Secrets of the Archmages adds new Tomes, Owlkin factions, story realms, and dangerous secrets across the Astral Sea.
Age of Wonders 4 is getting another major dose of magic next month. Paradox Interactive and Triumph Studios have announced Secrets of the Archmages, a new Story Pack coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on June 16, 2026.
This time, the focus is on forbidden powers, hidden realms, and the legacy of Athla’s old Wizard Kings.
The DLC adds three new Story Realms, each built around a different magical mystery. Players will follow Merlin’s apprentice in Evermore, try to survive the infernal chaos of the Azh’Ruun Pit, and step into the Fey touched Burrow Downs to rescue the legendary hero Ham Binger.
The biggest gameplay addition is the arrival of six new Tomes. Each one opens a different path for faction building and battlefield tactics.
The Tome of Abjuration is built around protection and defensive magic, while the Tome of Gluttony lets units feed on enemies. The Tome of the Sprite brings Fey tricks into the mix, and the Tome of the Weaver gives players a way to build around spiders and swarm pressure. The Tome of Burning Passion leans into demonic magic, while the Tome of the Cosmos pushes things toward full late game arcane power.
Secrets of the Archmages also adds the Owlkin as a new physical form. These owl like beings can be used to create new custom factions, with different visual options for rulers and civilizations. In a game where faction identity is shaped through form, culture, traits, and magical research, the Owlkin should give players another strong roleplay angle.
The world map is getting new content too. Players can discover hidden pocket dimensions created by ancient wizards to protect dangerous secrets.
These areas can contain forbidden spells, new landmarks, infestations, wildlife, units, and other realm events. The pack also includes a new mount, new Pantheon content, new music, and a new interface skin.
Secrets of the Archmages will be available for $19.99, £16.99, or €19.99. It is also included in Age of Wonders 4 Expansion Pass 3.
Age of Wonders 4 already works best when it lets players twist a faction into something strange over the course of a campaign. A defensive empire can slowly turn into a magical fortress. A noble kingdom can fall into chaos magic. A beast faction can become something almost cosmic by the endgame.
Secrets of the Archmages seems built around that same idea. More Tomes mean more strange builds, more Story Realms mean more hand crafted scenarios, and the forbidden magic theme fits a game where every empire is only a few research choices away from becoming something dangerous. Below the release date trailer.
