The Last Chieftains marks the next major expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, bringing fresh content to one of the most beloved real-time strategy games ever made. Whether you're a veteran player with thousands of hours or someone returning to the franchise after years away, this expansion promises to deliver new civilizations, campaigns, and strategic depth that will keep you engaged for months to come.
What Is The Last Chieftains Expansion?
The Last Chieftains represents the latest DLC addition to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, continuing the game's impressive streak of content updates that have kept the community thriving since the Definitive Edition launched in November 2019. This expansion follows in the footsteps of previous successful DLCs like Lords of the West, Dawn of the Dukes, Dynasties of India, Return of Rome, The Mountain Royals, Victors and Vanquished, and The Three Kingdoms.
Age of Empires II The Last Chieftains Expansion Guide
Why Should You Care About This Expansion?
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition maintains an incredibly active player base, with major sponsored multiplayer events constantly being organized. The game holds a Metacritic score of 84 and an OpenCritic score of 85, demonstrating its enduring quality and appeal. Each new expansion breathes fresh life into the competitive and casual scenes alike.
How Does AoE2 Definitive Edition Handle DLC Content?
One of the smartest decisions the developers at Forgotten Empires and World's Edge made was how DLC integrates with multiplayer. Here's what you need to understand:
What Platforms Support The Last Chieftains?
The expansion launches on Windows through multiple storefronts:
- Steam (primary platform for most players)
- Microsoft Store (includes Xbox Play Anywhere support)
- Xbox Game Pass for PC (subscription access)
Age of Empires II The Last Chieftains Expansion Guide
Cross-Platform Play Explained
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition supports full crossplay between:
- Windows PC (Steam and Microsoft Store)
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 5 (added May 2025)
This means your friends on console can join your PC lobbies without any issues. The game uses RelicLink matchmaking to connect players across all platforms seamlessly.
How to Prepare for The Last Chieftains
System Requirements Check
Before the expansion drops, make sure your system meets these specifications:
Age of Empires II The Last Chieftains Expansion Guide
Optimizing Your Game Settings
To get the best experience, navigate to Settings > Video and consider these adjustments:
- Enable Anti-aliasing for smoother unit edges
- Download the free Enhanced Graphics Pack DLC for ultra-high resolution assets
- Adjust your frame rate cap in game options (uncapped available since Update 59165)
- Set Scroll Speed and Scroll Inertia under Game Options to match your preference
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts to Master
Before diving into new content, make sure you're comfortable with these essential controls:
- H to select your Town Center
- Ctrl+Shift+H to select all Town Centers
- Ctrl+1-9 to create control groups
- Q, W, E, R for quick unit production
- Space to jump to last notification
- F4 to display game statistics
Age of Empires II The Last Chieftains Expansion Guide
What Content Has Come Before?
Understanding the expansion history helps contextualize what The Last Chieftains might bring:
How to Get the Most Out of New Expansions
Join the Community
The Age of Empires community remains incredibly active. Here's where to connect:
- Official Discord for the series (real-time discussions)
- Official Forums at forums.ageofempires.com
- AoEZone for competitive community content
- Liquipedia for tournament and player information
Learn from the Pros
Watch competitive matches using CaptureAge, the community-made spectating tool that received official support for the Definitive Edition. It's completely free and transforms how you watch replays and live multiplayer matches.
Age of Empires II The Last Chieftains Expansion Guide
Practice with Art of War
The built-in Art of War mode teaches gameplay intricacies to new players. Complete these challenges before tackling new expansion content to ensure your fundamentals are solid.
Key Takeaways for The Last Chieftains
The Last Chieftains expansion continues Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition's legacy of quality content updates. With the game still receiving regular patches for bug fixes, balance changes, and new map templates, there's never been a better time to jump in or return to this classic RTS.
Whether you're planning to master the new civilizations in ranked play or simply enjoy the single-player campaigns at your own pace, The Last Chieftains promises to deliver the strategic depth and historical richness that has made Age of Empires II a timeless classic.