Paradox Interactive and developer Triumph Studios are gearing up for the release date of their latest DLC, Age of Wonders 4: Rise from Ruin. Launching on March 9, 2026, for PC, PlayStation5, and Xbox Series X|S, Rise from Ruin is set to include new in-game Culture, Physical Form, and new environmental challenges and features designed around a new nomadic playstyle—adding to the already robust customization that players have.
What is Age of Wonders 4: Rise from Ruin?
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The primary focus of the storyline and theming from Rise from Ruin is to, well, rise from the ashes. In it, players will journey to the Withered Worlds and explore their devastated landscapes with the Nomad Culture, who have adapted to survive and thrive in desolation. In doing so, players will also unearth lost magic and choose to either banish it forever or harness their power for their own ascendancy. As most conquerors do, we can assume you will probably do the latter.
New Culture: Nomads
Customization in Age of Wonders 4 helps players define how they want to play. The currently available Cultures to choose from are Barbarian, Dark, Feudal, High, Industrious, Mystic, Reaver, Primal, Oathsworn, and Architect. Each one affects how you interact with the map, strategy, and ultimately how quickly, slowly, or morally you will build your empire.
For Rise of Ruin, Nomad is joining the other 10 cultures. Nomads are Masters of mobility on the battlefield (matching the new form inspiration). They can carry entire cities across the realm in relentless pursuit of conquest and power.
Nomads are also scavengers of the magical wastes and conquering hordes; they drain the land for potent essences before moving on, leaving only desolation behind. Nomads will allow players to choose between Conquerors for fast, aggressive raids that seize enemy territory, or Scavengers to harvest ancient wonders and battlefield loot to grow their power as sub-cultures.
New Form: Harefolk
In Age of Wonders, Forms work like races, defining the physical and cultural attributes of the empire you will begin to build. We have seen dragons, avian, lizard, and so many more across the title’s many updates and DLC. Now, players will get the hare-inspired Harefolk.
Triumph Studio’s description of the new form is as follows: “When the world collapsed, the Harefolk endured through speed, instinct, and an unyielding will to live. They thrive where others fall, turning agility and cunning into the ultimate weapons of survival.”
New Tomes
Rise from Ruin will also feature three new tomes. Below is what we know about them per Triumph Studio:
- Tome of the Warband: Players will use them to build strong armies and raise units through the ranks.
- Tome of the Sand Stalkers: Spread sands, blind enemies, and summon desert guardians.
- Tome of the Warlord: Conquer the realm with mighty warriors and infernal allies.
New World Map: Astral Barrens and More
Another key factor of any Age of Wonders 4 DLC is expanding the map and the scenarios that you can encounter. In the new world map content, players will be tasked to survive in the Astral Barrens, “a new terrain type born from a catastrophic magical calamity, where magic itself has been corrupted.”
This new map content is meant to be an unforgiving wasteland that drains mana, halts regeneration, and punishes spellcasters as unstable energies cause spells to backfire and living magic to wither away. Additionally, there will be 20 handcrafted regions, a new realm trait that threatens the use of magic, and many more features.
Other Rise of Ruin content
The DLC will also feature 2 new mounts, 5 new Realm traits, 3 new music tracks, new Narrative Content, new Wildlife and Units, a new interface skin, with more information on those coming at a later date.
What is the new free Scorpion Update?
Age of Wonders 4 is also receiving the free “Scorpion Update” content patch. In line with other DLC expansions of the game, the Scorpion Update will release the same day as Rise from Ruin. It will feature quality of life updates and fixes. Additionally, there will be updates to in-game unit movement and combat balance, defined as “substantial overhauls” by the developers.
How much will Rise from Ruin cost?
The pack will be available on digital storefronts for a suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.99/€19.99, and is also included in the Age of Wonders 4: Expansion Pass 3 bundle.
