Chronicles: Battle for Greece – The New Age of Empires II Definitive Edition DLC
Chronicles: Battle for Greece, a new DLC for Age of Empires II Definitive Edition, launches on 14th November. It introduces three new civilisations—Achaemenids, Athenians, and Spartans—a 21-scenario campaign, and a complete naval overhaul.
What’s the Buzz About Chronicles: Battle for Greece?
This isn’t just another DLC.
It’s an immersive narrative expansion that takes you straight into classical antiquity.
We’re talking epic battles, legendary figures, and a whole new visual overhaul.
Three New Civilisations to Command
 Achaemenids |
 Athenians |
 Spartans |
Each civilisation brings unique mechanics, units, and strategies to the table.
Meet the New Civilizations: Bonuses, Unique Units, and Technologies
Achaemenids Civilization
The Achaemenids are a forthcoming Asian civilization featured in Chronicles: Battle for Greece.
They are equivalent to the Persians from Age of Empires and are the predecessors of the later Persians in Age of Empires II.
Civilization bonuses
- Shipyards operate 15% more quickly.
- Beginning in the Civic Age, each Town Center can be individually upgraded to enhance its power.
- Technologies from the Stable are researched 50% faster.
Unique units
Immortal: A swift unit capable of fighting in melee as infantry and at short range as an archer.
Immortal: A swift unit capable of fighting in melee as infantry and at short range as an archer.Unique technologies
- Sparabaras: Spearmen grant +1 pierce armor to nearby units.
- Reed Arrows: Archers, ranged Immortals, and Galleys have a 25% faster firing rate.
- Scythed Chariots: War Chariots gain a larger trample radius.
- Karda: Infantry and archers receive a 15% increase in hit points.
Sparabaras: Spearmen grant +1 pierce armor to nearby units.
Reed Arrows: 
Scythed Chariots: War Chariots gain a larger trample radius.
Karda: Infantry and archers receive a 15% increase in hit points.Town Center upgrades
Starting from the Civic Age, Achaemenids can individually upgrade their Town Centers, enhancing them and/or providing specific area buffs. Each Town Center can be permanently upgraded with one of three options:
- Economic Town Center: Boosts the gathering speed of nearby Villagers by 15%.
- Military Town Center: Increases the production speed of nearby military buildings by 50%.
- Defensive Town Center: Enhances the Town Center’s durability and firepower, and increases the attack speed of nearby units by 15%.
Economic Town Center: Boosts the gathering speed of nearby Villagers by 15%.
Military Town Center: Increases the production speed of nearby military buildings by 50%.
Defensive Town Center: Enhances the Town Center’s durability and firepower, and increases the attack speed of nearby units by 15%.Team bonus
- Houses are constructed twice as fast.
Athenians Civilization
The Athenians are a forthcoming European civilization featured in Chronicles: Battle for Greece.
Civilization bonuses
- Players can switch their policy style among Economic, Naval, and Military at the Town Center.
- Switching policies increases in cost progressively, capping at 150 gold.
- Lumberjacks gradually produce food over time.
- Hoplites have a 15% movement speed increase.
Unique units
- Strategos: An infantry unit that provides +1 attack (+2 when elite) to nearby units (non-stacking).
Strategos: An infantry unit that provides +1 attack (+2 when elite) to nearby units (non-stacking).Unique technologies
- Taxiarchs: Strategoi grant an extra +1 attack to nearby melee units, and their aura range is increased by 33%.
- Iphicratean Tactics: Skirmishers gain a +4 charge attack with their projectiles.
- Eisphora: Converts 33% of the Hoplite’s gold cost into an additional food cost.
- Delian League: Bowmen and Gastraphetoroi receive a 10% movement speed boost.
Policies
At any Town Center, Athenians can select one of three policies, each granting an extra bonus. Players begin with the Economic Policy by default and can change policies starting at a cost of 50 gold. The cost increases by 50 gold each time until it caps at 150 gold.
- Economic Policy: Enhances Villager work speed.
- Military Policy: Melee units are trained faster and earn gold for each kill.
- Naval Policy: Reduces the training time and cost for Archers and warships.
Economic Policy: Enhances Villager work speed.
Military Policy: Melee units are trained faster and earn gold for each kill.
Naval Policy: Reduces the training time and cost for Archers and warships.Team bonus
- Shipyard technologies are researched 50% faster.
Spartans Civilization
The Spartans are a forthcoming European civilization featured in Chronicles: Battle for Greece.
Civilization bonuses
- A free Polemarch unit is spawned in both the Civic Age and the Classical Age.
- Villagers and Fishing Ships deliver 10% extra food when dropping off resources.
- Elite Hoplite upgrade becomes available in the Classical Age.
Unique units
- Polemarch (hero): A formidable heavy infantry unit that boosts the attack speed of nearby military units by 15%. It is immune to conversion and regenerates hit points over time. The unit becomes stronger with each Age and is limited to one in the Civic Age and two in the Classical Age.
- Hippeus: A powerful but slow infantry unit.
Polemarch (hero): A formidable heavy infantry unit that boosts the attack speed of nearby military units by 15%. It is immune to conversion and regenerates hit points over time. The unit becomes stronger with each Age and is limited to one in the Civic Age and two in the Classical Age.
Hippeus: A powerful but slow infantry unit.Unique technologies
- Helot Levies: Training time for Spearmen, Skirmishers, and Villagers is reduced by 50%.
- Xyphos: Hoplites and Monoremes gain +1 attack for every 10 nearby enemy military units, up to a maximum of +3.
- Krypteia: Infantry units receive 33% less bonus damage from enemies.
- Peloponnesian League: Warships are trained 50% faster, and Forts generate gold over time.
Polemarch technologies
From the Classical Age onwards, players can upgrade their Polemarchs by choosing one of the following two technologies:
- Ephorate: Increases the aura radius of Polemarchs and allows nearby military units to regenerate hit points.
- Morai: Expands the Polemarch’s aura radius and boosts the movement speed of nearby military units.
Ephorate: Increases the aura radius of Polemarchs and allows nearby military units to regenerate hit points.
Morai: Expands the Polemarch’s aura radius and boosts the movement speed of nearby military units.Additionally, players can research the following two technologies for Polemarchs:
- Skeuophoroi: Grants Polemarchs +2 attack and a shield that provides protection against projectiles.
- Hippagretai (requires Skeuophoroi): Increases Polemarchs’ hit points by 50 and reduces their training time by 33%.
Skeuophoroi: Grants Polemarchs +2 attack and a shield that provides protection against projectiles.
Hippagretai (requires Skeuophoroi): Increases Polemarchs’ hit points by 50 and reduces their training time by 33%.Team bonus
- Barracks technologies are researched 50% faster.
A Campaign Like No Other
The Battle for Greece campaign spans over a century of history.
From the Ionian Revolt to the end of the Peloponnesian Wars, you’ll relive iconic battles:
- Marathon
- Thermopylae
- Salamis
And it’s all brought to life with engaging voice acting and animated cutscenes.
Naval Warfare Gets a Makeover
Tired of the same old naval battles?
This DLC introduces:
- Six types of military ships, including ramming and catapult ships.
- New trading options with merchant ships.
- A new sea-based gold resource: Oysters.
Customise Your Empire Like Never Before
- Government Policies: Enact laws that shape your civilisation’s path.
- Upgradable Town Centres: Individually enhance them to suit your strategy.
- Unique Technologies: Experiment with new tech trees exclusive to the new civilisations.
Why These Civilisations Aren’t in Ranked Play
This DLC with the Achaemenids, Athenians, and Spartans aren’t available in ranked play.
Here’s why:
- Balance Matters: These civs have unique mechanics that don’t align with the current competitive balance.
- Creative Freedom: Keeping them separate allows for more innovative gameplay without affecting ranked matches.
- Focus on Narrative: The goal is to provide a rich single-player experience.
Will there be a ranked ladder for Chronicles: Battle for Greece? Surely no.
A Collaboration Born from Passion
The team at CaptureAge, veterans of the Age of Empires community, crafted this DLC.
They’ve poured their hearts into creating an experience that both strategy lovers and history buffs will appreciate.
What’s Inside the DLC?
- 55 New Land Units
- 19 New Naval Units
- 85 New Buildings
- 21-Scenario Grand Campaign
- New Music and Voice Acting
Pre-Order Now and Be Ready to Conquer
Chronicles: Battle for Greece is available for pre-order on:
Mark your calendar for 14th November 2024.
FAQs
Q: Do I need the base game to play this DLC?
A: Yes, you need Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to play Chronicles: Battle for Greece.
Q: Will the new civilisations be available in multiplayer?
A: They won’t be available in ranked play to maintain balance but can be used in custom multiplayer games.
Q: Can I use the new naval units in existing campaigns?
A: The new units are exclusive to the Battle for Greece campaign and custom games using the new civilisations.
Q: Is there new music in the DLC?
A: Absolutely. Enjoy a fresh soundtrack that complements your journey through ancient Greece.
Final Thoughts
I have to say, Chronicles: Battle for Greece has me genuinely thrilled.
The depth of the new campaign, the unique civilisations, and the revamped naval warfare make it a standout addition to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.
If you’re as passionate about strategy games and historical narratives as I am, this DLC is a must-have.
But that’s just my opinion.
What do you think?
Are you excited to lead the Athenians, Spartans, or Achaemenids?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
