specialized districts. The game captures how these settlements often developed around defensive needs, with walls and watchtowers protecting valuable resources.
Agricultural practices and feudal relationships between lords and peasants are also portrayed with historical accuracy, giving players insight into medieval power structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Knights of Cross and Rose expansion brings significant additions to Age of Empires IV on April 8, 2025. Players can expect new civilizations, units, gameplay features, and competitive options that enhance the strategic depth of the game.
What additional content is included in the Knights of the Cross and Rose expansion for Age of Empires IV?
The Knights of Cross and Rose DLC introduces two new civilizations to Age of Empires IV. These additions expand the game’s strategic options and historical representation.
The expansion is priced at $14.99 USD, though players should check their local store for regional pricing. The DLC package also includes new maps that showcase medieval European settings relevant to the new civilizations.
Players will have access to unique structures and technologies that reflect the historical military doctrines of these new factions.
Which new units and technologies will be introduced in the latest Age of Empires IV DLC?
The expansion features civilization-specific military units that enhance tactical variety. These units have unique abilities and combat roles based on historical counterparts.
New technologies in the tech tree allow players to develop specialized military and economic advantages. These advancements create fresh strategic pathways for victory.
The DLC also introduces distinctive visual designs for buildings and units that accurately represent the historical aesthetics of the new civilizations.
How will the Knights of the Cross and Rose DLC affect the gameplay balance in Age of Empires IV?
The development team has carefully balanced the new civilizations to ensure they integrate seamlessly with existing factions. Each new civilization offers competitive options without overwhelming established gameplay strategies.
The DLC introduces unique mechanics that provide fresh tactical approaches without disrupting the core balance. These mechanics create new strategic considerations without requiring complete rethinking of existing strategies.
Balance updates will likely follow the initial release to address any unforeseen issues that emerge from competitive play.
Are there any new campaigns in the Age of Empires IV Knights of the Cross and Rose DLC?
The expansion includes new story-driven campaigns focused on key historical events relevant to the featured civilizations. These campaigns blend historical accuracy with engaging gameplay scenarios.
Players will experience narrative-driven missions with unique objectives and challenges. The campaigns feature historical figures and pivotal moments that shaped medieval European history.
Voice acting and cinematics enhance the storytelling experience throughout these new campaign missions.
Will the Knights of the Cross and Rose DLC be compatible with existing Age of Empires IV multiplayer modes?
The expansion fully integrates with the game’s multiplayer system, allowing owners to use the new civilizations in online matches. Players without the DLC can still participate in matches against these new civilizations but cannot select them.
A new ranking system with medals has been implemented to track player performance. This system provides enhanced competitive progression based on gameplay achievements.
The DLC content works seamlessly with existing multiplayer maps and game modes without requiring separate matchmaking queues.
What are the system requirements for playing the Knights of the Cross and Rose expansion in Age of Empires IV?
The system requirements for the Knights of Cross and Rose DLC match those of the base Age of Empires IV game. No additional hardware upgrades are necessary if the base game runs properly on the system.
The expansion may include graphical enhancements that benefit from more powerful hardware but remain optimized for the original minimum specifications. These visual improvements maintain performance standards across various computer setups.
The DLC will require the latest game update to be installed, ensuring compatibility with all current features and optimizations.
