Age of Empires 2 DE update packs huge balance changes for classic RTS

pcgamesn.com:

A huge, “exciting and fun-filled” Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition update packs in plenty of big balance changes, a Spicy Expeditions Event to celebrate springtime and historical spice merchants, and several mods integrated as in-game options. Already one of the best strategy games on PC, Age of Empires 2 DE patch 81058 promises plenty to keep players happy on Steam, the Microsoft store, and PC Game Pass via the Xbox app.

The full Age of Empires 2 DE update 81058 patch notes are down below, but let’s take a look at some of the highlights first. The AoE2 DE Spicy Expeditions Event runs April 11-25, with daily in-game tasks to be completed that can earn a variety of graphical mods and profile icons themed around “the adventurous merchants who risked life and limb to obtain luxuries” from foreign lands. There are five tasks to be undertaken, and each must be done on a separate day and in the order listed.

There’s also a huge set of balance tweaks, which have been previously tested through the Public Update Preview program. There’s new technology in the form of Gambesons, padded defensive jackets that will give your militia line extra defence. These can be made in the Castle Age after you have researched Supplies, but won’t be available to all civilizations.

Sweeping balance changes should pretty dramatically change your progression timings and resource demands, with Eagle Warriors, Swordsmen, Elephant Archers, Cannon Galleons, and Sappers among those featured in the patch notes. There’s also some specific fixes for Khmer’s Ballista Elephants, while the Portuguese Organ Gun has been tweaked to make it more effective against groups of enemies, in line with its historical use.

Several of the smaller Age of Empires 2 DE maps