Rise from Ruin Expands Age of Wonders 4 on March 9
- Paradox Interactive has announced Age of Wonders 4: Rise from Ruin, a new DLC arriving March 9, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- The expansion introduces a nomadic playstyle, a new culture and form, and fresh environmental challenges set in the devastated Withered Worlds.
- All players will also receive the free Scorpion Update, which brings balance changes and quality‑of‑life improvements.
A New Journey Into the Withered Worlds
Paradox Interactive has revealed details for Age of Wonders 4: Rise from Ruin, the next major DLC for Triumph Studios’ fantasy strategy title. The expansion launches on March 9, 2026, and will be available individually or as part of Expansion Pass 3. Its central theme revolves around survival in the Withered Worlds, realms scarred by catastrophic magical events. Players will explore these harsh environments using a new nomadic culture designed to thrive in desolation.
The Nomad Culture introduces a mobile approach to empire building. Entire cities can be moved across the map, allowing players to relocate their power base as resources shift. Nomads drain magical essences from the land before moving on, leaving barren terrain behind. This design encourages aggressive expansion or strategic scavenging depending on the chosen specialization.
Two distinct playstyles define the culture. Conquerors focus on rapid territorial raids, while Scavengers emphasize harvesting ancient wonders and battlefield spoils. Both approaches aim to reshape how players manage territory and resources. The culture’s flexibility supports varied strategies across different map types.
New Forms, Tomes and World Challenges
Rise from Ruin also introduces the Harefolk, a new physical form adapted to survive collapsing worlds. Their agility and resilience make them well suited for fast‑paced tactics. The form reflects the expansion’s broader theme of endurance in hostile environments. Players can integrate Harefolk into any culture to create unique combinations.
Three new Tomes expand magical and military options. The Tome of the Warband strengthens armies and enhances unit progression. The Tome of Sand Stalkers adds desert‑themed abilities, including blinding effects and summoned guardians. The Tome of the Warlord focuses on powerful warriors and infernal allies capable of dominating the battlefield. Each Tome supports different strategic paths and complements the nomadic playstyle.
A major addition is the Astral Barrens, a new terrain type shaped by corrupted magic. This environment drains mana, disrupts spellcasting and causes unstable energies to backfire. Players must adapt to these conditions while navigating 20 handcrafted regions and new realm traits. The expansion’s world‑building emphasizes unpredictability and environmental pressure.
Additional content includes new mounts, wildlife, units and narrative elements. A fresh interface skin and three new music tracks round out the pack. These features aim to enrich the game’s atmosphere and provide more variety across campaigns.
Free Scorpion Update Arrives Alongside the DLC
All Age of Wonders 4 players will receive the Scorpion Update on the same day the DLC launches. This free patch introduces quality‑of‑life improvements and bug fixes. Unit movement and combat balance are undergoing significant adjustments to refine gameplay flow. New customization and pantheon options will also be available, expanding player expression.
The update reflects Triumph Studios’ ongoing support for the game. Regular patches have helped maintain balance across its growing roster of cultures, forms and Tomes. The Scorpion Update continues this trend by addressing community feedback. Its timing ensures that both DLC owners and base‑game players benefit from improvements.
Paradox Interactive highlighted that Rise from Ruin fits within its broader portfolio of strategy and management titles. The company continues to support long‑running franchises such as Stellaris, Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis. Age of Wonders remains a key part of that lineup, with expansions designed to evolve the series’ tactical and narrative depth.
Nomadic factions are relatively rare in 4X strategy games, but they have appeared in titles like Endless Legend and Total War: Warhammer. These factions often challenge traditional city‑building mechanics by emphasizing mobility and resource extraction. Rise from Ruin’s Nomad Culture appears to follow this tradition while adapting it to Age of Wonders’ magical setting.
