Sources

Supported game version: Update 177723, with minor updates through 180059. Last verification pass: 2026-09-19. Unit stats and tech-tree access come from a dat extract. Civilization bonus wording comes from in-game strings. Counter text is advice unless a sentence says it is a verified fact.

Content is written for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on build 177723. Official minor updates 178524, 179158, and 180059 followed with crash and campaign fixes, not Khmer or Scorpion balance changes.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Update 177723
official patch · checked 2026-09-19
Current major patch cited by this site. No Khmer or Scorpion balance bullets in this update.
Minor Update 180059 notes (included on the 177723 page)
official patch · checked 2026-09-19
Crash and dataset-mod fixes only.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Update 169123
official patch · checked 2026-09-19
Naval overhaul and several civ bonus wording updates, including Byzantines fire ships and Dromons +25% attack speed.
SiegeEngineers aoe2techtree data.json (dat extract)
dat extract · checked 2026-09-19
Used for unit stats, costs, and which units each published civilization can train. Cross-check in-game after major patches.
aoe2techtree English civilization strings
official strings · checked 2026-09-19
In-game civilization bonus, unique tech, and team bonus wording.
aoe2techtree.net
maintained reference · checked 2026-09-19
Maintained tech tree browser built from the same dat extract.
Forgotten Empires balance changelog
changelog · checked 2026-09-19
Historical Khmer changes: farmer drop-off bonus, Bombard Cannon removal, Supplies removal, Treadmill Crane removal.
Khmer changelog notes for farmer work rate and elephant speed
changelog · checked 2026-09-19
Used only for hidden farmer work-rate penalty (5% slower) and Battle Elephant speed reduction (15% to 10%) that are not printed on the in-game bonus list. Treat as secondary to official strings.