Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dawn of the Dukes

Dawn of the Dukes is the second big expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. As in the case of Lords of the West, it was developed by the combined forces of Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media and Wicked Witch studios. The add-on focuses on Eastern Europe and adds 2 nations - Poland and Czech Republic. Players also got a chance to play through 3 new story campaigns.

Plot

Dawn of the Dukes adds the possibility to play 3 campaigns - Poland, Lithuania and Czech Republic.

Polish scenario focuses on the fate of Queen Jadwiga of Anjou and her efforts to unite Poland and Lithuania. In the following missions we have the opportunity to lead the forces of both these countries.

Lithuanian campaign allows us to follow the fate of brothers Olgierd (father of Ladislaus Jagiello) and Kiejstut Giedyminowicz. The princes are forced to face the Teutonic Order and the Golden Horde.

We will go to Bohemians during the Hussite wars. We take on the role of Jan Žižka - a famous general who defended the teachings of Jan Hus and turned the Czech mass movement into a punitive army ready to defeat the Holy Roman Empire.

Mechanics

This is an expansion pack for the RTS Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. The DLC makes no changes to the mechanics, it only adds new nations and their associated campaigns, special units and technologies.

Poland focuses on strong horsemanship, which can be upgraded with technologies such as "legacy of the Lechites" and "privileges of the nobility". Unexpectedly, however, the most unique unit for our country is not the cavalry, but the hammer-wielding "warrior with a club," which is excellent against armored opponents. Of course, there is nothing to prevent us from recruiting the "Hussar with wings", but we are not the only ones who can recruit him - the Lithuanians also have this possibility. When it comes to buildings, Poland is the only nation that can build a farm (instead of a mill), so you automatically harvest 10% of the new fields.

Bohemians, on the other hand, focus on shooting units instead of weaker cavalry, which is aided by the technology Wagenburg Tactics. They can recruit canonry faster than other nations, while their Houfnice (bombard upgrade) wreaks havoc among enemy buildings. Another unique unit for Bohemians is the Hussite Wagon, which works like a medieval tank. In addition, Hussitism was a religious movement, so it's no surprise that the Bohemians also have a unique Hussite Reforms technology that allows you to develop monk and monastery improvements in exchange for food rather than gold.

Technical aspects

Dawn of the Dukes needs Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to work.