Age of Empires II Naval Update
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has received a major update introducing a new class of warships and significant changes to naval combat mechanics. The patch promises to shake up competitive play and adds new tactical depth for long-time fans. This update represents one of the most substantial changes to the game's naval warfare system since its definitive edition release.
- The new warship class is the Hulk line, which includes the Hulk, War Hulk, and Carrack. These are short-ranged ships that use grappling hooks, designed to be a direct counter to Fire Ships while being vulnerable to long-range Galleys. - A second new vessel, the Catapult Galleon, has been introduced as a long-range siege ship for civilizations that do not have access to the standard Cannon Galleon. - Naval combat calculations have been simplified; ship damage is now more clearly defined as either pierce or melee damage, moving away from a more complex system of multiple armor classes and attack bonuses. - The update introduces new economic strategies on water maps, including the ability for Fishing Ships to gather gold from a new resource, Whales, and an option for Trade Cogs to trade for wood, gold, or a combination of both. - Four new naval-focused technologies are available at the University, including "Carvel Hull" and "Clinker Construction" to increase ship movement speed, and "Siphons" and "Incendiaries" to boost Fire Ships. - The changes were tested and refined based on player feedback from a competitive tournament called the "Thalassocracy Cup," which showcased the new naval system before its public release. - Officially designated as Update 169123, the patch was released on February 17th alongside a new DLC named "The Last Chieftains," which added new South American civilizations. - Beyond naval changes, the update also introduced cross-platform voice chat for multiplayer lobbies, new civilization-specific flag graphics, and a comprehensive overhaul of the Inca civilization.
