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August 1, 2026Editorial4 min read

Age of Empires III Baltic Powers DLC: Release, Price, Civs

The Baltic Powers DLC for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition launched September 10, 2026 at $19.99 with the Danes, the Poles, two modes and 25+ maps.

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition's Baltic Powers DLC came out on September 10, 2026, on Steam and the Microsoft Store, after being cancelled in early 2025. It adds two civilizations (the Danes and the Poles), two game modes (Regicide and Independence), two challenge scenarios, more than 25 maps and over 50 hero customizations. On Steam it costs $19.99 in the US (£14.99 in the UK), and it requires the base game. Pre-orders got 15% off, according to World's Edge.

Release date and price

World's Edge announced the release date on July 23, 2026, and opened pre-orders on August 13 with a 15% discount. The expansion launched on September 10, alongside Update 19.18309, which the developers called the largest update they have released for the game. As of September 30, 2026, Steam's store page lists the DLC at $19.99 with no discount. The publisher is Xbox Game Studios and the developers are Forgotten Empires and World's Edge. Steam lists Windows only.

You need Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition to play the DLC. The game's free trial on Steam was scheduled to end on August 13, 2026, according to World's Edge and Rock Paper Shotgun, so new players should expect to buy the base game first. Owners of the base game are not affected by that change.

What comes with The Baltic Powers

Two new civilizations. According to World's Edge, the Danes (Denmark-Norway) are a defensive, mercantile power. Their Customs House earns income from shipments other players send, Round Churches protect villagers, and they get a roster of Royal Guard regiments. The Poles (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) are a land-based agricultural power built around the Folwark economy, the Sejm parliament mechanic, Cossack or Teutonic Knight paths, and Winged Hussar cavalry.

Two game modes. In Regicide, you win instantly by killing the enemy Regent, and the Regent cannot hide in buildings. Independence removes Home City support and XP, with adjusted civilization bonuses, so matches are decided by fundamentals and battlefield execution.

Two challenge scenarios. Commonwealth Charge asks you to defend the Polish-Lithuanian realm against relentless attacks and time Winged Hussar strikes. Havana Heat puts you in charge of a Spanish defense against a British assault, with a clock running while you try to inflict 1,000 casualties and protect your Town Center.

Maps and map features. The pack includes 25+ random and historical maps, from the Black Sea to the Arctic, with the Northwest Passage and an Iceland volcano among the settings. The historical maps include the Dano-Swedish rivalry and the battle over Livonia, according to World's Edge. Rock Paper Shotgun also mentions the Three Kingdoms wars.

New natives, outlaws and mercenaries. Native allies are the Scottish House of Stuart, the Sámi and the Inuit. Outlaws include Harpooners and Whaling Ships, and the new mercenaries are Gallowglass, Cranequinier and the Fortified Wagon. World's Edge lists 40+ additional units overall.

Cosmetics. There are new outfits for the Danish Explorer and Polish Hetman, plus a Hero Cosmetics Pack Vol. 2 for other civilizations' heroes. That is where the 50+ customizations figure comes from.

Some launch content is free for everyone who owns the base game. World's Edge lists over 25 new taunts and a Livonia revolution (Fortress Age) available to Germans, Maltese, Poles and Swedes.

Why the DLC was cancelled and returned

At the February 2024 New Year, New Age stream, World's Edge teased Denmark and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as civilizations for later that year. In January 2025 the developers announced the DLC was cancelled, saying they had announced content before it had been built. Rock Paper Shotgun reported the revival in July 2026 and a free Steam open beta ran from July 23 to August 6, letting players try the Danes and Poles before launch.

How players have received it

Steam's user reviews rate the DLC Mostly Positive, with 182 of 228 reviews positive when checked on September 30, 2026. That is a small sample from the first three weeks, and it can shift. I did not find independent professional reviews to cite.

What is still unknown

  • Balance. The 19.18309 update carries a long list of balance changes, and how the Danes and Poles fare in competitive play will only become clear as players learn them.
  • Future content. World's Edge describes the Baltic Powers as part of a much larger Northern expansion, but I found no announcement of further releases.
  • Other platforms. The Steam page lists Windows only, and I found no announcement about other platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Age of Empires III The Baltic Powers released?

September 10, 2026, on Steam and the Microsoft Store.

How much does The Baltic Powers cost?

Steam lists it at $19.99 in the US and £14.99 in the UK. Pre-orders in August were 15% off.

Which civilizations does it add?

The Danes (Denmark-Norway) and the Poles (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth).

Do I need the base game?

Yes. Steam lists Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition as the required game.

Are the new game modes and free content included in the price?

Regicide and Independence are listed as part of the DLC. The taunts and the Livonia revolution are described as free content for base game owners.

Was the Baltic Powers really cancelled before?

Yes. World's Edge cancelled it in January 2025 after teasing it in February 2024, and revived it in 2026.

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