Image Via Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media & Wicked Witch

13 Best Mods in Age of Empires 2

These are the best mods for Age of Empires II.

Age of Empires 2 is one of PC gaming’s longest running and supported video games. With mod support, a raving fan community and even an active competitive scene, there’s a lot to take in when considering what to do in the game. The base game has a metric ton of content in it, and the multiplayer lobbies are never ending. But what about mods? Don’t worry! We made a list of the best mods in Age of Empire 2 just for you.

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Age of Doom

Can it run DOOM? Yes it can. But it’s an isometric RTS game in the style of Age of Empires. We know, crazy! Age of Doom has three brand-new campaigns to play and a new combat style that’s like something found in Diablo.

Related: Age of Empires 2: Return of Rome Release Date

Hunger Games

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

Hunger Games in Age of Empires II seems like a match made in heaven. Mr. N has created the hunger games directly from the book series. Players spawn in at the same point with shared resources and only two villagers. It’s hard on purpose. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Cartoon Empires

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

This is a fairly straight forward texture pack from the developer MARTINSGAMETAG. He has created and handcrafted new assets for them game. Adding some simplicity and cartoon flavor to the currently existing graphics.

Sheep Launcher

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

Okay so this one is very simple to explain, every projectile in the game has been replaced by a sheep. Canon balls? Sheep. Arrows? Sheep. Stones? You guessed it, sheep. Worth a download for the comedy alone.

Nittlepicks Wonderful New Farms

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

Nittlepicks has made a texture pack to make farms look more varied and alive. Instead of rows and rows of tomatoes like the base game throws on you, now you can see yourself farming, watering and maintaining many different types of shrubbery, fruits and veggies.

Tech Tree UI

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

By default, AoE 2 doesn’t show the tech tree for the current civilization that you’re on. This mod makes it, so you can see the tech tree and know what’s coming up for you currently. Just a good QOL mod.

Thrones of Iberia

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

Thrones of Iberia is a single player scenario with a very robust diplomacy system. Custom made map, new factions and a unique economic system. This one plays more like a lite version of Crusader Kings 3.

In The Name of the Serpent

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

In The Name of the Serpent, Blood for the Serpent God is a Meso-American themed scenario with multiplayer and single-player capabilities. Everything has been reskinned to give an appropriate feeling to the setting.

NOCTURNES Alpha Wolf

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

Another simple and straightforward campaign that’s nonetheless very interesting. You play as the Alpha Wolf who needs to find a new pack to survive. There’s six missions in the campaign that are all focused around surviving in the wild.

Rise of Genghis Khan

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

This is a historically accurate campaign that follows Genghis Khan from the start of his conquering all the way to his death. It’s developer has made a handful of other very loved mods that cover the histories of Burma and Portugal. This custom campaign is about as good as it gets.

Age of the Rings RPG

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

This is pretty self explanatory but it’s literally a lore accurate multiplayer war campaign that follows the events of the books but with alternate timelines obviously if the orcs win. It’s a fun game mode to play with friends just to get immersed in the setting and also see if maybe the bad guys can win this time.

Dandolo

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

This is a historically accurate retelling about the rise of Venice. It contains five scenarios which will span the rebellions of the Venetian leader Enrico Dandolo all the way to his ascent to being the leader of a new nation.

Age of Fantasy

Image provided by mod developer on Steam Workshop

This is an entire game overhaul. All 31 civilizations have been remade from the ground up to fit within this original fantasy setting. Hundreds of custom units, graphics, terrains and a lot more to fit within the epic fantasy setting. This one is still in alpha but is in a playable state.


Age of Empires 2 is widely regarded as one of the best Age of Empires games ever made, though some people would argue that the more recent Age of Empires releases are just as good, if not much better, than Age of Empires 2. Check out Gamer Journalist’s guides on Age of Empires 2 and its successors if you want to judge which games are the best for yourself!

Author
Image of Zach Quest
Zach Quest
Obsessed with grinding, always playing some game you've never heard of. I am a huge MMORPG, Gacha and farming simulator fan. If I'm not grinding something in one of the many games I play (Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, Runescape, Epic Seven etc) I can be found working on my novel, reading, watching anime or hanging out with my three dogs.