Age of Wonders 4 devs reveal Thrones of Blood’s gothic and romantic vampire terrain

Age of Wonders 4 is well underway to become the best strategy game of the decade as Expansion Pass 3 promises another run of content expansions starting with Thrones of Blood — and it’s looking gorgeous. Using the trope of vampires being weak to sunlight, the developers created the Sunless terrain type for the expansion, which is suitably gothic – and romantic – for them: Grim and grey plains dominate the landscape, dotted and divided by the crimson of roses and blood rivers.

These lands are not only a safe haven for vampires and their followers, they also weaken any intruders not adapted to the environment — aside from the undead. While this terrain is rare as a natural occurrence unless you add the corresponding realm modifier, vampires can artificially spread it around their civilization.

In combat, the terrain has unique characteristics as well. The Rose Vines on the map multiply over time, filling more and more hexes as a battle rages around them. Their thorns are prickly, causing any units coming in contact with them to bleed. Another type of vegetation, the creepy Banshee Pods, can be detonated to cause Frost Damage and debuffs in a radius around them.

Sunless terrain also features a unique magic resource called Blood Glass, which brings some economic benefits and allows for the infusion of blood magic during equipment crafting.

Two additional Ancient Wonders and the magnificent Thorn Heart Landmark join the fun as well. The Landmark is especially cool: While it provides lots of extra resources, annexing too much of it causes Sunless terrain to spread, so any living ruler may want to tread carefully.

It looks like Triumph Studios and Paradox are continuing to cook with Age of Wonders 4. Thrones of Blood is set to be released on November 11, 2025.

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